FiiO QX13 Portable DAC/Amp with Desktop Mode
OverviewA phone or laptop's built-in headphone output usually runs out of steam long before a pair of full-size or planar headphones reaches its best sound, leaving detail and dynamics on the table no matter how good the source file is.The FiiO QX13 is a portable USB-C dongle DAC and headphone amplifier built around a flagship ES9027SPRO DAC chip and an XMOS XU316 USB controller, backed by four INA1620 and two OPA1692 op-amps for amplification. A patented Desktop Mode adjusts power delivery on the fly, pushing balanced 4.4mm output up to 900mW+900mW into 32Ω without running as hot as a fixed high-power mode would.PCM decoding runs up to 768kHz/32-bit with native DSD512 and full MQA decoding, and a 1.99-inch IPS screen shows sample rate, volume, and status at a glance. A 10-band lossless PEQ, adjustable through the Android FiiO Control app or FiiO's web-based PEQ tool, rounds out a feature set built for getting more out of headphones on the move.Simcoe Audio Video InsightDesktop Mode is the setting worth understanding before pairing the QX13 with harder-to-drive headphones — it's meant for use with a computer or another sustained power source rather than a phone battery, since it draws more current to reach its higher output figures. The QX13 is also compatible with FiiO's ESTICK mini power banks, so a longer listening session away from a laptop doesn't have to mean draining a phone's battery.More InfoWhy the FiiO QX13 Stands Out Flagship ES9027SPRO DAC A single ES9027SPRO chip, from ESS's Sabre Pro line, handles digital-to-analog conversion alongside an XMOS XU316 16-core USB controller. Patented Desktop Mode Adaptive power regulation pushes balanced output up to 900mW+900mW into 32Ω while managing heat and power draw more efficiently than a fixed high-power setting. Native DSD512 and Full MQA Decoding PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, native DSD512, and full MQA decoding cover the vast majority of high-resolution files and streaming formats. 1.99-Inch IPS Display A Corning glass-protected screen shows sample rate, volume, and status without needing a connected app open. 10-Band Lossless PEQ Tune the sound through the Android FiiO Control app or FiiO's web-based PEQ tool, with PEQ active up to 192kHz/24-bit. Carbon Fiber or Aluminum Alloy Body The Black colourway uses a fully carbon fiber body, while Titanium Gold is machined from aluminum alloy, at 33.7g and 39.2g respectively. Buyer's GuideWho It's For The Planar or High-Impedance Headphone Owner: needs more balanced output power than a typical single-DAC dongle offers, without carrying a separate desktop amp. The Multi-Format Listener: wants native DSD512 and full MQA decoding alongside standard PCM playback. The Detail-Oriented Listener: wants a 10-band PEQ and a screen that confirms sample rate at a glance, rather than a dongle with no display. How It ComparesThe QX13 sits above FiiO's KA-series dongles in output power, using its Desktop Mode to reach 900mW+900mW balanced versus the KA13's 550mW+550mW balanced maximum. Where the KA13 pairs dual CS43131 DAC chips with dual SGM8262 op-amps, the QX13 uses a single flagship ES9027SPRO DAC alongside six total op-amps (four INA1620, two OPA1692) and adds a 1.99-inch display and 10-band PEQ that the KA13 doesn't have. For everyday IEM listening, the KA13 remains the smaller and less expensive option; the QX13 is the step up for harder-to-drive headphones and broader format support.