FiiOK7 Desktop DAC and Amplifier

l'm an audiophile who knows there is A LOT of snake oil in this business. A LOT. Now, having said that, the k7 deserves the $200 asking price.If you have a good sound-card, the k7 will be a mild improvement, but sure enough an audible improvement. Don't expect night and day differences, but you'll find some. Whether you like the new sound signature more than your sound-card, that's another story. The k7 will offer slightly more refined sound, but similar 'technicalities.'Where the k7 is a real upgrade is in having a dedicated volume control knob. The volume is digital so the knob has no end to it (you can keep on spinning it once it has reached its max). My unit didn't have a very noticeable delay (as some reviewers stated). Perhaps that has to do with how powerful/fast your computer is (?). Some people also find the volume odd because for the first (almost) 1/4 of it, you don't hear anything (on less sensible HPs). Fiio engineers did this on purpose: this way, users of very sensitive IEMs will not have a problem adjusting the volume to their preferred level.The k7 (unlike any sound-card that l'm aware of) offers balanced connections so you can give that a try. Personally, l did hear the difference. My HPs did open up with the balanced inputs (4.4mm and 4pin XLR). If you've been into this hobby for a while (if your brained has been trained to notice these sound nuances), you'll notice that right away. Then there's the extra power in case you need it.Some people may prefer to keep their sound-card over the k7 in favor of having more 'desktop free space.' l get that. Personally, l have a volume ring on my keyboard, but l much prefer having a knob. Besides, it's easier to plug/switch HPs from the k7 (likely placed on your desk near your mouse) than from the back of the PC, under the desk.Does the k7 get hot? Not at all (room temperature 80ºF).*Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the Fiio k9 ESS*I guess the AKM version is equally good too, but l haven't tested that one so my words will refer to the k9 ESS (non-pro). If you wonder, I didn't want a slower pace sounding device, that's why I was only interested in the ESS version.k7 VS k9 ESS:The difference between the k7 and the k9 ESS aren't mild or subtle, but very significant. We're talking about a product (k7) that has its own sound signature (warmer, slower, more bass where there shouldn't be, small soundstage), but that plays on the budget league VS a product (k9 ESS) that plays in the HI-FI realm.The k9 will be a noticeably improvement in the soundstage, dynamics, clarity and rest of the audio attributes. Example: on the k7 the HD800s treble is harsh; plug them to the k9 and the treble becomes oh so beautiful.Mind you, k9 ESS is 'fast.' The music will play faster than on the AKM which has the 'normal pace' tunning. You may like a faster pace more or less, but you'll certainly notice the difference in speed. This is supposed to be an attribute of the ESS chips (regardless of the system implementation).Have you ever heard people saying something like, "buy the best HP you can then spend the rest on a DAC-amp?" Nonsense. Once you have a good pair of HPs ($300-$500), trust me, they will sound noticeably different when paired to the k7 VS the k9.Example: You'd think my old, yet great sounding Hifiman HE-400 (non s, etc. just plain 'HE-400') sound great when connected to the k7 and also my sound-card. Now, plug them to the k9 ESS and let me read your mind: "Holly guacamole! Now we're talking business." Yes, those are your own words ;-)If my budget was $1000, l'd rather get a k9 ESS and a $300-500 HPs than spending $200 on the k7 then $800 on a HP. Even better, l'd buy the k9 ESS new (to test it for yourself in case you want to return it, and to have the always SO important WARRANTY just in case) then spend the rest of the budget on a 'second hand' headphone (in good condition with replaceable earpads). Amplifiers come defective even when new (l've already sent 2 back, the very k9 ESS l'm talking about which had a defective 'optical in' and a k9 ESS Pro), however headphones rarely fail (although they also do it seems; it never happened to me).l know l digressed quite a bit, but l hope you enjoyed my 'on the fly, all over the place' review of the Fiio k7. Remember: "Buying cheap is expensive" or the German version "We're too poor to buy cheap." Save for the k9 ESS, buy it new (return, warranty), enjoy it for years to come. Hope this helps!

This amp dac is amazing. I have my Sennheiser HD 600's plugged into it and they sound amazing, at least with a balanced cable. I have no complaints so far. Also if you want stuff to be a bit louder, I suggest getting a mixer or maybe an audio interface.

Any of these are going to greatly improve the sound over plugging your headphones directly into the mini-jack on a computer.Listening was done with a few different headphones but mostly with beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones. Music source was a laptop connected to the DAC/Headphone Amp via USB. If an external power supply was included, I used that. If not, power came via USB.I've kept notes on my impressions brief and included comparisons amongst the DAC/Amp's in this list. They are listed below in my order of preference with my favorites at the top. If you want flowery vocabulary I'm sure in depth reviews are available out there on the web.Headphones make the greatest difference in sound - spend more on them, if necessary. The DAC/Amp is secondary but does add its own flavor to the music.---iFi Zen DAC V2 | Desktop Digital Analog Converter(Listening only with "TRUEBASS" off.)Very good.Slightly better than the FiiO K7. Better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass.I ended up comparing this with the FX-Audio DAC-X6 head to head, which continued to surprise me as I put it up against significantly more expensive competitors. Across several hours and many pieces of music, I prefer the iFi... but the difference is infinitesimal. Possibly the iFi has a little more punch to the bass? Maybe a bit more space ans separation? If you're working to a budget, get the FX-Audio and put the extra cash towards better headphones.FX-Audio DAC-X6 Mini HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DACThis thing is good. Surprisingly good. I ended up putting it head-to-head with amps costing three times its price.Slightly warmer sound, with slightly less detail in the vocals than the iFi Zen Air, but more space in the music, and more enjoyable to listen to. Slightly better clarity than the Topping.FiiO K7 Full Balanced HiFi DAC Headphone AmplifierThis is indeed better than the K5 version. Vocals are more lifelike. And a particular emphasis on the mid-treble heard in the K5 is absent. There is more separation between the instruments.Very close call with the iFi V2, with my preference going to the iFi for better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass.iFi Zen Air DACNot quite as good as the V2, but close. Closer than the FiiO K5 is to the K7. There is, again, a comparative emphasis in mid-treble and the vocals get a bit lost. The sound is slightly thin compared to rivals at this price point.FiiO K5 Pro Headphone Amps Portable Desktop DAC and AmplifierNot quite as good as the K7, but at half the price one cannot really complain. Vocals are not quite as lifelike and there is more mid-treble - but not in a good way.Topping DX1 Mini Stereo DAC Headphone Amplifier ComboVery good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized.Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone AmplifierI thought this unit was DOA. Turns out that you must long press the volume knob to turn it on. (Short press to select input.)Not terrible, but not as musical as the others in this test. Also, the only one with bass and treble knobs. And only a mini-jack - no 1/4" jack.Pro-Ject Head Box S2 DigitalThis DAC/Amp had an issue that makes it unlistenable. The sound is very nice... but... there's some faint static. Only in the music, not in silence. A faint crackling.... Can't have that.