FiiO R7 All-In-One Desktop Android HiFi Music Player Discussion & Impressions Thread

[Ionut O]

Just to confirm, the R7 supports full MQA 8x unfolding when being used as a USB DAC to a PC (with the Tidal Desktop app performing the first unfold), correct?

Reason I ask is that I just tried using my FiiO M11 Pro as a USB DAC for the first time (mainly to check how bad the latency is) and it doesn't seem to support MQA decoding when used as a USB DAC, but I'm guessing this is just due to limitations of the older device and DAC chip?

Thanks.

Correct, tried with Tidal PC app and Audirvana and the only way to get full MQA decoding is to set both Tidal and Audirvana to perform the first unfold.
Unfortunately in this way the frequency is not displayed anywhere... On R7 display you can see only OSF, AKA OFS.

 

[zt78]

Hi guys, so today the R7 was brought to me by FedEx. It arrived together with the KB1K keyboard (which seems to be a gift: thank you, FiiO!).

After some very first tests, I'd have a question concerning volume.

The R7 unit is in PO+PRE OUT output level, connected via S/PDIF (coaxial) to my Denon AVR.
And Android mode. Gain=High.

But the volume knob does not work. If I turn it, there's a volume level indication 0 - 120, but it has no effect on the volume itself. (I have to adjust the volume using the Denon AVR volume knob.)

Any idea what could be wrong? According to the table in the Quick start guide, the volume should be adjustable in the PO+PRE OUT output level.

 

[Ionut O]

Hi guys, so today the R7 was brought to me by FedEx. It arrived together with the KB1K keyboard (which seems to be a gift: thank you, FiiO!).

After some very first tests, I'd have a question concerning volume.

The R7 unit is in PO+PRE OUT output level, connected via S/PDIF (coaxial) to my Denon AVR.
And Android mode. Gain=High.

But the volume knob does not work. If I turn it, there's a volume level indication 0 - 120, but it has no effect on the volume itself. (I have to adjust the volume using the Denon AVR volume knob.)

Any idea what could be wrong? According to the table in the Quick start guide, the volume should be adjustable in the PO+PRE OUT output level.

Hi! The volume adjustment is only for analog outputs: PO, RCA and XLR.

 

[Charlie101]

Correct, tried with Tidal PC app and Audirvana and the only way to get full MQA decoding is to set both Tidal and Audirvana to perform the first unfold.

Cool, thanks for confirming!

As a side note, I did a some latency tests (using this video and slow-mo on my phone camera) and found the audio latency to be about 100ms for my FiiO M11 Pro in USB DAC mode and about 50ms for my Oppo HA-1 in USB DAC mode (both set to 32-bit 192kHz in Windows). I'm guessing (and hoping) the R7 with its more powerful processor could only improve the latency compared to the M11 Pro, and in games this 100ms delay is only slightly noticeable. If anyone with an R7 happens to get the urge to perform the same test I would greatly appreciate it, as the prior review that estimated 400-500ms latency on the R7 was concerning, but I don't think there was any scientific testing performed to arrive at those figures.

Cheers!

 

[Ionut O]

Cool, thanks for confirming!

As a side note, I did a some latency tests (using this video and slow-mo on my phone camera) and found the audio latency to be about 100ms for my FiiO M11 Pro in USB DAC mode and about 50ms for my Oppo HA-1 in USB DAC mode (both set to 32-bit 192kHz in Windows). I'm guessing (and hoping) the R7 with its more powerful processor could only improve the latency compared to the M11 Pro, and in games this 100ms delay is only slightly noticeable. If anyone with an R7 happens to get the urge to perform the same test I would greatly appreciate it, as the prior review that estimated 400-500ms latency on the R7 was concerning, but I don't think there was any scientific testing performed to arrive at those figures.

Cheers!

Did you tried with or without ASIO drivers from Fiio?

 

[zt78]

Hi! The volume adjustment is only for analog outputs: PO, RCA and XLR.

And why? No possible workaroud? As the S/PDIF will be my main output, this is a little "unhandy". Also the keyboard (KB1) is losing part of the functionality.

 

[Ionut O]

And why? No possible workaroud? As the S/PDIF will be my main output, this is a little "unhandy". Also the keyboard (KB1) is losing part of the functionality.

If there is any workaround, only Fiio fellows can answer. Anyway, will not be beneficial from the sound point of view as it will suppose digital processing.
For example: Volume control on signal source means digital signal processing - no bit perfect than the DAC of your Denon is another detrimental step in audio signal path.
I suggest to use the RCA analog outputs and set Denon for Direct audio path.

 

[Charlie101]

Did you tried with or without ASIO drivers from Fiio?

This was with the latest FiiO ASIO drivers installed, but ASIO wasn't active as it was just running as a video in the browser (ASIO wouldn't be used for games either)

 

[Ionut O]

This was with the latest FiiO ASIO drivers installed, but ASIO wasn't active as it was just running as a video in the browser (ASIO wouldn't be used for games either)

There is an workaround to use the Asio drivers: try HiFi Audio Cable from VB Audio and set it as audio output in Windows settings.
I think in this way you can set the latency value.

 

[voxxonline]

I am attracted to this r7 form factor.
I don't need hp out, just want to put it on a bookshelf as a streamer or dac streamer option into my pre power combo.
I wonder how would it perform in this instance compared to let's say bluesound node?
Thanks

 

[Ionut O]

I am attracted to this r7 form factor.
I don't need hp out, just want to put it on a bookshelf as a streamer or dac streamer option into my pre power combo.
I wonder how would it perform in this instance compared to let's say bluesound node?
Thanks

Much better sound and many options to stream / play.

 

[itsnein]

And why? No possible workaroud? As the S/PDIF will be my main output, this is a little "unhandy". Also the keyboard (KB1) is losing part of the functionality.

Digital outputs - always - fixed volume.
Workaround - using analog output.
As adjusting volume to digital signal - mean spoil original signal, no one supports it.

Give a try to analog outputs. I think DAC chip in R7 better than in Denon AVR, so it will sound better than S/PDIF

 

[Ichos]

Digital outputs - always - fixed volume.
Workaround - using analog output.
As adjusting volume to digital signal - mean spoil original signal, no one supports it.

Give a try to analog outputs. I think DAC chip in R7 better than in Denon AVR, so it will sound better than S/PDIF

The USB output on the R7 has a variable level.
Coaxial and optical are fixed.

 

[buffalomatt]

Ive seen a few references to an R9, but cant seem to find any info about it?

 

[buckster666]

Ive seen a few references to an R9, but cant seem to find any info about it?

They haven't released any specs yet.