[jamato8]

The fi.Q was sold by Ryuzoh and was manufactured by iBasso. They did not sell them, it was a contracted item Ryuzoh's specifications. 

 

[wuwhere]

Will there ever be a balanced fi.Quest? It will probably be awesome.

 

[jamato8]

That would be very interesting. I haven't heard of anything though. Maybe email Ryuzoh. 

 

[shigzeo]

Quote:

Thanks Shigzeo. I will look forward to your write up.

By the way, I am wondering if the smaller version of fi.Quest is already on sale? I wrote to bt-fi to ask this question, but didn't get his response.

I don't think that the smaller version is for sale yet. Nor the DAC, but I could be wrong. Both are very good. I have no idea what the final size will be but, the smaller FiQuest is about half the volume of the original (my guess). 

 

[Choochoo]

Thanks again Shigzeo.
 
I already emailed Ryuzoh. Hope we will soon hear back from him about the release date of both new-smaller fi.Quest and the DAC.
 
Mind you, the size and appearance of my fi.Quest did cause a stir at Mumbai airport today when I flew trough to Goa.

 

[smial1966]

Hi,
 
having read some astoundingly good things about the iBasso fi Quest, would someone kindly inform me how to purchase one.
 
Thanks!

 

[SpudHarris]

Watch this thread. Ryuzoh informs me that the long awaited second batch will be along soon.......... I may get one just as a back up coz bang for buck this amp is awesome

 

[shigzeo]

I've got news that for headfiers, there will be another 30 FiQuests arriving soon. People, this is THE day! (or it soon will come.) Good news for all, I assume. The FiQuest is truly able to replace a desktop for any headphone I've thrown at it and it is excellent for iems. Cannot wait to see more reactions.

 

[qusp]

I would agree with one caveat, it definitely hangs with some VERY good desktop amps in the under 1K pricerange, but its not quite up there with the very best. but this should not be expected, it drives everything I have tried and well. I still love it, even though it doesnt get quite as much use these days.
 
for the money, unbeatable bar DIY .
 
to make FiQ balanced, would be a totally different amp. 

 

[hyato]

that's sound really great news!
I have been following this thread and want the fi quest for sooooo long, so when will be the ordering start or was preordering already started? Can I made a reservation now ?

 

[shigzeo]

I don't know when MST will be back online, but you'll be able to ask him yourself - he said he'll be back to Headfi very soon. I look forward to it particularly as I am excited to see the full version of his MST portable optical DAC. 
 
@Qusp: it is true that there is some room for error in preferences, but overall, the FiQuest is my favourite desktop replacement amp. In fact, it is so good with high Ω headphones that going to a more powerful mains amp (they exist for sure) feels wasteful. All of my full-size amps cost more, but for overall enjoyment with a WIDE range of headphones, the FiQuest is my favourite. That said, I go ampless often too!

 

[wuwhere]

It would be awesome if it could also have a coax SPDIF input like the D12.

 

[jamato8]

The fi.Q is an amp only, no need for input like the D12. 
 
I really think it depends upon how you line up the fi.Q. I have 4 634 buffers per channel and a metal canned OPA2111, which takes the 2111 to a new height. In this configuration, the sound is excellent and a little different, in a good way, than anything else I have tried. 

 

[wuwhere]

I was referring to the MST portable DAC from that link.

 

[shigzeo]

Only optical for now, but it is very good and quite compact. Battery lasts a long time too, but I have no idea how to judge how long as my unit (now returned) was pre-production. It is dual-DAC, so ostensibly, you could get it to wring out balanced signals.