thank you Eric for this one! Your reviews are so helpful to me in making possible decisions about my future equipment purchasing. Only the Fiio A5 is left to be considered more and that is it. I am looking forward and I am happy that the A5 review is coming. Thanks bro and keep up the good work! Peace. Sani
Thanks. A5 is pretty good, not as light and convenient. You not interested in other stuff like the topping NX4 or fiio Q5? I'm bound to find better stuff eventually.
Retro Eric Reviews Currently I have a pair of Shure SRH 840 (monitoring cans), a pair of Superlux HD 681 and a pair of earbuds Faaeal 64 ohm. I also have an audio interface RME Babyface (high quality DAC and preamp) and small SMSL SAP 7 headphone amp which is far from powerful. As you previously said, I wish I could go for something like iFI Nano or even maybe the Micca Origen G2 ( more desktop than portable setup). My audio interface doesn't have a powerful headphone amp, but the DAC part really shines. God bless. Sani
Great video. Everything was spot on. I had read a few places online claiming it had a DAC built in but most people said amp/preamp. A little confusing at first. Also mine didn't come with the short 3.5mm interconnect. Did you think the A3 was slightly less grainy than the E10K? That was my impression but both are fairly raw sounding which isn't bad. I kind of prefer neutral but the Q1 MK II has really grown on me here in the last few weeks. Your reviews are really thorough I need to work on that more. Thanks for the inspiration!
What accessories it comes with is listed on the manual. There may have been some revisions (like what box it comes in) and I don't know I had all mine present in the video if I remember. (fiio a5 comes with the same accessories plus a bag I think, including that tiny 3.5mm). fiio q1 mark usb in is amp+dac, 3.5mm line in means it's amp only. fiio a3 is a amp only and only has a 3.5mm line in and is listed as a amp on the fiio website. The e10k dac will sound more grainy and congested (lower quality) than the q1 mark ii which is going to be smoother. - The most uncolored and pretty clean amp/dac I have in terms of portable is the monoprice thx aaa. The fiio k3 is going to be the closest to it in terms of similarity. The a3 has a little color but i consider it mostly neutral, but once you hear thx then you know what uncolored is like. The a5 is like a way better e10k (a5 is amp only like a3). And the fiio q5 is like a way better q1 mark ii. Also fiio has come out with a thx aaa module for the q5 (q5s). - Edit: They are not exact by the way, each is different. For example the q5 will be warm for sure but it's treble is not really dark, but it does has a more laid back vocals with the default filter (adds more sound stage/reverb, theres a chart on it btw you can look up).ect
Good review. I was really confused on what I should to buy right after I watched it. Unfortunately I have no possibility to test the devices before purchase. Long story short, I've bought Fiio A3. There are a few reasons: - I'm not really an audiophile, just wanted to have a good quality sound. - Low on budget. I'm using it with AudioTechica ATH-M30 + Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Global and it sounds amazing to me. You've mentioned that there is a little hiss when charging. That's true, but ONLY when you charging and listening from a PC simultaneously.
Re tonality of the a3. What source were you using going into the a3? Important because you're listening to the tonality of your source, whereas with the Q1 you've got the 'tonality' of the DAC as an added consideration?
The fiio a3 is a amplifier only (no built in dac). - I assume your looking for a battery powered portable device to use instead of your phone? - If so, as long as the phone/device's dac is good enough, then yes the a3 will work just fine on the sundara. But, there is other amp only portables I like better. The topping nx5 (discontinued, the nx7 recently came out to replace it). Or the fiio a5 or the little bear b4 (which there is a newer version out as well).
IDK, is it a wall charger? Then maybe. The fiio a3 is ok, but I would spend a bit more and get the thx aaa portable by monoprice or spend less and get a nx4/nx5, q1 ii.
I been testing/feeding it my computer's motherboard dac signal, for best case scenario. In your scenario your phone should have enough power, but the phone's dac may not sound decent. I recommend the A3 for anyone who specially wants mostly a neutral sound signature (content creating on the go) and does not want a bass boast that is too overpowered.
My top portable recommendation atm is the monoprice thx aaa portable (review is coming). The thx has crystal clear sound. The bass has good extension and quantity (but not excessive bass, it's not* rolled off or lean like the fiio a3). - It does not come with any accessories to hook up to your phone tho. Also if your international it may not be a great deal to have to pay shipping + customs. Amazon day and ebay day is on the 15th for possible deals/coupons (ebay monoprice store fyi).
