REVIEW! Fiio R7 is unlike ANYTHING else
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
- You know Fiio for their portable audio players, and their desktop amplifiers. But you probably don't know them for this... The Fiio R7 is a VERY unique product that adds Android to a desktop solution, and as weird as that may sound it's pretty useful. At least for someone.
See the Fiio R7 on AliExpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDj...
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Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored, but Fiio did send this player to me free for review. Check them out at www.fiio.com/
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#Fiio #amplifier #DAC #SuperReview
Why Poweramp rocks, what IEMs I'm looking forward to, and which streaming service I use in the Q&A 👉 czcams.com/video/6WsEY0et91c/video.html
@P T Apple Music + Dolby Atmos definitely sounds noticeably different than non-Atmos. Whether it's better or not probably up to your preferences, and the music you're listening to.
Been using Poweramp for android for close to a decade now, imo, it is the best audio player available on android
FYI: It seems that the R7 is just the first release for a new system. FiiO has just released a set of full size headphones called the FT3. FiiO will have matching powered speakers for the R7 called the SP3 coming out later this year.
I couldn’t resist ordering the FT3. They look to be a bit different and innovative (60mm beryllium coated driver, 350 Ohms) and they’re priced aggressively ($299.99).
Any official info about it?
@@SuperReview Fiio Official youtube channel: "FiiO active speaker SP3, also targeting the mid-end market. The available time is unsure, but we will strive for that before the end of this year. The SP3 is FiiO's first 2.0 system active speaker, the diameter of the bass driver is 3.0 inches."
It's also mentioned on fiio website's R7 product page ;)
CA nt wait
let em cook!!!
Most interested will have their own preferred speaker set up. Speakers coming from China?
what I like the most about your channel is that you talk about practical aspects of each product: feature set, functionality, convenience, etc. and leave audiophile magical thinking rave out of the way by just saying "it sounds good enough for me".
At first I thought you were reviewing a mini fridge. I was like... Sure, I want a super review on that.
Mini fridge, holds one beer.
@@SuperReview if it couldn't fit any beer. That would be tragic.
Detailed and very useful review. Thanks so much
Wow, what an excellent and in depth review!
Awesome video, and you've saved me a lot of worry. I just got the R7 a couple of days ago, and I was noticing that audible "click" you mention. I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong - glad to know that's not the case, so thank you for that. In terms of the product itself, I am coming to it from using an M11 Plus and am finding the detail, separation and layering quite a step up, so I'm really happy with it.
You can buy physical play/pause skip buttons to plug in with USB
You have great reviews and was hoping you would review the R7. Interestingly, you didn't mention 2 of the main reasons for this unit. 1. Wifi connection to a network. This is HUGE for those with Plex or Roon and a NAS. 2. Bluetooth input and output. Imagine listening with your favorite wireless headphones or ear buds over BT and streaming from your Nas over WIFI. A truely wireless solution. Also, FiiO will be releasing a wireless remote control soon. This would hopefully address your need for more physical buttons. Keep up the great reviews. 😁
Please have a look at Topping M50, a much cheaper device with an IIS out not only BT. It has also network connectivity and I have currently 1Tb MicroSD card working in it. My two cents.
Its hard to find a review that actually talks about using this thing the way it was designed. As a standalone Roon/Tidal/Qobuz client. Maybe on a book shelf with some speakers
or by your bed with some headphones. No computer anywhere near.
OMG yes! I was pulling my hair out waiting for him to discuss this and he doesn't even mention the wifi and ethernet jack. This may be a great streamer but I have no clue after watching this video. Many audiophiles have been and are switching to streamers and this review missed all of that.
@@FerenczyAS- I wish there was something like M50 that would support wired Ethernet connection to NAS.
I really super dig the new intro buddy!
This unit is very alluring. I am familiar with the FiiO Android ecosystem as I also have the M11+. I tend to be quick to buy (i wish they had released this before I put some $$ into “separates”), but I pretty much have a lot of bases covered. I also enjoy your practical/hands on approach to your review. The esoterica is all fine, but I’m still not sure I get it. Lastly, and I believe, very importantly, your camera work is such a joy..always in focus (we’ve all seen some reviewers who haven’t quite embraced that concept yet). I like your work….
