FiiOK7 Desktop DAC and Amplifier - Bluetooth version

Let's get the important part out of the way - this is a supreme quality product at a very attractive price. Not very long ago a device of this caliber would have cost two or three times the price of the FiiO K7 BT. There were reports of QC problems with the original K7, but these were apparently resolved before this updated re-release with the new Bluetooth module. I've had no issues using this product so far in terms of build quality. While the iFi Zen DAC v2 is often cited as a comparable product to the K7 as they are both balanced amps, after using them both for some time this does a disservice to the K7 as it blows away the Zen on every metric. If you are looking for an affordable all-in-one desktop audio solution, you can buy this with complete confidence, and for most people they will never need another DAC/Amp again.So first then let's look at the exceptions - what does the K7 not have that the Zen does? Balanced Line In/Out is the standout missing feature, and if it did have that it would actually be a nearly perfect product. This is usually only found on expensive speakers but is a strange omission all the same as the K7 is a true balanced amp. The left and right stereo channels are processed separately and both a "hot" signal and inverted "cold" signal are generated by the amp. Line In/Out is single-ended only on the K7, which does not take advantage of this DAC/Amp configuration. In other words, the K7 is geared primarily for use with headphones with additional support for active speakers. Passive speakers will require an additional speaker amp to reach a listenable volume. However, this still covers the vast majority of modern speakers on the market currently so in practice is not much of an issue. It's very rare to find a speaker that is balanced only, but they're out there.The other omission of note is native USB Audio Class 1 (UAC1) support - the K7 supports the much newer UAC2 only which allows it to receive and process hi-res audio. This shouldn't be an issue, however some modern devices still use this obsolete standard, notably the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. To use these devices on the K7 without compromises to sound quality, the USB audio signal must be converted to an Optical audio signal, which requires a USB to Optical passthrough adapter limited to receiving signals at 16-bit/48KHz max (equivalent to DVD quality). I connected my Nintendo Switch to the K7 using this method and from there had no further problems, and this method allows you to use the superior DAC you already paid for in the K7 to process the audio as the audio still arrives at the K7 in digital form. This workaround also has the upside of allowing me to connect my PC and Switch to the K7 at the same time.Otherwise, the K7 has full support for USB Audio up to 32-bit 384KHz and Optical Audio in both TOSLINK and Coaxial formats up to the maximum possible quality these formats can support. You cannot merge digital audio sources so only one input can be used at a time, with an Input button on the front being used to switch between them. RCA Line In is provided to allow analog input from another preamp, using the K7 as a dedicated headphone amp.A common complaint with the K7 is the digital volume dial, apparently using 116 discrete steps to attenuate the volume. It seems the steps are evenly spaced apart on the decibel scale, so the K7 can get deafeningly loud if you feel like ruining your hearing, however unity gain (volume input matches volume output) has been set to the halfway mark on the dial. This means if you actually need to amplify the volume output, you have to go over the halfway mark. The K7 has been designed this way to grant the user more control of the volume when using IEMs - some IEMs are extremely sensitive to voltage and actually require surpression rather than amplification. You soon get used to it but it is a little strange at first.If you really dislike this though, you can set the K7 to LO (Line Out) mode, which bypasses the volume control and forces maximum volume - so make sure you have a volume control somewhere else or you will quickly learn how much the volume dial restrains the K7! You should never have any issues getting any active speakers or headphones to a listenable volume. Not only that though, there is also enough current to get highly accurate bass and treble. Not only loud then, but crystal clear too. The Zen simply can't pull this off in the same way and runs out of juice on deep bass and intricate treble, especially when having to produce both at the same time. The K7 on the other hand makes this look effortless, so now your only limitation will be your headphones or speakers. I expected an improvement to my headphone experience, but it ended up being the speakers that were dramatically improved. My two subwoofers are now being driven with remarkable control and detail.Regarding the primary feature of the K7, enough voltage and amps are provided through the balanced audio jack to fully drive nearly every headphone currently on the market. You would have to go out of your way to overwhelm the K7. The converted single-ended headphone output is quieter but not crippled nor inadequate, and if all else fails you still have the high gain switch, which apparently boosts signal and noise by ~6dB. I have never needed to use this so far and I doubt I ever will, but it's there if you do. I currently use the Edition XS as my daily driver headphones which are known for being very current-hungry and demanding and the K7 meets its demands with ease.So far everything I've covered applies to both the K7 and the K7 BT, but of course there's Bluetooth support on this model and the improved flexibility this provides you completes the package for me. I tried out this mode with two devices: my Nintendo Switch and my mobile phone. Unfortunately the Switch uses the worst Bluetooth codec available and doesn't let you change, but even with a poor quality source the performance of the K7 shines through as it does the best it can with what it's given. The experience on my phone was significantly better and I could try out the more advanced codecs available to the K7 through the Bluetooth configuration app. Bluetooth audio is lossy and the minor quality degradation compared to the wired inputs is noticeable but is marginal especially on the newer codecs. This is a feature you use for the convenience factor and in that role it excels, but if you can reliably hook up a device to the K7 wired, you should do so for the best experience.Until very recently I would have said that this is an almost ideal product, especially for the price. Costs have been cut carefully in the right places and the features that are missing most people won't miss. The heat the unit generates is also very well managed and I don't ever feel in danger of it overheating. However, as I write this the very new FiiO K11 is half the price of the K7, has UAC1 support and most of the K7's features although it's not as powerful (1400mW to the K7's 2000mW) and uses different DAC and Amp chips. Check out the K11 before buying the K7, but I personally would still buy the K7 - this is the sweet spot and the one to beat.

Fantastic quality DAC/Amp combination. Use this with my Presonus Eris 3.5 speakers and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm headphones. Both sound fantastic through this.Bluetooth sound quality using my phone is also excellent. Not an audiophile by any means but this has a nice sounding bass/low frequency to music. Not too boomy but nice and clear.

My very first dedicated headphone amp to partner my rotel rcd02 and my 300ohm sennheiser hd540 mk2 reference.When plugged in to the 1/4 socket it runs out of steam ! So I had to search for a 4.4 balanced lead which i could only get in a 1.2 meter length.In 4.4 balanced you reach the same volume level between 2 and 3 o'clock as max out in the 1/4 Jack.The sound quality is good,clean an neutral.

Overall everything on this is first class. The sound quality, the build , the versatility and power output.But the downsides might outweigh the positives.Weak optical processor input.I run a 10ft optical cable from my TV and this switches between cd and TV via a powered switch. Now the when switched to TV its fine, but on cd it has digital break up..And if I remove the optical cable from the K7 and plug it into my old k5 it works fine, no breakup which tells me the optical input gain isn't up to scratch.Secondly, there's zero volume from this u less you turn the dial to 12 o clock. Its not even listenable until the 2 o'clock position, and at 3 o clock it's at its max before distortion.This can't be right??Sound quality at 2 o clock is great.. really good, but try to push for more volume and you'll hit the wall with just a slight turn of the dial.Maybe a firmware update might help, but I doubt that's gonna happen.

Product looks like it was built from parts at Maplins. The switches and buttons are cheap looking. Overall design is poor.Went with the Topping DX3 pro+ instead which looks great, has more features, the ability to play headphones and speakers at same time, excellent Bluetooth and sounds superb.

Worked fine for a few weeks then developed a sound issue.