FiiO K11 R2R DAC And Headphone Amp – First look
All Image Credit: FiiO
FiiO has announced an R2R version of its K11 DAC/headphone amplifier. Replacing the Cirrus Logic silicon of its Delta-Sigma sibling, the K11 R2R uses a four-channel, fully differential, 24bit resistor array, to decode the digital audio signals arriving at any of its three digital inputs. It is initially available in Obsidian Black or Midnight Silver with a red version becoming available later this year.
The FiiO K11 R2R Desktop is a versatile low profile Desktop Headphone DAC and Amplifier that features a 1.1-inch LCD VA display that shows information about the audio file being listened to. Besides the LCD display functions the FiiO logo on top of the K11 R2R is illuminated with RGB lighting, offering a quick way to identify the sampling rate of the current audio being played back. Brightness, color, light patterns, and on/off options are all adjustable within the menu.
The K11 RR provides full support for PCM 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256 Hi-Res audio files, and delivers a power output of up to 1300mW. It provides users the option of choosing playback via either NOS (Non-Oversampling) or OS (Over-sampling) Modes. NOS Mode has been designed to maintain the original sampling rate for decoding, whilst the OS Mode upsamples audio to a high sampling-rate of 384kHz.
Developed in house, the K11 R2R features a four-channel fully differential 24bit R2R DAC. This DAC consists of 2 x 48 precision thin-film resistor arrays per channel, totaling 192 resistors with 0.1% tolerance and low-temperature drift (30ppm). This architecture is said to deliver lower noise than typical architectures with less distortion. The DAC’s output drives a 4-channel resistor ladder potentiometer, the NJW1195A electronic volume control chip, that delivers both low distortion and low noise.
Rear panel connections include; USB-Type C, optical and coaxial digital inputs and digital coaxial and stereo RCA line level outputs. A 6.35mm headphone output and 4.4mm balanced output is provided on the front panel. All analog outputs arrive via TI OPA1642 op-amps that work as low-pass filters before dual SGM8262 op-amps that provide up to 1.3 Watts of headphone drive and line level signals for the balanced and unbalanced outputs. Three user-selectable gain modes and volume curves should cover most headphone sensitivities.
Unit control is available using the front panel multi-function volume knob. Power the device on and off; access the menu; adjust volume, and more, users can also quickly switch between Line Out, Pre-out, and Power Out modes by simply double-pressing the knob. Besides the LCD display functions the FiiO logo on top of the K11 R2R is illuminated with RGB lighting, offering a quick way to identify the sampling rate of the current audio being played back. Brightness, color, light patterns, and on/off options are all adjustable within the menu.
Features At A Glance:
- Fully differential true 24bit R2R DAC resistor arrays
- NOS/OS modes
- Supports PCM 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256
- High quality NJW1195A electronic volume control
- 1.3W+1.3W headphone output
- 3 gain levels
- 3 volume curves
- Custom designed audio circuits
- Custom designed separate analog and digital powers supplies
- High-quality Beryl solid capacitors
- Custom LCD screen
- RGB logo lighting information
Specifications:
- DAC: Fully Differential True 24-bit R2R Resistor Arrays
- Main Control Chip: GD32F303RET6
- Output (6.35mm Single-ended); L+R≥460mW+460mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%), L+R≥50mW+50mW (300Ω, THD+N＜1%)
- Output (4.4mm Balanced): L+R≥1300mW+1300mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%), L+R≥220mW+220mW (300Ω, THD+N＜1%)
- Inputs: 1 x USB Type-C, 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
- USB Input Decoding: PCM: 384kHz/32bit, DSD: 256
- Coaxial Input Decoding: PCM: 192kHz/24bit
- Optical Input Decoding: PCM: 96kHz/24bit
- Line-out: (LO) Mode
- Power Out: (PO) Mode
- Display: 1.1-inch LCD VA Segment Display
- Adjustable RGB Lighting
- Dimensions: 147 x 133 x 32.3 mm
- Weight: 420g
MSRP (black or silver):
- US: $169.00
- UK: £149.00
- EU: €160.00 (approx.)
A red version should become available later in 2024.
For more information visit the FiiO web site.
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