Great review! price has spiked quite a lot from the R7 though

Thank you. Many additional components!

also wanted to say, great review and the device is no doubt interesting but the issue is with the software for me.
should at least be android 13

I am wondering, as well, if that version of Android could possibly have any security issues, in any way?

Well guys I don't know, I am not an Android expert so can't talk about security issues. User experience for music listening and streaming is smooth and fast. I don't know about future comparability with apps or why FiiO haven't done this with a more recent Android version. Maybe this particular version is more stable? Or they have better knowledge of it? Is it a matter of cost? I don't know.

I totally agree that for this type of system it is not necessary to have the latest Android, what is important is the optimization of the system and the applications and above all the processor and the Ram of the device, why upgrade to Android 12 or 13 or successively, you can as long as the hardware allows it.

also the chance of streaming services of stopping support is quite high.
so you are forced to use it just localy in the end. or download some sort of custom rom for it, so i really hope fiio updates it more. it is a huge dealbreaker for a device that expensive

Let's see, of course, that can happen but it would have to be a very old Android. The truth is that releasing it with 10 is something strange, I would have to see it released with 12 directly but as I said before, as long as it has a good processor and good RAM, upgrading to a more modern Android would not be a problem. Then it's up to the brand to keep it updated over time, that's another thing. Right now I have the Hiby M300 which has an equally powerful processor and one gig less RAM and it runs Android 13 without problems, everything runs super fluid and fast so I don't see a problem with the R9 getting 13

Since this is their flagship I believe that they are going to offer an upgrade sooner or later.

Hello again @Ichos I'm still thinking about the R9 and I only have 2 questions left to resolve.
The first and most important thing is that I have not been able to see anywhere that the R9 can select the filter of the Dac itself, it is something fundamental for me. The second question is if you have it connected to the PC via USB, the screen can turn off while listening to any content.

@jorgeju115

You can select the DAC filter from the audio menu. The screen will go to screen saver mode after a few minutes of inactivity. If I remember well you can disable the screen saver so it will switch off.

Okay, thank you very much, now I only have to clear up the doubt about the screen, because the main use that I am going to give it is going to be as a USB DAC apart from using other functions and the thing is if using it in USB DAC mode the screen is It turns off while letting me play the audio as can be done on a portable DAP

Let me check this afternoon. I am pretty sure that it can be done.

Is the outside body of the unit mostly "plastic"? I would actually pay a little more for the unit to be more "solid" and feel like it would last........

@SREHR56

Plastic? No plastic. It is high quality, mirror polished, zinc alloy construction.

@jorgeju115

Both the screen and the lights turn completely off after a given time that you can set in the menu.

Thank you very much @Ichos I have already ordered one, let's see how it goes, when I have it and have tinkered with it, I will post my impressions, I hope I like it and not have to return it, I was going to wait for the K19 to come out but this one will have the same functions as a What K9 does bring will be quite a few improvements in terms of Dac and Amplifier but it would basically be limited to be used with a PC. The R9 offers many more options for use and that is what made me choose it.

Wonder if it has a chance powering the Tungsten.

Theoretically yes but I have no way to test it.

Great review! I've had the R7 for over a year now and it's been great for my needs. Heck, more than enough, really, since I only utilize half of its output options. But the R9's updates and improvements in power, soundstage and sound quality are enticing enough that I will probably end up ordering one sooner than later. Even if it's double the price of the R7!