R2R DACs are on a roll- New Fiio K13 R2R Balanced DAC

[xray]

Ok it is better in mearusements, but how it sounds when compared to k11 r2r or K13? More detail? More musical?

What does more detail sound like? What does more musical sound like? How do you know it's more and not less or even the same?

 

[RexrothPigeon]

I hear strong difference when replacing a DAC module in my xDuoo xd05 Pro from a disgusting ESS Sabre to AKM chip. ESS was too detalic compared to AKM chip. My headphones and speakers started to have more bassy, melodic and less detail sound with AKM.

Unless you did this test under controlled/blind conditions, it's nonsense. I'm sorry to be blunt.

 

[Arktez]

In ZH3 this XLR output is fully balanced like the K13 have?

 

[xFtesht]

Interested in noise, when you plug IEM's and dont play the music, is there any noise?
Can K13 R2R be used with IEM's or this is only for acoustics and headphones?

Cause if there is something interesting in sound to compare with K11 R2R or not worth it?

 

[Method2Madness]

Yes...

Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier-K13 R2R_parameters

24Bit fully balanced R2R DAC and headphone amplifier K13 R2R

www.fiio.com

JSmith

Care to elaborate?

 

[almandude]

Anyone have hands-on experience yet to compare it to the Topping or Fosi? Seems to be a lot of assumptions and gatekeeping going on.

I'm looking for a combo to replace a Schiit stack and the PEQ on the K13 is making it stand out as a solid contender. The promo code deals on AliExpress are also tempting.

 

[Minawee]

Anyone have hands-on experience yet to compare it to the Topping or Fosi? Seems to be a lot of assumptions and gatekeeping going on.

I'm looking for a combo to replace a Schiit stack and the PEQ on the K13 is making it stand out as a solid contender. The promo code deals on AliExpress are also tempting.

Not to derail this thread, but care to share what promo codes on AliExpress are you referring to?

 

[almandude]

Not to derail this thread, but care to share what promo codes on AliExpress are you referring to?

Just the ones they release with each month's promotion. Single's day is coming up 11.11 and expected to have solid sales and promos. Using coins, coupons/promo codes, & rakuten cashback together, I have the K13 on its way for about $208 USD all in.

 

[robbiekhan]

Anyone have hands-on experience yet to compare it to the Topping or Fosi? Seems to be a lot of assumptions and gatekeeping going on.

I'm looking for a combo to replace a Schiit stack and the PEQ on the K13 is making it stand out as a solid contender. The promo code deals on AliExpress are also tempting.

PEQ system on the K13 is better than Topping, don't need software for a start, just a web browser, and it has a database of headphones and target curves to play with and fine tune to save as custom etc.

 

[almandude]

PEQ system on the K13 is better than Topping, don't need software for a start, just a web browser, and it has a database of headphones and target curves to play with and fine tune to save as custom etc.

Appreciate it. Your review on Reddit had me looking into it vs the Topping.

 

[JSmith]

review on Reddit

You mean these subjective comments?

First impressions of the K13 R2R vs K11 R2R is that there is a noticeable improvement, not only in amp power, but musicality too. It's closer to my Luxsin X9 than it is to the K11 R2R. There is soundstage and detail in the stereo image yet the smoothness/warmth on planars is still there. It feels like the K11 R2R went to college and came back with some new qualifications.

If I had up to £300 to spend on a DAC/Headphones amp combo, then this would be it for sure. I had the Topping DX5 II previously and disliked how forward it presented the upper midrange and compressed the upper range. the soundstage was also narrower slightly.

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1ni05fd/thoughts_on_the_fiio_k13_r2r_after_having_it_all

Stick with the measurements, not random opinions.


JSmith

 

[almandude]

You mean these subjective comments?

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1ni05fd/thoughts_on_the_fiio_k13_r2r_after_having_it_all

Stick with the measurements, not random opinions.


JSmith

Well, that was a quick response!

What would YOU recommend and why?

I had a very good deal come through on the Fiio K13 and which pushed my curiosity between the two. Issue is, neither have measurements on here by the big guy, so what am I supposed to do?

 

[almandude]

Also, I feel like I wanted to read impressions on this unit and instead just stumbled in on a fight between two users *shrug*

 

[JSmith]

What would YOU recommend and why?

Please advise what functions and connectivity you require, or any aesthetic requirements. If you look at the review index, basically anything from very good to excellent is going to be completely transparent to the source (even fair mostly);

Don't bother with R2R DAC's, this is obsolete tech... also don't use NOS option.


JSmith

 

[Eternaloptimist35]

A free market also means that we can whine and b•tch about it as much as we want. They've tried to convince us we need this nonsense for ages. It's time for some push-back.

I went down this ridiculous rabbit whole for a while. Am still a bit embarrassed... ASR helped me regain sanity! I may have just swapped my SMSL DAC for the Luxsin X9 - but only based on features, not sound... as they sound the same.... and I love the graphic VU meters!! (SMSL DACs need a 12V trigger! and smoother volume control!)

 

[Purité Audio]

Everyone has explored that rabbit hole at one time or another.
I still have some silver ribbon cables, and they do work just not any better than anything else!
Keith

 

[rocksteady]

... also don't use NOS option.

Completely agree on that regard...

 

[Mnyb]

PEQ system on the K13 is better than Topping, don't need software for a start, just a web browser, and it has a database of headphones and target curves to play with and fine tune to save as custom etc.

This is one of the few real arguments for this product made in this tread , things like this do matter and one should consider this when shopping for headphone amps .

 

[BigTy120]

It is better than fiio K13? Also i need something with R2R because i like this type of sound. Now i have Fiio K11.

I have it, its better.

 

[robbiekhan]

Also, I feel like I wanted to read impressions on this unit and instead just stumbled in on a fight between two users *shrug*

Just try it out for yourself and ignore what anyone else says. If it sounds good to you with your headphones/speakers then this is the only thing that matters. My view is based on my experience which some may not agree with, but my view is still my view and I have a specific type of preference which many others out there do too as it turns out so people aligned with that preference would be interested in hearing what like-minded people feel about it just as I would of theirs if I was shopping around.

A measurement only tells half the story and doesn't always translate to how something sounds, case in point someone above posted an image and said R2R is trash and to avoid because it's old tech.

Completely transparent isn't what everyone wants, the DX5 II may well be transparent, but the byproduct of that is that even on headphones that are otherwise full of liveliness and punch (HE1000se), they sound sterile/lifeless to my ears in the same music that would otherwise have me jamming out..

I think people stretch too much searching for transparency around here too often and forget to actually enjoy the musicality of equipment and the music being played through them.

Everyone has a preference, so people should not discredit someone else's preference just because they like something that isn't "transparent".