The Fiio R9 is an Android-powered streamer, headphone amplifier, DAC, all rolled into one
Fiio lately launched its R9 all-in-one media streamer and it is accessible now in Singapore. It is the successor to the very talked-about R7 and improves on it in virtually each means.
The R7 was so common as a result of it was one of many few merchandise of its kind that would do every thing in a small type issue. To name it a media streamer is a little bit of a misnomer as a result of it is way more than that. Earlier than we run by means of what it will probably do, let’s speak a bit about its design.
The R9 is similar measurement because the R7 and must be compact sufficient to sit down on most desks with out a lot situation. The display screen is bigger (now 6 inches vs. 4.97 inches) and has the next decision of 1080 x 2160 pixels. Powering it’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 chip – that is unchanged from the R7.
Let’s deal with the media streamer bit first. As a result of it runs Android, you need to use it to stream not simply music out of your favorite music streaming companies resembling Spotify and Apple Music, however you need to use it to stream video too from, say, Netflix or Disney+.
In case you are streaming music, the R9 can play straight by means of audio system or headphones – it has RCA outputs, optical digital output, and varied headphone connectors in entrance (extra on that later). And if you’re streaming video, you possibly can output that footage to a TV or monitor by means of HDMI.
Talking of HDMI, the HDMI output is an HDMI ARC portwhich implies you possibly can join it to a TV and have it deal with your TV’s audio.
Digital audio is decoded utilizing the R9’s pair of ESS Labs ES9030Pro chips. The R9 can perform solely as a DAC through the use of its USB-A and USB-C ports, coaxial, and digital optical inputs. It will probably work wirelessly too as a result of it has Bluetooth, and on this mode, it helps aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs.
Most prospects will possible use it as a headphone amplifier and DAC, and it has 6.35mm, 4.4mm balanced, and 4-pin XLR headphone outputs on the entrance. Energy is greater than ample. Fiio quotes 7.3W per channel into 32ohms and 1W per channel into 300ohms. That must be enough to drive even probably the most power-hungry planar magnetic headphones.
In brief, the Fiio R9 is the entire under:
- Android media streamer
- Headphone amplifier
- Pre-amplifier for audio system
- DAC (USB, digital coaxial, digital optical)
- HDMI bridge
- Bluetooth receiver
Additionally, it has these ports and connectors:
- 6.35mm headphone jack (entrance)
- 4.4mm balanced headphone jack (entrance)
- 4-pin XLR balanced headphone jack (entrance)
- 3-pin XLR balanced line out
- 2 x RCA line out
- Coaxial enter + output
- Optical enter + output
- HDMI in
- HDMI out/ARC
- USB-A
- USB-C
As you possibly can see, the Fiio R9 is a extremely versatile machine that may work in some ways relying in your wants. It will probably perform as a headphone amplifier/DAC or it may be a single-device answer for anybody who’s seeking to arrange a listening station for headphones or audio system. It appears like an awesome all-in-one answer for anybody who’s seeking to simplify their audio setup. Actually, I am tempted to promote all my audio gear and get this.
Availability and pricing
The Fiio R9 is obtainable now and is priced at S$2,399. You could find it on Lazada, Shopee, and AV One’s on-line retailer.
