Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card Evaluation Report

Feiao Q1 MarkII is an important product under its strategy of balancing to the end. It is small in size and has made great progress in appearance and technology compared with Q1 2 years ago. From USB audio input to the output of the entire DAC and analog circuit, Q1 MarkII is also more willing to use materials than its previous E series and Q1 first generation products, while Q1 MarkII is priced at 698 yuan.

Appearance and Main Functions

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII portable USB sound card

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-MFi Authentication Device-Connect iPhone

Feiao Q1 MarkII is small in appearance and traditional in shape. It no longer has some distinctive decorative designs like the first generation of Q1 products two years ago. Only the potentiometer knob is prominent in the whole body, with orange-red decorative ring and inclined turning tool knob. Feiao's new iconic design. The black oxidation process of the whole body shell is exquisite. Due to the built-in battery, the overall weight and size match feel good.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII portable USB sound card

body potentiometer is the main input and output interface. The two gold decorations at the far end are earphone output connectors, one is 3.5mm stereo and the other is 2.5mm balanced output. The black 3.5mm interface in the middle is well weakened. It can support Lineout output, or Linein input allows Q1 MarkII to work as an ear holder.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII portable USB sound card

After the USB power is turned on or turned on, there is a long light LED indicator under the potentiometer. The pure charging state is big red, the power-on state is blue, and the USB connection working state is pink. Due to the design of the LED external light guide layer, the visual experience is very good. However, it does not make a lamp factory like Chord and will not change color with the sampling rate. Between the Led and the Linein interface in the middle, there is an indicator light with a small opening, marked with DSD next to it. When the machine is working in DSD state, it will light up and usually go out.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII portable USB sound card

, in the middle is a Micro USB interface for data exchange and charging. There is a switch on the left and right sides, one is high and low gain switching, and the other is Bass low frequency gain on and off. At both ends of this side, there are two small screws, which are the only places where screws are used in this machine, and they are well hidden in black. The edges of the front and rear panels have curved depressions inward, making the front and rear panel assembly form that is not advanced by itself look integrated with the overall arc shape. Compared with Feiao E series sound card earpieces many years ago, Q1 MarkII has improved its appearance and design, completely getting rid of the taste of DIY and bricks of domestic HiFi products.

Q1 MarkII is also a traditional USB external sound card. XMOS chip is used to support USB audio input, 32bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 decoding are supported. Q1 MarkII has also passed Apple MFi certification, and the randomizer is equipped with a adapter MicroUSB to the Lightning. This line is not a line certified by MFi, but a machine certified by MFi, which is similar to many professional audio devices of Apple, such as some recording cards, microphones, etc. Its advantage is that it greatly saves the cost of bundling iOS devices, because an Apple-certified Lightning-USB patch cord costs 228 yuan. So far, fake non-certified transfer accessories are very unreliable. From this perspective, the cost of Q1 MarkII bundling iOS devices is really very low.

In addition, Feiao's official website introduced Secondary specialized school Gate and said that Q1 MakrII can support Sony's Walkman player. Walkman has been using its own multi-Pin plug and needs to purchase a patch cord. We used the A35 player to connect Q1 MarkII and found it unusable. Maybe it's just a Walkman that supports the Android version.

Internal Core Architecture and Objective Testing

Q1 MarkII uses XMOS chip for USB input. For an MFi-certified 699 meta sound card, Feiao is willing to use XMOS directly and can support DSD256[Native] and 32bit/384kHz indexes. Compared with the 1000-yuan sound card, it is really much more sincere to use BRAVO's SAxxxx chip.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Disassembly-XMOS USB Audio Chip

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Disassembly-AKM AK4452 DAC Chip

According to the official architecture diagram, Q1 MarkII uses AKM's AK4452 DAC chip, which is still a voltage output DAC. We seem to have never seen it used in other places before, but interestingly, the AKM AK43xx on the mobile phone does not have the problem of low-frequency deficiency in AK4490 DAC. I don't know how AK4452 will perform.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Dismantling-OP1622 Op Amend LPF

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Disassembly-NJU72315 Volume Adjustment Chip

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Disassembly-OPA926 Headset Amplifier Chip [Balanced Output]

LPF circuit uses a OPA1662 op amp, and then uses a NJU72315 [the very small one in the picture seems to be] volume control chip for volume adjustment, and is responsible for high and low gain switching. Then use OPA2322 for voltage amplification. The output of earphone expansion has been in use by Feiao for the past two years. The OPA926 op amp customized to TI is honest. The performance of this earphone chip on Feiao X5 MarkIII and AM3A earphone is relatively average.

