I received mine. It's a brick. Old school mechanical controls which are more reliable and gives one the impression it is well built. My stack of broken walkmans don't hold a candle to this build. Playback is clear with compelling audio. Lack of Dolby decoding is not a problem a sure sign of a good head and playback amp circuit. The highs are accurately listenable. The playback head and the opamp don't over-emphasize hiss on their own. Less sensitive IEMs work best and the opamp drives them with gusto without noise in between tracks.
I just listened to a tape I made on my Revox B215. Musical as it was the day I made it. I have a tube based studio recording chain which I use(d) to slightly compress, EQ and enhance recordings to better suit the s/n ratio of tape, particularly on the road and walkmans. I have to say it knocked me right out of my chair.
Now I can listen to all my mix tapes and stroll down memory lane as well as make new ones. I always used BASF, Maxell, Denon and Sony tapes all the top of the line. I was a cassette fanatic and would always buy them by the case. I have cases of them still in shrink wrap and now can make more through my studio recording chain. It has been just sitting there because the whole idea back then was to make mix tapes for out n' about use. Now I can again.
Very Righteous....Thank you, FIIO, indeed...