Q3 MQA Portable DAC and Amplifier

Inside and out, absolute brilliance

The Q3 MQA Edition is equipped with the next-generation XMOS XU316 controller chip, among the latest for use in USB DACs. The XU316 features 16 cores made in an advanced manufacturing process, bringing high-performance processing and allowing support up to PCM 384kHz/32 bit and DSD256 high-resolution audio formats.

Meticulously tuned, classic relaxed sound

Due to the disrupted supply of AKM DAC chips, the Q3 MQA employs the AKM AK4452. Through numerous adjustments, this chip was tuned so that its performance is similar to that of the DAC in the original Q3 and with even slightly improved power output. The Q3 MQA still features the same charming sound that made the original Q3 so beloved.

Extraordinary sound, THX AAA-28x2 amplifiers

Featured in the Q3 MQA Edition are two THX AAA-28 amplifiers, allowing for a max power output of 330mW (370mW when using Line in mode). Experience hugely powerful, extraordinary sound.

At the audio forefront Fully supports MQA decoding

Thanks to the powerful XMOS XU316, the Q3 now fully supports decoding the MQA format, allowing you to unfold and render any MQA folder when using a player that supports MQA.

Vivid life Dual power supply design

Comfortably use the Q3 MQA Edition in any scenario, whether as a portable device or a static device on your desk. Quickly switch between how the Q3 MQA Edition is being supplied power using the Charge switch on the bottom. Using AUX in the battery life is up to 23+ hours, and when using USB in the battery life is up to 12+ hours.

Experience upgraded All-new strapping kit design

The all-new strapping kit designed to bundle together the Q3 MQA Edition to your phone greatly improves upon the experience from before. The innovative X-shaped straps no longer block the display of your phone, and the intermediate films protect your device and prevent the Q3 MQA Edition and your phone from being misaligned when strapped together.

Colorfully cool RGB indicator light

The RGB indicator light is not only striking, but also instantly lets you know the current audio track’s specs and sampling rate.

Blue: PCM
Green: DSD
Magenta: MQA

Smooth experience Thanks to ADC volume adjustment

The ADC curve reconstruction method for adjusting volume not only effectively solves the problems of channel imbalance and noise, it also greatly improves the accuracy when adjusting the volume. Relish in making the volume just right for you.

Feel richness of music
Two gain levels & BASS boost

The gain and BASS boost buttons allow you to tailor the sound to different styles and to your liking, letting you better appreciate the richness of music. The BASS boost is achieved in hardware, allowing a bass boost up to 6dB without affecting the higher frequencies.

Listen the way you want
Numerous audio outputs

Listen to your music the way you want through either the 3.5mm single-ended output or through the 2.5/4.4mm balanced outputs.

Generous accessories

USB A to Type-C data cable*1
3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable*1
Type-C to Type-C data cable*1
Lightning to Type-C data cable*1
X-type silicone strap*1
Silicone straps (long)*2
Silicone straps (short)*2
Silicone anti-skid feet*1
Post-sale warranty card*1
Quick start guide*1

