HiBy - FC3
Portable DAC & AmpUnfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔
While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend
Customer Reviews
Am using this with my Google Pixel 5 and Balanced Armature KZ AS16
This little thing is so powerful Superb sound quality in a compact and attractive package
The sound coming from it is detailed, flat and analytical but highly musical and not boring at all.
If you are looking for a tiny amp for portability with great power, non built in battery, balanced and
unbalanced connections and excellent measurements this is it.
Good and perfect sound USB DAC sound experience is not in words
Thank you for the awesome review & ratings, Ramakant Mahal!
In my brief use of the HiBy FC3, I've found it to improve the sound on my Meze 99 Neo headphones. The claimed 70mw per channel output is plenty for the efficient (30mw nominal) headphones, and drives them with some authority. I've occasionally heard some popping sounds when connected to a mobile device (iOS and Android tested), but didn't experience this on desktop.
The volume button seems extraneous, but is surprisingly useful. The build is metal and good enough. There's a pronounced seam around the case, diminishing the otherwise nice brushed, monolithic look. The LED at the back glows different colours depending on the bitrate being processed. MQA fans can feel warm and fuzzy when it turns purple. A free MQA subscription is included for the "HIBY Music" app. I'm not sure what to do with that. The output is single-ended 3.5mm headphone only, and the socket feels a bit stiff when plugging things in.
Android/Desktop users are sorted -- usb-c to usb-c and usb-c to usb-a cables are inclided. iOS users are out of luck; the lightning to USB-C cable is optional and costs a bit. The usual ones don't work.
I'd recommend this for someone wanting a low-profile dac/amp for portable use as I did.
not much great
I am first timer to portable amp for headphone. It was like a new horizon of audiophiles opened up. Enjoyed so much on KZ SZS10 pro IEM right now. Will try on headphones later.
Earphones/headphones used - Sennheiser momentum wired , jays a jays one , Sennheiser hd 599
Source - iphone 7 plus ,iphone 11 pro max , PC , google pixel 2
I use the iphone as a primary source of music with amazon music and jiosaavn with the highest quality streaming possible
Straight out of the box the Hiby doesn't have a lightning to usb c cable included , so look at spending between 500 to 2000 rupees more for it , I did , bought an amkette first , it didn't power up the DAC , thought there might be an issue with the cable , so bought a boat mfi certified cable , that too didn't work.So 2 new cables tried across 2 iphones and an ipad even, without luck .
Tried with the usb to usb c from the PC and the DAC powered up and was pretty much plug and play , acting as the default sound card .
Tried with the pixel 2 , again worked flawlessly - as far as the powering up was concerned
Coming to the sound quality - if you compare with the output of fairly decent earphones , it hardly makes a difference - to put it in Hindi , it is 19-20
The sound stage was minimally expanded , transparency was fair , i don't know what i expected but am pretty much sure that my earphones and the dac on the iphone are doing a decent enough job for me not to spend on the Hiby.
Unsolicited advice : instead of this DAC invest that amount on a higher end earphone / headphone
Chi-Fi
Excellence
Ideal for Commuting
Ideal for Audiophiles
Best Suited for Portable Use
DAC Chip
You may not even realise it, but most of us use a digital-to-analogue converter (commonly known as a DAC) daily. Built into your computers, tablets and smartphones, a DAC is fundamental to unlocking the convenience of digital music. Any device that acts as a digital sound source will need a DAC to convert digital audio to analog. A DAC converts the digital information stored in “0s and 1s” into an analog signal that's passed to speakers or headphones and ultimately our ear. In short, DACs play a large part in making digital music hearable.
While this technical process is undoubtedly impressive, the DAC embedded into your smartphones or laptops is nowhere good enough to listen to your favourite music recordings in high quality. So, if you want to listen to music in high quality, an external DAC is essential to allow headphones or speakers to perform at their potential. An external DAC, first and foremost, will improve audio quality dramatically.
Pair with Laptop via USB
A majority of people use a laptop as the primary source device to listen to music or watch movies. Since the laptop is an essential part of the audio chain there are headphones and devices designed to work a laptop or computer system flawlessly. With the availability of USB connectivity, it becomes easier to pair various devices like an Amp, DAC or even headphones without worrying about drivers or any additional piece of software.
70+70mW @ 32Ω
Power Output
Metal
Build
Super Lightweight
Design
DESCRIPTION
HI-RES CERTIFIED SUPPORTING MQA FOR HIGHEST QUALITY AUDIO
HiBy FC3 is capable of unfolding MQA audio bringing you the full studio / concert experience. The FC3 includes MQA Renderer technology, which can connect to an MQA Core signal and complete the final unfold of an MQA file. MQA-enabled software must be used on the smartphone (e.g. HiBy Music, TIDAL) to realise 4x unfolding of MQA audio. The device is certified by the Japan Audio Society for high resolution audio.
SUPPORTS PCM AUDIO WITH HIFI DAC ES9281PRO
HiBy FC3 supports PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD128 DoP. The ES9281pro DAC is behind the all-format HiFi decoding power of the FC3. This combination of the technology enables FC3 to deliver crystal clear sound no matter what the genre.
ANDROID, IOS SUPPORT WITH 3.5MM CONNECTION AND CAPABILITY TO BE USED AS A AUDIO INTERFACE
The HiBy FC3 is universally compatible with all common devices running Android or iOS. FC3 comes equipped with industry standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which enables you to connect standard wired headphones for a true high resolution music experience. FC3 is also capable of being used as a standalone sound card with windows 10 and macOS. The device offers plug and play support for convenient connectivity and enabling your device to output high-quality audio.
