R2R DACs just got supremely affordable! FiiO K11 R2R review

FiiO K11 R2R review.

FiiO K11 R2R DAC review including comparison with HiFiMan EF600, xDuoo MH-02 and SMSL RAW-MDA1.

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00:00 Introduction
00:33 Price & features
01:24 Sound quality
03:58 NOS vs OS
07:01 K11 R2R as DAC only
08:55 K11 R2R with gaming consoles
11:47 Wrap-up

#audiophile #audioreview #dac

[bkinsman]

I have the K11 R2R paired with a Schiit Vali 3, it’s a match made in heaven

[mrt]

Just got the laiv harmony dac today, tomorrow the music will flow better that my Bluesound n130

[FadedDream]

I love my k11 rtr. Definitely would recommend for someone who is early in the hobby and doesnt need absurd amounts of power.

[ramondelgado]

I have two of these units and LOVE them!!! I was curious when the K11 R2R came out being an affordable R2R DAC, so I purchased one to compare to my SMSL SU-1 and Schiit Modi 3E. I loved the smooth, warm, yet detailed contrast. Everything just sounded better. Your description of the sound characteristics was spot on. I guess that R2R sound is what my ears like. Also, any chance you can provide a link for those sweet headphone hooks on your wall in the background of the video???? Thank

[mitchellsigler]

Hi, I have the r2r, it's great. I had the K7 for a short time-too bright at times, and the treble would also be too much at times. But, it really is awesome. I have heard a few times(including yourself) that adding an external amp is a benefit. If it does, I am all for getting an amp. I have the Arya Stealth. I think they sound good, but, I want to add an amp if it will be worth the money. If so, which amps in the 125-150 range do u recommend. The other possible great choice is return the R2R, and get a better dac/amp with a budget of $250.. Atom2 amp only $129, Atom 1 is $99. Schitt has a closeout, etc etc. Lots and lots of great deals now(even with inflation...) I want the sound of the R2R to be all it can be=so an amp would be something I would go for. I joined your patreon last week but haven't used it yet. Thank you for All your videos.

[kennethoransky]

I wanted to thank you for giving me the idea to turn on over sampling in my JRiver Media Center software. I had been using DSD64 OS before but simply switching to PCM 176k sounded even better. It eliminated the shoutiness I had been hearing at the listening levels I use.

[GauisHelenaMohaim]

The K11 r2r and the SMSL Raw mda1 where both on my shortlist to replace my old desktop PC DAC headphone amp. I eventually chose the SMSL mainly because of its more dynamic and punchy sound that fits better with the new wave style electro i tend to be listen to the most. And remember, you can always add a tube headphone amp to the SMSL if you want some Tube sound. That is how i listen to headphones on my PC. The SMSL for electro and a Fosi Tube amp for some instrumental music. As the reviewer noted, the K11 headphone amp is not the best while the headphone amp in the SMSL sounds better than the THX-AAA amp in my FIIO Btr17 portable DAC in desktop mode imho.

[ahmadfaizadnan]

Watching this video using the K11 R2R as the source :)

[kenneths.perlman]

I thought it was odd to compare it to the HiFiman 600. Huge price difference. How about to the HiFiman 499, which I Have? It’s closer in price and has a Phillips R2R chip rather than the proprietary HiFiman R2R chip.

[Panslapper]

Try the iFi zen blue v2 into the Fiio R2R with iFi power X power supply in both units and using the Alternative driver AV2P in your Windows 10/11 laptop giving you APTX HD and LDAC! It sounds excellent and as good as some wired configurations. Happy Christmas!

[JeroenNietDoen]

I've the Meze 109 Pro and I've been looking at the Fiio K11 R2R. The only issue is that for PC use it needs the Fiio driver. And while that's fine, I happen to use Pioneer Rekordbox for my music collection and that is not compatible with the Fiio driver. I found out a few weeks ago when I purchased a K9 AKM 2nd hand. It was also too big a footprint so for those 2 reasons I sold it again but I'm very reluctant to purchase another Fiio product due to the driver.

[Firebottleman]

Did you try out the Meze 105 AER on the K11 R2R? I am very curious to see what you think of that combo in OS/NOS. Thanks for another great review. Happy holidays

[Sporting]

totaly agree. I paired it with my old Aune X7 (which i got out of retirement in the basement), which is just awesome. Also tried my old Magni, and while still an upgrade, not as good as the x7.
I found the k11 alone a bit harsh in the highs (which surprised me since I though it would be more layed back) and a wee bit meatless in the upper mid. Also instrument seperation is just meh, specially when u listen to music that has a lot going on like classical with big orchestras or operas. For EDM its really fun.


so imo the amp section holds the dac in the K11 back, but it is still a bargain for the price.

