[theElk]

Can anyone tell me if the BTR7 could be used as a desktop DAC and amp if plugged in with USB-C, with the USB charging switch off so it doesn't charge, but not use up the internal battery? I don't want the battery to drain while plugged in to my PC. Is it possible for the BTR7 to use the USB-C power to function, bypassing the battery?

As Nas Volokin wrote, there is no way to bypass the Battery, but there is a chargelimitation to 80% for these usecases.

 

[Claypole]

That can be found in the developers mode on your Android phone
Balanced audio and connection quality works for me just fine

Thanks. I found the settings, the LDAC quality was already set to ‘adaptive’. However, LDAC has been fine on the BTR7 since then.

 

[jsmiller58]

Can anyone tell me if the BTR7 could be used as a desktop DAC and amp if plugged in with USB-C, with the USB charging switch off so it doesn't charge, but not use up the internal battery? I don't want the battery to drain while plugged in to my PC. Is it possible for the BTR7 to use the USB-C power to function, bypassing the battery?

As @Nas Volokin explained, no you cannot do this. Can you give some context as to why you would want to, or why you believe bypassing the battery is necessary for you to use the BTR7 as a small desktop DAC/Amp connected to your laptop?

 

[Click]

As @Nas Volokin explained, no you cannot do this. Can you give some context as to why you would want to, or why you believe bypassing the battery is necessary for you to use the BTR7 as a small desktop DAC/Amp connected to your laptop?

My current desktop DAC/amp (Meridian Explorer²) is over 8 years old. It still works great but it doesn't have 4.4mm balanced output, so I wanted to replace it with the BTR7. I don't want the battery to get degraded from constantly depleting and charging the battery. Since my current DAC/amp doesn't use batteries, it's lasted this long being plugged in to my PC 24/7. I doubt the BTR7 would last a few years if I used it in the same way, not that it's built to do so.

I'm getting the BTR7 tomorrow primarily as a Bluetooth DAC/amp from my phone or TV to my wired IEMs and headphones. Was just curious if it could replace my desktop DAC/amp as well, but guess not.

 

[jsmiller58]

My current desktop DAC/amp (Meridian Explorer²) is over 8 years old. It still works great but it doesn't have 4.4mm balanced output, so I wanted to replace it with the BTR7. I don't want the battery to get degraded from constantly depleting and charging the battery. Since my current DAC/amp doesn't use batteries, it's lasted this long being plugged in to my PC 24/7. I doubt the BTR7 would last a few years if I used it in the same way, not that it's built to do so.

I'm getting the BTR7 tomorrow primarily as a Bluetooth DAC/amp from my phone or TV to my wired IEMs and headphones. Was just curious if it could replace my desktop DAC/amp as well, but guess not.

Got it, and I do appreciate wanting to hold onto something for that long. Most people probably wouldn’t give it a second thought, assuming the BTR7 was disposable and would be thrown away in just a few years. I am glad you seem to be someone who intends to use your equipment for as long as possible.

 

[Click]

Got it, and I do appreciate wanting to hold onto something for that long. Most people probably wouldn’t give it a second thought, assuming the BTR7 was disposable and would be thrown away in just a few years. I am glad you seem to be someone who intends to use your equipment for as long as possible.

If it ain't broke...

I mean, I replace things when it needs to be (broken) or if there's superior tech out there at the right price. But if things are still working well, why get rid of it?

That's the beauty of music and sound equipment. A lot of old tech and gear still works great years and decades later, even if there's constant innovation, improvement, and tech upgrades.

The reason I inquired about the BTR7's ability or rather, lack of ability to bypass the battery is because I heard the battery might be an issue if you use it as desktop DAC/amp. Some reviews said their battery won't hold a charge anymore if you use it this way, but they didn't go in depth with it. So I figured I'd ask about it here to get a better answer from owners.

 

[FiiO]

Thanks for answering. Sad to hear this is the case, but I was expecting it to be honest. If the BTR7 could bypass the battery, it'd be ultimate small form factor + budget desktop/portable combo DAC/amp.