objective test

In objective testing, we use RMAA data analysis and frequency scanning to test the output without load. Using computers and iPhone for testing, Feiao officials did not publicly support the compatibility confusion of Android platforms, but we completed the testing under Galaxy S8 and needed to cooperate with Haibei Music app. The ear release mode is completed using Xplay6 as input.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Response Curve @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Response Curve @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Noise Distribution @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Noise Distribution @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Dynamic Range @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Dynamic Range @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Total Harmonic Distortion @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Total Harmonic Distortion @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Intermodulation Distortion @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Intermodulation Distortion @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Separation Curve @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Separation Curve @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan 96kHz @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan 96kHz @ HP iOS

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan DSD @ HP

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-Frequency Scan DSD @ HP iOS

Judging from the objective test results, Q1 MarkII performed very well, and the AK4490 family-style 1kHz shoulder bifurcation problem did not appear on AK4452. Under iOS and Android, DoP output of DSD can be realized with third-party software.

subjective hearing

In the subjective hearing test, we used Westone W4R, W60, Sony MDR-Z5 [Balanced],Vsonic GR09 as the main reference. Headphones are not suitable for Q1 MarkII, which is specifically discussed below. Who is suitable for the contrasting equipment? After comparison, we chose Feiao X7MarkII with AM3 earpiece and rhythmic sonata iDSD. The following talk about sound refers to the level of connecting computers and under small earplugs. We will talk about the different performances of the above earplugs, and the overall style is not specified when the model is not specified. With large earphones, LO to speaker equipment and other performance, connect iOS device performance, will be discussed separately.

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII portable USB sound card

Feiao FiiO Q1 MarkII Portable USB Sound Card-MFi Authentication Device-Connect iPhone

overall impression:Q1 MarkII is priced at less than 700 yuan. We originally planned to use it to compare the X1 MarkII player at a similar price, so that everyone can have a choice at a similar price. Then we compared step by step and found that the output of Q1 MarkII headphones is X7 AM3 level! It is indeed a bit surprising, at least its performance has far exceeded that of X1 and X3 players. The X5 MarkIII has been abandoned and cannot be found. The choice of sonata iDSD is also because the price is similar and the function is close. Of course, the color value has been defeated.

Q1 MarkII does not have the elegant taste of AK4490, but more shows the taste of AM3A ear module. The low frequency is better and tight, but the dynamic performance of intermediate frequency and high frequency is good. There is no AK4490 style that is very weak and weak below the intermediate frequency. On the contrary, it seems that there is still some overexertion at the low frequency. If you don't prompt, you think it is a Wolfson DAC.

high frequency performance:Q1 MarkII's high-frequency is delicate, clean, and has good control. It has rich levels of extremely high-frequency extension, and is relatively loose in neutral. It shows a very high level of extremely high-frequency extension when paired with small moving iron earplugs and GR09. How high is this level? It is significantly better than Monitor 09 and Feiao X7MarkII AM3A. Of course, this is only the high frequency part, as well as matching small earplugs. However, this has greatly added points to the overall sound of Q1 MArkII. Q1 MarkII has obvious advantages in high frequency extension on several players or sound cards we use in comparison.

on the whole, Q1 MarkII is a neutral and delicate style. The high-frequency part of the sound is relatively loose, and the high-frequency connection part is still slightly tense. It may be to pay attention to the cleanliness and low distortion of the sound, which is not loose enough., Stretch. However, it is also much better than AM3A ear placement to significantly increase the strengthening density. Relatively speaking, the sound of iDSD is too big and large. Although the dynamics are slightly better and more stretched, it is still relatively rough. It sounds like an entry-level sound card. However, the overall control advantage of Monitor 09 is still great, but the analytical power lags behind Q1 MarkII. In fact, AK449x and ES9026, 9028, 9038PRO DAC still have advantages over ESS' Q2M,K2M and other entry-level DACs in high frequency analytical power, but they must be handled well to show their advantages.

Q1 MarkII's earphone output drives several earphones we use have shown sufficient driving force. Of course, Z5 and W60 should achieve better dynamics under balanced output, while GR09 has achieved sufficient sound thickness and dynamics under unbalanced conditions. In terms of high frequency, Q1 MarkII is the most detailed, which can give full play to the high density of Z5 in extremely high frequency extension, and can also show the delicacy and relaxation of GR09 in high frequency.

IF performance:Q1 MarkII has a good intermediate frequency dynamic performance, and a relatively good connection between medium and high frequencies. The dynamic and loose feeling is not very good. However, it does not have the depression of AM3A in the intermediate and high frequency parts. Its voice is not stretched or mild in GR09, which may be weaker than iDSD. Of course, the gap with 09 is larger. However, under Sony Z5 and W60, Q1 MarkII shows good enough dynamics and control with balanced output. With its overall very clean sound bottom, the human voice is full and powerful, and the style is relatively medium and low frequency, that is, slightly heavy. This style will be more lethal if it can be matched with a relaxed sense of hearing, but unfortunately it is not. Feiao is still in a very tight state. However, we believe that since the intermediate frequencies of W60 and Z5 themselves do not have a great demand for relaxation levels, they are very compatible with Q1 MarkII. However, in very large dynamic performance, the balance control of Q1 MarkII is second only to the imbalance of Monitor 09. The main deficiency is that the medium and high frequency parts of the intermediate frequency are not played enough, but it is better than AM3A. However, this style also brings a very good sound strength, only slightly dull.

low frequency performance:Q1 MarkII still has a taste problem under unbalanced output. I don't know why the low frequency of Feiao equipment is changing in this increasingly restrained direction from the continuous adjustment and change of headphones to the player. Of course, the advantage of this change is that the sound is very strong, but it goes in the opposite direction to the real low-frequency details and levels, as well as the characteristics of transients.

