Fiio R7 Android Streamer Review

[PenguinMusic]

If you'd hear something significantly different, the device/implementation would be broken. Differences should (if at all) affect ultrasonics only. Consider the feature as a gimmick and enjoy the nice things the R7 has to offer.

+100

 

[Blake Klondike]

I will never understand. This was released 13 years ago...has any company matched, let alone surpassed this UI?

what is this, please?

 

[Blake Klondike]

Hi,

As I was interested in this device, I read the wihole posts to land here.

It seems there are a lot of people here that think that this device is totally useless or overpriced or that it could easily be replaced with something else that would be cheaper and would sound better.

If you can point a device that is cheaper, that has a headphone amp (mind you, theoften quoted EverSolo device does not have a headphone amp and as such can't be compared with the R7), that is all-in-one (mind you, the smartphone + external DAC + external headphone amp is not "all-in-one"), that works out-of-the-box(mind you, a Nuke PC does not work out-of-the-box) and that is easy to sey-up (mind you, I tried to use LMS on a Raspberry Pi and it is simply not to be used), that has RJ45 network to stream + Wi-Fi to stream and that can also be used as bi-directional BT device, then I'll gladly get your advice and consider that alternative you're pointing to.

Now, considering the sound performance, unless I am wrong, it seems that all measures here indicate that even if the R7 is not in the top notch category and can't compete with cheaper separate devices, it's lacks are outside of audible range... which makes it land in the "transparent category" of all other devices.

If there is a drawback to this, then I think you should point other things that has indeed been mentioned :
- Android dependent and so, if you want to use an app that is not supported by that Android version, you're screwed. I use the Fiio M11 Pro and Shanling M6 Pro regularly. They run Android 7 (and not Android 10 like the R7). I have to find an Audio app that I can't install.Oh, yes. Symfonium :-( That I use a lot. But I use it as a remote app on my Smartphone that runs Android 13,so not a problem ;
- So far, the fact that you can't stream and control directly to the R7
- And no PEQ that would be systemwide.

But really, the Fiio app is not stellar. Soto circumvent the latest 2 misses, you can easily do it this way. Just install UAPP on the device and enable UPNP rendering.
You will then be able to control the R7 from a smartphone (or any BT remote even the RM3 from Fiio) and stream from any UPNP source to the R7 (even from Qobuz or Tidal) with PEQ (and even one magic EQ called "MorphIt).

But will I get the R7 ? Probably not.
Why ?
Because I found an alternative that I like : an Android driven DAP...
Works about the same as the R7, is portable, is all-in-one, works out of the box, is easy to set-up, can be used as Wi-Fi streaming device, as bi-directional BT and, for some of them, as Ethernet network devices with an adpater...

thanks for this comprehensive response. what DAP are you using? have you upgraded since this was posted?

 

[Blake Klondike]

...And that dac. That Dac. THAT DAC!

which wiim are you using? I missed the boat on this post first time around. but I already have a cheesy Samsung android tablet I bought during the covid in case my computer broke down and supply chain issues wouldn't allow me to buy another.

 

[HidesAmpsFromWife]

what is this, please?

Logitech Squeezebox Touch

 

[somebodyelse]

I will never understand. This was released 13 years ago...has any company matched, let alone surpassed this UI?

Even better, they released the code under a free license. Because of that, and an active community maintaining it, we have things like piCorePlayer so we can make an equivalent with a Pi and a touchscreen if we can't track down a used one.

 

[PenguinMusic]

Even better, they released the code under a free license. Because of that, and an active community maintaining it, we have things like piCorePlayer so we can make an equivalent with a Pi and a touchscreen if we can't track down a used one.

Hi,

The Raspberry PI4 ship has long sailed for me.
Too complicated, time consuming and expensive in the end.

I decided not to get the Fiio R7 because I cvould find an opportunity to get a Fiio R9 for about the same price. One piece and one time offer at that reseller !!!

Here is how I use it (maybe I already wrote this if so please excuse the redundancy) :
- hooked up a USB hard drive to it ( WD Black in 2TB size)
- downloaded and installed Emby Server for Android (latest is 4.9.0.x beta)
- installed Neutron Music player (with a paid licence)
- let Emby index the whole library (takes about 6 hours)
- access the Emby library from my smartphone. Can be done using : Emby client, Symfonium, mConnect, BubbleUPnP, MediaMonkey, HifiCast....
- cast to Neutron Music player that can display cover art with a little Vu-meter... not as nice as the one pictured but it exists !
- output to headphone to listen on closed back Pioneer SE-Monitor5 or open-back Hifiman Ananda nano....