This seems like a great option for people who want a very simple solution and can't be bothered with the hassle of separates, getting into better audio can be quite daunting and some of the advice online doesn't help much. It reminds me of the micro all in one hifi systems of the early 2000s.
This is probably the coolest thing on your channel so far
Would the R7 work as a home stereo set up with Sonos One speakers over wifi and Apple Music ? Thanks for the great review.
Great review, haven’t watched all yet, but can it be connected to a NAS or network HDD and play my local library? Index it and all? Thanks!
Nice job. Do you know if you can power two headphoens at the same time? One XLR and one 1/4"?
Thinking of putting it on a bookshelf to use as a streamer. I don't use headphones. How will it work as a dac streamer into preamplifier?
Does it support Bit Perfect output from the digital out to run through an external DAC?
Thanks for yet another excellent review! Is it that different/expensive to find a CD player with a SPDIF output? Not that I’m aware of one, but I am surprised…
Well my Discman cost like $30 on eBay, so probably a SPDIF CD player would be more expensive and larger. Schiit is supposedly building one.
@@SuperReview You can just buy a 10-15 dollar analog to digital coaxial/optical box.
Interesting review. A couple of points. Firstly, I've tried plugging a pen drive into the back to play music files but that doesn't work. Secondly, what was the particular version of Power Amp you are using as there are several different ones in Google Play. Is it a free one? Thanks.
I have the paid Poweramp, $7 to make any DAP instantly way better.
Does the output signal have to navigate the android stack?
This thing got Type -C display port out….my question can it be used without bypassing the internal screen, if the internal screen is dead ? Of course if and when that happens keyboard & mouse combo needed.
Hi, would you review the Fiio KB1 - a wired 3 button keyboard/volume knob or the official DC power source for this unit? Thanks!
No, not planning to review those.
Great Review, I see this has a wired network LAN port, can it access a music library on a NAS.
I think that's the purpose but TBH not something I used, I don't have a NAS.
I also like to ask, if a dedicated dc power supply used like FiiO PL50 - Is there still hiss hard on sensitive IEM / headphones?
I don't even think it's that. For that price they would be making it quite cheap. Like he said. he was expecting it to be double the price
21:30 I have a Fiio BTR7 and when I used it as a DAC/Amp in my laptop it has the same issue that if you pause for a couple of seconds and then play back the music or a YT video you where watching, it takes half a second or so for the sound to come in and it does it gradually, I suspect that's an in-built protection system Fiio has implemented in both devices but it can be incredibly annoying, maybe is something that can be turn on and off on the settings but I haven't been able to figure it out.
I suspect it's a battery / power efficiency thing. My desktop amp will (Drop THX AAA One) will go into a sleep mode when not used for a while.
Nicely Done.
"It's all kind of weird" & tape from the 90's :)
System wide eq - Yes please on all devices.
Any system wide eq download suggestions from the play store ?
Thanks
Wavelet is the one people seem to use most. If I use EQ, I use Qudelix 5K.
Is your measurement of CAL on squig the original or the SE version?
Original.
Great video. Does this device support Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect? Can a phone be used as a remote control for music apps, such as CZcams Music and/or Google Podcasts?
It's an Android device, does whatever those apps do on Android.
@@SuperReview meh...not always
Is there anyway you can remote control this stuff? I know there is an optional Fiio remote, I mean can you control it through your mobile? Or maybe other android devices such is your pad or tablet?
Sorry, not something I experimented with.
Your main gripes are mainly on missing physical knobs and buttons....why so if there is a touch screen interface for all these? Do you still want to own and use a handphone with physical buttons and knobs instead of touch screen interface?
Yes, that's why I use a DAP instead of a phone for music.
From the front, it looks like a small Garmin radar for a yacht
This will replace my m11 Ltd plus.I’ll use it as a preamp to bluesound to technics amp.
So, I followed the discussion about Roon etc but it's still not clear to me - can the R7 be used as a media server? That is, once connected to the network via ethernet or WiFi, can other devices access its library? Having the entire digital collection available at all times would be really useful.
I would be very surprised if it could... I believe it is just a roon endpoint. That said I am not a room user thanks God 🙂
Sorry I don't use Roon so not sure what are its capabilities. I'm not sure if the R7 does anything with Roon than a typical Android device doesn't do.
