Fiio K11 R2R DAC/HPAMP measurements

[mermayer]

My K11R2R produces a click when the sample rate changes (but no significant drop out).

Many thanks for your response.

 

[mermayer]

use another app that supports fixed-rate (24/96 or 24/192) oversampling

As far as I know, there is no such thing for iOS and Apple Music.

 

[RoA]

Tried a K11 R2R. Did not like it. Tried standard K11, like it.

 

[jkim]

As far as I know, there is no such thing for iOS and Apple Music.

That is why I added the condition "If you play your collection of music files" as I believe the Neutron Music Player can do oversampling on iOS. Apple should consider adding options for fixed sample rates to the app. It seems that quite a few DACs cannot smoothly handle sample rate changes on the fly due to hardware limitations. Sure, all DACs could be designed to deal with such a situation properly. But that is unlikely to happen...

 

[ThsM]

Tried a K11 R2R. Did not like it. Tried standard K11, like it.

Interesting. I own neither of them, but was considering the R2R to replace my dated Topping E30 on my desktop. I was into the R2R due to all those positive yt reviews.

This week, I found the following video, which stated both sound the same.

Why do you like the regular K11, but not the R2R? What was the difference?

 

[whitebaity]

I own both of them, and they’re both great — more than good enough for most people.

I think these DACs can really tie together the kind of sound you’re chasing. Your amps and speakers already have their own character, and the right DAC helps link it all to the sound you’re after.

The non-R2R version has noticeably less bass and a more clinical, detailed sound. The detail is incredible. But with my main setup a Pioneer A-A9 and Opus 2-2 — the R2R is night-and-day better. The music has more weight, more feel; it’s juicy and lovely to listen to loud all day long.

On another system where I run Eclipse car amps, a 12-inch sealed metal sub, and cheaper Yamaha bookshelf speakers, the non-R2R is perfect. That setup already has plenty of bass I need to control, so the extra detail from the non-R2R balances it beautifully.

Both are great — it just depends on the kind of sound you’re looking for.

or
If your young R2R.
If listen to lots oldman music lol, non R2R.

 

[cay-uwe]

Oh that's nasty.

Honestly, these type of replies are not very helpful.

I came across the FiiO K11 R2R a few days ago and bought it just because it was so cheap ( EURO 110,00 ).

I also performed some measuring and came so similar results as the ones presented here. I compared it to a PHILIPS CD830 ( 1989 ) and my RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Yes, the THD and THD+N are not the best and even the old CD-Player delivered better results, not to speak about the RME.

Anyhow, I run a listening test with a friend of mine, who I did not told which componets were running. I just asked him what he liked best.

It was the FiiO K11 R2R followed by the CD-Player and then the RME.

Technically best, does not necessarly mean, best liking

 

[Svend P]

I compared it to a PHILIPS CD830 ( 1989 ) and my RME ADI-2 DAC FS

You need to test blind

and you should probably read these threads first:

Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You...

www.audiosciencereview.com

How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

Seems like so many review threads get challenged with: 1. Measurements are not everything. 2. You all never listen. 3. I trust my ears, not graphs. 4. I don't listen to graphs. I listen to music. 5. You all must not listen to music at all. 6. Why don't you all buy the best SINAD gear? 7...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[cay-uwe]

You need to test blind

It actually happened. It was not me listening, it was a friend and he did not knew what was playing.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

It actually happened. It was not me listening, it was a friend and he did not knew what was playing.

Please describe your methodology for level matching to within 0.01V.

Please explain how you double-blinded the test so you could not accidentally indicate to your friend, which was which (Google the "Clever Hans Effect).

 

[Svend P]

It actually happened. It was not me listening, it was a friend and he did not knew what was playing.

Please read the threads I linked to. We have heard stories like yours 100 times, and they never hold water.

 

[cay-uwe]

My aim is also to develop the best possible. Anyhow, and that was my point, not always the best measurements correspond with what people like best.

 

[cay-uwe]

and they never hold water.

It cannot, because listening is an individual subject thing, and that is fine for me.

 

[Svend P]

It cannot, because listening is an individual subject thing, and that is fine for me.

Everything you believe to be true about audio is wrong. Like the rest of us, you have been deceived by a dishonest business and reviewers. All your subjective impressions have no value to us, because we know it is just your brain fooling you. Please start reading some of the threads I linked to. If you are not here to learn, you will soon leave the site in anger.

Audio Science Review FAQ #1

This is the first in a series of FAQs for Audio Science Review. 1. Who created Audio Science Review? The founder is Amir Majidimehr. You can find out more about me by clicking on my background link in my signature. Briefly, I have had a long career in computing, audio, video and imaging...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[cay-uwe]

If you are not here to learn, you will soon leave the site in anger.

I am here to learn and joined because I need to extend my know how in DAC technology. Anyhow, I develop Audio components since 1985 and I have some expertise in the analog area.

Technical measurements are objective facts and cannot be denied or questioned. Subjective impressions do not necessarly meet the measurements and that is something I learned over the years as well.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Svend P]

I need to extend my know how in DAC technology.

Good news then. DACs are a solved problem. You can get perfect transparency from even some of the cheapest DACs. They all have linear frequency response and noise and distortion below the capabilities of human hearing.

 

[cay-uwe]

Good news then. DACs are a solved problem.

I related that more to the measuring methods

 

[solderdude]

Talking about measurement methods...

What would be interesting is measure the distortion of a 1kHz tone but not only at 0dBFS but say -30dB or -40dB and see what the non-linearity (the biggest issue) does to the spectrum compared to 0dBFS.

I mean -80dB distortion products in music I do not consider 'audible' in a 'sound quality reducing' way nor is it likely to 'enhance' the perceived SQ either.

 

[Monamtb]

Well good (it's not just my ears then). I got one this morning via Amazon and have been alternating listening to the K11 R2R and a Fosi Audio SK02 that I was thinking I would return if the K11 R2R had lived up to all the hype.

Well, I don't care if the K11 R2R sounds more "organic" or nostalgic whatever, it's just missing/masking too many details I'd rather hear. The Fosi SK02 is sounding much better! More... complete.

IIWI Reviews highlighted that issue exactly, when he did his review.

He said that the line-out provided far better listening results than the headphone amp section of the device!!

That is why he recommended to only go for the Fiio when line-out has priority - and choose differently if headphone output was your priority.

 

[Get a hearing test]

We're advancing but backwards with this one. However on a blind test if you like it does it really matter even if details are missing or rather your ear can't resolve them anyway cause youre half deaf. Im not for the record. Anyone who uses my setup cranks the volume 2x of what i usually listen at. Loud does not mean better.