Question Desktop DAC/Amp Fiio K-series - any thoughts?

[PieterG]

This weekend i received my Fiio K11 R2R. It's meant to sit on my desk, fed by a computer over USB, streaming from Tidal or my own music server. My Sennheiser HD620s is connected to the single-ended output with low gain and volume around the halfway mark. Tidal is playing in exclusive mode, and Windows is configured to output 44kHz to avoid certain resampling scenarios just in case. Fiio is also set to no oversampling.

The R2R sound is on the warm side, and that's fine. What bothers me a little, is the lack of detail/resolution and space. I've been listening to various things while working (so not concentrated on the music) and i notice a meaningful difference compared to the Audiolab D9 in my main setup. I don't expect the K11 to be very close to the D9, but i started wondering if a K13 R2R, which has a better, more resolving architecture on paper, would be a better fit. I might add a pair of active speakers later as well.

The K15 (not R2R) looks very nice but i don't feel like spending that money on my desktop setup. I am currently ruling out other devices (Eversolo, Ifi, Denafrips) based on price too. The specs of the Topping DX5-II are very appealing for the price, but i'm not after a very analytical presentation.

So in summary: do i return the K11 for a K13? Anyone with hands-on experience?

 

[Gray]

The specs of the Topping DX5-II are very appealing for the price, but i'm not after a very analytical presentation.

I was listening to my recently purchased DX5-ll last night, from the USB output of a Raspberry Pi, into HD-560S headphones (via the balanced output).

For context, I'm not one of those (strange) people that think music can have too much detail - and I don't like any added warmth.
I find it hard to imagine a better tonal balance than that from the DX5-ll / 560S combination.

It's possible that you could regard the Topping as 'analytical'. But the parametric EQ option of 'Topping Tune' would allow you to shape the sound more to your taste.

I've never heard an R2R DAC, but if they're any 'warmer' than the ESS types I've been used to, then I don't want to.
Give me neutral every time.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I can't comment on the K11 but have the K13 R2R. Mine uses a WiiM Ultra as a streaming transport and is almost always using Tidal as the source, so there are some similarities in our setups.

My headphones are connected via a balanced cable and to my ears it's a great setup. Space and airiness are a hallmark of Planars so perhaps that could explain our different experiences here, so that's not necessarily an issue of the K11. I don't notice any lack of detail or resolution and for me it compares acceptably well with my costlier downstairs system. I know it can't sound as good as that system but it's still more than good enough for my use case.

If you feel noticeably less spacious and detailed than on your main setup, then maybe that is a compromise that has to be made relative to the higher cost of your main amp - it's almost 10x the price. I don't think a switch to the K13 will necessarily unlock a massive leap in fidelity. For reference, I use the NOS mode and usually listen at volumes ranging from 14-18 (assuming the volume levels are consistent between products in the range).

 

[PieterG]

For context, I'm not one of those (strange) people that think music can have too much detail - and I don't like any added warmth. I find it hard to imagine a better tonal balance than that from the DX5-ll / 560S combination.

That's a combination many will describe as "reference sound". And those are open back - i chose closed back deliberately for my listening environment. You will not enjoy the R2R sound 😉

Considering my headphones are very reserved when it comes to treble, perhaps i should give the DX5-II another long look. I like the idea of my desktop setup having a different tonal signature, but R2R might just be a difficult match with the HD620s.

 

[PieterG]

My headphones are connected via a balanced cable and to my ears it's a great setup. Space and airiness are a hallmark of Planars so perhaps that could explain our different experiences here, so that's not necessarily an issue of the K11. I don't notice any lack of detail or resolution and for me it compares acceptably well with my costlier downstairs system. I know it can't sound as good as that system but it's still more than good enough for my use case.

Interesting points. I do read conflicting reviews about K11 vs K13: some say they sound very similar, others say the detail and sound stage are a step up in the K13. Headphones must make a big difference. Yours are open planars, mine are closed (though airy for their design).

Have you ever tried closed back headphones by any chance? It would be interesting to hear your impressions. My old Philips SHP8900 are still lying around here, and while i consider them poorly tuned for hifi and quite bright from the higher mids upward, they don't respond so dramatically to the differences between the two DACs i use.