Face to face with James，Anything about FiiO

[buenahora]

Hats off to FiiO for always thinking outside of the box. I love this thread idea!

 

[gadgetgod]

Conceptual design of a retro pure sound player MP3

The model is called “MP3”, with a retro style. The UI uses a nostalgic retro theme, the aluminum alloy body is champagne gold, and the back cover is fire maple solid wood.

The display screen is a 4-inch IPS screen, R2R DAC, with 3.5 | 4.4, with an output power of 300mW sufficient to drive all earplugs. It uses a pure sound system and does not support WIFI.

In short, from the inside out, simple and clean

Bruh i already need this, What will be the expected price? also since it is in conceptualisation stage right now, why not include Streaming? Like M21/M11 Pro kinda device but with R2R DAC.

 

[MDKrinkles]

I'm ready to be your beta tester Portable R2R is what I need.

Portable r2r sounds like a dream. Count me in.

Also highly interested in the R2R tube desktop dac and the matching class A headphone amp. The design renders look fantastic.

 

[SushiiFi]

In order to facilitate direct communication with audiophiles outside of the Chinese mainland, I created this thread. On the one hand, it is to post some content about the new products and company news of FIIO in the future. On the other hand, it is also convenient to directly listen to everyone's criticism and suggestions on FIIO, so that we can improve our work. Of course, it is also a small service window. However, please understand that if the problem can be solved through normal after-sales channels, try not to feedback through this channel, otherwise I will be too busy and it will also delay everyone's problem-solving efficiency.

I've had the chance to review a few FiiO products so far, including the FT1 Pro and the JM21, and I've really enjoyed both of them. Here are the things I think FiiO is doing right, and some areas where there's room for improvement:

In terms of design, I think FiiO is moving in a very good direction. Your recent designs feel playful yet cohesive, striking a nice balance between fun and maturity. In the DAP and dongle DAC categories, I feel you are very well positioned. I also really appreciate the more sustainable approach you're taking with features like replaceable batteries, please continue with that; it's a huge positive.

On the desktop side, however, I feel there's a gap in the $250–$550 range, especially for mid-fi users. Maybe consider introducing some desktop DACs without integrated amps, aimed at users who already have separate headphone amplifiers and some all in one desktop dac amp units in this price range. Your flagship end of the lineup for example k17 is looking veru solid.

In portable products like DAPs, FiiO is doing very well, the JM21 is excellent, and the upcoming M21 looks very promising too. Your future dongle DAC lineup also seems strong, but it would be interesting to see FiiO experiment with something like a tube-powered dongle DAC to add a different flavor to the market.

When it comes to headphones, the FT1 and FT1 Pro are steps in the right direction. I would love to see FiiO explore a budget-friendly closed-back headphone under $100, which could attract a lot of new users into the brand.

The main area where I feel FiiO still has room to grow is the IEM lineup. Your flagship models are impressive, but there's a noticeable gap in the $100–$500 range. Expanding this segment, and especially focusing on fine-tuning the sound signatures could really strengthen FiiO’s overall position in the market. Maybe add some hibrids like DD + BA and you can also experiment with tribrids including the new micro planars.

These are all the things I feel FiiO is doing right, along with some areas where I think there’s room for improvement.
Sorry for the long message, just wanted to share my thoughts fully because I really appreciate what FiiO is doing!

 

[MDKrinkles]

A desktop amplifier and passive speakers

Things have become more and more interesting. In fact, even if it is not really turned into a product, it is still quite impressive as a rendering effect.

Today I bring you a desktop amplifier and a retro passive speaker.

It can be combined with HIFI radio tuner, pure Class A headphone amplifiers, R2R tube decoders, CD turntables, and digital broadcasting to form a desktop system.

We will also design desktop card holders, desktop earphone amplifiers, desktop equalizers, and add the existing desktop vinyl turntable. Basically, retro old audio products can be completed.

In addition, it should be made clear that they are all for fun, because these old HIFI equipment have basically disappeared into the long river of history, and it is very difficult to resume production from an economic perspective.

