Do you hearken to music when you’re working away at your desk? I keep in mind once I was toiling in a big publishing home some years in the past; almost everybody was sitting at their desk and carrying a pair of headphones, listening to their favourite music as they targeting an article or laying out {a magazine} web page utilizing Quark XPress. Listening to music whereas working is a wonderful approach of accelerating productiveness and decreasing stress.
Sadly, a whole lot of computer systems don’t have excellent sound playing cards and for those who love high-quality audio streamed from companies like Tidal or Qobuz, then it is smart to have an honest amplifier DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) to decode all these high-quality audio recordsdata into very good music for listening to with a pair of wired headphones.
FiiO is an audio model that made an enormous splash in 2023 with many launches of high-quality headphones, moveable DACs and Digital Audio Gamers providing audiophile-quality sound at smart costs. Final month, I reviewed the gorgeous little FiiO KA13 pocked DAC, which might connect with a smartphone or pc for audiophile-quality sound.
Now, FiiO has launched a desktop headphone amplifier DAC known as the K11. It’s designed for individuals who like streaming music whereas being inventive at their desks. One way or the other, the music offers an attractive inventive lubricant and it’s additionally perfect for shutting out the hubbub of workplace life, particularly when that you must focus or are on a deadline.
The FiiO K11 combines a high-quality headphone amplifier and DAC in a single low-profile package deal and might decode most digital audio as much as 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256 recordsdata. Formally launched final October, the K11 has low-profile dimensions and echoes the scale and form of a Mac Mini. It options single-ended and balanced outputs for six.35mm and 4.4mm jack plugs, plus a USB-C enter, which is useful for anybody with a brand new iPhone 15.
In addition to a USB-C enter, the K11 contains digital optical and coaxial inputs for connecting a supply reminiscent of a TV or CD participant. There are additionally a few RCA stereo line-out connectors in case you wish to hitch the K11 as much as a full-sized audio system so you possibly can hearken to music by a pair of loudspeakers. On the entrance of the unit is a 1.1-inch VA show exhibiting the details about the audio file being performed.
When utilized in USB DAC mode, the FiiO K11 doesn’t want a driver and it may possibly additionally work with gaming consoles just like the PS5 or Nintendo Swap. A multi-action quantity knob offers entry to the menus of the K11 for altering settings just like the brightness of the show and the illuminated FiiO emblem. Each these options could be turned off. The knob additionally acts as an on/off swap and adjusts quantity ranges.
It’s attainable to toggle between the K11’s Line Out (LO)/Energy Out (PO) modes by double-pressing the knob. The K11 remembers the quantity stage for every setting, so there’s no want to regulate ranges when switching between LO/PO modes.
Establishing the unit takes minutes. There’s a strong brick for supplying energy to the K11 and the field contains the cables required for connecting to a desktop, laptop computer or smartphone. The K11 will work with most sources when utilized in USB DAC mode and it’s plug-and-play.
The DAC contained in the K11 is a CS43198 chip and the audio pattern charges are proven on the show. The amplifier can output as much as 1,400mW per channel, driving even demanding headphones or IEMs. There are two output jacks for six.35mm single-ended (unbalanced) and 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connectors. I attempted the K11 with a balanced pair of IEMs and a brand new pair of high-end headphones that I’ll evaluate later this month.
Verdict: The FiiO K11 has a wonderfully easy sound with loads of element and an open soundstage. The distortion ranges are low, so that you’re unlikely to get a headache even for those who hearken to music all day. The general tone is mellow, however there’s no sluggishness within the assault and presentation of the music. The K11 is a top-tier performer, though my one criticism is the shortage of help for MQA. I do know many individuals declare to not just like the environment friendly codec, however it may possibly save a whole lot of information bandwidth, particularly when streaming away from dwelling or relying in your cellphone’s wi-fi hotspot. That stated, the FiiO K11 makes a super desk companion and for those who use it vertically, it gained’t even take up an excessive amount of area in your desk.
Pricing & Availability: The FiiO K11 is out there in Obsidian Black or Midnight Silver finishes. It prices $129 / £119 / €139 and is out there now from FiiO or Amazon.
Extra information: fiio.com
Tech Specs:
- Important chip: GD32F303RET6.
- DAC chip: CS43198.
- Hello-Res help: As much as 384kHz / 32-bit.
- DSD help: Sure. DSD256 {hardware} decoding.
- MQA help: No.
- Inputs: 1 x USB Sort-C (USB2.0) / 1 x Coaxial / 1 x Optical.
- Outputs: 1 x 6.35 mm single-ended / 1 x 4.4 mm balanced / 1 x L/R RCA / 1 x Coaxial
- Balanced load: 32Ω
- Output energy: As much as 1400mW + 1400mW.
- Line Out (LO) mode: Sure.
- Energy Out (PO) mode: Sure.
- Display screen: 1.1-inch VA section show.
- Dimensions: 147 x 133 x 32.3mm.
- Weight: 407g (excluding energy adaptor).
- Adjustable RGB emblem lighting.
- Colours: Obsidian Black, Midnight Silver.
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