I have my M17 set to stop charging at 85% to preserve battery life.

@FiiO Will the PL50 work with the R9?

I don’t think the M17 is designed to be used in 12DC mode without utilising the stand/fan. On the very odd occasion I’ve used it in DC mode without using the stand/fan (albeit for short periods) it got very warm. i gave up with the hassle eventually, and bought an R7 for static/bedroom...

‘Each to their own.’ As a Head-Fi neophyte, it will undoubtedly take you time and experience to fully-appreciate the differing ‘standards’ that different equipment provides :gs1000smile:

I too am ‘staying put’ with my R7, rather than upgrading to the R9. i use my R7 purely as a Roon-Ready endpoint, and I don’t need the extra output power that the R9 provides. Plus the R7 sounds so damn good! I also have an M17, and the R7 isn’t ‘far behind’ the M17 at all! :gs1000smile:

You pays your money. You takes your choice. As to your claim that your Logitech Media Server ‘achieves more‘ than Roon, then I’ll call you out there. It doesn’t. In the end, you get what you pay for.

The R7 works faultlessly as a Roon endpoint. That’s it’s ‘killer app’ IMO.

The R7’s forte, IMO is as a complete (Roon Ready) streaming headphone solution/package. It’s absolutely sublime in that regard. if you’re just using the R7 as a ‘streamer’, and you’re not taking advantage of the amplification, then the R9 is irrelevant to you.

Yes, it does drive my HE6se V2’s. But with limited volume. I feel torn about the R9. I would like a little more volume/headroom with my HE6se’s than the R7 can provide. However, the R7 copes just well enough with the 6se’s, and sounds sublime to boot. I also own an M17. Basically, the R9 will...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155843737713?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=LJyJVmBVRnW&sssrc=2051273&ssuid=LJyJVmBVRnW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The R7’s ‘ace up its sleeve’ is Roon. Being fully ‘Roon-ready’, it’s transformed my listening experience. My R7 with the HiFiMAN HE6se V2’s via 4-pin XLR is complete Nirvana! :gs1000smile:

It’s already in the latest M17 update/firmware.

Headphones are very subjective. They all sound different. I’d advise listening to some before you make your final choice.

Beyerdynamic T5.

I think the crux of the problem is the AC input of only 110-120V AC. If it’s a UK-spec PL50, then it probably relies on 230-240V in order to generate 12V DC. I think that’s your problem. Yup! I’ve checked. FiiO produce two versions of the PL50, one for 110-120V AC input, and the other is a...

Where did you buy the PL50 from? What it new from FiiO/dealer? It sounds strange that a PL50 should be ‘stuck’ at 8V?

@mfgillia did that work OK?

Yup, I’m using the PL50 with both my M17 and my R7. My M17 can’t drive my HiFiMAN HE6se V2’s properly without using the PL50 and enabling the ‘Enhanced Over Ear‘ mode. If the voltage is ‘off’, remember there’s an adjustment screw on the rear of the PL50 to control the output voltage on the 12V...

I adore mine too :relaxed: Whilst the vast majority of manufacturers are very ‘cagey’ as to what goes into their products, FiiO go the ‘whole hog’ and publish their own teardown videos! This approach shows a mature company, who want to publicise the unadulterated quality of the products they...

I use both my HD800’s and my T1.2’s (Black SE) with a FiiO R7 (both balanced, via XLR4). Sublime :gs1000smile:

Yes, you’re right. Thank you. I’ve just checked the HiFiMAN website, and it is two-years. This does change things. A little… :relaxed: Thanks again.

@TeamHiFiMAN I own, and love your entry-level Sundara’s. And they’re great headphones. But I’ve heard great things about your HE1000 Stealth’s and I‘m excited about how they could improve on my Sundara’s. But after much deliberation (and I was this close to ‘pushing the button’ on a new pair...

@FiiO Is there any word on the R9? I love my R7, but I’m very keen on what the R9 (if it exists?) could provide :gs1000smile:

John Darko is a great journalist. But, with respect, I don’t need his review to know that the R7 is an absolutely briilliant bit of kit! But their M17 is better! :beyersmile:

Nice review. FiiO are at the top of their game right now, with some beautiful products, And I just love my M17 :beyersmile: But there’s not a ‘cat in hell’s chance’ it competes with an Esoteric front-end.