I need someone to answer this: I got the Fiio A3 to go with my Shure SRH840's for use on my PC. I don't have the USB charger plugged in, because of the hiss, but I have it plugged in like this: Headphones -> Fiio A3 -> AUX -> PC Will it stop working without the charger cable?
Without charging it the battery will die and then you have nothing that is powering the unit which means you would have to charge it back up to use it on a pc.
@@kwf9225 I would spend a little more and get a topping nx4. You will need a longer cable for pc I believe and I only get a little bit of noise at the top of the volume nob. The nx5 is cheaper but only a amp.
Video was a long time ago so I don't remember what I said. But I probably was talking about the connection port on the device where you plug the headphones into. The a3 only has single ended (unbalanced) connection for headphones that use a single ended (unbalanced) 3.5mm cable. or I was talking about something else? Isn't the a3 discontinued? The topping nx5 is also discontinued I think, and the nx5 would be my recommendation for under $100 for just a portable amp (both of them don't come with a built in dac).
@@djrutherford3926 What do you plan on hooking it up to? Most computer motherboards will have good enough onboard dacs but on the other hand I have tested some laptops that are not good and a separate dac will be needed (same idea applies for phones). Edit: What headphones are you using?
@@djrutherford3926 The fiio a1 is pretty bad. The k1 is a lot better. I would recommend the fiio k1. Has a very good built in dac too, just know this device has no built in battery so it's more designed for plugging into a laptop and not a phone. (It's discontinued but when on sale it's $20). If your willing to spend a little more try to find a topping nx5 somewhere around $50-$100 usd.
thank you Eric for this one! Your reviews are so helpful to me in making possible decisions about my future equipment purchasing. Only the Fiio A5 is left to be considered more and that is it. I am looking forward and I am happy that the A5 review is coming.
Thanks bro and keep up the good work!
Peace.
Sani
Thanks. A5 is pretty good, not as light and convenient. You not interested in other stuff like the topping NX4 or fiio Q5? I'm bound to find better stuff eventually.
Retro Eric Reviews
Currently I have a pair of Shure SRH 840 (monitoring cans), a pair of Superlux HD 681 and a pair of earbuds Faaeal 64 ohm.
I also have an audio interface RME Babyface (high quality DAC and preamp) and small SMSL SAP 7 headphone amp which is far from powerful.
As you previously said, I wish I could go for something like iFI Nano or even maybe the Micca Origen G2 ( more desktop than portable setup). My audio interface doesn't have a powerful headphone amp, but the DAC part really shines.
God bless.
Sani
Thanks a lot man you re doing the best sound reviews in youtube
Thank you for the review - very informative.
Great video. Everything was spot on. I had read a few places online claiming it had a DAC built in but most people said amp/preamp. A little confusing at first. Also mine didn't come with the short 3.5mm interconnect. Did you think the A3 was slightly less grainy than the E10K? That was my impression but both are fairly raw sounding which isn't bad. I kind of prefer neutral but the Q1 MK II has really grown on me here in the last few weeks. Your reviews are really thorough I need to work on that more. Thanks for the inspiration!
What accessories it comes with is listed on the manual. There may have been some revisions (like what box it comes in) and I don't know I had all mine present in the video if I remember. (fiio a5 comes with the same accessories plus a bag I think, including that tiny 3.5mm).
fiio q1 mark usb in is amp+dac, 3.5mm line in means it's amp only. fiio a3 is a amp only and only has a 3.5mm line in and is listed as a amp on the fiio website.
The e10k dac will sound more grainy and congested (lower quality) than the q1 mark ii which is going to be smoother.
- The most uncolored and pretty clean amp/dac I have in terms of portable is the monoprice thx aaa. The fiio k3 is going to be the closest to it in terms of similarity. The a3 has a little color but i consider it mostly neutral, but once you hear thx then you know what uncolored is like. The a5 is like a way better e10k (a5 is amp only like a3). And the fiio q5 is like a way better q1 mark ii. Also fiio has come out with a thx aaa module for the q5 (q5s).
- Edit: They are not exact by the way, each is different. For example the q5 will be warm for sure but it's treble is not really dark, but it does has a more laid back vocals with the default filter (adds more sound stage/reverb, theres a chart on it btw you can look up).ect
@@retroericreviews8828 I just got the K3 can't wait to compare with E10K. K3 will be my new gaming DAC I predict. Love that it has optical!
Great review, thank you!
Good review. I was really confused on what I should to buy right after I watched it. Unfortunately I have no possibility to test the devices before purchase.
Long story short, I've bought Fiio A3. There are a few reasons:
- I'm not really an audiophile, just wanted to have a good quality sound.
