Just wondering if any of my fellow users have an opinion about this lovely box? I am considering replacing my trusty Schiit Modius with this tubed device during my annual Spring clean up and upgrade March Madness. There are lots of YouTube reviews, but I would like to hear from actual users!
Thanks!
For what itās worth: I have both the FiiO K11 R2R and FiiO K13 R2R and the FiiO Warmer R2R uses the same R2R module as the K11 and K13 R2R DACs. I can tell that both the K11 and K13 sound fantastic with larger and more powerful K13 getting a slight edge. The Warmer R2R does not have a headphone output like the K11 and K13 but it does have those 4 lovely tubes so thereās that.
To give you some idea of just how I like the sound of the FiiO R2R DACs, and R2R DACs in general, I started off with the FiiO K11 R2R DAC and I enjoyed its sonic presentation so much that when the FiiO K13 R2R DAC was released I picked up and was not disappointed. In fact, I upgraded my main listening system (both the K11 and K13 are part of my desktop setup) with a Gustard R30 R2R DAC. And once again I was not disappointed and love the sound of this R2R DAC.
Thanks. I am aware of the shared R2R components, and I am happy to hear you are pleased. Do your FiiO dacs have a NOS/OS switch? If so, which setting is best for you? Headfone out is not an interest of mine, tho I can access it through my integrated amp. Thanks again!
Both the K11 and K13 have an NOS/OS switch and I prefer the NOS mode but the differences between the two settings are very subtle. Nice to have the option to over sample available, if thatās what one prefers.
Darko did a review and then followed up with a few additional points. One of those pertains to how the various inputs on the R2R work with NOS/OS. Just in case youāre planning on using input(s) other than USB, his comments are worth a read if you havenāt already seen them: https://darko.audio/2026/02/3-more-thoughts-on-the-fiio-warmer-r2r/
I have a K17 which I use as a desktop DAC/Pre/Headphone amp. I love it. Iām not recommending it over the R2R for your use, just casting a vote for FiiO.
Yep, I have seen the Darko review and a few others. The reason I asked here was to get some impressions from real-world users, like you!
Hi, @Mike_Rife.
You asked about NOS/OS. I pointed you at the Darko article because itās a follow-up to his review in which he clarifies a very specific point about NOS/OS. Itās an update to his review and itās worth a look just to make sure your expectations around how you use NOS/OS are consistent with what the product is capable of.
If, for example, you intend to connect your streamer to this DAC over COAX or SPDIF, that NOS/OS toggle switch wonāt work.
Apologies if you already understand this but from your response to me, it sounded like you though I was suggesting you read Darkoās review and thatās not the case.
This dac is pretty much sold out, with Amazon touting an early April restock. I am in the process of redoing my surround speakers and cleaning up the wiring mess behind my cabinet. I will get that done soon, along with an install for a granddaughter.
Maybe by then I can try this device. Interested to hear what the tubes do for the SQ.
Finally Amazon is taking preorders for a month-out delivery. I placed an order, so I am inline, I guess.
Wellicht, I got my R2R Warmer today and it sounds absolutely fine. Yes, it seems āwarmerā, but that may be psychoacoustics. It replaces an Ifi Zen V2 (which connected via USB directly to the Nucleus) as well as a Topping E50 (which had SPDIF from a CD player and Toslink from my TV). The Fiio has three inputs, so one less box in the setup. The Fiio goes RCA out to a Quad 99 preamp/amp and Martin Logan ESL speakers. The whole set sounds amazing, IMHO.
So yes, definitely satisfied with the fiio R2R Warmer.
Glad to hear you are happy with the r2r Warmer.. Did you āburn inā the tubes and the other electronics? If so, for how long? I am considering 24-36 hours before I do critical listening.
I will be replacing a Schiit Modius, which replaced a Gungnir when I couldnāt hear a difference. Then, my path is to a CAX 81 integrated amp with XLR inputs. I expect to run my Nucleus One with Qobuz and a stereo feed from my trusty Oppo 203 thru the FiiO. An SVS sub anchors the sq.
I occasionally hear ādigital gritā and other artifacts depending on the mastering. I have been interested in the tubey benefits, and I am looking forwarded to the smoother playback promised by the buffer as described by many reviewers.
Thanks.
No, just unpacked it and played it for a few hours. āNaturalā burn-in is more my thing. If it gets better over time, so be itā¦ I do feel that āsterileā electronic music tends to sound more āanalogā. I was wondering though, how many hours the tubes will last before they need to be replaced. Does anyone know? Fiioās website says nothing about this. Donāt want to waste them on ātalking headsāā¦
Several reviews say the tubes should ā should ā last 10,000 hours, a claim that is good enough for me. Tube rolling to ābetterā is estimated at $350+, so I will stick to OE for now. I am 79, and I can remember when a repair guy would bring a ātube testerā heād use to find a failing glass contender in my fatherās TV.
Appears that technology has moved forward as well.
Aha! At 3 hours a day, roughly 1000 hours a year, they should be good for 10 years! I am 72 now, so by that time, if my ears still work, we will probably have plasma-nuclear dacs that live in an audiophile cloud on Mizar5 āwhere people have to shout to stay aliveā. Ten years isnāt bad at this price, anyway.
Do not hesitate. Iām about 30 hours in on the tubes and itās just starting to sound so lush it sounds good with no up sampling, but I like it better with DSD smooth minimum on running it through pre-out of my Marantz going to a 200 what per channel rotel I have a pair of vintage SDA2B connected to this chain itās a match made in heaven. I canāt tell you how happy I am with the difference from a delta sigma dac
Thanks, David!
I am in the Amazon queue for shipment next week or in the coming three weeks,
Looking forward to setting itup.
Missed the latest Amazon allotment, but I managed to snag an order for late April delivery from Apos.This company, based in San Francisco, has a direct line to the Chinese mfgrs (and they may be owned by them).
In any case, I was offered payment thru my Amazon account, plus 5% off, no sales tax, and the site says if duties or tariffs are imposed, they will cover them. So $332 delivered to Colorado.
And a 45 day return window. So I can wait a month!
Iāve purchased several items from Apos. Apos is a very good company with great customer service. You will not be disappointed.
Thanks for your input!