Super simple. Super reliable. Super sound on both headphones. Nothing added... no cables (except power cable and USB to connect USB drive).
I don't even have to unplug the drive to add music. I installed a FTP Server app (free) on the R9 and run it permanently.
I can access the device with my computer and throw my music to the drive directly. Emby server then indexes it fast enough...

Oh, and in case you need PEQ, Fiio offers a systemwide PEQ option.
And Neutron can do the same... even getting into a library of already customized headphones.
But I do not need that anymore : I enjoy the sound of the Pioneer AND of the Hifiman as is, with no EQ at all...

So all in all, the Fiio R9 is used :
- as a media server ;
- as a media renderer ;
- as a DAC ;
- as a headphone amp

What device offers the same ?
I've tested a lot of things including Raspberry pi4 based solutions.
Also some Rose devices.
And the Matrix Audio mini-i Pro 4.
NONE offers the same level of usability as the R9.

Now would Fiio release a version with an upgraded DAC (ESS9039 Pro) and a 1Gbps Ethernet port I would get it almost instantly !

I can't imagine another device !

 

[HidesAmpsFromWife]

I have the R7 and I love it. It’s a total octopus of a device and I’ll never use 80% of what it can do. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of what I’m finding out there, which tends to mostly be same-ish.

 

[PenguinMusic]

I have the R7 and I love it. It’s a total octopus of a device and I’ll never use 80% of what it can do. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of what I’m finding out there, which tends to mostly be same-ish.

Could not agree more !
Except that I would write this for the Fiio R9

 

[Blake Klondike]

Glad I waited for this review. Almost bought one for its steaming and headphone amplifier. Thanks Amir!

what is it about the review that made you decide not to buy one? i just bought one and am waiting for it to arrive; reading through this thread and trying to figure out if i made a mistake! it seems to do everything i want...

 

[Blake Klondike]

If you'd hear something significantly different, the device/implementation would be broken. Differences should (if at all) affect ultrasonics only. Consider the feature as a gimmick and enjoy the nice things the R7 has to offer.

i love your snorlax!

 

[PenguinMusic]

what is it about the review that made you decide not to buy one? i just bought one and am waiting for it to arrive; reading through this thread and trying to figure out if i made a mistake! it seems to do everything i want...

Hi,

Don't worry : the R7 will indeed give you everything you want. It will give it out of the box... or by installing 1 or 2 mandatoryu apps
So, as far as functionalities goes, you're covered. And more than with ANY other device, at least that I tested and I tested quite a few...

Soundwise, there are better option.
I know for sure as I hear things that sounded marvelously to my ears...
So it is a pure subjective opinion as my ears can not serve as measurement tools.
But what you womewhat loose at sound you gain it in ease of use.

I had some devices where I could really enjoy music... but spent so much time fighting technical issues that in the end I did not listend to music anymore.
Since I have the R7 and now the R9, I just listen to muisic because... hey, it works !

Regards.

 

[Blake Klondike]

Hi,

Don't worry : the R7 will indeed give you everything you want. It will give it out of the box... or by installing 1 or 2 mandatoryu apps
So, as far as functionalities goes, you're covered. And more than with ANY other device, at least that I tested and I tested quite a few...

Soundwise, there are better option.
I know for sure as I hear things that sounded marvelously to my ears...
So it is a pure subjective opinion as my ears can not serve as measurement tools.
But what you womewhat loose at sound you gain it in ease of use.

I had some devices where I could really enjoy music... but spent so much time fighting technical issues that in the end I did not listend to music anymore.
Since I have the R7 and now the R9, I just listen to muisic because... hey, it works !

Regards.

thanks! that's a very good point-- i bought this so that i could remove the obstacles to just enjoying music, so you're right that this sounds like a perfect solution. i appreciate the feedback!

 

[PenguinMusic]

thanks! that's a very good point-- i bought this so that i could remove the obstacles to just enjoying music, so you're right that this sounds like a perfect solution. i appreciate the feedback!

Hi,

If you need some "help" setting it up properly, do not hesitate to ask here.
If I can give you some info, I'm always glad to have other people enjoy the same devices

Regards.

 

[Blake Klondike]

thanks so much! i've bought one and it seems pretty idiot-proof, actually. do you know if you can create peq profiles and save them? (i have a pair of hd800s that i want to eq, but i dont want to apply those settings to every pair of phones) my other thought is, have you found any functions or settings that you found to be particularly useful that i may have missed? it seems pretty plug-and-play but there is a lot going on inside the thing! thank you again for all your help.

 

[PenguinMusic]

Hi,
Yes you can create your own PEQ profile and apply it systemwide.
For me there are two things to do to use it to it's full potential :
- install Emby server for Android to use it as a server for your music files on USB stick,
- install a FTP server app so you can add your files to the R7 without having to unplug your USB stick.

Once they is done, you are good to go