Certainly possible. I mainly used low gain so that wasn't really an issue, but made it more noticeable. Sounds like they refined they way the volume works in later models.
Its actually the best DAC/AMP unit you can buy in the under $300 price range. Of course you could stack. But to be honest I haven't found anything I like better when it comes to sound and power. It can sound a little dark but with the HD 6XX it pairs perfectly. Though the HD 560S also sounds amazing with this amp as well. It is very close to neutral but leans more towards the warm side and it also has excellent bass. Also the Volume knob is set up so the first half is for very easy to drive headphones such as IEMs and the second half of the knob is for hard to drive stuff such as the HD 800. But it handles that with no problem. The LED light lets you know what bitrate you are running at but you can turn it off. Also the lag in the volume knob has been fixed in all new units and they also put a firmware update out for everyone that already owns one. Because there used to be about a half second delay in it. Not a deal breaker by any means but I like that they did fix it. But yeah, it is my current favorite DAC/AMP. Its just so nice to have both in one unit. No need to mess with anything and on top of that you get sound that is better or just as good compared to any stack. It also has true balance output. And that is great if you need to drive something and want some extra power.
It is definitely a great value for the output power and yes, it is super convenient to have a single box that pairs with your headphones and IEMs. I think I might have flipped it once to high gain to try it with an IEM, but low is fine for those.
Not having heard a K11, on the K7, you are paying a bit for the extra power which isn't required for most IEMs. I didn't really use high gain, that would be overkill for IEMs. K11 should be fine.
I have owned this for a while. Incredibly clean and good power. Compared it to a K9 pro ess. The K9 was more dynamic and way bigger soundstage. If you have the money for it, get the K9 pro or the new K9 non pro. The value for money for the K7 is insane though. I am very happy with it.
The K7 has annoying fixable problems for anyone considering it. 1. The power supply it comes with is intentionally underpowered, using 12volt 3amp brick gives it alot more power and better sound. 2. The driver has a glitch where sample size is set to 512 by default, which greatly reduces sound quality. If you open the driver and set it to the maximum available sample size like 2048 for 48kHz 32bit you will hear a very big difference when using USB.
Thanks. I kinda swapped back and forth Optical and USB. This was my first time hearing a FiiO box and it is a couple years old so wasn't really sure what to expect. Sadly I already sent it back otherwise I would take you on those fixes.
Right on. It's not warm and quite dry. Most likely due to the THX amp and the Fiio house sound. It definitely does narrow the sound stage and gives a Deeper depth perception? Pairs well with some of the warm KZ sets and Blon that I have. The High gain is very lack luster. It does not give me the juice I would expect even on Balanced. It's a weird unit for sure. Had this since end of 2022. I will be back chatting with y'all soon 😄
Sir I need help I have Shure 535 IEMS & I wanted to make my game’s clarity better for my PC gaming specifically rainbow six I feel like it’s a little hard to hear footsteps
They should send you K7BT which is a revised model from K7, there's a hipcup on K7 when it was launched until a firmware was released to fix but still complains here and there, K7BT that they promised everything has been taken care of there will be no whatsoever problem K7 has been facing. I think both units sound the same but there the latter comes with some adjustment. But volume knob still the same problem which they insist it was design intended. If you are into movies it pairs well with DT-770 PRO.
Generally I think it paired better with headphones. I assumed the volume knob is intentional, but usually the brand explains it in the marketing as a feature. Maybe they did and I missed it.
I purchased this unit about 5 months ago. Works pretty well for me. The volume knob is strange but you get used to it. Thanks for the review.
Right, more of a nitpick. I assume it is described somewhere. The TRI TK2 does something similar, switches over at a specific volume level.
The reason for the dial was that Fiio wanted people who use IEMs to have better control before going deaf.
Certainly possible. I mainly used low gain so that wasn't really an issue, but made it more noticeable. Sounds like they refined they way the volume works in later models.
