FiiO QX13 Portable Portable DAC & Headphone Amp - Carbon Fiber Black

About: FiiO QX13 Portable Portable DAC & Headphone Amp - Carbon Fiber Black

The FiiO QX13 is a portable USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier designed to significantly enhance audio quality from smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices. It belongs to FiiO’s newer “QX” series, which offers improved performance over previous models, combining high-quality digital-to-analog conversion with a compact, attachable design. The device is ideal for audiophiles looking for a portable solution that can deliver high-resolution sound on the go.

• DAC & Processing: Uses a flagship-grade DAC chip: ES9027SPRO, paired with a 16-core USB controller XMOS XU316 for reliable high-resolution decoding
• Supported Audio Formats: Up to 768 kHz / 32-bit PCM, native DSD512 decoding, and full decoding of MQA
• Outputs: Supports both a standard single-ended 3.5 mm output and a balanced 4.4 mm output — useful for a wide range of headphones or IEMs
• Power / Amplification: In “desktop mode,” QX13 can output up to 900 mW + 900 mW (balanced, 32 Ω) — enough to drive even demanding full-size headphones
• Audio Performance: SNR ≥ 124 dB (A-weighted); THD+N < 0.0004% (1 kHz @ 32 Ω)
• Build & Design: Available in carbon-fiber housing (21 layers) or aluminum alloy finish. Dimensions roughly 64.2 × 30.7 × 13 mm
• Display & Interface: 1.99-inch color display (IPS, hardened glass), physical control buttons, and support for EQ adjustments (10-band PEQ) via companion app or web

At the heart of the QX13 is the flagship ES9027SPRO DAC chip, paired with a 16-core XMOS USB controller, allowing it to decode up to 768 kHz/32-bit PCM, native DSD512, and full MQA files. It provides both a 3.5 mm single-ended output and a 4.4 mm balanced output, enabling it to drive a wide range of headphones, from sensitive in-ear monitors to high-impedance over-ear models. In “desktop mode,” the QX13 delivers up to 900 mW per channel (balanced, 32 Ω), offering ample power for demanding headphones.

The device features a 1.99-inch color IPS display protected by hardened glass and a user-friendly interface that supports 10-band parametric EQ adjustments via the FiiO Control app or built-in menus. Its body is available in either 21-layer carbon fiber or aluminum alloy, providing both durability and a premium feel. Additional accessories include a magnetic leather case, USB-C cable, and protective plugs.

Overall, the QX13 combines high-resolution audio support, powerful amplification, customizable sound tuning, and portable design. It is suitable for users who want a compact, high-quality DAC/amp for both everyday mobile use and more stationary setups, offering versatility for a wide range of headphones and audio sources.

New Chapter in High-Performance Audio Dongles

The all-new FIIO QX series, exemplified by the QX13, writes a new chapter in high-performance audio dongles, combining over a decade of FIIO's technical expertise. The QX13 is a high-end, fully integrated ecosystem audio dongle that combines the Q series of portable amps with magnetic/attachable features. It features dual DAC chips (ES9068AS mentioned for left/right channels, though ES9027SPRO is listed in other sections) to ensure fine quality and sound.

Design and Build Materials

The QX13 features a fully carbon fiber body, made with up to 21 layers of stacked carbon fiber, ensuring a lightweight, durable build that resists interference and heat. Carbon fiber, commonly used in high-end applications like aviation and sports cars, provides high strength, stiffness, corrosion resistance, and a luxurious feel. An alternate aluminum alloy model is available with a laser-engraved back panel, offering an elegant look, while the carbon fiber version uses ultra-transparent UV varnish treatment for improved grip and aesthetics.

Display and User Interface

The QX13 includes an extra-large color display protected by Corning third-gen high-strength glass, enhancing durability and scratch resistance. The device features multiple newly developed personalized UI themes, powered by a 32-bit processor, designed to offer an unrivaled user experience in both portrait and landscape modes.

Desktop-grade Digital-to-Analog Conversion (DAC)

The QX13 utilizes the flagship ES9027SPRO DAC chip from the ESS SABRE PRO series, typically used in high-end and professional audio gear. This DAC chip features an 8-channel, fully differential audio architecture, running in parallel for accurate sound restoration. It is paired with ultra-low-noise ES9312 regulators to ensure precise output matching across each audio channel and reduce clock jitter.

