[Charlie101]

I too received my R7 today, and unfortunately the latency in USB DAC mode is pretty bad as I'd been worried about.

For reference, my Oppo HA-1 has USB audio latency of ~50ms, my FiiO M11 Pro has ~100ms and the FiiO R7 has ~150ms (all tested at 32-bit 192kHz on the same computer). I'm amazed that the R7 performs even worse than the M11 Pro, which has a weaker processor and was not even designed to be a "Desktop" product where the USB DAC functionality would be one of the main use cases.

Here is a test video showing the issue for those interested: FiiO R7 USB DAC Latency.

It's not awful, but it is definitely noticeable when watching videos or playing games. Obviously, when playing music it doesn't really matter. The little audible pop after the device wakes up after having not received an audio signal for a while (about 10 seconds) is also a bit annoying, and this wake up behaviour also causes you to miss the first bit of audio that is played (or miss it entirely if it's a very short notification sound).

Otherwise it seems like a nice device with great sound, it's just slightly strange that it is at its worst in the exact scenario that the marketing team is pushing the most, using it as a DAC/Amp for your computer setup via USB. Hopefully they can improve the USB latency through firmware updates like they did with the original M11, as it's definitely my biggest complaint with the unit so far.

 

[buckster666]

I too received my R7 today, and unfortunately the latency in USB DAC mode is pretty bad as I'd been worried about.

For reference, my Oppo HA-1 has USB audio latency of ~50ms, my FiiO M11 Pro has ~100ms and the FiiO R7 has ~150ms (all tested at 32-bit 192kHz on the same computer). I'm amazed that the R7 performs even worse than the M11 Pro, which has a weaker processor and was not even designed to be a "Desktop" product where the USB DAC functionality would be one of the main use cases.

Here is a test video showing the issue for those interested: FiiO R7 USB DAC Latency.

It's not awful, but it is definitely noticeable when watching videos or playing games. Obviously, when playing music it doesn't really matter. The little audible pop after the device wakes up after having not received an audio signal for a while (about 10 seconds) is also a bit annoying, and this wake up behaviour also causes you to miss the first bit of audio that is played (or miss it entirely if it's a very short notification sound).

Otherwise it seems like a nice device with great sound, it's just slightly strange that it is at its worst in the exact scenario that the marketing team is pushing the most, using it as a DAC/Amp for your computer setup via USB. Hopefully they can improve the USB latency through firmware updates like they did with the original M11, as it's definitely my biggest complaint with the unit so far.

Hopefully this will be fixed with firmware updates

 

[Burkhardt]

While While waiting for my R7 another question:
It seems, that's not possible to use an external USB DAC with the Fiio or has someone tried this with success?

 

[lordearl]

While While waiting for my R7 another question:
It seems, that's not possible to use an external USB DAC with the Fiio or has someone tried this with success?

This works fine

 

[hk29]

Can you turn off the display? I assume the display has a timeout mode like Android, but wanted to confirm. I'd be interested in one of these for the bedside, but need the display and lights to turn off or dim

 

[Ichos]

I am little puzzled, I don't see much traffic in here and reaction to my review.
Makes me wonder if people have understood how insanely innovative and good the R7 is....

 

[joe75]

I am little puzzled, I don't see much traffic in here and reaction to my review.
Makes me wonder if people have understood how insanely innovative and good the R7 is....

Lol it s innovative alright yeah...running a soon obsolète android 10 version and I too have huge latency playing videos over usb-c...something that should not happen...it s not even bluetooth.
I hope they can fix the latency issue.

 

[FiiO]

I too received my R7 today, and unfortunately the latency in USB DAC mode is pretty bad as I'd been worried about.

For reference, my Oppo HA-1 has USB audio latency of ~50ms, my FiiO M11 Pro has ~100ms and the FiiO R7 has ~150ms (all tested at 32-bit 192kHz on the same computer). I'm amazed that the R7 performs even worse than the M11 Pro, which has a weaker processor and was not even designed to be a "Desktop" product where the USB DAC functionality would be one of the main use cases.

