FiiO Q5 Bluetooth aptX and DSD-Capable DAC Amplifier for iPhone, iPod, iPad & Computers with Coaxial/Optical/USB/Line/Bluetooth Input

Fiio Q5 DAC audio interface. Works fantastically, pm for more details. For high fi audio, audiofile experience! The FiiO Q5 is a highly versatile, flagship-tier portable Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier. It is designed to drastically improve the sound quality of smartphones, computers, and other digital players. The Q5 sports a world-class 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter that employs dual AKM AK4490EN chips with a XMOS controller. The AKM chipsets have developed a deserved reputation among aficionados of personal portables for their exceptionally smooth sound quality. The DAC offers an extensive feature set that allows PCM playback with files up to 384kHz, as well as DSD support up to DSD256, whether via a DoP feed or native DSD. I no longer feel that the exclusion of DSD capabilities is a deal breaker with personal portables, but having it available is a really nice touch for those of us who do have DSD files present in their digital libraries. There's a small green light on the right of the unit that confirms that DSD playback is active; however, DSD playback from a connected digital audio player requires a 3.5mm-to-USB micro cable (available from Fiio). If you spend a lot of time (like I do) with the Q5 connected to your laptop, you can simply connect the supplied USB A-to-USB micro cable and get DSD playback effortlessly. Fiio has a desktop control panel that's available for download that allows you to monitor sample rates and make latency adjustments to fit your particular playback setup.