Parameters

General specifications
Name/Model	Q3	Hardware scheme	DAC: AK4452，USB: XMOS XU316，AMP：THX_AAA_28*2
Color	Black	Volume Scroll	Potentiometer+ADC Sampling
Weight	≈110g	FiiO Control	No
Dimensions	105mmx59mmx12.5mm	Samplig rate indication	Blue＝PCM Green ＝DSD Magenta＝MQA
MQA full decoder	8x	Recommended headphone impedance	PO:16~100Ω BAL:16~300Ω
Maximum supported sampling rate/DSD	PCM384kHz-32bit/DSD256	Firmware upgrade	System firmware and XMOS can be upgraded via USB
Buttons and interfaces
Button	One button for Gain, Reset and UAC1.0	USB	TYPE C USB
Switches	Charge switch, bass switch	Headphones ports	3.5mm(phone out/line in), 4.4mm, 2.5mm (Bal to unbal adapters are prohibited)
Power parameters
Power supply	5V 2A	Battery capacity	1800mAh
Charging time	＜2h
Battery life and test conditions
3.5mm output：≥13h \| 2.5mm/4.4mm output：≥12h
Audio in	USB IN	Gain	Low
BASS	Off	Tracks	MP3 44.1KHz/16bit
Charge	Off	Load	32Ω
2.5mm/4.4mm output：≥23h
Audio in	USB IN	Gain	Low
BASS	Off	Tracks	MP3 44.1KHz/16bit
Charge	Off	Load	32Ω
Audio parameters
Headphone output performance parameters （3.5mm output）
Output power	175mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output impedance	≤ 1 Ω
	160mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%)	Crosstalk	≥ 76dB
	18mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output level	2.3Vrms
THD+N	<0.0012%(1kHz/-6dB@32Ω)	SNR	≥ 115dB (dbA)
Frequency response	20Hz~50kHz: (±:1.5dB)	Noise floor	Gain = H,≤ 5uV(dbA)
Frequency response	20Hz~20KHz:(±:0.3dB）	Noise floor	Gain = L,≤ 5uV(dbA)
Balanced output performance parameters（4.4mm/2.5mm，UAC IN)
Output power	280mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output impedance	≤ 2.6 Ω
	330mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%)	Crosstalk	≥ 99dB
	40mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output level	3.3Vrms
THD+N	≤ 0.001%(1kHz/-4dB@32 Ω)	SNR	≥ 118dB (dbA)
Frequency response	20 Hz-50KHz: (±:1.8dB）	Noise floor	Gain = H,≤ 7.5uV(dbA)
Frequency response	20 Hz-20KHz: (±:0.3dB)	Noise floor	Gain = L,≤ 7.5uV(dbA)
Balanced output performance parameters（4.4mm/2.5mm，Line IN)
Output power	265mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output impedance	≤ 2.6 Ω
	370mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%)	Crosstalk	≥ 100dB
	105mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%)	Output level	3.5Vrms
THD+N	<0.0007%(1kHz/1.15V@32Ω)	SNR	≥ 120dB (dbA)
THD+N	<0.0007%(1kHz/1.15V@32Ω)	Noise floor	≤ 3.5uV(dbA)
Frequency response	20Hz-20KHz:(±:0.2dB)

