Fiio BTR5

[zomboza]

Hi, When the BTR5 is connected to Desktop USB will the Amplifier+DAC work or it's just DAC mode only? I'm interested in this device to replace my good ol CmoyBB and it would be nice if I can use it as a desktop Amp too since I don't use power hungry headphone. Many thanks

 

[donjoe0]

I wouldn't change to the BTR5 until the FIIO App is updated to allow EQing with LDAC.

You should be able to apply EQ with other system-wide solutions like ViPER4Android, it works for me with the BTR3. But I suspect you wouldn't be able to use the FiiO Control app at the same time, that one probably wants to occupy the same place in the chain as ViPER4Android (something like "effects processor" or whatever).

 

[donjoe0]

OK, I tried it with both apps and it seems it wants to work, but unfortunately there's something really bad going on with the FiiO Control implementation that makes it randomly turn off the BTR3 if I fiddle with the FiiO options for too long. Other than that, ViPER4Android was working and EQ-ing just fine, and meanwhile (before the random shut-down) I could also select different digital filters from the FiiO app and was hearing the little pops they made when switching from one to the another. (Couldn't test with the FiiO EQ since I don't have it for the BTR3 yet.) The only real limitation is that ViPER won't work if you try to use LDAC at 96 kHz, it has to be 48 or 44.1, which you set from Android's Developer Options.

 

[Asylum Seeker]

Hi, When the BTR5 is connected to Desktop USB will the Amplifier+DAC work or it's just DAC mode only? I'm interested in this device to replace my good ol CmoyBB and it would be nice if I can use it as a desktop Amp too since I don't use power hungry headphone. Many thanks

DAC & Headphone Amp. There is no line-out on the BTR5.

 

[Magnifico]

but output can be set to be used as line out.

 

[Sprint]

DAC & Headphone Amp. There is no line-out on the BTR5.

Hi @Asylum Seeker ,

I see that you have both NX4 DSD, BTR5 and DT770. I have DT770 80ohm for at home listening. These are my first headphones apart from AirPods and AirPods Pro. They are superb. Apart from DT770, I plan to also buy an IEM for on travel listening like Tin T2, T3 or T4.

My source is Apple Music/ Amazon HD/ You tube Premium via MacBook Pro 2017 model and iPhone 2017 model, Apple IPAD 2018 model (lightning).

I gave some tests on BTR5 (arrived yesterday) and always used USB C/DAC route and not bluetooth. I did not use any EQ.

DT770 out of Mac Pro is sounding very good. Using Mac Pro With BTR5, there is hardly any difference except that BTR5 sounds more refined. For IPAD, BTR5 is way better and one can easily hear the difference.

What would you recommend - NX4 DSD or BTR5 primarily looking at SQ for DT770 and Tin? I just brought BTR5 looking at the reviews but Amirm has not measured it in ASR yet. On the other hand, NX4 is measured very good by Amirm but bit bulky for travel but still not that bad to carry.

What is your impression? Is 40 USD more for NX4 worth than BTR5 for my above listed source, devices and headphones?

Appreciate your help!

 

[Asylum Seeker]

Hi @Asylum Seeker ,

I see that you have both NX4 DSD, BTR5 and DT770. I have DT770 80ohm for at home listening. These are my first headphones apart from AirPods and AirPods Pro. They are superb. Apart from DT770, I plan to also buy an IEM for on travel listening like Tin T2, T3 or T4.

My source is Apple Music/ Amazon HD/ You tube Premium via MacBook Pro 2017 model and iPhone 2017 model, Apple IPAD 2018 model (lightning).

I gave some tests on BTR5 (arrived yesterday) and always used USB C/DAC route and not bluetooth. I did not use any EQ.

DT770 out of Mac Pro is sounding very good. Using Mac Pro With BTR5, there is hardly any difference except that BTR5 sounds more refined. For IPAD, BTR5 is way better and one can easily hear the difference.

What would you recommend - NX4 DSD or BTR5 primarily looking at SQ for DT770 and Tin? I just brought BTR5 looking at the reviews but Amirm has not measured it in ASR yet. On the other hand, NX4 is measured very good by Amirm but bit bulky for travel but still not that bad to carry.

What is your impression? Is 40 USD more for NX4 worth than BTR5 for my above listed source, devices and headphones?

Appreciate your help!

Hi... Regarding NX4 vs. BTR5, in terms of perceived SQ both are on par. But the NX4 has a lot more power. Depending on the loudness of the source material I can listen to the DT770 250 Ohm at 9 o'clock in Low gain sometimes while the BTR5 is at nearly max level. So I say, NX4.