I'm sorry, I certainly didn't express myself as I should. Don't really care about Roon, it's not even available yet where I live. My question was about the sharing capabilities of the device, can someone set it's sd card (or other storage) as a shared folder/drive so as to be accessible from other devices over a home network?
I don't believe Fiio's software does that, no, but not sure what's available on Android.
Does it hisses even on low gain? Because low gain removes the hiss in most daps.
Yes.
So close to being a perfect solution. I think if they made a "pro" model with a better amp (less noise floor) and an analog in it would be perfect for me, but without those, I don't think it is as useful as it could be. Bummer for them but it does seem like a great idea
I noise floor TBH is not a real issue for me, takes my most sensitive IEM to make it obvious.
Can i use this as a pre-amp for power amp.? I assume you can but i don't know much about audio
I'm not sure what you're asking.
@@SuperReview Can i use it a audio source for my power Amplifier and Also to connect TV to my power Amp.
Would be perfect, if it featured RCA inputs.
Can you use the DAC alongside the music from the android player?
You can use the R7 as an external DAC for your computer, if that's what you're asking. If that's not what you're asking, I don't understand.
@@SuperReview if you use it as an external DAC, will it feed any visual data from the PC? I.e if I’m using Spotify on my PC will it feed album art or song control interface to the R7? For my use case I could imagine it would be a good secondary monitor/desktop amp just to see what’s playing and maybe quickly swipe a playlist if I’m in the middle of a full screen app or something or too bothered to control Spotify right now.
No, don't think it would have any support for that. But Spotify natively supports controlling what plays on one device from another, so you wouldn't even need the external DAC functionality to achieve what you want. Just launch the Spotify Android app on the R7, and launch Spotify on your PC. On your PC, you can choose the R7 device as where you want music to play --- Spotify supports this natively with any device.
@@SuperReview yes I was imagining some uses for Spotify connect such as maybe having it at my desk for headphone use but keeping the speakers on my PC on for watching CZcams or what not and not having to constantly flip the audio settings back and forth. I think it’s something that for the right creative uses can have its place but won’t be a solid general amp for gaming on a desktop with the latency issue for instance.
does this support lossless playback in apple music?
Yeah, it does whatever the Apple Music Android app does.
@@SuperReview Thanks. I always wanted a steaming DAC with apple music.... because apple music does not have a service similar to Spotify connect
the fiio r9 is going to have both balanced and single Ended inputs and outputs
The background noise is horrendous, I just looked it up, 7.5μV on 4.4mm
That's a lot. In comparison, the K9 Pro ESS has 1.7μV on 4.4mm
7.5μV will be almost 15db with average sensitive headphones, compared to the 0db you get with 2μV
Re: the lack of analog inputs... there are analog to digital converters out there, and they can be pretty cheap, like ~ $15 at the A store (I'd give more detail, but my comment would get auto-deleted...which I know cuz it's already happened, and I'm now re-posting). Anyway, you could use the USB or coax output from the converter to connect your CD player to the R7, giving you the option that you've been missing. Best regards.
Thanks for the suggestion, I think that conversion to digital (and then back to analog through the R7) is too much for my audiophile brain to accept.
@@SuperReview Yeah, a 48 kHz sampling rate is way beneath that money-maker audiophile brain to put up with the practicality. LOL. Disregard.
It perfectly suits my use case but I kinda get sad when reviewers don't even mention earlier devices like shanling em5 and em7. Fiio is not the first one to make dap-like desktop media center. I usually connect my dap to my desktop rig when I'm at home. I saw people making fun of it but some people know that how hard it is to stream and play bitperfect audio from streaming services on a desktop setup. Like almost no streamer supports apple music (lossless/bit perfect)
Yeah I also didn't know about Astell & Kern's version of this.
@@SuperReview yeah, there are also docks for their daps. Hiby rs8 also has a dock like that. Lotoo is about to release a very expensive desktop player.
Bought this thing to plug to my pc and then sending signal to my denon in pure mode, cant wait to see what it does to my speakers. Also i got the mark levinson 5909, lets see how this puppy makes them sing in bluetooth mode.
Think Bluetooth will sound the same as any other LDAC-compatible source (all Android devices).
