FIIO K11/K11 R2R, Truly Balanced, Truly Brilliant! Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier

[Edward Ng]

Hi all, if anyone can help me please.

I would like to use my HiBy R4 as digital transport and I would like to use the DAC section of the FiiO K11 R2R in to the Topping EX5 amp. I have tried to connect RCA line out from the R2R in to the RCA of the Topping EX5, connected my headphones to the Topping EX5 and no sound whichever mode. I tried to connect the headphone in to the R2R DAC and no sound. What am I doing wrong here?

How can I get this to work. Basically I want R2R flavour put the EX5

Connect the USB-C of the R4 to the USB-C on the K11 R2R, configure the K11 R2R to LO mode in the settings, the RCA connection you already have in place to your amp. This should do it. Setting it to LO will disable the headphone outputs on the front if I am not mistaken.

-Ed

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

Connect the USB-C of the R4 to the USB-C on the K11 R2R, configure the K11 R2R to LO mode in the settings, the RCA connection you already have in place to your amp. This should do it. Setting it to LO will disable the headphone outputs on the front if I am not mistaken.

-Ed

I tried that and I can hear music very very very faintly in the background like very very low volume, the volume doesn't increase at all.

There seems to be an issue preventing volume up.

 

[Edward Ng]

I tried that and I can hear music very very very faintly in the background like very very low volume, the volume doesn't increase at all.

There seems to be an issue preventing volume up.

Long shot but is your headphone cable fully inserted to the amp?

Also, does your R4 have the setting to lock USB volume turned on?

-Ed

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

I tried that and I can hear music very very very faintly in the background like very very low volume, the volume doesn't increase at all.

There seems to be an issue preventing volume up.

I've tried on and off. Nothing. It's a very faint distant sound I can hear. Very very far in the distance I can pick up a very faint sound. Can't make out what the song it, just very faintly tick tick tick. But when I toggle through all the EX5 sound options like USB mode, coax mode, OPT mode, it just shows these three lines which tells me there's an issue somewhere. Even if I turn up to 100, nothing.

All devices on its own work well, tha cables are all brand new and working with other devices but I just can't seem to get sound out of this chain.

 

[Hyde00]

I've tried on and off. Nothing. It's a very faint distant sound I can hear. Very very far in the distance I can pick up a very faint sound. Can't make out what the song it, just very faintly tick tick tick. But when I toggle through all the EX5 sound options like USB mode, coax mode, OPT mode, it just shows these three lines which tells me there's an issue somewhere. Even if I turn up to 100, nothing.

All devices on its own work well, tha cables are all brand new and working with other devices but I just can't seem to get sound out of this chain.

A quick look on the Topping EX5 manual and I think it says the RCA is Line Out only.

Meaning, this device is not able to use as amp only.

They only have DAC Out, so you were feeding Line Out to Line Out that's why there is no sound lol.

Moral of story, now you have excuse to buy another amp.

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

A quick look on the Topping EX5 manual and I think it says the RCA is Line Out only.

Meaning, this device is not able to use as amp only.

They only have DAC Out, so you were feeding Line Out to Line Out that's why there is no sound lol.

Moral of story, now you have excuse to buy another amp.

Hahaha I feel silly now.

This tube amp any good?

 

[Edward Ng]

Hahaha I feel silly now.

This tube amp any good?

That’s the one I use my K11 R2R with. The answer is: it depends. Are your headphones at least 50ohm impedance?

-Ed

 

[Hyde00]

Hahaha I feel silly now.

lol no worries it's honest mistake.

This tube amp any good?

That’s the one I use my K11 R2R with. The answer is: it depends. Are your headphones at least 50ohm impedance?

-Ed

Yeah as Ed said, if your headphone is lower than 50 ohm probably better to go with tube hybrid. Something like Lyr 3, Lyr+, Vali 3, Cavalli Tube Hybrid, Project Solstice, Project Ember II....... etc.

If your headphone is over 50 ohm, though ideally 300 ohm, then you can use OTL tube amp like xDuoo one you mentioned or DarkVoice or something.

 

[Maximiliano Campo]

That’s the one I use my K11 R2R with. The answer is: it depends. Are your headphones at least 50ohm impedance?

-Ed

Shure 1540 is the headphone I use. And IEMs like Mach 70

 

[Edward Ng]

Shure 1540 is the headphone I use. And IEMs like Mach 70

IEMs won’t work on TA-66.

-Ed

 

[frkasper]

Will there be some problem if "FULL Line-out" is fed to the ST-AMP ? What harm can the Full line-out do to the External amp?

If the line out signal is too hot for the input stage of your amp, there will be clipping and you will hear it. Until then, enjoy...

 

[peterinvan]

If the line out signal is too hot for the input stage of your amp, there will be clipping and you will hear it. Until then, enjoy...

Will there be some problem if "FULL Line-out" is fed to the ST-AMP ? What harm can the Full line-out do to the External amp?

Why not use the LO-SE and adjust the volume/gain on the K11 R2R? Works well for me.

 

[Edward Ng]

Why not use the LO-SE and adjust the volume/gain on the K11 R2R? Works well for me.

Digital domain volume control always risks some compression/loss of dynamic range, and I’m fairly sure K11 relies on digital domain volume control.

-Ed

 

[ahmonge]

Digital domain volume control always risks some compression/loss of dynamic range, and I’m fairly sure K11 relies on digital domain volume control.

-Ed

According to Fiio, it uses a NJW1195A IC resistor ladder volume solution, not a digital one

https://www.nisshinbo-microdevices.co.jp/en/products/audio-signal-processing/spec/?product=njw1195a

 

[Edward Ng]

According to Fiio, it uses a NJW1195A IC resistor ladder volume solution, not a digital one

https://www.nisshinbo-microdevices.co.jp/en/products/audio-signal-processing/spec/?product=njw1195a

Ah this is great!

-Ed