Dear friend,

You may consider our KA1/KA2/KA3/E10K-TC/K3 instead? The are USB DAC without battery.

Best regards

 

[Click]

Dear friend,

You may consider our KA1/KA2/KA3/E10K-TC/K3 instead? The are USB DAC without battery.

Best regards

I have looked into those models, but they don't have some of the functionality that I want. BTR7 is what I'm looking for, which is why I bought one. It would be great if it had the ability to bypass the battery for long-term desktop use.

 

[jsmiller58]

I have looked into those models, but they don't have some of the functionality that I want. BTR7 is what I'm looking for, which is why I bought one. It would be great if it had the ability to bypass the battery for long-term desktop use.

Since you are looking for a small desktop unit without a battery, have you considered something like the Luxury & Precision W2 dongle? If you are looking for something with MQA the W2 does not support it, but there are other dongles that might suffice?

 

[Click]

Since you are looking for a small desktop unit without a battery, have you considered something like the Luxury & Precision W2 dongle? If you are looking for something with MQA the W2 does not support it, but there are other dongles that might suffice?

It's not that I'm looking for a small desktop unit without a battery (although I don't mind a unit that doesn't have a battery). I'm looking for a small desktop unit that can bypass the battery so that the unit can be used long-term plugged into a PC or laptop and not kill the non-replaceable battery.

I do want a unit with MQA decoding. I enjoy using Tidal and it's one of the reasons why I bought the Meridian Explorer² when it first came out about 9 years ago. It was one of the first DAC/amps that could decode MQA. It was also slim, lightweight, and portable, so if I wanted to travel with it, I could and I have. It just doesn't have a 4.4mm balanced output, which I want and is why I'm looking to possibly replace it, even though it still works perfectly fine.

Like I've said, if the BTR7 had the ability to bypass the battery or be used without battery power, it'd be the perfect unit for me. It has everything I'm looking for except that 1 function. I'm getting it in hand tomorrow and will be using and testing it. Hopefully it's as good as what everyone has been saying it is.

 

[FiiO Willson]

It's not that I'm looking for a small desktop unit without a battery (although I don't mind a unit that doesn't have a battery). I'm looking for a small desktop unit that can bypass the battery so that the unit can be used long-term plugged into a PC or laptop and not kill the non-replaceable battery.

I do want a unit with MQA decoding. I enjoy using Tidal and it's one of the reasons why I bought the Meridian Explorer² when it first came out about 9 years ago. It was one of the first DAC/amps that could decode MQA. It was also slim, lightweight, and portable, so if I wanted to travel with it, I could and I have. It just doesn't have a 4.4mm balanced output, which I want and is why I'm looking to possibly replace it, even though it still works perfectly fine.

Like I've said, if the BTR7 had the ability to bypass the battery or be used without battery power, it'd be the perfect unit for me. It has everything I'm looking for except that 1 function. I'm getting it in hand tomorrow and will be using and testing it. Hopefully it's as good as what everyone has been saying it is.

I think our next product KA7 can satisfy you.
But I think if you plug the BTR7 into your computer, then it can work without the battery

 

[Click]

I think our next product KA7 can satisfy you.
But I think if you plug the BTR7 into your computer, then it can work without the battery

Very interesting. I'll be keeping an eye out for the upcoming KA7. If you guys can implement a MQA decoder with the KA7 and add a line out with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs of the KA3, while keeping the slim and light form factor of the KA3, you'll have an amazing product that I'll buy.

 

[FiiO Willson]

Very interesting. I'll be keeping an eye out for the upcoming KA7. If you guys can implement a MQA decoder with the KA7 and add a line out with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs of the KA3, while keeping the slim and light form factor of the KA3, you'll have an amazing product that I'll buy.

I don't think those are the hard parts.

I think KA7 which will be a very good product

 

[Click]

I don't think those are the hard parts.

I think KA7 which will be a very good product

Any time frame of when it will be released?

 

[scracy]

Another review of the BTR7 for those Interested
https://www.androidcentral.com/accessories/audio/fiio-btr7-review