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I listen nearly exclusively to Hi-Rez digital nowadays. I've found the simplest, cheapest, and best sounding method for listening to Hi-Rez digital in a small component called the FiiO R9. This might not be the best component for other digital enthusiasts, but it satisfies me completely.
I decided some years ago that I didn't want my computer connected to my audio system, so I began using a digital player instead of a computer with an external DAC. The first players I discovered were small, battery powered portable players made by a Chinese company named FiiO. Most of my audio buddies didn't like this idea because they all wanted a larger component instead of a portable, hand-held player. Recently, FiiO began producing non-portable players that plugged into the wall and had an abundance of digital inputs. The one I'm using now is the FiiO R9, which is a player, streamer, DAC and preamp. It works nicely for me because it allows me to connect large capacity hard drives containing all of my Hi-Rez music files, and it plays any and all digital formats up through DSD512 directly from the connected hard drives. Currently, I have two 5-TB USB hard drives plugged in containing all my digital music albums.
If any of you are looking for a simple way to play Hi-Rez digital music, you might want to check out the FiiO R9 because it will do just about everything digital that you can imagine. Moreover, it's not awfully expensive at $1500, yet it sounds considerably more expensive to me. If you want to put together a simple high-end digital audio system, the FiiO R9 can be your main source component. On the other hand, if you need a lower priced solution, the FiiO R7 provides lower quality sound for $700.
The only problem I've found is that these FiiO components have only digital inputs. Consequently, if you want to connect an analog component such as a turntable, you will need to add a control preamplifier. On the other hand, if you need to connect only digital components, the R9 (or the R7) can be your control preamplifier as well as your digital player, DAC and streamer. It has one pair of balanced XLR analog outputs and two pairs of unbalanced RCA analog outputs. All inputs are digital, and it has a bunch of digital inputs.
Check out the FiiO R9.
Follow Ups:
"..................that I didn't want my computer connected to my audio system,"Why? And why my computer and not a computer? A simple dedicated computer would be a good general option.
Edits: 11/28/24
Well, I have a computer connected to my system. The FiiO R9 is essentially a computer. It's just that I prefer the FiiO R9 or perhaps an Eversolo DMP-A10, which might be my next digital player. I also prefer two-channel stereo over multi-channel.
To each his own!
I've been completely satisfied using a dedicated Mac Mini as a music server and/or streamer for well over a decade in a strictly 2-ch stereo setup. I've compared it against dedicated network streamers, some DIY and some commercial, and the Mini "sounds" pretty much the same. I find that the DAC makes or breaks the sound quality, and not the music server / streamer. But I had my 'audiophile card' revoked several years ago ;-0
Owned computer file music is played via Foobar2000.
Dmitri Shostakovich
My first digital playback system incorporated a dedicated computer. I used my HDTV for the display. I didn't care for it. Perhaps I didn't have the best software. I was using Fobar2000 because it was freeware. Other streaming software cost money and some of them cost a whole lot.
I downloaded Roon and I didn't really understand how to use it effectively. Furthermore, it was very expensive at $500 when I tried it. Therefore, I decided not to buy it.
A friend gave me a license to use JRiver. He bought the system, which included 10 licenses. In fact, I still have it loaded on my computer. I used it for about a year. Again, I didn't understand how to use it effectively and then I discovered FiiO.
My first FiiO player was easy to understand and easy to integrate into my audio system. It also sounded very good. I liked the user interface and the sound quality so much that I kept buying new FiiO players as they were introduced. They weren't very expensive, so I kept upgrading. I gave my old ones to my kids and to friends. Currently, I have only two FiiO players -- the new R9 Flagship and the old M15 Flagship that uses AKM DACs. Both of these sound spectacular, but the new R9 is the easiest to use in a home audio system. The M15 is a battery operated portable with a capacity to address only 2-TB. The R9 plugs into the wall or can be used with DC power. I'm using a 15-volt DC power supply because it's supposed to sound better on DC power; however, I can't tell the difference.