- Low on budget.
I'm using it with AudioTechica ATH-M30 + Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Global and it sounds amazing to me. You've mentioned that there is a little hiss when charging. That's true, but ONLY when you charging and listening from a PC simultaneously.
Re tonality of the a3. What source were you using going into the a3? Important because you're listening to the tonality of your source, whereas with the Q1 you've got the 'tonality' of the DAC as an added consideration?
Most of the testing was done with the computer motherboard output. Otherwise I forgot what else I hooked up to it, probably nx4 and ifi nano.
Which one should i get (Fiio A3 vs Topping nx1s)
How do you compare A3 to Topping NX3S? I need a amplifier with mid bass emphasis and good dynamics TIA🙂
Thanks! Great review! I want to use the a3 with a hifiman sundara, what do you think? Can works well? Best!
The fiio a3 is a amplifier only (no built in dac).
- I assume your looking for a battery powered portable device to use instead of your phone?
- If so, as long as the phone/device's dac is good enough, then yes the a3 will work just fine on the sundara.
But, there is other amp only portables I like better. The topping nx5 (discontinued, the nx7 recently came out to replace it). Or the fiio a5 or the little bear b4 (which there is a newer version out as well).
@@retroericreviews8828 thanks Eric!
Good informative video. Will my regular phone charger charge this device? Thanks.
IDK, is it a wall charger? Then maybe.
The fiio a3 is ok, but I would spend a bit more and get the thx aaa portable by monoprice or spend less and get a nx4/nx5, q1 ii.
Thanks for the review!
Would you recommend fiio a3 for HD 598 ?
Do you think galaxy s7 would be enough to drive them?
Thanks!
I been testing/feeding it my computer's motherboard dac signal, for best case scenario. In your scenario your phone should have enough power, but the phone's dac may not sound decent.
I recommend the A3 for anyone who specially wants mostly a neutral sound signature (content creating on the go) and does not want a bass boast that is too overpowered.
Hi Retro Eric. I like your clear explanation. I’m using iPhone 7. Which amp is better for me. I like to hear crystal clear sound big bass.
My top portable recommendation atm is the monoprice thx aaa portable (review is coming).
The thx has crystal clear sound. The bass has good extension and quantity (but not excessive bass, it's not* rolled off or lean like the fiio a3).
- It does not come with any accessories to hook up to your phone tho. Also if your international it may not be a great deal to have to pay shipping + customs. Amazon day and ebay day is on the 15th for possible deals/coupons (ebay monoprice store fyi).
Thank you
I need someone to answer this:
I got the Fiio A3 to go with my Shure SRH840's for use on my PC.
I don't have the USB charger plugged in, because of the hiss, but I have it plugged in like this:
Headphones -> Fiio A3 -> AUX -> PC
Will it stop working without the charger cable?
Without charging it the battery will die and then you have nothing that is powering the unit which means you would have to charge it back up to use it on a pc.
@@retroericreviews8828 Thanks, I guess I'll just return it. Any recommendations for a Dac/Amp for around £50?
(Without hum)
@@kwf9225 I would spend a little more and get a topping nx4. You will need a longer cable for pc I believe and I only get a little bit of noise at the top of the volume nob.
The nx5 is cheaper but only a amp.
How does Fiio get away with stating that The A3 has a DAC when it doesn't? Sounds like blatant fraud to me.
What do you mean by balanced and unbalanced?
Video was a long time ago so I don't remember what I said.
But I probably was talking about the connection port on the device where you plug the headphones into. The a3 only has single ended (unbalanced) connection for headphones that use a single ended (unbalanced) 3.5mm cable.
or
I was talking about something else?
Isn't the a3 discontinued? The topping nx5 is also discontinued I think, and the nx5 would be my recommendation for under $100 for just a portable amp (both of them don't come with a built in dac).
@@retroericreviews8828 would it sound better with a dac built in? I'm new to all this stuff
@@retroericreviews8828 also what do you think of the fiio A1 as an entry level amplifier?
@@djrutherford3926 What do you plan on hooking it up to?
Most computer motherboards will have good enough onboard dacs but on the other hand I have tested some laptops that are not good and a separate dac will be needed (same idea applies for phones).
Edit: What headphones are you using?
@@djrutherford3926 The fiio a1 is pretty bad. The k1 is a lot better.
I would recommend the fiio k1. Has a very good built in dac too, just know this device has no built in battery so it's more designed for plugging into a laptop and not a phone. (It's discontinued but when on sale it's $20).
If your willing to spend a little more try to find a topping nx5 somewhere around $50-$100 usd.