FiiOK7 Full Balanced HiFi DAC Headphone Amplifier AK4493S*2, XMOS XU208 PCM384kHz DSD256,USB/Optical/Coaxial/RCA Inputs, 6.35mm/4.4mm Output (Titanium)

Set up: Pc>Usb Dock>Fiio K7>HifiMan Arya StealthsWhere do I start? Though this does add some warmth to my aryas, it balances out the 8k peak to the point where its enjoyable to listen to. Other clearer dac/amps, like the dx3 pro+, only compounded to the issue, making me return them.Not only does it add warmth, its extremely smooth and spaces out the instruments more, alowing it to feel open rather than congested, which was another issue with the dx3. Sounds also echo out as it should rather than being abruptly cut off, adding to the sound stage.Power wise, my Aryas can sound loud, and evening deafening if need be. Iems even more. If you need a nuclear reactor as an amp though, go for something else, and something most definitely more expensive.Its more lifelike/closer to what the music would sound in person like than the clinical presentation of the dx3. Because of this though, some details are drowned out.(Note that my opinions might differ and you might actually like the dx3's sound signature.)The caveats to this dac/amp is that there is no filter options and there some static when it is on high gain and there is nothing playing. Its not audible on sensible volumes, and only slightly audible on ear splitting volume.Another thing is the analog knob. It kinda sucks, as it doesn't follow a linear path, where it steadily goes from 1 to 100. Its actually logarithmic, where 7-10 oclock is barely audible (1-15 vol), 10-12 is medium (15-40 vol), and 12 - 3 is loud (40-90 vol). 3 to 5 is deafening (90-100 vol).Perhaps this is with iems in mind as they require a lot less power, but I find the dx3's infinitely spinning digital knob to be much more fun to play with.Anyways,This thing makes my aryas sound like a beast, where every other dac/amp ive tried gave me a headache. If you're on a budget and looking for something to power your Aryas, or anything similar, go with the K7.Oh yeah. It also comes with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter. Instant 5 stars.

l'm an audiophile who knows there is A LOT of snake oil in this business. A LOT. Now, having said that, the k7 deserves the $200 asking price.If you have a good sound-card, the k7 will be a mild improvement, but sure enough an audible improvement. Don't expect night and day differences, but you'll find some. Whether you like the new sound signature more than your sound-card, that's another story. The k7 will offer slightly more refined sound, but similar 'technicalities.'Where the k7 is a real upgrade is in having a dedicated volume control knob. The volume is digital so the knob has no end to it (you can keep on spinning it once it has reached its max). My unit didn't have a very noticeable delay (as some reviewers stated). Perhaps that has to do with how powerful/fast your computer is (?). Some people also find the volume odd because for the first (almost) 1/4 of it, you don't hear anything (on less sensible HPs). Fiio engineers did this on purpose: this way, users of very sensitive IEMs will not have a problem adjusting the volume to their preferred level.The k7 (unlike any sound-card that l'm aware of) offers balanced connections so you can give that a try. Personally, l did hear the difference. My HPs did open up with the balanced inputs (4.4mm and 4pin XLR). If you've been into this hobby for a while (if your brained has been trained to notice these sound nuances), you'll notice that right away. Then there's the extra power in case you need it.Some people may prefer to keep their sound-card over the k7 in favor of having more 'desktop free space.' l get that. Personally, l have a volume ring on my keyboard, but l much prefer having a knob. Besides, it's easier to plug/switch HPs from the k7 (likely placed on your desk near your mouse) than from the back of the PC, under the desk.Does the k7 get hot? Not at all (room temperature 80ºF).*Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the Fiio k9 ESS*I guess the AKM version is equally good too, but l haven't tested that one so my words will refer to the k9 ESS (non-pro). If you wonder, I didn't want a slower pace sounding device, that's why I was only interested in the ESS version.k7 VS k9 ESS:The difference between the k7 and the k9 ESS aren't mild or subtle, but very significant. We're talking about a product (k7) that has its own sound signature (warmer, slower, more bass where there shouldn't be, small soundstage), but that plays on the budget league VS a product (k9 ESS) that plays in the HI-FI realm.The k9 will be a noticeably improvement in the soundstage, dynamics, clarity and rest of the audio attributes. Example: on the k7 the HD800s treble is harsh; plug them to the k9 and the treble becomes oh so beautiful.Mind you, k9 ESS is 'fast.' The music will play faster than on the AKM which has the 'normal pace' tunning. You may like a faster pace more or less, but you'll certainly notice the difference in speed. This is supposed to be an attribute of the ESS chips (regardless of the system implementation).Have you ever heard people saying something like, "buy the best HP you can then spend the rest on a DAC-amp?" Nonsense. Once you have a good pair of HPs ($300-$500), trust me, they will sound noticeably different when paired to the k7 VS the k9.Example: You'd think my old, yet great sounding Hifiman HE-400 (non s, etc. just plain 'HE-400') sound great when connected to the k7 and also my sound-card. Now, plug them to the k9 ESS and let me read your mind: "Holly guacamole! Now we're talking business." Yes, those are your own words ;-)If my budget was $1000, l'd rather get a k9 ESS and a $300-500 HPs than spending $200 on the k7 then $800 on a HP. Even better, l'd buy the k9 ESS new (to test it for yourself in case you want to return it, and to have the always SO important WARRANTY just in case) then spend the rest of the budget on a 'second hand' headphone (in good condition with replaceable earpads). Amplifiers come defective even when new (l've already sent 2 back, the very k9 ESS l'm talking about which had a defective 'optical in' and a k9 ESS Pro), however headphones rarely fail (although they also do it seems; it never happened to me).l know l digressed quite a bit, but l hope you enjoyed my 'on the fly, all over the place' review of the Fiio k7. Remember: "Buying cheap is expensive" or the German version "We're too poor to buy cheap." Save for the k9 ESS, buy it new (return, warranty), enjoy it for years to come. Hope this helps!

Para un DAC/AMP de escritorio sin necesidad de transmisión inalámbrica es la mejor opción que he probado, sus componentes son de gran calidad, a nivel de los de gama más alta, con una excelente desempeño y sin complicaciones.

Gebruik deze dac versterker met de Hifiman xs. Dat is goed, maar koop er een gebalanceerde kabel bij en dezelfde koptelefoon wordt beangstigend goed. Geen reden om meer geld uit te geven voor audiofiel plezier...

Se lo ve muy robusto.El sonido es realmente claro, y controla muy bien los Sundara, con la salida balanceada.