FIIO Warmer R2R DAC (with tube buffer)

[robbiekhan]

It's because I said a few times I trust my ears over measurements.

Oops.

 

[JSmith]

Harman How to Listen

A blog for users of the listener training software application "How to Listen."

harmanhowtolisten.blogspot.com

JSmith

 

[Mnyb]

It's because I said a few times I trust my ears over measurements.

Oops.

While being a member of this forum for five years ? it does not stick , like pouring water on a goose.

 

[Brian Hall]

It's because I said a few times I trust my ears over measurements.

Oops.

You might be more comfortable with the (censored) at Audiogon. They will agree with you.

 

[Jeromeof]

I see FiiO also have a new CD player with their R2R DAC

This IMO should be more controversial given that bitrate perfect audio playback was that drove the industry beyond R2R DACs.

So this is less about the retro looks ( which I still think the Warmer R2R nails ) and actually about sounding like earlier CD players. That said it has a bunch of features that I do like include PEQ and decent headphone output power. It seems to also act as a usb DAC.

 

[Mnyb]

I see FiiO also have a new CD player with their R2R DAC

View attachment 493701

View attachment 493703

This IMO should be more controversial given that bitrate perfect audio playback was that drove the industry beyond R2R DACs.

So this is less about the retro looks ( which I still think the Warmer R2R nails ) and actually about sounding like earlier CD players. That said it has a bunch of features that I do like include PEQ and decent headphone output power. It seems to also act as a usb DAC.

Does it have digital outputs ? There is only the older portable player on their homepage ?

 

[Jeromeof]

Does it have digital outputs ? There is only the older portable player on their homepage ?

I am not sure as little information yet - but from this picture it looks like it has COAX and optical outputs as well as LO and Balanced LO:

 

[LumiAudioNut]

You might be more comfortable with the (censored) at Audiogon. They will agree with you.

Or Super Best Audio Friends.Very friendly group.

Super Best Audio Friends

The evolution of the original irreverent and irrelevant and non-authoritative site for headphone measurements, i.e. frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. Too objective for subjectivists; too subjective for objectivists

superbestaudiofriends.org

 

[Ropeburn]

I am not sure as little information yet - but from this picture it looks like it has COAX and optical outputs as well as LO and Balanced LO:

View attachment 493707

 

[TonioRoffo]

Just for giggles I would like to add the signature of NOS, 2nd harmonic distortion and this tube sound to an otherwise clean audio chain with VST. Would this be possible? Did someone attempt it?

 

[Ropeburn]

Just for giggles I would like to add the signature of NOS, 2nd harmonic distortion and this tube sound to an otherwise clean audio chain with VST. Would this be possible? Did someone attempt it?

You're in for a treat! There are literal thousands of "tube warmer" and also bitcrusher plugins available, many of them free. Absolute staples in music production, freely adjustable to your heart's content.

 

[mhardy6647]

and [it is] actually about sounding like earlier CD players.

Why the heck would anybody want that?

 

[Ropeburn]

Why the heck would anybody want that?

Old farts in 1983: omg these new CD players sound awfully harsh, grainy, cold, digital. Disgusting.

Old farts in 2025: omg these new DACs sound terrificly harsh, grainy, cold, digital. Delicious!

 

[davmol]

I love the aesthetics. If they produce one in the same style but with modern DAC circuitry (and a 12v trigger, given no remote) then I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Oh, and get rid of the white text as a previous comment mentioned, it looks cheap.

 

[T&T]

I used to love tubes until, I found opamps so my collection of 12ax7 was sold to a Japanese guy, but my favorite tubes collection and the one I keep is 2c51 western electric and family...still waiting for a company to built a dac around that tube.

 

[JSmith]

Subjective YouTube review of the FIIO Warmer by prolific reviewer Sandu from over at Soundnews

Then there is no interest in that here, no need to post it... plus you have not provided any summary.


JSmith

 

[NHL99]

Heretic order to Ali Express placed, the bolder flavour! Will use XLR to Genelec monitors together with Spotify Lossless streaming.

 

[SMen]

I wonder how the Fiio warmer r2r compares with a K13 R2R coupled with an Aiyima T20. Fiio valves in the warmer seem to be entirely about buffering (if I am right), but the Warmer is also a hybrid using op amps.

 

[mhardy6647]

I wonder how the Fiio warmer r2r compares with a K13 R2R coupled with an Aiyima T20. Fiio valves in the warmer seem to be entirely about buffering (if I am right), but the Warmer is also a hybrid using op amps.

I don't think that "we" actually have anything but speculation as to what -- if anything! -- the vacuum tubes (valves) are doing in this device.

 

[Sliphorn]

I don't think that "we" actually have anything but speculation as to what -- if anything! -- the vacuum tubes (valves) are doing in this device.

.
Making it Warmer. Literally.
.