@@SuperReview Yea i know I was just trying to be funny on text lol. I got them wired and they sound amazing
I am unclear about the operating system & it's App. So everything I have read & seen says it is for Android users. I looked at the info listed on the App page & it says there are versions for Android & Apple. I am seriously considering buying one but only have an iPhone & iPad. You mention that it is not the only economical item in this product type. I'm going to search your videos to see if you have reviewed others. If not have you thought of doing a comparison of this & others? I just discovered channel, Thanks!
The device itself IS an Android device -- you don't need to use a separate Android or iOS device to operate it, it works standalone.
Not sure I searched your past videos correctly. I take it you have focused on live streams & not posted videos. I really couldn't find on your main page other similar products to this item.
CZcams made it difficult, they're all under the Live tab here: www.youtube.com/@SuperReview/streams
I think you missed the boat on this review. You don't discuss the Ethernet jack and wifi 😂. I'm looking at this device to see if it's bit perfect as a streamer, which is why it has Android. How easy is it to connect to wifi or by wire to your router? Does it automatically switch bit and frequency rate by wifi/Ethernet plug when it's streaming, let's say from Amazon Music Unlimited? Does it bypass the android internal resampling? How is the wifi range and stability compared to wiring it directly to a router?
Not my use cases. "Bit perfect" is not something I worry about, TBH I think it's a waste of time, sorry I can't help.
@@SuperReview @Super* Review Having just read through the comments, I'm not the only person stating the glaring omission of the streaming capabilities. In your conclusion you state to use it as a stand alone device. I can't think of a better use scenario as a stand alone device then streaming music using Amazon, Spotify or Tidal.
They do sell this accessory to do more control with physical buttons & dial, FiiO KB1/KB1K Mechanical Music Remote Keyboard, they are programable.
That is a freaking mini pc lol. Can it run Crysis?
Technically... I don't think Crysis is available on Android.
Ok I am going to suggest something. Please for gods sake don’t say this thing should be worth double the price, because guess what FiiO listened and they released the R9 which is more than double the price of R7…..the R9 is no where near the 1500$ price point! More like 1000$, but when reviews say stuff, manufacturers listen, and sometimes it’s not the right message.
Physical playback controls are a must for me.
Hear hear.
KB1 and RM3 are your friends for this.
@@mobill49 Thanks. Are those MP3 players?
@@funkspinna no they're a small mechanical keyboard & bluetooth remote for the R7.
@@mobill49 Ah, thanks! Now if only physical buttons were still a standard for MP3/DAP players. I cherish my SONY NWZ-A17. It will be a sad when it dies.
The SUSVARA would be an ultimate measure of this things power!
I will buy one just to test if DAPs have enough power.
Seeing it from the side... I thought it was a ceramic space heater
Can we install Tidal on it?
Yeah.
Just use Wavelet for the Android-wide EQ. The use Sabre vs AKM or Cirrus Logic for the DAC makes this a no go for me. I also agree that the lack of analog input is also a weird omission.
Shouldn't be buying a product with a dac if you intend to plug analogue into it. It more expense for people that are properly using the device.
@@enjoshi-godrez8775 having a line in is pretty inexpensive and was commonly available on most audio equipment in the past. You're right that you shouldn't be doing this with a DAC, but this R7 is a DAC and AMP and it's likely that someone may want to leave a CD player, phono, or Minidisc player attached. Sometimes the amps on these portables need a boost to drive certain headphones properly. The R7 could provide that boost.
@@glsracer but couldn't you just use the portable player as the dac anyways in that scenario. Anyway, you're right its not a big ask. Why don't you buy dacs with saber chips in them? Because of the way they sound?
@@enjoshi-godrez8775 yeah I wouldn't use a DAC only device to connect a portable analog device. Many desktop devices are DAC/Amp combos. The line in usually bypasses the DAC and connects to the Amp circuit. So why would you want to do this, well one reason is if you already have a pair of headphones plugged in to the desktop DAC/Amp and you want to switch between PC, Flash media, or line in. It's easier to just turn a knob or push a button to switch inputs. The alternative is disconnecting and reconnecting headphone jacks each time. The other reason you would want this feature is to further amplify a weaker amp in a portable device to drive higher impedance headphones or IEMs.
