FiiO R7 - Positive Feedback

With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music where Steven R. Rochlin shares his thoughts on the FiiO R7.

Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief

A superb DAC, streamer, preamplifier, and headamp designed for music lovers.

Review By Steven R. Rochlin

When FiiO sent me an e-mail showcasing their new R7 desktop stereo music streamer, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier it was perfectly timed. As a longtime classically-trained musician, I've been using a slightly "outdated" source unit to stream music to play along to tunes. This could be via headphones/IEM or through a stereo pair of QSC K10.2 mains and KS112 subwoofers thanks to the R7's true balanced XLR outputs. In addition, this is a relatively portable piece of gear, which means when it wasn't being used for the percussion/drum set, it was easy to bring it into my home audio system or use it as a dedicated desktop headphone amplifier when tinkering with mechanical timepieces upstairs within my workshop. With a wide array of digital inputs, both wired and wireless, plus Roon certification, all controlled via an Android-based OS, it looked like a bargain at only $699.

Virtually every modern music lover streams music, this is a given in 2023. The new FiiO R7 provides a staggering array of flexibility. Digital inputs include Ethernet/NAS, SD card, USB-C, USB-A, optical TosLink, coax RCA S/PDIF, and dual-band wireless Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth. Digital outputs are TosLink optical, coax RCA S/PDIF, and Bluetooth 5.0 that supports LDAC/SBC/AAC while analog outputs are two stereo sets of unbalanced RCA and a set of right/left XLR true balanced. Yes, the analog balanced output is exactly that, a truly balanced XLR output as is found within all professional audio gear. Headphone and in-ear monitor lovers will rejoice as 4.4mm and four-pin XLR balanced outputs are right up front, as is a longtime standard 1/4" stereo headphone jack. For fans of Roon, you'll be happy to hear the FiiO R7 will work seamlessly. In addition, for DP output a Type-C cable can connect the R7 to a display with DP input, or you can choose a DP-HDMI adapter cable to send the video to your HDMI video monitor/home theater system. In addition, a mouse and keyboard can also be hooked into the FiiO R7 so it becomes a standalone Android-based computer system.

Carefully Chosen Parts

Simply using the "very best" parts does not always guarantee the highest sound quality. Here is where luxurious premium audio designers also use their ears. Just as having a powerful V-8 engine within a car is great, it also needs to be mated with a properly-tuned transmission, strong brakes, and communicative steering to deliver the best driving experience. Over the years we've grown to know that FiiO has been exceptional at using a specially-selected combination of parts, and thus the sum of the parts sounds sensational to your ears.

Qualcomm's eight-core Snapdragon 660 SoC chipset is mated with 4 GB RAM to ensure the Android 10 OS has an abundance of processing power. The R7 employs the highly-regarded ESS ES9068AS Sabre DAC chipset and high-output THX-788+ desktop-grade amplification chipset. As for digital file types, the FiiO R7 basically handles everything you can throw at it including Hi-Res Music true lossless PCM 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256 audio signal decoding, plus newcomer proprietary MQA for those still clinging on to TIDAL versus migrating to higher quality Qobuz true lossless hi-res music.

With a total of five analog outputs (three headphone and two preamp) and five different output level settings to match whatever the R7 is feeding, it is easy to perfectly mate up so you can use the internal amplifiers' full 120-step volume flexibility. Over the years I have tried various headamps, and applaud FiiO as with my custom in-ear monitors there was virtually zero undesirable background hiss. From IEMs and headphones to the QSC sound system, there were never any switching clicks or pops. Rest assured you'll be listening to a noise-free "black" background with 3650mW of pristine power at your fingertips. During my listening sessions, I used the standard power cord plugged into various power conditioners/filters (depending on where the FiiO R7 was located). Those who desire to step it up power-wise can add FiiO's PL50 low-noise DC power supply ($150).

Listening Impressions

Considering the many different ways to use the FiiO R7, it would take a Herculean effort to carefully describe each and every use. For me, I felt it would take time to fully understand and appreciate the sound quality, and glad I did! When first installing and turning it on, FiiO's R7 sounded clinically clean with solid deep bass, neutral midrange, and ever-so-slightly sterile highs. Thankfully, the highs never sounded strident or irritating, which is nearly always a good sign of things to come. After 20 hours of listening and drumming fun, decided to let the R7 music streamer/DAC/headamp/preamplifier play a variety of music powering balanced headphones and the balanced XLR outputs. There is much validity (and wisdom) in not just rushing out and posting a review with a brand-new unit that has ~50 hours of use.