Amplification and Output Stability

The QX13 employs six high-end TI op-amps to achieve powerful and stable output with high efficiency. The device uses four wafer-level precision-integrated INA1620 chips with a special internal layout designed to significantly reduce crosstalk between channels. Additionally, two low-noise, low-distortion OPA1692 chips are utilized to maintain excellent dynamics under varying load conditions.

Patented Desktop Mode and Power Management

The QX13 features a Patented Desktop Mode that, through optimized circuitry and efficient heat dissipation, delivers power comparable to full-size headphone amplifiers while reducing power consumption. A high-precision power meter accurately assesses the power supply capabilities of different USB sources. Based on the power assessment, the QX13 intelligently adjusts the headphone amplifier’s gain and output power to balance performance and consumption.

Internal Architecture

The QX13 employs digital and analog separation with multi-layer shielding, utilizing a shielding cover for isolation to ensure precise and dynamic signal processing. This design effectively absorbs and dissipates heat, enabling thermal management and sustaining high-power output.

Processing and Equalization

Equipped with the XMOS 16-core XU316 processor, the QX13 offers pro-grade USB Audio quality with low latency, supporting up to 768Khz/32bit PCM and DSD512 native decoding. Dual ultra-low phase noise, low temperature drift femtosecond crystal oscillators correctly handle audio of various sampling rates for optimal sound quality. The XMOS XU316 also enables a 10-band lossless PEQ (Parametric Equalizer), tunable via the Android FIIO Control app or a web-based interface, with maximum supported sampling rate for PEQ adjustment being PCM 192kHz/24bit.

Audio Architecture

The QX13 condenses complex audio architecture found in high-end DACs and headphone amplifiers into a small dongle. The design uses dual crystal oscillators to achieve high-precision conversion of audio signals to the DAC. The audio signal undergoes multiple stages of analog processing—including LPF voltage amplification, BUF current boosting, and parallel-enhanced current expansion—to deliver professional-grade sound quality.

Comprehensive Features

The QX13 offers extensive functionality, including support for 3.5mm SPDIF out. It provides flexible volume control with 60-step and 120-step adjustment scales. The device supports advanced control features like temperature regulation, DC output regulation, and max volume limit via the Android FIIO Control APP/Web, and includes UAC1.0 mode compatibility for devices like Switch/PS5.

Specifications

• Color/Material: Black (Carbon Fiber)
• Weight: About 33.7g
• Dimensions: About 64.2 x 30.7 x 13mm
• USB chip: XMOS XU316
• DAC: ES9027SPRO
• Op-amp: OPA1692*2
• Headphone amplifier: TI INA1620*4
• Sampling rate support: Asynchronous 768kHz/32bit, DSD512 (Native), MQA full decoding
• USB DAC driver-free mode: Supported
• Display: 1.99 inch IPS, Corning third-gen high-strength glass
• Headphone output: Single-ended 3.5mm + balanced 4.4mm
• Output power 1: L+R≥310mW+310mW (32Ω/THD+N＜1%/SE/desktop mode)
• Output power 2: L+R≥900mW+900mW (32Ω/THD+N＜1%/BAL/desktop mode)
• Output power 3: L+R≥250mW+250mW (32Ω/THD+N＜1%/SE/non-desktop mode)
• Output power 4: L+R≥605mW+605mW (32Ω/THD+N＜1%/BAL/non-desktop mode)
• Output power 5: L+R≥40mW+40mW (300Ω/THD+N＜1%/SE/desktop mode)
• Output power 6: L+R≥125mW+125mW (300Ω/THD+N＜1%/BAL/desktop mode)
• SNR: ≥124dB (A-weighted)
• Noise floor: PO＜2μV (A-weighted); BAL＜3.4μV( A-weighted)
• THD+N: ＜0.0004% (1kHz/-2dB@32Ω

​What's in the Box

• 1x QX13
• 1x Type-C to Type-C data cable
• 2x Type-C silicone plug (pre-installed)
• 1x Screen protector film
• 1x Ring-shaped magnetic conductor
• 1x Leather case
• Quick Start guide
• Warranty card