FiiO K13 R2R DAC/headphone amp/preamp

Audio Gear Talk FiiO
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I just received the new FiiO K13 R2R desktop DAC/headphone amp, here are some initial impressions.

Build quality: The K13 (7.5"X7.5") is larger than FiiO’s other R2R DAC/headphone amp, the K11 (5.25"X5.25") and is very substantial, with a solid feel and heft. While not up to the build quality some over the top audiophile equipment, the build quality is very good and belies it’s $329 price.

Features: This unit is packed with features, in fact too many list here. Link to full description: Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier -K13 R2R

Sound: I am using the following setup

Roon → FiiO SR11 (via Wi-Fi) → FiiO K13 (via USB-C, powered via the internal AC power supply) → various headphones, both single ended and balanced.

So far the K13 has been able to drive any and all the headphones that I tried, including some hard to drive headphones like the Sennheiser HD800 and the Dan Clark Audio Aeon.

I have not tried using the K13 as a pre-amp, however when I get the K13 connected to one of my audio systems I will post and update.

So how does the K13 sound? In a word: fantastic!

The sound is warm and full with a nice balance across the frequency range. The bass is rich and even, the mids are open and neither in your face nor recessed and the highs are detailed without any harshness.

I’ve been listening to the Fosi i5 planar magnetic headphones, which I’ve found to be a bit too warm when used with other headphone amp but with the K13 these headphones really come to life. The K13’s sound is so enjoyable that I’ve been cycling through my headphone collection to find t out if there is something that doesn’t sound great when driven by the K13. Nope. Everything sounds rich, full, detailed and open.

At $329 the K13 is a steal. Please give it a listen when you get the chance.

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Thanks for the heads-up. I’m curious whether the FiiO PL50-Low Noise Regulated Linear Power Supply will increase SQ. At $150.00 (Bloom Audio) and a 30 day return policy, it seems worthwhile to give it a try.

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Nice I have two K11 R2R’s at home. I just love the sound they create :grinning_face:

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And I’m not at all curious since the whole power supply anxiety is just another high end audio industry scam to sell us more useless upgrades. Sure the upgraded power supply will look great on test equipment but it not produce better sound.

Please understand that this post is not an attack on you but just me expressing my opinion, which in this case runs counter to the what most audiophiles believe. You are entitled to your own opinions.

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Thanks, no offense taken. A double blind test should settle the issue in the particular system tested. Personally, when many buyers report an improvement… I think it likely that where there’s smoke there’s fire.

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I’m also rather skeptical of expensive linear power supplies.
I recently added the K13 R2R to my PC setup, and I’m happy with the sound it produces with my Adam monitors.

Since I have a matching IFI Power X power supply lying around, I tried it with that as well.
The sound really does change a bit; it’s a bit more detailed and open.
So it does make a difference.

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I just posted about GaN power supplies here: Gallium Nitride (GaN) Power Supplies

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Hi, Jazzfan_NJ, did you have the chance to check if the FiiO SR11 → FiiO K13 R2R combination can deliver DSD256? With my FiiO K11 R2R I only get DSD128. Connected directly to the Roon core, the K11 delivers DSD256, but not in combination with the SR11.

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@Edgar_Kirk Hi Edgar,

Interesting question so I looked for the answer. Here’s what I found:

Here is what the “device setup” advanced settings show for the SR11 connected to the K 13 via USB:

Device setup SR11 to K13
Device setup SR11 to K131156×466 13 KB

Here is what the “signal path” shows:
DSD256 signal path SR11 to K13
DSD256 signal path SR11 to K13746×1076 75.3 KB

As you can see, for this combination, the maximum sample rate for DSD is DSD256 and, as per the signal path, this combination does indeed play DSD256 directly with NO conversions.

Now for the SR11 connected to the K 11 via USB:

Here is what the “device setup” advanced settings show for the SR11 connected to the K 11 via USB:

Device setup SR11 to K11
Device setup SR11 to K111144×416 12.9 KB

Here is what the “signal path” shows:
DSD256 signal path SR11 to K11
DSD256 signal path SR11 to K11740×1336 95.5 KB

As you can see, for this combination, the maximum sample rate for DSD is DSD128 and, as per the signal path, this combination does play DSD256 but converts it to DSD128.

So there’s your answer!

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That’s great news, Jazzfan_NJ. Thank you for checking that out for me.
I read a lot about file formats the last week and DSD256 seems to be a good source of nice sounding recordings. It seems, I have to upgrade. :grinning_face:

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I think that it would be a very worthwhile upgrade.