Regarding the DACs I buy, I have found that Sabre DACs have a crunchy treble presentation that can exaggerate any distortion present in a recording or from the IEMs themselves. I've also noticed that this treble delivery can also increase fatigue with certain bright IEMs. So many people say they can't tell the difference and it's great if they can't but I am sensitive to distortion and ESS DACs tend to make things worse. AKM, Burr, and Cirrus Logic don't seem to have these issues except in the cheapest devices.
@@glsracer yes that was a measurable defect with many saber solutions a few years ago. But the measurements show that the new chips don't have that hump. Have you tried a new saber device recently?
Can you use it with your phone to play Spotify?
🤣
Yeah, you can run Spotify on the Fiio R7, and use another device to change songs.
@@SuperReview Can you suggest some device... probably wireless just for changing tracks. i use Hip dac 2 with my phone but everytime i wanna skip a song i have to turn on the screen and switch from the phone.
@@NeoGaming666 That's why I use DAPs, so I have buttons I can use without turning on the device.
I find it as new manager came in to Fiio's industrial and said :..we need something 🤔..huge to break i the market ! Wtf,is this use for? Its like boom box. No no no
Love Fiio but which market they try to get in ? Maybe I am living on the moon....
USB HOST means usb output not input
Where do you connect an external usb Hard drive ?
It doesn't have a sub out either. That's big for me. Everything else seems pretty cool.
Mmm didn't think of that, my headphone amps don't have that either.
Nice review, wanted to buy this but due to noise floor, will never buy this. Not sure how an audiophile device has noise floor sound. Oddly I had a fiio portable amp 10 or more years ago and it had noise floor. I wil never put up with that BS and sold it.
Almost every source has some noise floor with very sensitive IEMs.
I like the idea of this. But the screen angle is a problem, would have to be at or just below eye level. Won’t work on a desk.
Personally I think this would be better if it was an integration dock(ish) for a DAP. For $700 having the DAP built in means the rest of the hardware is,… for a multipurpose device,… not going to be that great for the price. If they’d left the DAP part out and it was made to work with a normal DAP via USB,… it could have been a lot better for what you pay for. Unfortunately it seems more of a novelty item atm, but that might be the point. Let it into the wild and see if there’s demand. But the screen angle does need to be changed and I, personally, would rather not have the DAP built in. Or, at least an option for that.
Meuh..
I agree like the HiBy CR-06. If you already have a HiBy DAP with USB C to Coaxial Out just get a CR-06. What does set this apart is it has that extra Ethernet jack though, which isn't even mentioned in this review.
Not getting android updates makes me nervous about streaming in an year or 4
No it'll still get Google Play service updates. Thankfully with Android app updates are totally decoupled from OS updates, unlike iOS.
FWIW I haven't had issues with Android players running even older versions of Android.
I think this is a no-no in todays ruthless competition in measurings (that noisefloor, really?!) o I”ll wait on this one. Fiio abandoned in the past much promising devices than this...
Eh, the noise floor is only significant with really sensitive earphones. I had to look for it.
Theres a great solution if the screen isnt tilted enough, PUT SOMETHING UNDER IT!!!
Pocket sized I see
Bring back cargo shorts.
Dungarees, no problem.
Sound crappy.
Maybe try pronouncing the products name properly if you're gonna make a video about it... It takes 5 seconds to do the most basic research
This is funnier than you know.
Pointless a decent phone or tablet is better than this thing, and portable, this limits its use by no portability they did not even add a Sub port! not worth the money FIIO is not great sounding as it is anyway and their file system can be quite bad, no more FIIO for me.
I have one. Also have a decent IPhone and a decent tablet. Not even in the same league. I would never use my iPhone for my balanced headphones or to drive my tower speakers, nor would I use this as a portable or for most earbuds
@@shaunbrady15 I guess I just assumed most would read my comment and understand what I said. So basically I am saying I consider it a pointless design, why buy something that looks like a mobile that can't be used mobile that has many design flaws and does not sound good and guaranteed to be terrible software. When you could just use a decent phone/tab/pc and run an active setup up or use portable headphone amp like mojo2 that cost a lot less and will sound so much better on home active setup and mobile use head/amp option also. Fiio make crap after sales sucks and generally underpowered gear, but each to their I mean I find it hilarious that a lot of people don't really put much thought into the bang for buck, buy once and buy multipurpose and get better sounding setup. I gave Fiio two chances and they failed twice.