BUDGET, BALANCED, BETTER! - FiiO k7 Review

Could we get the link of that cable

cant you just eq the dx3 to sound like the fiio for bass

the volume is probably tuned digitally, and digital volume works in a logarithmic way afaik, so it makes sense it'll jump like that

If you have a HD660S2, you get the balanced cable in the box;)

Hello @Joshua I have watched few your videos and I absolutely love it keep up the good work, I have question I am about to buy 1st DAC/AMP to suport my IEMs (7HZ timeless or Kiwi quintet not sure which I’ll keep) and since I’m not rich guy I want to get the best possible performance in price range of K7, which would you pick for gaming (tarkov) k7, dx3pro or zen DAC v2 ?? Also if you could add your opinion on IEMs, I am looking for something with smooth bass and good middle tone oriented like 64Audio Trio for example but I’ll never have money to buy these 😢

Hi! Currently, I drive my HD600 with MacBook Pro directly. Instead of using MacBook headphone jack, If I use fiio k7, will I have considerably better sound from my HD 600? Or difference will be just negligible? Thank you!

A comparation agains Fiio K11?

Thanks for the informative review. I heard the new BT version came out for the K7 and some people have found the volume knob became more linear for adjustment.
Have you had a chance to try out the K7 BT?
I wonder what are your thoughts between the FiiO K7 BT vs Topping DX3 Pro+ now?

Insane setup.

Definitely noticeable improvement over K5 Pro when running balanced (using HD 650s).

How to pair it with microphone?

The K7 is actually less powerful via single ended vs K5 Pro and K5 Pro ESS.

Just Bought It Today. Following You From 2021. Bought Sundara On Dec 2021 Based On Your Recommandation. Now The K7 This Year. Now Planning An Upgrade To Meze 109 Pro!!

Can anyone tell me if this (K7) would pari better with the Sundara, compared to the DX3 Pro+?

Amazon has Youkamoo braided, balanced cables for less than $30. They're soft, look decent, and sound fantastic. The Y-connector barrel is unobtrusive, which puts it way ahead of Periapt in my opinion. Also, zero microphonics on either of my Youkamoo cables, but I have had problems with microphonics on Periapt cables in the past.

Fiio k7 or ifi dac v2??

I had the K5pro with AKM Chip and have now the DX3Pro+ with ESS Chip. Yes the K5/K7 with it's AKM chip has a warmer sounding and may be preferred if you listen alot to vocal music. The ESS chip sounds more sterile/neutral, but therefore gives a tiny bit more details. Much more important: K5/K7 are still in the stone age in terms of usabilty... DX3Pro+ has remote, memory function for every channel, the auto turn on/off standby function. Topping is just so much more in the 21st century. Therefore i would go for the DX3pro+. You can get it for ca 170 Bucks!

I have a K5 and there`s no way in hell it puts out 1500 mW, BUT, I am very happy with it..
For now..

Can I know if K7 and HD 600 or 650 are good combination? I am worried about K7 is not enough to drive a 300 ohm headphone. Thank you

So, I just bought both the topping DX3 Pro+ and the FiiO k7, I A/B tested them both raw and equalized on my Focal Radiances.
The result for me after a couple days of listening on both, the FiiO K7 added some needed warmth, but took away a bit of clarity.
The K7's are also extremely lacking on features (like different memory on volume from multiple sources!!!!)
The potentiometer wasn't a huge issue for me.

In general, other than the added warmth, the DX3 pro+ was just better in almost every way, and supports linux/mac/windows machines (yes I have them all and tested on all).

I would only recommend the K7 for someone that has a single audio source, no need for extended features, and who favours warmth over clarity.

I wish people showed how to plug in the computer and headphones 😢

They just released a bluetooth version of the K7, so thats cool

Great review as you provide all the important details for me to sit on it.

so this amp is better and same price but gets a b in ranking? ._.

Do these have audio out for speakers too?

