17-07-2025
New Carbon Fiber DAC From FiiO QX13 DAC For Music On The Go
The new QX13 DAC/Amp from FiiO has a carbon fibre body and a high-spec DAC chipset.
Audio brand FiiO has announced the launch of its all-new QX13 flagship pocket DAC/Amp, designed for people who love listening to music with headphones or In-Ear Monitors. Offering 'full-size' audiophile performance in a pocket form factor, the QX13 is the culmination of 18 years of audio research by FiiO.
Once upon a time, listening to high-quality audio involved a stack of hi-fi separates in your living room. Now, thanks to the miniaturization of electronics, music lovers can enjoy audiophile-quality sound from a pocket-sized device. Using digital audio from any device with a USB-C port—such as a smartphone or desktop computer—it's possible to enjoy studio-grade sound with your favorite wired headphones or IEMs.
A Desktop-Grade DAC
The new FiiO QX13 uses the flagship ESS SABRE PRO ES9027PRO DAC chip that's also used in many full-size hi-fi systems. However, FiiO has created a micro DAC/Amp design for making the most of wired headphones and IEMs. The DAC has a fully differential audio architecture and uses eight channels in parallel.
The DAC chip is paired with a pair of ultra-low-noise ES9312 regulators that provide a precise output that's matched on each audio channel. Audio signals are restored using optimized power efficiency and reduced clock jitter. FiiO claims the QX13 is particularly suitable for use with its FT7 headphones or FX17 IEMs.
The FiiO QX13 DAC/Amp offers 3.5rmm and 4.4mm outputs as well as a color IPS display with hardened ... More Corning glass.
The QX13 has four wafer-level and precision-integrated INA1620 chips with a special layout designed to significantly reduce crosstalk. This means there's little or no interference between the two stereo channels, which leads to more accurate stereo separation. There are also two low-noise and low-distortion OPA1692 chips, which provide good dynamics under various load conditions.
A custom Desktop Mode available with the QX13 enables extra power to be intelligently drawn from any connected and powered USB devices, such as a laptop. The FiiO Control app can be used to customize the QX13's sound and is available for iOS and Android. The app includes a 10-band PEQ adjustment and can apply firmware updates.
The QX13 casing is made with 21 layers of carbon fiber and gives it a lightweight feel that's also durable. The device has a 1.99-inch IPS color display featuring hardened glass and it has a choice of 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced jacks for high-end headphones and IEMs.
To protect the QX13, FiiO makes an optional magnetic leather case that's also compatible with FiiO's custom power 'estick' pack, which can provide a powerhouse performance in Desktop Mode even when on the move. Users can choose the magnetic leather case to carry the QX13 and the extra power pack in one handy device.
The FiiO QX13 is available now and will be making its European debut at CanJam London on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Pricing is set at $219 /£219 / €239.