However, with the development of technology, the integration of products is becoming higher and higher, and the design and functions are increasingly limited by the supply chain and core solution providers, resulting in the increasing homogenization of modern digital electronic products. It's like the past when mobile phones were diverse in various forms, but now there are only a few big brands left, and the differences between them are very small.

So, do your best!

Absolutely loving the design language. Everything I loved about vintage hifi receivers combined with a more modern aesthetic. Very clean imo.

Is there any indication how much of this will go into production? I saw you mention the r2r dac and class a headphone amp in an earlier thread and I’ve been very interested since.

 

[Syan25]

I'd like to see FiiO create a standalone turntable.

 

[DenverW]

Great thread and fantastic idea! I love it when companies engage with their fans.

Definitely interested in portal audio players like the R2R conception you posted, and other portable source gear. I as well would prefer wifi, is there a potential bluetooth option to sync with a smart phone, or is it going to be a direct player only?

 

[MDKrinkles]

Great thread and fantastic idea! I love it when companies engage with their fans.

Definitely interested in portal audio players like the R2R conception you posted, and other portable source gear. I as well would prefer wifi, is there a potential bluetooth option to sync with a smart phone, or is it going to be a direct player only?

WiFi would be huge. If FIIO makes an R2R portable player that can use streaming services I’m in there like swimwear.

Genuine question tho about Bluetooth sync, if your use case would be using your phone to Bluetooth to your DAP, why wouldn’t you just get a portable amp/dac?

 

[DenverW]

WiFi would be huge. If FIIO makes an R2R portable player that can use streaming services I’m in there like swimwear.

Genuine question tho about Bluetooth sync, if your use case would be using your phone to Bluetooth to your DAP, why wouldn’t you just get a portable amp/dac?

I'm not sure if I'm following your question completely, but my usage case would be on the go with an iem, so I may have my phone with me already, but not an amp and dac.

 

[Pabsu]

Fiio needs better quality control

 

[MDKrinkles]

I'm not sure if I'm following your question completely, but my usage case would be on the go with an iem, so I may have my phone with me already, but not an amp and dac.

I think that’s my question. If you’re on the go with an iem and your phone, what would be the benefit of a dedicated DAP with Bluetooth sync vs a portable dac/amp like the FIIO Q11. If I’m just totally misunderstanding what you’re saying that’s my bad.

 

[DenverW]

I think that’s my question. If you’re on the go with an iem and your phone, what would be the benefit of a dedicated DAP with Bluetooth sync vs a portable dac/amp like the FIIO Q11. If I’m just totally misunderstanding what you’re saying that’s my bad.

No, you're good! Valid question. I could play local files when I don't have my phone handy, and could also pop my phone on a shelf or locker at the gym (depending on range) so I don't need to carry both. Also, I could put them in different pockets for comfort and not worry about the cable. I have an RU7 dongle, and it's nice and small, but the cable connection isn't perfect for pockets. Let's go to PM if you have more questions so we don't take away from the focus of this thread.

 

[MDKrinkles]

No, you're good! Valid question. I could play local files when I don't have my phone handy, and could also pop my phone on a shelf or locker at the gym (depending on range) so I don't need to carry both. Also, I could put them in different pockets for comfort and not worry about the cable. I have an RU7 dongle, and it's nice and small, but the cable connection isn't perfect for pockets. Let's go to PM if you have more questions so we don't take away from the focus of this thread.

Ah so purely for the versatility. I can get behind that. Well here’s hoping that fiio r2r DAP becomes a reality and has Bluetooth sync and WiFi. I just got an r2r dac recently so an r2r portable player seems like it’d be a grand ol time.

 

[evvv777]

Will FIIO ever make an iOS app like Qudelix that allows full eq capabilities? It’s such a great idea and iPhone is extremely limited on that side of the market

 

[scracy]

Great to see that we have a thread such as this, a couple of things @JamesFiiO
1. Could you please add gapless playback function and sort by album artist function to K17 when playing local files from a USB stick?
2. Please work on your software/firmware so that we the end user are not BETA testers anymore especially on expensive products such as FiiO K17 and FiiO S15 streamer, it is in the interests of all your loyal customers that have helped make FiiO the success that it is. This software/firmware situation is really hurting your reputation as a company which is a shame because the hardware is generally really good.