Seven minutes of useless babbling about features before he says it sounds better than the amp it's replacing (the K5 Pro) in Fiio's lineup and it sounds better than the competition from Topping.

One recommendation. Always use the balanced output if you buy a good dac or dap. At first, I use the 6.35 mm one on my K7 and the 3.5mm output on my Fiio M11 Plus. I can't hear any difference compared to my iPhone or desktop. I almost return them and think my ear is not for it. And then I tried the balanced output, and the sound difference is magnificent. Technically, there should be not much difference, but as far as I know, many companies downgrade the 3.5mm unbalanced output on purpose.

I am very confused, FiiO writes the K5 as having 1.5watts SE in comparison chart but writes 1.2x1.2 SE for the K7. So wouldn't that make the K5 be 600mw per channel in reality?

about the volume knob you mention is it really a common thing? I mean it is the same on my speaker

Besides listen to music on my desktop I also play games like COD. What would you recommend more between the K7 & DX3 Pro+ with gaming in mind?

I'm like 95% done with my current Soundblaster g6x and looking to upgrade. I only really picked it because it has decent enough hardware for gaming, and a microphone input. But the software is honestly so bad that I want to switch to a proper DAC / AMP now and have given up the search for a mic enable DAC/AMP.
I've been eyeing the Topping DX5 lite lately, it's 150€ cheaper than the regular DX5 and is only missing MQA, but the XLR is single ended and I kind of want a balanced output, even tho I'm not sure I'd have any reason for it besides future proofing.
Is there any point in balanced audio when my main focus is IEMs atm?

Hi i just got the HD660S and was wondering if you had any recommendations for a amp would to spend around $200

hi, Fiio k7 Its a natural sounding rig ? thx

I have a Zen Dac&Can with hd6xx, is K7 better?

Went and purchased the K7 based on this. Upgrading from a gen 1 Modi/Magni stack. Pairing it with the DT1990s. I can say this is a great little unit. I do have the Dekoni Leather pads on and the bass it just right. Very nice set up now. Thank you for the review.

hello! is fiio k7 good dac for beyerdynamic dt 1990 pro? thx

Mmmm Mmmm, I don't really know which to choose. I do like the option for balanced.

Hello. Would you recommend Fiio K7 as a desktop dac together with Marantz pm 6006 +Dali Oberon 3. I'm also looking at Cambridge magic 200m and Ifi zen one signature, but more expensive. Or you can give me a recommendation. Thank you.

Should I go dor Fiio k7 or Topping DX3 Pro+? I have Sennheiser HD 600 and I'm new at hi-fi world. Any help would be appreciated.

This vs SMSL C200.

pleas give me link the cable 6xx

Damn... now i have a problem, looking my first Amp for my first a bit better headphones - Sivga Oriole
(currently I used my old Cyrus SoundKey)
(I tried Robin and they had way too much bass)
I like electronica, starting from 70,80,90 (Tangerine Dream, Jean Michelle-Jare) up to d'n'b, techno, trance
but also ambient, instrumental (Mike Oldfield, Andreas Vollenweider) and some rock (Dire Straits, late Queen)

Hello, I have a marantz 6006 and Klipsch RP500 M speakers. What DAC do you recommend to connect to my laptop. I currently have an e30. Budget up to 300-400 dollars. Thank you and all praise.

What is "glare" ?

what a time to be into audio as a newbie (or budget audiophile penny pincher like me). Personally have the Topping dx3 pro +. Anyone used is as a DAC to feed a slightly more powerful headphone amp. If so - what headphone amp did you feed it to?

Do i really want this if I own a btr7

Hey nice video! Im new to the audioscene and I have a question. Why cant I control the volume with the knob over the line-out when I have my desktop speakers plugged in. Input=usb (or line in, it doesnt make a difference), Output=line out

Would you still recommend the k7 over the k5 ess if the balanced is never going to be used? Thanks

Hi, I have question is somebody knows is possibile to have such setup? PC -> DAC -> bluetooth -> (warless ) headphones?