The R9 can address as many hard drives as you want to plug in. I'm currently using two 5-TB USB hard drives, which contain all my digital music files. The R9 also has an excellent 2.3-megapixel touch-screen display, or you can connect an external display.
The R9 is really a superb digital player/DAC/streamer/preamp. Another poster mentioned the Eversolo DMP A8, and I believe the R9 provides similar if not identical capabilities. I've heard that the R9 supposedly sounds better than the A8, but I have no direct experience.
At any rate, the FiiO R9 seems to satisfy all my requirements for a digital front-end, and I like it more than anything else I've tried.
Happy listening!
John Elison
I had a similar experience with a singular difference: I was given, on loan, a dedicated PC loaded with Jriver and library as part of a review of another component. Although this was set up to someone else's preferences, I was impressed with the ease of use and the remarkable flexibility and utility of the software. It was an invaluable head-start since many claim, and rightfully so, that there is a steep learning curve with Jriver.That was more than 10 years ago and, since that time, I have tried several other PC apps (including Roon, foobar2000 and Audirvana) and a fair number of dedicated players but none have lured me away from Jriver. A major reason for that is that they are invariably limited to 2 channels and I am heavily into multichannel as well as high rez and DSP. Jriver just rolls with the challenges from stereo to 5.3 (my main setup) to Atmos (on ocassion) and still amazes me with the aplomb with which it handles a library which has grown to 30Tb so far.
Edits: 11/29/24
I guess I did more than try. Now that I remember more clearly, I actually liked JRiver. I switched to FiiO players because I wanted to play DSD files and the April Music DAC I used with JRiver was limited to 24/192 PCM. I picked up a small portable FiiO player just for kicks and was surprised at how nice it sounded not to mention the fact that it played DSD directly from a plug-in micro SD card. I guess I just fell in love with FiiO digital players.
At the time I discovered FiiO, I also traveled occasionally, so I could easily take my music with me on the road. I also had some audio buddies and we would get together periodically for listening sessions. FiiO enabled me to bring my favorite hi-rez digital music to those listening sessions.
I never got interested in multi-channel audio. However, FiiO players seem to be an excellent choice for high-end two-channel stereo. Over the years, FiiO players improved and now the R9 is an excellent component player/streamer/DAC/preamp with similar capabilities to the Eversolo DMP A8. It's too bad that other inmates aren't interested in the new FiiO R9 because it seems to me to be a relatively inexpensive solution to truly high-end digital playback.
Oh, well. Such is life!
John
Check out Eversolo A8.
Great user interface.
Gsquared
A friend of mine just bought the Eversolo DMP A8. I believe it has pretty much the same capabilities as the FiiO R9, but the R9 costs less. I also heard the R9 sounds better than the A8, but I have no direct experience. I just found out there's a new Eversolo DMP A10, but it costs more than twice as much as the FiiO R9.
Anyway, the FiiO R9 satisfies all my requirements for a digital front-end and I'm completely happy with it. Furthermore, it sounds better than any DAC or digital player I've ever owned or heard.
Best regards,
John Elison
I think the two components target different audiences. The FiiO units look to be designed for serious desktop users and the Eversolo units are more like traditional stereo components. My A8 replaced a RPI running PcP, a preamp and a dac. Like you I am very happy with the sound, but the Everesolo App makes listening to Tidal an operational joy. Eversolo just added room correction to the A8 through a firmware update.
BTW - I am a Maggie and Rythmic fan. Love your nearfield Maggie Mini setup.
Gsquared
My audio buddy with the Eversolo DMP A8 turned me on to the Mini Maggie speakers. He owns a very expensive system with MBL speakers and MBL amplifiers, but he told me he listens to his Mini Maggies 80% of the time compared to his main MBL system. I was shocked when he told me this, and I went right out and bought the Mini Maggies with an extra woofer panel. As you know, I also use a Rythmik Servo Sub. In my ultra-near-field configuration, this system sounds absolutely awesome to me.
