[Ichos]

Can't hear much difference, maybe a touch smoother on certain tracks, I keep mine at level 3 for music listening and 0 for reviewing.

 

[davesday]

Can't hear much difference, maybe a touch smoother on certain tracks, I keep mine at level 3 for music listening and 0 for reviewing.

You mean Level 2? There is only Level 0, 1 and 2.

 

[Ichos]

You mean Level 2? There is only Level 0, 1 and 2.

Sorry, yes, I mean level 2.

 

[gto88]

First listen after firmware updated, I am hearing crazy bass enhancement, any one hear the same?

 

[FiiO]

I tried but I don't hear any difference. I kept it at the default which is Level 0. What about you?

Second harmonic regulation:
It simulates the special distortion of tube amplifiers. The second harmonic that doesn't exist in the original signal is artificially increased.
Compared to level 0, level 1 adds more second harmonics. If comparing the numbers, the harmonic distortion is about 0.X% for level 2, about 0.0X% for level 1, and about 0.00X% when off.
Note: This function is only effective when the volume is high, for example: in high (or higher) gain mode, the effect will be more obvious when the volume is above 70.

Best regards

 

[Ichos]

Second harmonic regulation:
It simulates the special distortion of tube amplifiers. The second harmonic that doesn't exist in the original signal is artificially increased.
Compared to level 0, level 1 adds more second harmonics. If comparing the numbers, the harmonic distortion is about 0.X% for level 2, about 0.0X% for level 1, and about 0.00X% when off.
Note: This function is only effective when the volume is high, for example: in high (or higher) gain mode, the effect will be more obvious when the volume is above 70.

Best regards

This is why I am hearing the effects in some tracks and not always

 

[davesday]

It simulates the special distortion of tube amplifiers.

Thanks for the information! However when you say simulating the special distortion of tube amplifiers, do you mean adding 'warmth' of tube amplifiers or the 'imperfections of a tube amplifier'?

 

[davesday]

First listen after firmware updated, I am hearing crazy bass enhancement, any one hear the same?

I thought the 1.04 firmware was more 'dynamic' but I could be biased because I tested the Q7 in the older firmware for 4 hours when I was at the store. I was testing with IE 600. With the new firmware, I do prefer the bass using the stock single-ended cable and single-ended side of the Q7. The balanced side is very clear and fast. Maybe that caused the bass to be 'colder'?

 

[FiiO]

Thanks for the information! However when you say simulating the special distortion of tube amplifiers, do you mean adding 'warmth' of tube amplifiers or the 'imperfections of a tube amplifier'?

Dear friend,

The special distortion of the tube amplifier, simulated by adding second harmonics manually that do not exist in the original signal.

Best regards

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

I just bought a 33W GaN USB C+A wall charger and USB C to DC adapter, it's very compact for travel, works like a charm with the Q7 DC mode and it only cost ~10 bucks for the charger + adapter

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004708545279.html
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004574709951.html

 

[rumsky]

I just bought a 33W GaN USB C+A wall charger and USB C to DC adapter, it's very compact for travel, works like a charm with the Q7 DC mode and it only cost ~10 bucks for the charger + adapter

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004708545279.html
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004574709951.html

Customer review:
Failed in 2 weeks... Activates the PD for 1-2 seconds and goes back to 5 V.
What will happen to Q7 when the supply voltage is 5V?

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

Customer review:
Failed in 2 weeks... Activates the PD for 1-2 seconds and goes back to 5 V.
What will happen to Q7 when the supply voltage is 5V?

My guess is it would be underpowered so the battery would kick in.
@FiiO what do you think ?

 

[FiiO]

My guess is it would be underpowered so the battery would kick in.
@FiiO what do you think ?

Dear friend,

The 5V DC power supply is not compatible with Q7. When connecting it to the Q7, the Q7 will work like not conneting to power supply.

Best regards

 

[BS5711]

I thought the 1.04 firmware was more 'dynamic' but I could be biased because I tested the Q7 in the older firmware for 4 hours when I was at the store. I was testing with IE 600. With the new firmware, I do prefer the bass using the stock single-ended cable and single-ended side of the Q7. The balanced side is very clear and fast. Maybe that caused the bass to be 'colder'?

Are you meaning the sound in general is different or specifically with the second harmonic feature ?

In respect of M11 Plus - upon reading a conversation between guys discussing the sound improvement with a new firmware that I could not hear I queried FiiO on these forum about whether they would or even could alter the sound with the firmware and their response was:

Hi Fiio,

Is there anything in the 1.0.8 update for the M11 Plus LTD that would change the sound in any way, and from all outputs apparently, including coaxial ?

Thank you

Dear friend,

No, we will not change the sound via firmware update.

Best regards



I see no reason why that would be any different on the Q7 versus any other device. I am not sure how you A/B test for subtle changes when you have to update the firmware in between times, unless of course you have access to two Q7 with different firmware and an A/B switch set up.



In respect of the "single ended side of the Q7" versus the "balanced side" that you mentioned, are you aware that the single ended output is simply half the balanced amplifiers and not an entirely different circuit ? The positive of each channel is used along with a return to ground rather than the positive and negative for each channel, the negatives are left floating in that application, the circuitry is the same with the only difference being the total power output.

The output impedance of the single ended output will be lower so that might have an effect on the sound if using very low impedance IEM, more than the difference in power would I would venture.


I stand to be corrected if any of the above can be shown to be technically inaccurate of course.

 

[ApaucalyptiK]

Dear friend,

The 5V DC power supply is not compatible with Q7. When connecting it to the Q7, the Q7 will work like not conneting to power supply.

Best regards

Thanks, that's what I thought, so no worries @rumsky