[gto88]

Another issue I've noticed with the Q5:

-I leave the Q5 plugged into my Mac's USB port all day even when the computer is off.
-I start up the computer.
-The computer recognizes that the Q5 is plugged in.
-I turn the Q5 on.
-I play a song and the song won't play and there is no sound.
-I either have to unplug the Q5 and plug it back in or shut it off and turn it on again to get the music to play.

Anyone else have this problem?

I really want to like this thing, but it's giving me quite the headache...

I guess that your Mac needs to recognize it as "default" sound device.
You may want to check if you Mac's preference.

 

[KaiFi]

I guess that your Mac needs to recognize it as "default" sound device.
You may want to check if you Mac's preference.

But that's the thing. It is recognizing it as the default; the Q5 just isn't "activating". When I unplug it, the music immediately starts playing through the on-board speakers, meaning it was trying to play through the Q5 earlier but the Q5 wasn't responding.

 

[franz12]

My review on FiiO Q5 is live now!

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/2018/05/fiio-q5-rule-them-all.html

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/fi...able-dac-amplifier.22846/reviews#review-20281

I invite you to read more about this lovely device and why I find it to be so amazing

Good review, but one question. I have not heard X7, but it uses ESS9028pro DAC. Q5 uses 2xAK4490. I believe there should be some sonic difference between two as they use different DAC chips. I don't know which one would be better than the other though.

 

[franz12]

But that's the thing. It is recognizing it as the default; the Q5 just isn't "activating". When I unplug it, the music immediately starts playing through the on-board speakers, meaning it was trying to play through the Q5 earlier but the Q5 wasn't responding.

My mac pro retina 15' (2015) works fine with it. If you can, I suggest you to use the optical output via toslink, though the newest mac doesn't support it.

 

[KaiFi]

My mac pro retina 15' (2015) works fine with it. If you can, I suggest you to use the optical output via toslink, though the newest mac doesn't support it.

And I have the newest Mac. Isn't that great? lol

Maybe I'll get a Schiit Eitr...I would rather use Coax/Optical. I know people often say it sounds better.

 

[gto88]

It would be prefect if AM3B can be selected when purchasing Q5, with it plus BL44, the AM3A
will not be needed.

 

[KaiserTK]

The bluetooth AptX and AAC connection on the Q5 was really clean sounding.
It’s a bit unfortunate that the bluetooth on the xDSD I’m using now can sound a bit grainy at times.

 

[bflat]

And I have the newest Mac. Isn't that great? lol

Maybe I'll get a Schiit Eitr...I would rather use Coax/Optical. I know people often say it sounds better.

Go with bluetooth. Your Mac has Aptx and anything you stream on your Mac will be just as good as wired. Try it and I bet you can't hear a difference.

 

[AxelCloris]

Just a heads-up that we removed some off-topic discussion. Thanks everyone.

 

[TheoS53]

Got the Q5 a few days ago. Really impressed with the sound so far. Unfortunately, I can't get it to properly work over USB with my Galaxy S7, Hidizs AP60, or Shanling M2s as it's constantly trying to charge the battery when connected to those devices .And yes, I did attempt to change the charging function via the Fiio app on an iOS device, but no luck. Connected to an iOS device has been pretty much flawless so far.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Another issue I've noticed with the Q5:

-I leave the Q5 plugged into my Mac's USB port all day even when the computer is off.
-I start up the computer.
-The computer recognizes that the Q5 is plugged in.
-I turn the Q5 on.
-I play a song and the song won't play and there is no sound.
-I either have to unplug the Q5 and plug it back in or shut it off and turn it on again to get the music to play.

Anyone else have this problem?

I really want to like this thing, but it's giving me quite the headache...

I experienced this once or twice, but wasn't able to reproduce it properly or detect what caused it, so I think it was the fault of my computer having lots of drivers and lots of stuff going on. I didn't notice it every single time, and it usually worked right, so I think I did something different when that happened. So we know it is also fixable

Good review, but one question. I have not heard X7, but it uses ESS9028pro DAC. Q5 uses 2xAK4490. I believe there should be some sonic difference between two as they use different DAC chips. I don't know which one would be better than the other though.

They use different DACs, and they should sound different, but the differences in the final sound are so small that they won't be quite that important. I mean, double blind testing, volume matched properly, if they are using the same AMP module, the sound is too similar to properly say where the difference is coming from, since you are using a USB cable there, you are using a different source, etc.

I just advice to treat them as the same sonic performance when using the same AMP module, given the difference in device type, go with what suits your needs better

Q5 is not a DAP, it needs transport, it needs stacking, whwere X7mkii is a TOTL DAP

But sonically, they are really close

 

[scott s]

Got the Q5 a few days ago. Really impressed with the sound so far. Unfortunately, I can't get it to properly work over USB with my Galaxy S7, Hidizs AP60, or Shanling M2s as it's constantly trying to charge the battery when connected to those devices .And yes, I did attempt to change the charging function via the Fiio app on an iOS device, but no luck. Connected to an iOS device has been pretty much flawless so far.[/QUOTE

https://m.ebay.com/itm/10cm-Left-An...t-both-ends-for-OPPO-HA-2SE-DAC-/292052970340

 

[Bibo]

I am using this one from FiiO and it works flawlessly:

https://fiio-shop.de/kabel/404/mm03-micro-usb-zu-micro-usb

 

[Brooko]

My review of the Q5 is now up - https://www.headphone-earphone.revi...5-flagship-blue-tooth-dac-amp-a-game-changer/

 

[snellemin]

My review of the Q5 is now up - https://www.headphone-earphone.revi...5-flagship-blue-tooth-dac-amp-a-game-changer/

This is probably one of the best reviews I have read in a very long time. Well put together man, including the pics!