I also still have my Thiel CS3.7 speakers, but I'm enjoying the Mini Maggie's so much that I have no desire to set up the Thiel's again. They're packed away in my garage and I plan to give them to my son. Unlike most people, I keep all my old stereo components instead of selling them.
With respect to the Eversolo DMP A8, does its display allow you to view all the albums you have in memory? The thing I like about my R9 is that I don't need a computer connected to my system. I simply plug two 5-TB USB hard drives directly into my R9 and it displays all the albums on its 2.3-megapixel touch-screen display. I currently do not subscribe to any streaming websites because I have about 500 DSD256 albums, and I prefer high-resolution DSD compared to low-resolution PCM from streaming websites. However, I may change my mind and subscribe to a streaming website in the future.
Happy listening!
Yes the A8 handles files stored on outboard drives and allows for up to 4 TB onboard storage.
Gsquared
Always with the Fiio!
When I see a post from you, I know what I'll find!
Enjoy.
Roon Software is my platform center piece for music library management and navigation including control of Tidal and Qobuz hi-res streaming services. I additionally stream my personal library which resides on Synology NAS or Mac Mini to my mobile phone while on the go via the new Roon ARC App.Simplified Diagram of my primary audio setup
iPad as portable remote control for Roon
Mac Mini + outboard DAC sounds fantastic as a Roon Server, Player, or Streamer. A Mac Mini + DAC replaced my Accuphase CDP over a decade ago. I don't miss it a bit.
Edits: 11/29/24
My setup is a simplified version of Abe's. Modem/router to Roon Nucleus. Nucleus to KEF LS60 via Ethernet. SSD connected to the Nucleus stores library. Control is by Mac Mini or iPads. I stream Qobuz and Tidal.Before downsizing, the Nucleus output Ethernet to an Ayre QX-5 Twenty Digital Hub with a rack of Ayre gear and KEF Reference 1s.
Edits: 12/02/24
Thanks! I do enjoy my FiiO digital players very much.
The reason I post about FiiO is because I think their components are high-end in performance, yet very affordably priced. I don't work for the company, but since audio is my hobby, I like to let other audio enthusiasts know about products that I believe have excellent value relative to price and performance. There are just too many over priced components in the high-end audio arena.
Anyway, I wonder how many others own FiiO digital players, and what other owners think of them.
Happy listening!
John Elison
I'm a 98% classical listener here, and, certainly, I've been a fan of hi-rez listening, mainly in the form of downloads from various sites (Native DSD, 2L, etc.). I use a Mac Mini for this purpose, with a back level version of HQ Player to play everything up to and including DXD and DSD256, mostly in 5.0 or 5.1, feeding into an exaSound DAC. I have hundreds of these downloads, and I truly enjoy them all very much.
In the past year and a half however, I've been drawn much more to streaming Dolby Atmos files on Apple Music - my system is 5.1.4. Yes, it's true: these streams are LOSSY! But as Jim Austin said in the May 2023 issue of Stereophile (in a footnote to one of Kal's reviews):The BPO's Digital Concert Hall provides Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 at 1024 kb/sec via Dolby Digital Plus, the same technology used by Apple Music. . . It's lossy to be sure, but to look at it another way, the 7.1.4 BPO feed contains about 30% more information than a two-channel CD rez FLAC stream does. What's more, that extra information is far more sonically meaningful than some extra samples in a two-channel feed.Or as I like to say, sure, I'm missing some bits on a Dolby Atmos stream on Apple Music. But, OTOH, people who do not listen to Dolby Atmos are missing part of the actual sound field itself.
(BTW, there are lossless Dolby Atmos files on bluray. I have some of these too, but the selection is tiny compared to the wealth of titles available on Apple Music.)
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