DAC and Headphone Amplifier · Streaming Media Receiver · Local Playback All in One Unit, FIIO K17 Is Officially Released!

[itsnein]

The only real practical thing I like about the K17 over the K19

For me - the biggest advantage of K17 is Ethernet input. So it could be used without additional transport.
But this is cool only for Roon users.
I would love to see update of k19 with Ethernet input

 

[asgiov]

For me - the biggest advantage of K17 is Ethernet input. So it could be used without additional transport.
But this is cool only for Roon users.
I would love to see update of k19 with Ethernet input

Right, forgot about that. That was also another reason I was heavily considering it. Lol.

 

[junglist724]

I know. But "open since Jun 4 24"..? Little strange.

Fiio has two official Aliexpress stores.

 

[zt78]

hi guys, I just received the unit. What’s the function of the ground switch? In the quick start guide it’s not explained…

 

[itsnein]

I just received the unit

From Ali? Or some local dealer?

 

[zt78]

From Ali? Or some local dealer?

yes, from Ali. Delivered by UPS.

 

[XTF1]

hi guys, I just received the unit. What’s the function of the ground switch? In the quick start guide it’s not explained…

Speculating a little bit (I don’t have K17), it’s most likely a GND/Lift switch…

‘GND’ position: the outputs grounds are connected to the K17 internal power supply and enclosure ground.

‘Lift’ position: the outputs grounds are isolated—“lifted” from the internal K17 ground.

If you experience noise, switching to either GND or Lift may help. No absolute rule, really on a case by case basis.
If you don’t experience noise, then either position is fine. It will make zero difference to the sound reproduction…

 

[Ben86]

hi guys, I just received the unit. What’s the function of the ground switch? In the quick start guide it’s not explained…

Will be waiting for your first sound impressions with your headphones

 

[zt78]

So far… not bad.

 

[zt78]

Speculating a little bit (I don’t have K17), it’s most likely a GND/Lift switch…

‘GND’ position: the outputs grounds are connected to the K17 internal power supply and enclosure ground.

‘Lift’ position: the outputs grounds are isolated—“lifted” from the internal K17 ground.

If you experience noise, switching to either GND or Lift may help. No absolute rule, really on a case by case basis.
If you don’t experience noise, then either position is fine. It will make zero difference to the sound reproduction…

That’s it... Thanks!

 

[Rowethren]

So far… not bad.

It certainly looks nice!

 

[MillionAntz]

So far… not bad.

Sound impressions?

 

[zt78]

Sound impressions?

After 2-3 hours (USB mode, Denon AH-D7200 headphones) of listening I can say that the sound is spectacular, dynamic, detailed and slightly "warm". Decent separation of instruments, but not extremely ultra-analytic. Between the songs it is completely silent (no acoustic noise at all). Overall I am very pleased by the sound quality.

I did not have chance to test the DSP equalizer as the FiiO control app does not seem to support K17 yet. iOS app does not detect the unit at all. Android app is able to see its IP address and add it, but that’s all. If I click the K17 device, it shows the datails for a millisecond and then it kicks me back to the main page with devices overview.

 

[JTBaccordionMusic]

I definitely prefer the more slick, professional look of the K17 over the K19 which kind of looks like a Router/Modem with Bee Hive sides. Looks aside... I had a chance to hear the K19 and it's very good. The ESS DAC punches and slams pretty hard. With that said... I still lean towards AKM DAC chips by a hair which the K17 has

 

[bryangel86]