Included below is some feedback from a few Fideliq owners. Their systems are all diverse, but all have appreciated the improvement a Fideliq has brought to their systems.
It is difficult to accept that the sonic quality of digital music played through reasonable equipment may be enhanced so markedly by one component, but even the briefest experience of the Fideliq in a familiar system is proof that it may be so.
Over several auditions I ran the Fideliq into a trio of very different, well-regarded DACs – Denafrips Ares II, Bryston BD-3A and PS Audio DirectStream – in each case into an Esoteric pre-amp, PS Audio BHK mono-blocks and both Harbeth and Klipsch Cornwall speakers. Music sourced from Qobuz or Tidal included everything from personal favourites to audiophile test tracks in order to tease out the greatest possible spectrum of responses.
In each combination it was inarguable that the Fideliq was the component responsible for extracting never-before-heard detail in the music. The Fideliq also ‘normalised’ the presentation, placing instruments and vocalists in precisely the right place, each properly proportional to the others in dimension and scale. This was so regardless of the relative quality of the source, the genre of the music or the vintage of the tracks selected. In fact, it was when dealing with lesser quality sources that the Fideliq really shone, elevating these to new highs; noise was all but extinguished and the dynamics substantially improved.
The very well-designed Fideliq interface is highly intuitive, easy to use and works seamlessly with Tidal, Qobuz and the like. The availability of huge amounts of SSD storage in the head unit puts entire libraries at your fingertips and, importantly, developer support (not that it’s likely to be needed…) is instantaneous.
To my way of thinking the Fideliq comfortably performs at a level which would be expected at many times its (very reasonable!) price and is a ‘must have’ for anyone in the least bit interested in playing digital music at its best.
Kevin
Michael and Steve,
Thank you for the Fideliq, it has lifted my system to a new level. Functionality that exceeds my needs and performance that exceeds what I thought was possible. I was so impressed with the lower noise floor and improved bass but what I loved the most was the reduction in harshness and the improvement in detail. I am now in the ‘listen to everything again’ mode. I listen through a Soekris dam1021 based DAC and a March Audio P452. I am now hearing what the rest of my system can do.
Really looking forward to what is next from you guys.
Will
Dear Mike & Steve,
Congratulations on releasing a great product. I was using a streamer that was more than double the cost of your Fideliq and have now replaced it with yours. I have now been using the Fideliq for 2 months. It has a quicker response, more user friendly and does not need a specific app to operate.
Compared to my previous streamer it gives a wider, deeper soundstage with more presence. It has a quieter background and a deeper bass.
Thanks for providing the unit to me.
Warmest regards,
Herbert
The latest Fideliq upgrade is nothing short of revelatory. I did not think it could improve anymore than the previous upgrade; how mistaken I was.
The improvements that Mike and Steve have introduced in this upgrade include:
• A lower noise floor;
• Better timing and dynamics;
• A deeper and wider soundstage;
• An improvement in imaging and placement of instruments and voices; and
• An increase in presenting the recording’s detail, that is balanced in its presentation and does not distract the listener; not over analytical.
Listening to a mixture of rock (including remixed Beatles titles), classical, jazz and specially recorded audiophile titles (Silk Road and Stockfisch) only demonstrated improvements in the mid-range presentation, tighter and deeper bass, without the issues of brightness in the top end.
Operationally, the Fideliq is still very intuitive and easy to use.
A resulting occupational hazard with using the Fideliq is the impulse to re-listen to my music collection and appreciate what I’ve been missing out on. Be prepared for long listening sessions that include listening to whole albums – a pastime long forgotten from my teenage years!!!
10/10 = Excellence!!!
Shaun