This is my 3rd streamer for try out in the last 3 weeks. The Fiio player is not new to many, infact the reputation for Fiio easily rivals Zidoo / Eversolo. Is a mature audio brand and I have personally listen to other Fiio product which have my attention over the years. Ever since the hype of Eversolo started, I am keen to really know the almost similar product which is the R7. I will say very close with the price and most of the functions and features. Definitely worth to take a look or listen compare to its competitor of Eversolo A6.
From the outlook, Fiio is rather small compare to Eversolo. The chassis is plastic and Eversolo is aluminium which definitely feels better. The unit is pretty light weight too. Which is easily carry about if need to. From the front screen the layout is just like any mobile phone. I will say very typical Android style. There are 2 knobs in front for the volume and input selection. I really like it to have the selection knob. The light around the knob is really a nice touch too. The interesting part is the headphone / ear phone jack on the front. For desktop setup, this is perfect.
On the back is pretty comprehensive too. All the connection from analog to digital. One nice thing is the microsd card slot which is a lot easier to access compared to the A6 SSD which in under the unit. The other thing which I like is the unit can be use with IEC the usual power cord or with barrel jack for LPS. Many will say that LPS has the cleaner sound to it and Eversolo has to be modded for that.
To get it started just simply download the Fiio controller app and firing up the unit is like any Android O/S totally feels like a mobile phone. Once is up, as usual go to setting and get it connected to the home wifi or Ethernet. Voila…..we are in business. Is a little buggy of the apps in adding the R7 for the first time. I have encountered the same problem with the Eversolo A6. I guess must be an apps thing. Once connected the layout of the apps is super simple. What is the important piece is the casting. With it simply everything is right in your palm. Playback of music can be streaming or local playback just like any typical android O/S. I am sure there will be no challenge for anyone to use it. It can access NAS and USB or internal storage without sweat. Infact the player can even play YouTube on its screen if that is what you want. All the usual streaming apps of Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music all readily available. Sign on to your Google account and all good to go.
I will start with the streaming first with Apple Music. With the casting function is easily like playing music on my iPhone. The plus point is the Apple Music is natively play from the R7 just like the Eversolo A6. Both units did very well in this. Big plus for me or to all Apple lovers. Listening to Apple Music on the R7 is more enjoyable than the A6. Is less fatigue and is also more mellow without the harshness from the Eversolo. With the screen vertical layout is more user friendly than the A6 with horizontal layout. This is the first time listening on Stereo setup with proper Apple Music playback without having to connect the IPad to the unit. Is like dream come true.
The next thing to try out was local file playback which is another nice touch with the casting app. Totally feel like a phone but seating 7 feet away. The output I am using is XLR. I am pretty much impressed with it. FLAC, DSD, WAV and almost anything Android can recognises will play. This little player without external DAC sure does sings pretty well. The sound is pretty airy. The sound stage big enough. The bass slam is all impressive too. Comparing it to the A6，R7 win over many different areas. When tested the XLR on A6 can be a bit over the top feel. All the components of the music just come out right. A little lack of details but what the heck. Is a good little box for all kinds of listening. Leaving it on playlist as background music fills the house. It does fit in for most life style and not just audio enthusiast.
The downside is the apps is still quite a bit unstable. It at times can be really annoying to deal with. The USB output to external DAC is a little buggy as well which I have encountered once it doesn’t play. Probably is some firmware thing.
Overall wise the Fiio R7 is a versatile player that ticks off many things. Nice piece of hardware for majority of lifestyles. Cool as it is and pretty neat for desktop use too. I think will be nice desktop computer using it like an external sound card or simply putting in the living room for all other music listening. With its small form factor can easily tug away in some shelf and it’s like having another display piece on the rack. With the price tag a little lower than the A6 is making it a real sweet deal. As the new Fiio R9 is coming soon, looking forward to compare it with the Eversolo A8. It will be the fight of the century
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