Comparisons

Product Model	Q3 MQA	Q3	Q5s	Q1 Mark II / FQ1222
General Specifications
Color Available	Black	Black	Titanium	Black
Dimensions	About 105mm x 59mm x 12.5mm	About 105mm x 59mm x 12.5mm	About 124 mm× 64 mm× 16 mm	About 99mm x 59mm x 12.5mm
Weight	About 110g	About 110g	About 195g	About 101g
Display	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Analog Audio Input	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack
USB Port	Type C USB	Type C USB	Micro USB
USB Port	Type C USB	Type C USB	Micro USB	Micro USB
Digital Audio Input	N/A	N/A	Coaxial/Optical input	N/A
Headphone Output	Standard 3.5mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack
Line Output	N/A	N/A	Standard 3.5 mm Jack	Standard 3.5 mm Jack
Balance Output	2.5mm /4.4mm Jack	2.5mm /4.4mm Jack	2.5mm /4.4mm Jack	2.5mm Jack
Recommended Headphone Impedance	16~100Ω (PO)	16~100Ω ( PO)	16~150 Ω (AM3E, PO)	16~100Ω ( PO)
Recommended Headphone Impedance	16~300Ω (BAL)	16~300Ω (BAL)	16~300 Ω (AM3E, BAL)	16~150Ω (BAL)
Volume Control	Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling)	Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling)	Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling)	Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling)
Bass Adjust	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Treble Adjust	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Balance Adjust	0.2 dB	0.2 dB	0.1 dB	0.2 dB
GAIN Control	Yes(High/Low)	Yes(High/Low)	Yes(High/Low)	Yes(High/Low)
Bluetooth	N/A	N/A	Bluetooth 5.0，supports AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/ aptX_LL/LDAC/LHDC	N/A
Operation	Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch	Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch	Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch	Volume knob + Toggle switch
Replaceable AMP Module	N/A	N/A	Yes	N/A
Hardware scheme	DAC: AK4452 USB: XMOS XU316 AMP:THX_AAA_28*2	DAC: AKM4462 USB: XMOS XU208 LPF: OPA1662 AMP: THX_AAA28*2	DAC: AK4493 * 2 USB: XMOS XU208 Bluetooth： CSR8675	DAC: AKM4452 USB: XMOS LPF: OPA1662 AMP: OPA2323+OPA926
Hardware scheme	DAC: AK4452 USB: XMOS XU316 AMP:THX_AAA_28*2		LPF：OPA1642×2，Volume IC：NJW1195 AMP：AD8620+OPA92	DAC: AKM4452 USB: XMOS LPF: OPA1662 AMP: OPA2323+OPA926
Extended functions
APP control	N/A	N/A	Yes	N/A
Sampling rate indicator	Yes	N/A	Yes	N/A
Deep-sleep	N/A	N/A	Yes	N/A
Audio Performance (DAC Section)
DSD Support（USB IN）	DSD64/128/256	DSD64/128/256/512	DSD64/128/256/512	DSD64/128/256
USB Sample Rate Support	384kHz/32bit	768kHz/32bit	768kHz/32bit	384kHz/32bit
SPDIF Coaxial Sample Rate Support	N/A	N/A	192kHz/24bit	N/A
SPDIF Optical Sample Rate Support	N/A	N/A	96KHz/24bit	N/A
Frequency Response	20Hz ~ 50 kHz (±1.5dB)	6Hz~90 kHz(-3dB)	5Hz~90 kHz(-3dB)	6Hz~80 kHz(-3dB)
THD+N	0.0012%	<0.0012% (1 kHz/32Ω)	<0.001%(1 kHz/10kΩ)	<0.003%(1 kHz/10kΩ)
SNR	115dB(A-weighted USB DAC IN)	≥ 114dB(A-weighted USB DAC IN)	≥ 117dB (AUX IN)	≥ 110dB (A-weighted)
Headphone out specifications (3.5mm headphone out jack)
Output Power	175mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%)	≥150mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN)	≥280mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN)	≥112 mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN)
Frequency Response	20Hz ~ 50kHz: (±1.5dB)	20Hz~65kHz (-3dB)	5 Hz~50kHz (-3dB)	6Hz to 80kHz (-3dB)
SNR	≥ 115dB (dbA)	≥ 114dB (A-weighted, AUX IN)	≥115 dB (A-weighted)	≥115 dB (A-weighted, AUX IN)
Output impedance	≤ 1 Ω	<1.2 Ω(32 Ω loadde)	＜1.2Ω（32Ω loaded）	<1.2 Ω
Crosstalk	≥76dB (1 kHz,AUX IN)	≥75dB (1 kHz, AUX IN)	≥75dB (1 kHz,AUX IN)	≥79dB (1 kHz,AUX IN)
THD+N	<0.0012%(1kHz)	<0.0012% (1 kHz)	<0.001% (1 kHz)	<0.002% (1 kHz)
Power and Battery
Power/Charger	DC5V 2A	DC5V 2A	DC5V 2A	DC5V 2A
Low Battery Warning	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Battery Capacity	1800mAh	1800mAh	3800mAh	1800mAh
Battery Life	3.5mm output: ≥ 13h	>19h (AUX IN)	>24h (AUX IN)	>20h(AUX IN)
	2.5mm/4.4mm balanced output: ≥ 12h(USB DAC)	>10h (USB IN)	>9.5h (USB IN)	>10h (USB IN)
	2.5mm/4.4mm balanced output: ≥ 23h(Line in)		>9.5h (OPT IN)
			>9.5h (COAX IN)
			>9.5h (Bluetooth IN)

FiiO Q3 MQA THX Portable Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp

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