On the issue of IEM for travel, I do not recommend the TIN because their form factor does not provide good sound isolation. As far as good SQ with better isolation in the price range I can recommend the iBasso IT00 or BQEYZ KC2.

Fwiw, the best isolation (with great build and fit) I have found on an IEM is the Shozy x Neo CP ($169) with three balanced armatures. That's The one you want for noisy environments, planes.


good luck...

 

[Sprint]

Thanks a lot for your help! For DT770 Pro 80 ohm, BTR5 should be ok, right? I listen to volume of 26-27 in BTR5. I was also looking at HIDZS 8 but does not have its own battery. This means it will suck power from device. Measurements seems to be on par with Desktop DAC & Amp as per Amirm measurements. Any experience?

Unfortunately Shozy is not available in EU. I found another one which has good reviews in Amazon EU Yinyoo KZ ZS10 Pro IEM. Do you have any experience from them. They seem to have 4 balanced armatures + 1 DD.

 

[Asylum Seeker]

Thanks a lot for your help! For DT770 Pro 80 ohm, BTR5 should be ok, right? I listen to volume of 26-27 in BTR5. I was also looking at HIDZS 8 but does not have its own battery. This means it will suck power from device. Measurements seems to be on par with Desktop DAC & Amp as per Amirm measurements. Any experience?

Unfortunately Shozy is not available in EU. I found another one which has good reviews in Amazon EU Yinyoo KZ ZS10 Pro IEM. Do you have any experience from them. They seem to have 4 balanced armatures + 1 DD.

No experience with the Hidisz, sorry.

I own the KZ ZS10 Pro. For $35 it's a no-brainer though its sound is quite V shaped.

 

[Sprint]

thanks again. I have now ordered BQEYZ KC2 and has excellent reviews. Just from other posts you have been impressed with TRN BA5 as well. Which one would you recommend KC2 or BA5. How are they different from one another? My genre of music is Bollywood, pop and classical. I do not listen to Rock, Heavy Metal.

 

[Asylum Seeker]

thanks again. I have now ordered BQEYZ KC2 and has excellent reviews. Just from other posts you have been impressed with TRN BA5 as well. Which one would you recommend KC2 or BA5. How are they different from one another? My genre of music is Bollywood, pop and classical. I do not listen to Rock, Heavy Metal.

Pop - BA5
Classical - KC2

 

[eeeper]

Has anyone got hold of a BTR5 yet? I'm considering purchasing one to replace my Radsone ES100 which is starting to look a little worn after 9 months use, i'm also missing the USB-C charging and fit & finish on my Fiio BTR3.

My BTR5 came last friday. The 2 microphones make it useful during zoom meetings with any IEM, call sound quality is good, no complaints there - but that isn't what I bought it. I have two IEMs that have a balanced cable that I've been dying to try out - the BTR5 was an inexpensive route to see what having a balanced output offered. In a couple songs my brain struggled to understand a certain transition, sounding almost like distortion - kinda jarring. The phenomenon peaked my curiosity so after trying all my IEM's on the Hidizs s8 and then on my d50s, I realized there were several instruments or sounds jumbled together. Listened to the same songs with fiio f9 pro, Hidizs MS4, with balanced cables; determined it was my brain not comprehending the stereo separation. Interesting enough, after hearing it in balanced mode those parts aren't as jarring when I listen single ended - probably because my brain now knows what is there.

Single ended performance is good, no complaints so far, wouldn't say it's better or worse than the s8.

Overall - if you already have a bluetooth setup you like and no balanced headphones/iem, then its probably not worth it. For me it gives me a little more freedom to do meetings without compromising sound while listening to music

 

[Berwhale]

My BTR5 came last friday. The 2 microphones make it useful during zoom meetings with any IEM, call sound quality is good, no complaints there - but that isn't what I bought it. I have two IEMs that have a balanced cable that I've been dying to try out - the BTR5 was an inexpensive route to see what having a balanced output offered. In a couple songs my brain struggled to understand a certain transition, sounding almost like distortion - kinda jarring. The phenomenon peaked my curiosity so after trying all my IEM's on the Hidizs s8 and then on my d50s, I realized there were several instruments or sounds jumbled together. Listened to the same songs with fiio f9 pro, Hidizs MS4, with balanced cables; determined it was my brain not comprehending the stereo separation. Interesting enough, after hearing it in balanced mode those parts aren't as jarring when I listen single ended - probably because my brain now knows what is there.

