Fiio K13 R2R - Owners Thread

[Jimster480]

For those that don't already know Fiio plan to compliment the K13 R2R with a K13 Delta Sigma version, ETA November 2026

That's cool. I have a Ka13 portable unit that I use quite frequently to listen to music when I work on my laptop. They really like this number 13 it seems.

That's actually how I found out about this product and then this thread. I wonder if their new Delta Sigma version will use the same crystal DAC as my portable Ka13.

 

[Chanur]

For those that don't already know Fiio plan to compliment the K13 R2R with a K13 Delta Sigma version, ETA November 2026

That will surely be a great device. It feels so nice in the hand and sounds great even with the R2R.

 

[Reynaldo]

I tested the equalizer; it works well, but it's a shame it only works for PCM.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I tested the equalizer; it works well, but it's a shame it only works for PCM.

Any DSP other than volume control never works on DSD without conversion to PCM first.

 

[Reynaldo]

Any DSP other than volume control never works on DSD without conversion to PCM first.

Exactly; since most of my files are DSD, it ends up not being very useful.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Exactly; since most of my files are DSD, it ends up not being very useful.

This is not specific to K13 R2R but to all devices. It’s an issue with DSD, period.

 

[Reynaldo]

This is not specific to K13 R2R but to all devices. It’s an issue with DSD, period

I think you're misunderstanding.
I agree; it's a DSD issue.
That's why this DAC feature isn't very useful to me.
Do you get it now?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I think you're misunderstanding.
I agree; it's a DSD issue.
That's why this DAC feature isn't very useful to me.
Do you get it now?

I fully get what you’re saying, but my point is that it’s not worth bringing up in the first place. Are you getting what I’m saying?

 

[Chanur]

I think you're misunderstanding.
I agree; it's a DSD issue.
That's why this DAC feature isn't very useful to me.
Do you get it now?

It's like complaining rain is wet. That is his point.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

i thought dsd was snake oil?

 

[antcollinet]

i thought dsd was snake oil?

It is.

PCM creates audibly perfect analogue audio from the digital data.

So does DSD.

They must - by definition - sound the same, assuming the same source material. But then you can't do DSP to improve your speaker/room interaction with DSD - so it is in that respect audibly worse.

 

[Reynaldo]

It's like complaining rain is wet. That is his point.

My intention was simply to hear how well the equalizer performed—that was all.

 

[FMo the Whiz]

I thought Fiio were bringing out a purpose built 12v DC external for the K13 to allow those that don't want to use AC to have a Fiio option

I'll defer to others where whether external power supplies are better, less EMR?

What the FIIO K13 allows is to plug into a DC Socket provided on the Box, an external AC-DC Power Supply say a linear one as it's beknown to be more audiophile and then there is a Switch in the back of the Device to set to use the external DC instead of the internal AC-DC Power Supply, which is of "switching" Type not a "linear" one or according to the FIIO K13 Product Sheet. Also FIIO just announced their own linear Power Supply available for Sale right now directly or on Amazon, the "Darkside Pro" for $170; I am wondering whether it makes a significant Improvement to chip in a bit more than 50% of the Price of the FIIO K13 DAC itself; anyone tried an external linear Power Supply Unit (PSU) with the FIIO K13 and whether it worth it ?

 

[voodooless]

What the FIIO K13 allows is to plug into a DC Socket provided on the Box, an external AC-DC Power Supply say a linear one as it's beknown to be more audiophile and then there is a Switch in the back of the Device to set to use the external DC instead of the internal AC-DC Power Supply, which is of "switching" Type not a "linear" one or according to the FIIO K13 Product Sheet. Also FIIO just announced their own linear Power Supply available for Sale right now directly or on Amazon, the "Darkside Pro" for $170; I am wondering whether it makes a significant Improvement to chip in a bit more than 50% of the Price of the FIIO K13 DAC itself; anyone tried an external linear Power Supply Unit (PSU) with the FIIO K13 and whether it worth it ?

The thing only has a 75 SINAD. A power supply is the least thing to worry about.

 

[Reynaldo]

What the FIIO K13 allows is to plug into a DC Socket provided on the Box, an external AC-DC Power Supply say a linear one as it's beknown to be more audiophile and then there is a Switch in the back of the Device to set to use the external DC instead of the internal AC-DC Power Supply, which is of "switching" Type not a "linear" one or according to the FIIO K13 Product Sheet. Also FIIO just announced their own linear Power Supply available for Sale right now directly or on Amazon, the "Darkside Pro" for $170; I am wondering whether it makes a significant Improvement to chip in a bit more than 50% of the Price of the FIIO K13 DAC itself; anyone tried an external linear Power Supply Unit (PSU) with the FIIO K13 and whether it worth it ?

I own several Delta-Sigma DACs and am currently using the FiiO K13; I don't care about the SINAD figures—the quality is great to me.
I’ve already ordered the Darkside Pro.

 

[FMo the Whiz]

I own several Delta-Sigma DACs and am currently using the FiiO K13; I don't care about the SINAD figures—the quality is great to me.
I’ve already ordered the Darkside Pro.

Hi Reynaldo ! Well, then, once you've setup the "Darkside Pro" linear Power Supply to be used to power up your FIIO K13, let met know if there is a significant positive Difference in the Sound Quality. Thanks.

 

[voodooless]

let met know if there is a significant positive Difference in the Sound Quality

It won’t, it can’t.

 

[antcollinet]

I own several Delta-Sigma DACs and am currently using the FiiO K13; I don't care about the SINAD figures—the quality is great to me.
I’ve already ordered the Darkside Pro.

If you don't care about Sinad - and the quality is great. What the holy mother of the great Quob (may we all be touched by their noodly appendage) is a linear power supply supposed to be bringing you?

 

[Reynaldo]

If you don't care about Sinad - and the quality is great. What the holy mother of the great Quob (may we all be touched by their noodly appendage) is a linear power supply supposed to be bringing you?

I'll leave you wondering about that...

 

[antcollinet]

I'll leave you wondering about that...

Inevitably.