{"product_id":"hiby-fc4-headphone-amplifier-portable-dac-highresolution-mobile-dac","title":"HiBy FC4 Headphone Amplifier Portable DAC - HighResolution Mobile DAC","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the HiBy FC4 is presented as a compact portable DAC and headphone amplifier for listeners who want a real step up from phone or laptop audio. The bottom line: the FC4 offers a prograde decoding chain in a dongle form factor, with dual ES9219 DACs, support for PCM768kHz and native DSD256, and MQA 16X unfolding, so it is best for listeners who demand high resolution playback and stronger drive for higher impedance earphones without carrying a full digital audio player.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual DAC Dual Crystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two ES9219 DAC chips plus independent FPGAbased dual crystal reclocking deliver a lower jitter foundation for clearer, more stable decoding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh resolution decoding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native support for PCM up to 768kHz\/32bit and DSD256 means the FC4 can reproduce very high resolution files without downsampling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMQA 16X unfolding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full MQA decoding is supported so MQA streams and files can be unfolded up to 16X for higher fidelity playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProfessional audio architecture:\u003c\/strong\u003e The internal circuitry mirrors fullsize HiBy players, aiming to preserve micro detail and tonal balance found in lossless sources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh driving power:\u003c\/strong\u003e At around 340mW+340mW into 32 ohm, the dongle can drive demanding inear monitors and many fullsize headphones with improved control and dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlug and play:\u003c\/strong\u003e Driverfree operation on Android, iOS, Mac and Windows 10+ makes it easy to add better sound without complex setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FC4 is aimed at audiophiles and serious listeners who use mobile devices or laptops and want a compact way to access higher resolution audio, stronger headphone drive, and MQA decoding without investing in a full digital audio player. It suits owners of high fidelity earphones and portable headphones who need a small, rugged dongle for travel or daily use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less appropriate for casual listeners happy with phone output, or users who require the absolute longest battery life from their host device since some customers report increased power draw. Also, those who need an integrated battery amplifier or Bluetooth playback should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear, detailed sound driven by dual ES9219 DACs and stable reclocking circuitry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery high resolution support including PCM768k and native DSD256 for advanced formats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong driving capability to handle many HiFi earphones and some fullsize headphones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConvenient plugandplay compatibility with modern Android, iOS, Mac and Windows 10+.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome users report increased power consumption on portable devices, which can shorten battery life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRequires a Lightning to TypeC OTG cable for iOS devices, adding a small extra cost for Apple users.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDAC chips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual ES9219\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDecoding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCM up to 768kHz\/32bit, DSD256 native\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMQA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull decoding, up to 16X unfolding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput power\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApprox 340mW + 340mW @32 ohm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.4mm and 3.5mm headphone outputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAndroid, iOS, Mac, Windows 10+ (driver for older Windows)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HiBy FC4 is a compelling portable DAC\/amp for listeners who want professionallevel decoding in a dongle. It combines dual DAC hardware, high resolution and MQA support, and enough drive to satisfy many earphones and headphones, offering strong value for those upgrading from stock phone or laptop audio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the FC4 work with iPhones?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe FC4 works with iOS devices but requires a Lightning to TypeC OTG adapter to connect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it drain my phone battery?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome users report increased power consumption on mobile devices, so expect higher battery use during extended listening sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs any driver needed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo driver is required for Android, iOS, Mac and Windows 10 and up; older Windows versions need a driver download.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HiBy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48262654755035,"sku":"B0C4NHV5LL","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51UcmGiNVDL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1776600771","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/hiby-fc4-headphone-amplifier-portable-dac-highresolution-mobile-dac","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}