Could you expand the list of changes provided on this update? What PEQ support means? It is important to know this before risking to brick a device if the update process fails. Thank you.

I have commented this before. My experience with the K9 pro has been poor since the day I purchased it. I wasn't able to return it to the store because it has no evident malfunction and has been sitting on my rack collecting dust for about 10 months. Works fine, doesn't have noise, doesn't have...

Mine (AKM version) sounds awful connected to a Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier. If you want a good DAC with pre amp function for a very good price, get a RME ADI-2 DAC.

No, they're not. I took apart mine to check if there was a visible flaw on my unit because it sounds really awful about two or three minutes months ago. I didn't find any evident failure. And the opamps are not user replaceable.

I think it should be the same sound-wise if you buy the ESS version of K9 pro In your case, I would keep the M17. The K9 pro needs two cables more (power + USB) and also takes much more space on the desk.

Thank you for your concern. I have my K9 there on my rack collecting dust. I got tired of trying to solve the sound problems. I got delivered a new DAC just today. The Gustard X26 pro. So far a very good quality product on every sense. Working flawlessly and very smooth sound. It gets a little...

I have tried to use it at very low level with the same result. My ears gets hurt and it is not for an extended period. I believe I start to feel the problem very quickly. I have been an audiophile for more than 20 years. This is my first time I have an audio product that makes direct damage to...

I am using the same "super slow" filter. But it is important to configure the source sampling to the highest possible to avoid the noise to be on the audible range. I use it with software upsampling to 32/384khz and it is the best sounding option for me. It mitigates the sibilant sound of this...

What about setting up a properly made support web site where the product is well specified or a simple database where the customer enters the serial number and as a result the site offers the correct firmware version?

My K9 Pro AKM has the line in/out feature working. I have the latest firmware as far I know. This pre-amp feature was a major factor in the purchase decision. The sound quality however is disappointing on the analog section. It maintains the same defects perceived on the digital.

I haven't heard the new ESS version of the RME. However, I like the Sabre32 DACs more than the AKM, so, It should be a great purchase. I am actually thinking in buying one of those new ADI-2 version too. The Cayin DAC via balanced outputs is awesome. The RCA output is good, but the XLR gets you...

I also had the ADI-2 DAC FS. The RME is also better than the Fiio. I had disclosed on an earlier post that I don't like the sound of K9 Pro at all. Qutest (wich is the DAC part of the Hugo 2) vs RME is more about taste. The Chord is more rich sounding, more musical. The ADI-2 is a more neutral...

I have the Fiio AKM K9 Pro version. The Chord sounds a lot better than the Fiio.

Finally the honest answer I was expecting to contrast with my observations. By your description, my AKM based unit is not faulty. It is a bright and not a balanced sound product. I really can't stand its sound. Maybe connected to a EL34 tube amp might work, but with a transparent solid state it...

I had the M500 (version 2 If my memory is correct) I found it having a balanced sound, but the implementation wasn't clean at all. It has evident distortion (like a clipping sounding distortion). I actually was very surprised that a product with a top chip like this sounded so poorly. If a...

Nope. If I wind the volume up my ears starts to suffer very quickly. I use my volume about 11 o'clock en the Fiio's dial

Sennheiser HD650 4.4mm balanced. I have also tried from the RCA and the XLR outputs on the back. I hear the same defects on all outputs. I have a system tester album that has a list of tracks that exercises different freqs I detected al least one that don't work at all. I also detect coloration...

What K9 pro version did you got (AKM or ESS) ? Mine is AKM and sounds awful. I have made some extensive tests and there are some frequencies that doesn't reproduce. It also sounds bright and very tiresome. I suspect I got a lemon, but before purchasing a new one I want to be sure what version...

Absolutely incorrect. As I mentioned on my previous posts, I had a lot of digital sources with me and had a big bunch on the past that I have sold. They ALL sound different. Not once I could not differentiate one from another.

it is possible that the "final" product measures different. But since no other measurements are available, I believe that the ones on the link are correct. Maybe the manufacturer could provide some?

Question: Did the sound of yours K9 Pros improved after a burning period? how much time? I detected that my unit has lowered its brightness a bit (it is still bright sounding but less than before).

I am very sorry for this misunderstanding. BTW not all are positive reviews. I only managed to find one objective review here: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/fiio-k9pro/ And those measurements, while not bad are by no means state of the art. I have tested the K9 Pro as an analog preamp too...

Nope. Just my experience with this particular DAC (and many others). So, by your assumption, I was sent by RME, Topping, Cayin, Arcam (I also use a CD50S SACD/DAC from this brand), NAD (I have a C658 as preamp/DAC/Streamer as well) and Astell&Kern to denigrate Fiio? I believe that yours sounds...

Do you know the concept of "paid reviews"?

The local store where I bougth mine (AKM) still has a couple of units in stock. I think the ESS Version is better. I have an A&Futura SE180 with the same 9038 pro and it sounds superb. SQ difference with my AKM's K9 Pro is actually night and day. I was remembering that about a year and a half...