FiiO Q7 Review - Overkill, Overpowerful, Oversized

My written review can be found here: soundnews.net/sources/dacs/fi...
Mu Ahkku by Mari Boine - • Mu Áhkku
Get FiiO Q7: bit.ly/3Fk59g5
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Looks & Build
01:55 - Controls
02:38 - Tech Inside Q7
03:48 - Sound Performance
08:41 - Noise Floor
09:50 - Power Output
11:11 - Soundstage
12:29 - Detail Retrieval
13:54 - Dynamics
14:58 - Bass
15:36 - Midrange
16:17 - Treble
16:54 - Q7 VS M17
18:06 - My Conclusion
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9: bit.ly/3r4swDh
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby RS5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#fiio #dac #amplifier

[@ActualFish]

Love your in-depth reviews! Gotta say, FiiO is 🔥

[@mustain8103]

나니쓰 ^^ 항상 재밌는 장비리뷰 행복해요 ^^ 형님의 장비 소개는 언제나 행복 ^^

[@aceofspades6667]

Happy new year Sandu!

[@Soundnews]

Happy New Year, Ace ;)

[@arthurhaywood2184]

Your review is 100% accurate! I did a comparison yesterday of the FiiO Q7 vs. the iFi DSD Gryphon. The Q7 stomped all over the Gryphon when it came to driving planar headphones or 300 Ohm & up headphones. It wasn’t even close!

[@Soundnews]

Wait until you head the Q7 in DC power mode...power will be doubling 🤘

[@johnt3500]

I have the Audio Technica R70x, which is 470 ohms (could peak at 1000 ohms !) and the Q7 can drive it easily, no Balanced needed. The DC mode is a game changer. Transportable desktop grade amps could be the future. I prefer the Q7 to the M17 to be honest, it runs much cooler and performance and portability is about the same.

[@everettedl]

That's good to know, as the Gryphon is on my list of portable DAC/Amps to get (because of it's gaming console compatibility and XBass with my HD800s). I'm really curious about how the Q7 stacks up against the Mojo 2 soundwise.

[@Cestmoi50]

Not regarding musicality, I did the same comparison yes! WITH planars (maybe not the Susvare, but buy a decent desktop amp for those!) I like the Diablo even better than the Fiio Q7. But it has everything to do with taste. Always get so annoyed about those childish comments, stomped this, stomped that. Q7 is more of a look I have a BIG BENTLEY With overpowered 2000 Horse power. They Both have there place. but musicality wise, a Violectric, Ifi, Chord wins easily

[@Cestmoi50]

@@everettedl Mojo 2 or xdsd gryphon sound more musical than the Q7, but for real heavy planar, get a Diablo instead (also more musical)

[@Flavius7]

Hello, world, today you will find out why Chord Mojo 2 sucks BIG TIME and what way better device to get. AS ALWAYS FIIO doesn't joke with this type of devices and offers a tone of power, functions over-hyped english dacs lacks, great transparent sound, nice design. YES, IT EVEN HAS A SCREEN, NO STUPID COLOURED CANDIES IN USE! Great job, Fiio, lovely review, Sandu, IT'S NOT COMING HOME, CHORD!😉👍

[@Soundnews]

Good old Favius and his praetorian "Chord Sucks" quotes 😅

[@MeteoraEra]

Do you even have one? Lol

[@aceofspades6667]

Flavius I wouldn't say the mojo 2 "sucks" it's certainly not for for me but doesn't suck. Have you tried the ifi Xcan, ifi idsd black label, gryphon, or their diablo?

[@Flavius7]

@@MeteoraEra Of course not, why would I buy one if it sucks?😃

[@davidmichael3189]

Hi Again! It would be very, very helpful for you to List the Filters on the Fiio Q7 and how you personally find each one. I personally can't hear any different - but I trust your judgement - so can you list the Filters and name them with your own personal notes on each one? Big Thanks!!!

[@HEMANTSHAH1410]

I'm looking to upgrade my mojo2. I'm also hoping to get an endgame portable dac/amp. Will this unit be that one instrument delivering the quality that I'm looking for?

[@BluesMan90]

hello sandu! I have the Q7 I find it a great device, I bought it following your advice. I would like to ask you a question, does the Topping G5 sound a bit slower than the Q7? I notice that the q7 has a slight tendency to speed up speech a bit as well (as you also wrote in your comparison with the h7)

[@emilianpredescu3477]

M17 was already a crazy good transparent power monster . Maybe Fiio should have gone more musical and warm with this one, no THX. More people could have had a different choice in the case they own more analytic headphones or iems. Still a good looking unit with impressive specs and capabilities. Great detailed review, Sandu, RESPECT for your hard work!