The only reeeal downside of the unit is, that it has no on/off switch, which leaves you with 3 options:
1. leave it allways on (and it will still run even if the PC is off )
2. get a dedicated powersuply witha switch (around 25€ on Aliexpress-the thing is great)
3. unplug and replug it every time (which is fine, but a bit ... annoying)

so i would say it is a great entry as stand alone and a nice addition if paired with an amp specially when one doesnt want to spend more then 200-300 € for the audio at ones workstation.

oh, the gain from the added amp depends highly on the used headphones (no surprise there really)
used it with my HD50x, DT1990 and Arya Organic and with the 58x it barely made a difference.

But overall a nice product with good value.

[luminiferous]

I have had the Fiio K11 R2R DAC/headphone amp for more than 4 months, and I like the sound very much, but only in NOS mode through the balanced output.

In oversampling mode, it sounds similar to inexpensive delta-sigma chip DACs, which is to say very electronic and unnaturally sharp and edgy, with a fairly shallow soundstage. In NOS mode, the sound is more natural, rounded and fuller. However, through the unbalanced single-ended output, even in NOS mode, the sound lacks soundstage depth and dynamic impact.

In NOS mode through the balanced output, the sound retains its natural, rounded and full character while also having decent dynamic impact and good soundstage depth.

The sound of the K11 R2R benefitted from being powered by a battery pack which revealed a bit more low level detail and microdynamics in all modes compared to using the power supply that comes with the device. However, the improvement was not huge, but it was noticeable.

In the end, however, I preferred plugging the Fiio K11 R2R output into an external tube headphone amplifier to get a richer midrange, a sweeter treble, a more holographic soundstage that was wider and deeper, and more extended note decays. The tube headphone amp that I use with the Fiio K11 R2R is the Cayin HA-1A (original version) in Triode mode - an oldie, but definitely a goodie tube headphone amp.

[SourceCodeVortex]

How do you connect this R2R Dac as the front end of a gaming console like a PS5? Do you simply plug it into to the front USB port on the PS5, and then with the sound running through your HDMI cable, then into the eArc input and into your soundbar? Does it make a huge difference? I didnt even know you could use a DAC like that.

[thomasb.]

Hello Lachlan. Thank you for this excellent review and the smart move as for the comparison’s pick. Different from other reviewers bringing a plus more than a repetition. Which even though wouldn’t be cause your presentation style will always rank a step higher. So as your review of the FiiO k11 r2r popped up on my phone I had to stop all activities to watch it right away so I could make my final decision to purchase it😊. Now most of your remarks relate to the use of this dac with a headphone. (Which I’m not a big fan of lol). So my question is does it apply when using it as a DAC for a 2 Chanel speaker amp ?
And which one of the 3 input type will work best from a computer (MacBook air)
USB -c, Optical or Coaxial ? I mean to be more precise does this affect the sound at all, knowing that the usb-c to usb-c is definitely the easiest way to go it seems.

[MML]

Honestly, I'm interested in it becoming a more widespread and affordable dongle, it would be great

[Hare_deLune]

Watching this again, I'm wondering how the connection to a gaming console works? If I'm currently connecting my console to a TV using HDMI, and I run an optical cable from the console to the DAC, does that split the sound off the HDMI cable, leaving the video data to continue to the TV?

[geoffreydebrito]

This is a fine review but a bit incomplete. No mention of the source, presumably the USB - C input was used. Info on how the K11 R2R performed with a fine tube headphone amp would have been of interest.
It's clear that further improvement in the K11 R2r DAC's fidelity can be achieved with accessories and compatible ancillary equipment. Such as FiiO recent offering of their SR-11 streamer. Its Roon Ready allowing the use of HQ Player. So a natural match to the K11 R2R. iFi's LAN iPurifier PRO is an example of ancillary equipment designed to improve fidelity. In addition, connecting the SR11 Steamer's USB-C out to either a USB Disruptor or the Core Power USBe Perfect and then into the K11 R2R DAC's USB-C input is likely to further increase fidelity. Reportedly, FiiO is preparing to offer a better power supply @ $130. It would be highly interesting to see reviewers 'raise their game' by reporting on performance when the potential of accessories and ancillary equipment to increase fidelity in all areas is explored.

[tarragon]

Thanks for the detailed comparison. Do you have any plans on checking out Cambridge Audio's Dacmagic 100? The wolfson chip in that dac might be a good competitor to this product.