Fiio QX13 Review

September 1, 2025 4:50 pm

Portable DAC/amps have quickly become essential tools for audiophiles who want to enjoy high-quality sound anywhere. The best models not only enhance clarity and dynamics but also bring out the full potential of your headphones and IEMs. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Fiio QX13, one of the latest entries in this category, examining its design, performance, and overall value to see how it measures up in today’s competitive market.

What You Get

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

Build

This is one of the most high-end builds I’ve seen for a simple DAC dongle in a while. The QX13 has a carbon fiber body that is both durable and lightweight. There’s a level of craftsmanship here that is hard to find on any other dongle DAC in this price range. The other part of this impeccable design is its unique front-facing display. This is an LED screen that Fiio has been playing around with since the Snowsky and BTR17.

The QX13 features a full-color display that gives it a touchscreen appearance. Maybe that’s the future of this product line, but for now, you can rely on the QX13 to show you ideal playback information, with personalized UI themes. To put a bow on everything, the QX13 comes with a magnetic case that should stick to the back of any phone. After this, I think this should be the norm for all DAC dongles in the future.

Design

The FiiO QX13 pairs a flagship-grade ESS SABRE PRO ES9027PRO DAC (with two ultra-low-noise ES9312 regulators) in an 8-channel parallel, fully differential architecture for superb dynamic range and ultra-low distortion. uses six Texas Instruments op-amps—four INA1620 chips and two OPA1692 chips, for powerful, stable, low-interference amplification even under heavy load. XMOS XU316 16-core USB processor with dual femtosecond oscillators handles PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit, native DSD512, and offers MQA decoding and 10-band dynamic PEQ control via app or web. A patented Desktop Mode intelligently adjusts power and gain by reading USB-source capabilities, delivering up to 900 mW per channel via its 4.4 mm balanced output while maintaining thermal efficiency.

Sound Impressions

A few different IEMs and headphones were used to test the sound of the QX13. Fiio’s own FT7 was the first headphone I went to, which served it the best performance I heard. The QX13 wasn’t made specifically for the FT7, but it did bring out the best synergy between the pairings I used. I had no problem getting the FT7 to reach a comfortable gain with the QX13, allowing tons of additional headroom to make adjustments. These adjustments allowed me to hear the differences more clearly, like enhanced separation, width, and pronounced warmth. I usually like what Fiio DACs add to your headphone’s soundstage, and the QX13 is no exception to that. Other pairings I tried, like the QX13 with the Campfire Audio Alien Brain, revealed tons of heft that shaped the frequency response with even more tonal tightness.

Summary

With its refined carbon fiber build, advanced ESS SABRE PRO DAC architecture, and impressive driving power, the FiiO QX13 is more than just a portable DAC/amp; it’s a statement of what modern dongle DACs can achieve. Its synergy with a wide range of headphones and IEMs highlights its versatility, while the magnetic case and color display make it one of the most user-friendly options available. If you’re looking for a portable DAC that delivers both audiophile-grade performance and everyday practicality, the FiiO QX13 deserves serious consideration.