The ability to play DSD256 directly
Balanced analog outputs
More power for hard to drive headphones.
The ability to bypass the internal switching mode power supply and use an external linear power supply (if that’s your thing)
And to my ears, a warmer and richer sound.

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Looks like you have both K11 and K13 Jazzfan? I’ve been very impressed with the sound of the S11/K11 hooked up to a Quad 33/303 pre amp/power amp combo. I’m soon going to be getting Quads new Platina streamer so will probably use the FiiO’s for a late night headphone rig. I’m thinking of upgrading the K11 to the K13, you seemed to certainly find it a worthwhile upgrade when using headphones. Can I ask what headphones you use? I’ll be using Hifiman SE600’s which with limited use so far seemed well within the K11’s capabilities to drive. Did you notice an improvement with the K13 over K11 when using the same headphones?

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Yes I have both the FiiO K11 and K13 with both being fed from a FiiO SR11. I have to manually swap the USB output cable between the two DACs - soon to be corrected has I have another SR11 on order.

Is the K13 a worthwhile upgrade from the K11 when used with headphones? Another resounding YES, very worthwhile.

Can I ask what headphones you use? Did you notice an improvement with the K13 over K11 when using the same headphones? Sure for both questions. First, I have over 30 different headphones and every headphone that I’ve tried with the K13 sounds wonderful and the K13 has plenty power to properly drive even the most demanding headphones. So with so many headphones to chose from, which headphone do I prefer with the K13? The Fosi i5 planar magnetic full sized, open back, over ear headphones. The combination of the Fosi i5 with the FiiO K13 is truly something special and equals the sound of much more expensive headphones like the Focal MG Clear and the Sennheiser HD800. While the sound of the K11 is very good and amazing for the asking price, which, by the way, here in the US is increasing due to tariffs, the K13 is just on another level.

As a budget friendly streaming headphone listening station I don’t think that the FiiO SR11 and K13 can be beat at this time.

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Thanks for your reply. 30 pairs of headphones? Wow, that’s one for each day of the month lol.I had the 800’s a while ago but traded in for a pair of Hifiman Arya Stealths.
This thread got me checking out other FiiO Dac/headphone amps and given that I have some spare cash at the moment I might stretch the budget and go for the flagship K17, which as far as I can tell also provides Roon and Airplay. It gets really positive reviews and if I sell the SR11/K11 for (hopefully)£150 that means I could get the K17 for less than £700.
Very tempted.

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Sounds like a good plan, however, please remember that the K17 is chip based DAC and not R2R, so while I’m sure that it will sound great (I also own the FiiO R9 streamer, DAC, preamp and headphone amp, which sounds wonderful) it will sound somewhat different from the K11 or K13. Since you already have the SR11 why not just sell the K11 and pick up the K13. You will not be sorry because the K13 is just a magical piece of kit.

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Yes, that was a consideration that K17 isn’t R2R. Weighing it all up though I’ve already taken the plunge for the K17 - arriving tomorrow.

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Well then, I sure hope that you enjoy the K17. Please let us know what you think about the K17.

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Had the K17 for a day now and early days but mightily impressed. It looks and feels terrific(I got the silver) and currently I’m using it as a streamer(luckily I have Roon (for Qobuz) and Apple music as they are the only streaming choices). I’m also using the DAC to combine with my Cyrus CD transport. For headphone use I am using a pair of HifiMan HE600’s and the sound is terrific (had to bump gain up from Low to Med though).
In a week or so the K17 will be used for headphone use and playing CD’s only because I will by then have got my hands on the new Quad Platina Streamer.

For anybody who is thinking of buying the K17 then I can give it a massive thumbs up, but would add that the SR11 and K11 combo are absolutely outstanding quality for £250. FiiO are a major player imo and have some top quality products on the market from budget to premium.

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I’ve got two K11 R2R’s. I just love the sound so much that both my Cambridge CXN V2 and my WiiM Ultra are connected to one. :smiley:

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I’m new to Roon. I’ve got Fiio K13 R2R. Once I installed Roon server on my old Mac mini and connected it to K13 via usb I was able to choose it as an output device. And this pair works pretty perfect directly.
I found your message where you set SR11 in between Roon and K13 and wondered why. Roon is able to integrate with Tidal and Qobuz. SR11 is much more flexible and can stream Apple Music and Spotify. Was that the reason?