For Q1 MarkII, we are still quite satisfied with such low-frequency dynamics, control power and driving force, because its performance is definitely better than some equipment of AK4490, and it is not much worse than AM3A with X7 MarkII. The low frequency of Q1 MarkII is tighter, which limits the stretching style of GR09-like moving coil headphones, but shows that GR09 low frequency is very strong. However, the W60 has good low frequency control under balance, and the sense of quantity has converged. The medium and low frequency are relatively stretched for W60 headphones. It is a little unexpected to have this trend. However, Sony Z5 has no big control problem in low frequency, and its strength and diving are also very good. Because the driving force is very abundant, the low-frequency explosive force is quite good, and the lack of dynamics is related to sound adjustment. If you can reduce a certain thrust and make the transient a little slower, I am afraid it will be greatly improved.

Compared with Feiao AM3A and X7 MarkII, the low-frequency driving force of Q1 MarkII is still slightly weaker, so the dynamics of medium and low frequencies will be weaker. However, the transient characteristics of Q1 MarkII make its low frequency cleaner than AM3A. Overall, we believe that in terms of low-frequency performance, Q1 MarkII and AM3A sets are superior in terms of resolution, control and sound strength, while the dynamics of low-and medium-frequency are slightly weaker.

with different headphones:In fact, we talked about matching the above small earplugs in each part. On the whole, Q1 MarkII is at a very high level in terms of high frequency, no matter what headphones are matched with, except that the low-frequency and low-frequency are obviously different from the AM3A package. The intermediate frequency performance is also better than AM3A. Only GR09 under unbalanced output, AM3A may have a slightly better sound thickness because of the greater driving force. When the same is balanced output, AM3A has no advantage with the above headphones.

For headphones, we tested HE1000 and HD800 with balance conversion, and felt that Q1 MarkII should not be designed for such headphones. In the unbalanced mode, driving AKG K701, the sound thickness and dynamics are not up to the standard of headphones. In this respect, the rhythmic sonata iDSD will be slightly better, but not much better.

with speakers and iOS bundled:, Q1 MarkII's Lineout performance is average in matching speaker output. In fact, the gap is not very large when matching small earplugs against Monitor 09 under balanced earphone output, but the gap is still very large under Lineout. Compared with the rhythm sonata iDSD connection speaker, the sound dynamics and too tight style also make Q1 MarkII's performance lag behind sonata iDSD a lot. When matching iOS, you can directly use the built-in music player. However, Feiao recently launched the app of "Feiao Music", but I don't know why there is no sound connected to Q1 MarkII, and the sound cannot be played with the speaker of the mobile phone. Of course, it can also be used with seashell music and third-party app. Unfortunately, the sound quality will obviously drop when matched with iOS. Under iPhone, the whole sound will be scattered. This is similar to the situation we encountered two years ago when XMOS was matched with iOS devices, but in the past year, many products have been tested and this aspect has improved significantly for unknown reasons. Due to Linein mode, it has too much to do with the front end, and it seems that it is not necessary to use it like this?

summary

Feiao Q1 MarkII completely exceeded expectations. As a portable sound card priced at 698 yuan, it is at the top level compared with Feiao's own products. Although this top level is only matched with small earplugs, AM3A X7 MarkII balanced output with HD800 and HE1000, and unbalanced output with K701 does not have much advantage, and the performance is far from ideal. The AM3A suit is just a sound quality level that is more reasonable with small earplugs. Q1 MarkII should give full play to the advantages of AKM DAC family in high frequency, while it seems to exert a little too much force in medium frequency and low frequency. The sound is full and powerful, but the brute force is relatively much. If it can relax a little, it should be better. The sound quality level of Q1 MarkII under the matching of small earplugs should have achieved the best level of all Feiao products in the past [excluding Q5, never heard of], and the price is only 698 yuan. Soomal strongly recommends Q1 MarkII portable sound card rating.

Feiao once publicly stated to us that he does not agree with Soomal's listening concept, and believes that Soomal's evaluation of the humiliating design of AM3A under X7 MarkII is too harsh. As its flagship product, AM3A earpiece module, most of its performance is not as good as Q1 MarkII. Is it the shame of AM3A or the kindness of Q1MarkII? Is it really difficult to compare and listen?

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