Single ended performance is good, no complaints so far, wouldn't say it's better or worse than the s8.

Overall - if you already have a bluetooth setup you like and no balanced headphones/iem, then its probably not worth it. For me it gives me a little more freedom to do meetings without compromising sound while listening to meetings.

The ES100 is balanced and I already use it with a balanced cable with my Moondrop Starfield IEMs.

It's interesting that you mention a change in sound with the balanced connection. One of the benefits of a balanced connection is that it virtually eliminates crosstalk (L & R signals being mixed due to common ground). However, some people find that applying crossfeed (intentionally mixing the L & R signal) to headphones can make them less fatiguing. With crossfeed, a head related transfer function (HRTF) usually used to control how L & R are mixed, but it's possible that the non-intentional crosstalk inherent in your single ended connection is providing a similar effect to crossfeed.

My ES100 is able to apply crossfeed and I can also turn it on in USB Audio Player Pro, I don't know if the BTR5 has it. If it has, or you use UAPP you could try applying crossfeed and seeing if you can replicate the sound you experience with a single ended connection.

 

[eeeper]

The ES100 is balanced and I already use it with a balanced cable with my Moondrop Starfield IEMs.

It's interesting that you mention a change in sound with the balanced connection. One of the benefits of a balanced connection is that it virtually eliminates crosstalk (L & R signals being mixed due to common ground). However, some people find that applying crossfeed (intentionally mixing the L & R signal) to headphones can make them less fatiguing. With crossfeed, a head related transfer function (HRTF) usually used to control how L & R are mixed, but it's possible that the non-intentional crosstalk inherent in your single ended connection is providing a similar effect to crossfeed.

My ES100 is able to apply crossfeed and I can also turn it on in USB Audio Player Pro, I don't know if the BTR5 has it. If it has, or you use UAPP you could try applying crossfeed and seeing if you can replicate the sound you experience with a single ended connection.

I'll have to try that later. I didn't realize UAPP did that since I was using bit-perfect it missed it in the menu. Thanks for the great information.

 

[Cylphio]

At 40 of 60, balanced 2,5 out, the hd600 is fully driven. I'm about to pull the trigger on the thx887 by Monolith coupled with the Balanced SDAC. I am the type of guy who recognize the 128 kbps after a second with extreme pain. But I surely can't distinguish a 320 from a lossless. I like the objectivist criteria, but I'd want a recognizable improvement adding 550 euro worth stuff. Ok, I will be sincere: the improvement must be heard by my wife... She has a good ability and well trained ears, will she recognize the improvement ?

 

[MalinYamato]

At 40 of 60, balanced 2,5 out, the hd600 is fully driven. I'm about to pull the trigger on the thx887 by Monolith coupled with the Balanced SDAC. I am the type of guy who recognize the 128 kbps after a second with extreme pain. But I surely can't distinguish a 320 from a lossless. I like the objectivist criteria, but I'd want a recognizable improvement adding 550 euro worth stuff. Ok, I will be sincere: the improvement must be heard by my wife... She has a good ability and well trained ears, she will recognize the improvement ?

out of curiosity, why did you pick thx887?

 

[MalinYamato]

I am considering a BTR5 to replace my EIDA 9038 G3 Susumu just because it's much more convenient when on the go.
How much will I lose in SQ if I do?

 

[Cylphio]

out of curiosity, why did you pick thx887?

I always like to have stuff in the diminishing return point cost. Everyone here are in search of the perceived perfection. Nowadays it isn't necessary to spend 2000 in an amplifier to reach an objective high end level of precision. but for sure I admit my limits: hd music is not for me. I also physically like the 4 pin xlr connections and their low levels of noise (experienced in pro audio). And I live in Italy, so the 789 would costs me the same in added taxes, having less warranty.

 

[Cylphio]

I think the Fiio is not on par with the Eida in the amp circuitry, even in balanced mode. the dacs are the same, so you could have the same cleanness. will you need the extra 100 mw? depends on your headphones. the hd600 don't require it, but I suspect they'd like a bit more of power

 

[MalinYamato]

I think the Fiio is not on par with the Eida in the amp circuitry in balanced mode. the dacs are the same, so you could have the same cleanness. will you need the extra 100 mw? depends on your headphones. the hd600 don't require it, but I suspect they'd like a bit more of power

[/QUOTE]
My Sundara is around 35, and the phone I use with E1DA when on the go are Denon AH-D7200 @ 25 ohms, so I guess that that BTR5 is powerful enough. Should I go for a BTR5 as an E1DA replacement?