[@psysword]

Can I use this as a preamp for Burson timekeeper gt monoblocks? Very pumped to get the monos after your recommendation. Thanks so much.

[@aceofspades6667]

seems like a pretty sweet product just fits a use case that I would never have.. not good enough for fixed/desktop use and has way more performance than any of my mobile rigs would require. I have an ifi go blu for my iems and close backs which from the balanced connect provides plenty of power and no noise issue. I never really take my power hungry planar on the go. I guess if I had a weekend cabin or was going to audio shows/meets regularly this would make more sense.

[@Flavius7]

Yeah, gorgeous overkill!

[@victors6586]

What DAC+amp would you recommend for fixed/desktop use ?

[@davidmichael3189]

How do you think this will pair with the Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noires? I hope better then the ifi Gryphon - which was crap.

[@everettedl]

How would you say this compares to the Mojo 2?

[@omoveja8185]

How do this compare to a class-A desktop amplifier ? (under $1000) I ask this because in your review of the Singxer SA-1 you said that even with that much power the Singxer couldn't drive the Susvara, and everyone talks about how Class-A amps are the best to drive these types of headphones. Very well, I'm here with a much easier to drive headphone: the Arya Stealth, and I'm still deciding to go with this (Q7) or a Singxer SA-1 + something like a SMSL D300. Which one would you recomend ? (I mainly like a touch more of a warm sound, and most listen to Rock and Metal) I'm still considering a YULONG Aurora (another unit that I think it would be very nice to have a review by you), since it's a DAC/Amp combo with 4W@32ohm Class-A amp and a slightly warm tonality even with a Sabre ESS chip.

[@bryce74]

How does this compare to the IFI Micro IDSD Signature soundwise?

[@S.G54321]

Hello Sandu I'd like your advice. I have a SMSL SH-9 but have the orginal SMSL M500 paired up to it. I want to upgrade to a much better dac and was wondering which option should I go for and which you feel would sound better. Should I get myself a SMSL SU-10 and pair it with the SH-9. This would be strictly a home set up. Or should I get the Fiio Q7? I saw that you rated the resolution and dynamics slighty higher on Q7 Vs SU-10. Do you still feel the Q7 has slightly better res and dynamics over the SU-10?

[@gavinhou3261]

Just purchased topping D90LE/A90D stack and also an Arya stealth while double eleven(similar to black Friday in China). I don't think I'll buy any of these expensive stuffs any time soon😂, but still thank you for the nice review.

[@audiofile1178]

Hi, I'm currently in the market for a good portable DAC/Amp and this along with the H7 are what I have narrowed down to. What's the ETA for H7 review?

[@charlesthibault-roussel8543]

Off topic; will you review the new Gustard A26 ? Thank you

[@Soundnews]

Short answer: Yes

[@gonzalonobile15]

Hi, I have a question. Is it possible to connect 4 headphones to it at the same time, to listen to music or watch movies? If this is not possible, do you know of a device that allows it? Thank you so much.

[@ourada46]

Is it as good as the Singxer SA1?

[@user-ni7kn1dc1i]

Anh nghĩ sao khi so sánh FiiO q7 với sony walkaman m1am2

[@user-sh5wk4lg3y]

Q7 Please tell me which headphones are suitable

[@Overlordick]

Hello. How can it comparet with K9 pro ESS as a DAC, not headphone amp?

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

some people say it's very close to the K9

[@dixter1652]

the M7 is just a M17 without the screen.. and for the price it doesn't really have that much power.... if they had beat out the diablo or the centrance then it would be good

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

It's cheaper than the Diablo, and do we really need more power ? It drives the Susvara

[@dixter1652]

@@ROCKSTAR3291 Sus at full blast ??

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

@@dixter1652 yeah, plenty of volume. Whether or not it drives the Susvara "properly", that's another thing. But power is no issue.

[@dixter1652]

@@ROCKSTAR3291 This is how you tell if you have enough power... turn the volume up slowly and if the power isn't enough the signal will start to break up... could be high volume or lower volume... if you turn the volume up slowly and you get past where you can't stand the volume and its not breaking up then the amp has plenty of head room...

[@qa-engineer]

Hi, guys! Give me the advice, please.. Which is best in the frames of sound quality and biggest scene, Centrance, Diablo or Fiio q7? If I do not care at all about powerful amplifier.. Thanks a looot!