Now with hundreds of hours of playing, it was time for some serious, and fun, listening sessions.

Since my main initially-planned use of the FiiO R7 would be as the source for my QSC K10.2 mains (Studio setting) and KS112 subwoofers that together produce 8000 Watts of output power combined. Yes you read that right as each of the four speaker units include 2000 Watts of amplification. Thanks to the truly balanced XLR outputs the R7 was literally plug-and-play. We'll get to home audio use shortly. While I realize right off the bat this is an unconventional system by home audio standards, I can easily see the FiiO being used by Front Of House (FOH) sound engineers and music professionals who need a very high quality, flexible, and easy drop-and-go package to feed XLR balanced music. If a client brought an SD card, HD, etc., to hear their tracks, the R7 has got you covered. Having used the QSC sound system for years, and taking into account the sound "personality" of a FOH system versus recording studio/mastering engineer setups, the FiiO R7 sounded incredibly impressive!

After hundreds of hours of use, the bass was now a touch deeper, and while excellent initially, it became ever-so-slightly more tuneful. Bass impact is solid, fast, and tuneful. The midrange also benefited from use as it also was less clinical and a smidge more musical. The highs seemed to open up an extend a bit, yet never strident or harsh. This is a huge plus, as anyone who has listened to various FOH/PA systems will tell you, if your source is "bright sounding" it could very easily become an ear-shatteringly offensive experience. Odds are over the years you may have heard of such FOH sound systems. If you're a sound professional, rest assured the FiiO R7 brings to the table amazingly diverse flexibility for your clients plus a sound quality that is above typical offerings.

As a side note, I felt no need to use heavy EQ'ing, though the R7 does include a very usable equalizer and of course whatever other effects possible via the Android 10 OS system. And yes, the Google Play App Store works fine (thank you FiiO for using an open standard OS). This is important for both professional and home audio/personal use. Speaking of home audio and use...

I never felt lost within the OS or limited access by (overly) deep access to certain features such as EQ, changing the display to a VU meter, etc. FiiO certainly pays attention to its customer's desires, flexibility, and follows through with solutions. This includes as-needed firmware/updates promptly that will provide more features and flexibility. In fact just a few days ago FiiO released new firmware that is easy to load from the System menu.

If you've noticed by now within my review, I've used the word flexibility quite a bit. That's because it is exactly what we have here.

At Home With the FiiO R7

Since FiiO's R7 is relatively portable, which means when it wasn't being used for the percussion/drum set, it was easy to bring it into my home audio system or use it as a dedicated headphone amplifier when tinkering with mechanical timepieces upstairs within my workshop. With a wide array of digital inputs, both wired and wireless, plus Roon certification, all controlled via an Android-based OS, it looked like a bargain at only $699. Without much reading of the owner's manual, okay virtually none, it was easy to operate right out of the box. Hey, it's an Android OS after all with the added benefits of FiiO's Music app. First please allow me to say that the R7 was a joy to use and operate within various sound systems.

As I await the (eventual) arrival of dad's circa 1971 Tannoy 12" Gold monitor speakers we purchased in England decades ago, my longtime Dunlavy SC-IV Sigs are mated to McIntosh MC611 monoblock amplifiers (600 Watts each, with plenty of headroom). As you can guess by now, the very clean output power is a given within all systems here. FiiO R7's XLR balanced output directly fed the Big Macs. Occasionally I did use a touch of EQ to help "extend" the uppermost highs a small bit (recording dependent), yet mainly avoided any EQ or other "sound effects." FiiO does include some sound adjustment settings, and found a few to be very usable (recording dependent). The great possibility with digitized audio is that you can use hi-resolution filters/effects. Sources included the typical hi-res apps, streaming from my NAS, or using USB / SD card. While I never tested the Roon interface, early reports from others are that it works flawlessly.