Here is a test video showing the issue for those interested: FiiO R7 USB DAC Latency.

It's not awful, but it is definitely noticeable when watching videos or playing games. Obviously, when playing music it doesn't really matter. The little audible pop after the device wakes up after having not received an audio signal for a while (about 10 seconds) is also a bit annoying, and this wake up behaviour also causes you to miss the first bit of audio that is played (or miss it entirely if it's a very short notification sound).

Otherwise it seems like a nice device with great sound, it's just slightly strange that it is at its worst in the exact scenario that the marketing team is pushing the most, using it as a DAC/Amp for your computer setup via USB. Hopefully they can improve the USB latency through firmware updates like they did with the original M11, as it's definitely my biggest complaint with the unit so far.

Dear friend,

We have reported your feedback to the engineer. But since the R7 does not have the XMOS chip, the delay in USB DAC mode may be a bit higher comparing with the products with XMOS chip.

Best regards

 

[FiiO]

Tested with a few power sockets in the house: Always the same. The noise goes away or get's quieter as soon as the R7 is playing something with headphones connected

Dear friend,

Please contact supoort@fiio.com about that with a small video attached. Thanks in advance!

Best regards

 

[Ichos]

Lol it s innovative alright yeah...running a soon obsolète android 10 version and I too have huge latency playing videos over usb-c...something that should not happen...it s not even bluetooth.
I hope they can fix the latency issue.

Android version is pretty irrelevant for music listening.
10 is good, I have players with 12 but I can't say that there is any noticable improvement into streaming apps and listening to music with local players.
Regarding Videos, I can't really comment because I am exclusive to music listening.

 

[lordearl]

Yes in terms of the possible uses for this device, I would also say that watching videos and using it with a USB DAC would be close to lowest on the list. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that one can use the R7 for these purposes, but the reasons it was made (controlling a power amplifier for speakers, listening to headphones, streaming to/from other DACs and Bluetooth devices, feeding other preamps, etc) clearly take priority from the developer's point of view.

 

[Ichos]

Yes in terms of the possible uses for this device, I would also say that watching videos and using it with a USB DAC would be close to lowest on the list. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that one can use the R7 for these purposes, but the reasons it was made (controlling a power amplifier for speakers, listening to headphones, streaming to/from other DACs and Bluetooth devices, feeding other preamps, etc) clearly take priority from the developer's point of view.

Exactly.

I have it to a table next to me and I am using it for music listening, headphones evaluation and for streaming to other USB DACs that I am testing for review or as a DAC to external amplifiers.
Ease of control, no need to charge, everything included.
I wish that it also had a 4.4mm line output because most amplifiers now come with such input.
And the sound is good too!

 

[WianFiiO]

Question to the people, who are using a remote control with the R7:
With the KB1 the keys are fixed (play/stop, next, previous, volume/mute) and also with the new (not available here in Germany) bluetooth remote RM3, I'll have only a few more keys.
Which remote control (the usb cable is not a problem for me) would you prefer?

Other question: Is DoP supported through SPDIF in?

SPDIF in supports up to 192k-24bit, it doesn't support DoP.

 

[WianFiiO]

Just received mine today from advancedmp3players and so far I'm a very happy man
Just one thing, I don't seem to be getting the clock screen saver after leaving the device idle for the stipulated time.
I would much appreciate it if somebody could give me an idiots guide to the settings for it.

Hi, you can find it on Settings -> Display -> Screen saver -> Personalized screen saver, and there are four styles to choose.

When you complete the setting, the clock screen saver will automatically appear after a period of no operation, you can also short press the power button to directly enter the screen saver.

 

[WianFiiO]

While While waiting for my R7 another question:
It seems, that's not possible to use an external USB DAC with the Fiio or has someone tried this with success?

Hi, you can connect with your external USB DAC via the USB A or USB C.