LOW POWER CONSUMPTION, HIGH OUTPUT POWER
HiBy FC3 is engineered for low power consumption, restricting it to drain the battery on your smartphone and letting you enjoy your music without any hassles. FC3 outputs a whopping 70+70mW@32 Ohms, which is enough to power all kinds of HiFi headphones.
ALUMINUM ALLOY BODY WITH EASY ACCESS VOLUME BUTTONS
The FC3 with its simple elegant lines, high lit bevelled edges and all aluminium alloy body is built to withstand anything. For ease of access, there is a 30 stepped hardware volume button that allows you to adjust the volume on the fly.
RGB INDICATOR LIGHT FOR VARIOUS MUSIC FORMATS AND SAMPLE RATE
The indicator light glows in different colours according to the currently playing music format / sample rate. Red: connected, not playing
Blue: playing at PCM 32-48kHz
Green: playing at PCM 88.2-192kHz / DSD64
Light green: playing at PCM 352.8-384kHz / DSD128
Purple: playing MQA
SPECS
| DAC CHIP | ES9281PRO |
| HARDWARE BUTTON | Volume +/- |
| DSD SUPPORT | Up to DSD128 (DoP) |
| INDICATOR LIGHT | RGB LED status indicator |
| USB PORT | Type-C |
| HEADPHONE OUTPUT | Standard 3.5 mm headphone port for headphones and CTIA-standard headsets, does not support line control |
| MICROPHONE | Support (Available in non-exclusive mode) |
| MICROPHONE | Support (Available in non-exclusive mode) |
| DIMENSIONS | 45*13*9 mm |
| HI-RES CERTIFIED | Yes |
| COMPATIBILITY | Android, iOS, Windows, MAC OS |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. HiBy FC3 headphone DAC+Amp |
| 2. Type-C to Type-C OTG interconnect | |
| 3. USB to Type-C interconnect | |
| 4. Packing box | |
| 5. User manual | |
| 6. Warranty card | |
| 7. QC certificate |
HI-RES CERTIFIED SUPPORTING MQA FOR HIGHEST QUALITY AUDIO
HiBy FC3 is capable of unfolding MQA audio bringing you the full studio / concert experience. The FC3 includes MQA Renderer technology, which can connect to an MQA Core signal and complete the final unfold of an MQA file. MQA-enabled software must be used on the smartphone (e.g. HiBy Music, TIDAL) to realise 4x unfolding of MQA audio. The device is certified by the Japan Audio Society for high resolution audio.
SUPPORTS PCM AUDIO WITH HIFI DAC ES9281PRO
HiBy FC3 supports PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD128 DoP. The ES9281pro DAC is behind the all-format HiFi decoding power of the FC3. This combination of the technology enables FC3 to deliver crystal clear sound no matter what the genre.
ANDROID, IOS SUPPORT WITH 3.5MM CONNECTION AND CAPABILITY TO BE USED AS A AUDIO INTERFACE
The HiBy FC3 is universally compatible with all common devices running Android or iOS. FC3 comes equipped with industry standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which enables you to connect standard wired headphones for a true high resolution music experience. FC3 is also capable of being used as a standalone sound card with windows 10 and macOS. The device offers plug and play support for convenient connectivity and enabling your device to output high-quality audio.
LOW POWER CONSUMPTION, HIGH OUTPUT POWER
HiBy FC3 is engineered for low power consumption, restricting it to drain the battery on your smartphone and letting you enjoy your music without any hassles. FC3 outputs a whopping 70+70mW@32 Ohms, which is enough to power all kinds of HiFi headphones.
ALUMINUM ALLOY BODY WITH EASY ACCESS VOLUME BUTTONS
The FC3 with its simple elegant lines, high lit bevelled edges and all aluminium alloy body is built to withstand anything. For ease of access, there is a 30 stepped hardware volume button that allows you to adjust the volume on the fly.
RGB INDICATOR LIGHT FOR VARIOUS MUSIC FORMATS AND SAMPLE RATE
The indicator light glows in different colours according to the currently playing music format / sample rate. Red: connected, not playing
Blue: playing at PCM 32-48kHz
Green: playing at PCM 88.2-192kHz / DSD64
Light green: playing at PCM 352.8-384kHz / DSD128
Purple: playing MQA
| DAC CHIP | ES9281PRO |
| HARDWARE BUTTON | Volume +/- |
| DSD SUPPORT | Up to DSD128 (DoP) |
| INDICATOR LIGHT | RGB LED status indicator |
| USB PORT | Type-C |
| HEADPHONE OUTPUT | Standard 3.5 mm headphone port for headphones and CTIA-standard headsets, does not support line control |
| MICROPHONE | Support (Available in non-exclusive mode) |
| MICROPHONE | Support (Available in non-exclusive mode) |
| DIMENSIONS | 45*13*9 mm |
| HI-RES CERTIFIED | Yes |
| COMPATIBILITY | Android, iOS, Windows, MAC OS |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. HiBy FC3 headphone DAC+Amp |
| 2. Type-C to Type-C OTG interconnect | |
| 3. USB to Type-C interconnect | |
| 4. Packing box | |
| 5. User manual | |
| 6. Warranty card | |
| 7. QC certificate |
Don't sweat it, this
HiBy - FC3 comes with a 1 Year warranty
from HiBy that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about HiBy's warranty in India.
"The Hiby FC3 is a piece of well-constructed hardware that goes anywhere you want it to go. It improves the sound of any phone or laptop two or three times over for under a hundred bucks."
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"Considering its price, build quality and onboard playback controls, it offers a lot of functionality alone. Its transparent and detailed sound and the true value of the FC3 truly becomes apparent."
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"Transparent sound, Enough power to drive planars, Robust build, Amazing value for the price, Hardware volume buttons. I am happy to recommend the Hiby FC3 in its place if you need more output."
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