Listening sessions included classical music, acoustic jazz, deep groove funk, rock, prog, opera, and modern pop in its many soundscapes. Years ago I sent Chad Kassem part of my extensive vinyl LP collection. He/his employees said it was "the most diverse music collection they had encountered." I am writing this so you know the FiiO R7 was truly "analyzed" over time using an extremely wide variety of musical selections (and within multiple systems and personal audio devices).

With all that said, the FiiO R7's sound was utterly superb, especially for the very reasonable $699 price. Wait, did I give the conclusion before the detailed sound notes I scribed? Why yes, yes I did! Overall, the highs are a joy and never, ever sounded brittle (unless the recording/sound engineer made it so). Mid-bass was very tight, tuneful, and had the appropriate impact without any exaggeration. The ever-so-critical midrange was especially realistic, with impressive natural harmonics (which can be more harmonious, if you desire it, with FiiO's built-in sound effects). The upper midrange, a place where the ear and my listening skills are extremely critical, was nearly perfect. I'd say perfect, yet my job is to nitpick so maybe add in more levels of the built-in Second Harmonic Regulation filter within the Audio setting. Speaking of settings, there are so many that it is impossible to give details of them all.

Love, love, love the upper-midrange and highs of the FiiO R7. Whoever "tuned" the sound of the R7, I owe them a beer! While I've already described the QSC system that is very unforgiving, within my home audio system and various headphones and IEMs, the highs were truly a delight to hear! Sold deep bass being no slough, yet for those like myself who are sensitive to brittle sound you should immediately give a listen to the R7. Have discussed this with various friends, recording engineers, mastering engineers, FOH engineers, etc. over the decades, and while we all love that glorious midrange and clean-sounding rhythmic bass, IMHO it is the uppermost octaves that can make or break a sound system.

For fans of an enveloping soundscape and immersivephiles, you're in for a real treat here! From ye ol' fave Roger Waters' Amused To Death in QSound to the latest musical offerings from The Hi-Fi Collective and other immersive remasterings, you'll hear whatever soundscape is within the recording. Mono recordings of Billie Holiday, The Beatles, and the like were tightly focused and had all the appropriate depth and layering as recorded. Overall, the soundscape is wide and deep with many naturally distinct layers if it's within the recording.

Given that the FiiO R7 goes for a reasonable $699, I find nothing to truly criticize. Yes I could wish for a bit more ultra-fi resolution or slightly smoother analog sound, yet those are where the laws of diminishing return come into play. There's much more that can be said, yet am already at a few thousand words. Am sure you'll be reading other reviews of the FiiO R7 digital music player/streamer/headamp, so perhaps it's time to round up my review. This brings us to the...

Conclusion

After hundreds of listening hours with FiiO's R7 musical masterpiece on a variety of sound systems/headphones/IEMs, it was always easy to use and sounded great. While no one has heard every piece of audio gear at the under $1000 price level, for $699 FiiO has a big hit on its hands yet again. There are reasons why you see FiiO reviewed very positively within many publications all around the world. Overall, FiiO produces audio gear whose sound quality seems to far exceed the asking price time and time again.

If you love bass-heavy modern music, the FiiO never seems to run out of go-go juice. For naturally recorded acoustic music midrange mavens, you're in for a real treat! For those whose ears are very sensitive to upper midrange and highs, your ears will be greeted with a delightful sound. The sound of the FiiO R7 is recording studio clean. I can not think of another product within the market today for under $1000 that offers as much usability, flexibility, and sound quality as the FiiO R7. But don't just take my word for it. I encourage you to read other magazine reviews too. Then give it a listen and decide for yourself.

The FiiO R7 offers an abundance of the features many of us desire. Go ahead and try it within your listening room's sound system, or desktop audio with speakers, or to drive headphones/IEMs, or FOH. Odds are very strong you'll realize the FiiO R7 is a keeper.

As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Specifications

Type: Hi-resolution digital audio steamer, DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660SoC
Memory: 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage
Operating System: Android 10
DAC Chipset: ESS ES9068AS
Amplification: Two THX AAA-788+
Output: Three Watts
Decodes: 32-bit/384kHz PCM, native DSD256, MQA, and all other typical file types
Supports SD Card, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
For many more specs, see FiiO's website
Price: $699