Fiio Q1 mk II upgrade over TEAC HA-P50?

[ChiHawk]

I have an aging TEAC HA-P50 that I use paired with my laptop and iPhone to drive my ATH-m50x. I'm waiting on a Massdrop HD6xx and looking at upgrading my DAC/AMP as well (the USB connector on the TEAC is having issues). I'm probably going to go with a shiit stack for the desktop but still need something portable. Would the Fiio Q1 mk II be a decent upgrade? I want to invest in desktop equipment and wasn't planning on upgrading my portable, but $99 is impulse buy territory.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kukkurovaca]

I haven't used the Q1MKII, but one thing to be aware of is that max output in single-ended is about half that of the HA-P50. Balanced power is higher, though.

 

[ChiHawk]

I haven't used the Q1MKII, but one thing to be aware of is that max output in single-ended is about half that of the HA-P50. Balanced power is higher, though.

Oooohhh... I hadn't noticed. That might be a deal breaker. Thanks!

 

[kukkurovaca]

Shouldn't be too hard or too expensive to find a balanced cable for the HD6xxx and take advantage of the Q1MKII's higher balanced output, FWIW

 

[ChiHawk]

Yeah I've been looking at that; balanced cables for the HD6xx might be nice. I'm sure this has never happened to you, but after continuing to read and review, I'm considering spending more money on the Q5 if it will drive the HD6xx well.