Its actually the best DAC/AMP unit you can buy in the under $300 price range. Of course you could stack. But to be honest I haven't found anything I like better when it comes to sound and power. It can sound a little dark but with the HD 6XX it pairs perfectly. Though the HD 560S also sounds amazing with this amp as well.
It is very close to neutral but leans more towards the warm side and it also has excellent bass. Also the Volume knob is set up so the first half is for very easy to drive headphones such as IEMs and the second half of the knob is for hard to drive stuff such as the HD 800. But it handles that with no problem. The LED light lets you know what bitrate you are running at but you can turn it off. Also the lag in the volume knob has been fixed in all new units and they also put a firmware update out for everyone that already owns one. Because there used to be about a half second delay in it. Not a deal breaker by any means but I like that they did fix it.
But yeah, it is my current favorite DAC/AMP. Its just so nice to have both in one unit. No need to mess with anything and on top of that you get sound that is better or just as good compared to any stack. It also has true balance output. And that is great if you need to drive something and want some extra power.
The DX3 Pro+ technically test better but I think the K7 is probably more reliable
It is definitely a great value for the output power and yes, it is super convenient to have a single box that pairs with your headphones and IEMs. I think I might have flipped it once to high gain to try it with an IEM, but low is fine for those.
I bought the FiiO K11. It's a little cheaper than the K7. I liked it, for me as a regular user, I don't think I need anything better.
The K11 is interesting. Hopefully Paul will get to review that one as well.
Not having heard a K11, on the K7, you are paying a bit for the extra power which isn't required for most IEMs. I didn't really use high gain, that would be overkill for IEMs. K11 should be fine.
I have owned this for a while. Incredibly clean and good power. Compared it to a K9 pro ess. The K9 was more dynamic and way bigger soundstage. If you have the money for it, get the K9 pro or the new K9 non pro.
The value for money for the K7 is insane though. I am very happy with it.
The K7 has annoying fixable problems for anyone considering it.
1. The power supply it comes with is intentionally underpowered, using 12volt 3amp brick gives it alot more power and better sound.
2. The driver has a glitch where sample size is set to 512 by default, which greatly reduces sound quality. If you open the driver and set it to the maximum available sample size like 2048 for 48kHz 32bit you will hear a very big difference when using USB.
Thanks. I kinda swapped back and forth Optical and USB. This was my first time hearing a FiiO box and it is a couple years old so wasn't really sure what to expect. Sadly I already sent it back otherwise I would take you on those fixes.
1. I am using a 12v, 4A power supply.
2. How to change that setting?
Right on. It's not warm and quite dry. Most likely due to the THX amp and the Fiio house sound. It definitely does narrow the sound stage and gives a Deeper depth perception?
Pairs well with some of the warm KZ sets and Blon that I have.
The High gain is very lack luster. It does not give me the juice I would expect even on Balanced.
It's a weird unit for sure. Had this since end of 2022.
I will be back chatting with y'all soon 😄
Thanks. My first FiiO so not sure how much was THX or their house sound or both.
Sir I need help I have Shure 535 IEMS & I wanted to make my game’s clarity better for my PC gaming specifically rainbow six I feel like it’s a little hard to hear footsteps
I would look at sets like 7hz Zero which are popular for gaming
They should send you K7BT which is a revised model from K7, there's a hipcup on K7 when it was launched until a firmware was released to fix but still complains here and there, K7BT that they promised everything has been taken care of there will be no whatsoever problem K7 has been facing. I think both units sound the same but there the latter comes with some adjustment.
But volume knob still the same problem which they insist it was design intended.
If you are into movies it pairs well with DT-770 PRO.
Generally I think it paired better with headphones. I assumed the volume knob is intentional, but usually the brand explains it in the marketing as a feature. Maybe they did and I missed it.
Mine arrived yesterday. I'll be using it with an iFi power supply.
Yeah, I learned it does better on a better power supply. Cool box, hope you enjoy it.