THX AAA balanced
Two THX AAA-28 amps: up to 330mW balanced, 370mW from line in.
FIIOPORTABLE DAC & AMPLIFIERCustomer reviews (0)
FiiO Q3 AMP (MQA Edition)
Balanced THX power on the go.
A portable DAC/amp with an XMOS XU316, AKM AK4452 DAC and dual THX AAA-28 amps, supporting PCM 384kHz, DSD256 and full MQA.
Regular price
£139.99
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
Awaiting stock arrival date — order now to reserve one from the next delivery. Nothing to pay until it arrives.
THE AMP3 DIFFERENCE
Great gear. Even better service.
Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery. Destination and stock availability apply.
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FiiO Q3 AMP (MQA Edition)
A little extra. A better pairing.
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MEET THE Q3
Balanced THX power on the go.
A portable DAC/amp with an XMOS XU316, AKM AK4452 DAC and dual THX AAA-28 amps, supporting PCM 384kHz, DSD256 and full MQA.
Hi-res decoding
XMOS XU316: PCM to 384kHz/32-bit, DSD256 and full MQA.
Every output
4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced plus 3.5mm, with gain and bass switches.
Read the full description
The FiiO Q3 MQA Edition is a pocket DAC and headphone amplifier with its own battery. FiiO updated its popular Q3 when chip shortages hit: a new 16-core XMOS XU316 USB chip adds full MQA decoding alongside PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256, an AKM AK4452 DAC replaces the discontinued AK4462, and two THX AAA-28 amplifiers deliver up to 330mW per channel balanced (370mW from line in), about 10% more than before. It has 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm outputs, gain and bass switches, and a battery that lasts 12+ hours as a USB DAC.
A classic, refreshed
As FiiO’s engineers put it, the Q3 MQA is not really a new product but the much-loved Q3 with small changes forced by the chip shortage, keeping a dedicated DAC/amp available alongside music players and USB dongles. Its charming, relaxed sound is the same.
XMOS XU316 and full MQA
The next-generation XMOS XU316, with 16 cores made in an advanced process, handles PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256 with lower power use, and adds MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) support: with an MQA-capable player, the Q3 fully decodes and renders MQA files and streams for the sound of the original master.
AKM AK4452 DAC
With the AK4462 out of production, FiiO assessed the similar AK4452 and tuned it through numerous adjustments to match the original Q3’s performance. Distortion is even more consistent across the frequency range, and headphone output power is up by about 10%.
Two THX AAA-28 amplifiers
THX’s patented feed-forward error correction gives the AAA amplifiers low distortion, high power and a pure, uncoloured sound. In the Q3 they run fully balanced:
| 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced | ≥330mW per channel @ 32Ω (USB) · ≥370mW (line in) |
|---|---|
| 3.5mm single-ended | ≥160mW per channel @ 32Ω |
Gain, bass and smooth volume
A short press of the GAIN button switches between low and high gain (light on for high gain), and the BASS switch adds up to 6dB of bass in hardware without affecting the higher frequencies. The analogue volume knob uses ADC curve reconstruction, which removes the channel imbalance and noise analogue pots can suffer and makes adjustment more precise. An RGB light shows the sample rate of what you’re playing.
Battery or USB power
The CHARGE switch chooses how the Q3 is powered. ON: powered from the USB port, for use with a computer. OFF: powered by its own battery and not through USB, so it doesn’t drain your phone. The 1,800mAh battery lasts 12+ hours as a USB DAC, or 23+ hours as an amplifier from the line input. Driver-free UAC 1.0 makes it easy to use with devices such as the Nintendo Switch.
A better strapping kit
New clear straps hold the Q3 to your phone without blocking the screen, X-shaped straps leave even more of it visible, and protective films stop the two sliding against each other.
| DAC and USB | AKM AK4452 · XMOS XU316 |
|---|---|
| Amplifier | 2 × THX AAA-28, fully balanced · low/high gain · bass boost |
| Formats | PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit · DSD256 · full MQA |
| Outputs | 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced · 3.5mm · 3.5mm line in |
| Battery | 1,800mAh · 12+ hours (USB) · 23+ hours (line in) |
| Size and weight | 105 × 59 × 12.5mm · about 110g |
Good to know
- Connect an iPhone with the included Lightning to USB-C cable, or an Android phone or computer by USB-C.
- In the box: Q3 MQA Edition, USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C and Lightning to USB-C cables, 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, X-shaped strap, two long and two short straps, anti-skid feet, quick start guide and warranty card.
- For a smaller USB DAC with balanced output, see the FiiO KA17.
In the box
- FiiO Q3 AMP (MQA Edition)
- Dual USB Type-C headed cable
- USB Type-C charging cable
- Lightning to Type-C cable
- 3.5mm line-in cable
- Long and short binding straps (2 of each)
- X-type silicon strap
- Silicon anti-skid feet
Downloads
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- DAC
- AKM AK4452
- Headphone outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended · 2.5mm & 4.4mm balanced
- Output power
- 4.4mm/2.5mm: ≥330mW @ 32Ω (USB) · ≥370mW @ 32Ω (line in) · 3.5mm: ≥160mW @ 32Ω
- Hi-res support
- PCM 384kHz/32-bit · DSD256 · full MQA decoding
- Battery
- 1,800mAh · 12+ hours (USB) · 23+ hours (line in)
- Gain modes
- Low / high · bass boost switch
- Size (H × W × D)
- 105 × 59 × 12.5mm
- Weight
- 110g
- Amplification
- 2 × THX AAA-28 (fully balanced)
- Power
- Battery or USB power (CHARGE switch)
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change. Battery life varies with use and settings.
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
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Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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