FiiO K17 Review
FiiO K17 Review
Introduction:
The FiiO K17 is a versatile Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier that integrates streaming media receiver capabilities with local playback options, positioning itself as an all-in-one audio solution. As the upgraded successor to the renowned K9 Pro, the K17 is designed to offer an enhanced audio experience.
Packed with some interesting hardware components, the K17 borrows features from FiiO’s the high-end K19 amplifier, including custom 31-band PEQ settings for precise audio tuning. At its core, the K17 offers dual AKM flagship DAC chips (AK4191 + AK4499EX*2) and a fully discrete AB-class transistor amplification circuit, delivering a high output power of up to 4000mW per channel.
Supporting various playback modes, the K17 features streaming, Bluetooth, and local USB playback via an intuitive 3.93-inch LCD touchscreen, providing a fluid user interface. For vinyl enthusiasts, the unit’s RCA IN offers a perfect bridge between analog and digital sources.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the key features and performance of the FiiO K17.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank FiiO for providing me the K17 Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier as review sample. I am not affiliated with FiiO beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered, opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The actual price for the FiiO K17 Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier is $899.99 USD. More information’s can be found under the link below;
Package & Accessories:
The FiiO K17 arrives inside a square shaped cardboard box that sports the illustration and some product related brandings on its surface.
The box of the device contains the following items:
- 1 x FiiO K17 Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier
- 2 x USB-A to USB Type-C Data Cable
- 1 x Power Cable
- 1 x 6.35mm Headphone Adapter
- 1 x Remote Control
- 1 x Fuse
- 1 x XLR4 Plug Cover
- 1 x User Manual & Warranty card
Design & Build Quality:
The FiiO K17’s design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, offering a sleek and modern look. Available in silver and black, the K17 is constructed with a metallic finish that feels premium and robust. The material choices not only enhance its durability but also contribute to its overall visual appeal. The device’s dimensions of 244.6 x 213 x 66.8mm and weight of approximately 2750g ensure a substantial presence on any desktop setup without being overly cumbersome. The top and sides of the K17 are designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind, featuring a series of ventilation slits strategically placed for efficient heat dissipation. The smooth and polished edges add to the overall tactile experience, making the K17 feel solid and well-constructed when handled. The minimalist design approach on the sides, combined with functional elements like the ventilation slits, underscores FiiO’s dedication to both performance and aesthetics.
Front Panel: Display, Outputs, and Button Layouts
The FiiO K17’s front panel is thoughtfully designed to provide both functionality and aesthetic appeal. At the center of the front panel is the 3.93-inch LCD touchscreen, offering a resolution of 240*1020. This display ensures that users have a clear and intuitive interface to navigate through various settings and playback options. The touchscreen is responsive, allowing for adjustments and interactions that enhance the overall user experience. By swiping left and right from the main screen, users can access the settings and source selection interfaces, making it easy to adjust settings and select input sources. Additionally, the VU meter screen appears when you swipe up and down, providing real-time visual feedback on audio levels.
Next to the display are two prominent control knobs with illuminated rings. The left knob typically serves for menu navigation, while the right knob handles volume adjustments. These large, tactile knobs provide a satisfying feel and ensure precise control over audio settings. Additionally, three smaller knobs are present, responsible for power, input selection, and other settings, offering users quick access to essential functions. The dual VU meters with a yellow backlight, positioned beneath the knobs, not only add a touch of retro charm but also provide real-time visual feedback on audio levels, making it easier for users to monitor their setup.
Connectivity options on the front panel include a 6.35mm headphone output, a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, and an XLR4 balanced headphone output. These outputs cater to a variety of headphone types, ensuring compatibility with both standard and high-fidelity headphones. A front-facing USB port is also available for easy connectivity, allowing users to quickly connect their devices without having to access the rear panel.
Rear Panel: Inputs, Outputs, and Power
The rear panel of the FiiO K17 showcases its versatility and connectivity prowess, populated with an array of input and output options to cater to a wide range of audio sources and devices. Digital audio inputs include Optical In and Coaxial In, allowing for connections to CD players, Blu-ray players, and other digital sources. Optical Out and Coaxial Out are also available for connecting to external DACs or amplifiers, providing flexibility in expanding the audio setup. Analog connectivity options include both single-ended and balanced inputs and outputs. The 4.4mm Balanced Line-In and Single-Ended Line-In ports accommodate various audio sources, while the Single-Ended Line-Out and Balanced Line-Out provide outputs for amplifiers or active speakers.
The AC power input, complete with an integrated fuse, ensures safe and reliable operation. The device also includes a Ground Switch and a Housing Grounding Terminal to minimize noise and interference, further enhancing the audio quality.
For wireless connectivity, the K17 is equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth antennas with a stable wireless connections for streaming and network updates. The Ethernet port provides an alternative for wired network connectivity, for streaming media and accessing online content. Additionally, the 12V Trigger In allows for synchronization with other 12V trigger-compatible devices, making the K17 a versatile and convenient addition for a wide varity of audio setup.
Technical Specifications:
|
Features & Hardware Overview:
The FiiO K17 presents itself as a comprehensive desktop DAC and headphone amplifier, designed to serve as a central hub for a variety of audio setups. It’s equipped with a range of hardware components and connectivity options that suggest versatility in different listening scenarios.
At its core, the K17 features a flagship AKM DAC configuration with the AK4191 and dual AK4499EX chips. The dedicated channel setup for the AK4499EX chips and the 8-channel to 4-channel LPF architecture are designed to minimize common-mode interference and improve channel separation. The inclusion of AKM’s “DWA ROUTING” technology and the physically separated digital and analog sections aims to deliver a cleaner audio output.
The K17’s discrete Class AB transistor current amplification headphone amplifier, featuring OP+ and ON Semiconductor MJE243/253 transistors, is specified to deliver up to 4000mW + 4000mW in balanced mode. This significant power output allows the amplifier to handle a wide range of headphones and IEMs, producing a sound that is smooth and natural.
The device integrates an M21586Q DSP chip, running at 360MHz, complemented by a ES9821Q ADC and a custom ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillator. These components enable a 31-band lossless PEQ, which is a pretty effective solution in fine-tuning the audio output without noticeable degradation.
For digital input, the XMOS 16-core XU316 chip supports high-resolution audio formats up to 768kHz/32bit PCM, DSD512, and full MQA decoding. The Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth SoC provides wireless connectivity with a wide variety of codecs, including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and LDAC. Both wired and wireless connections performed reliably.
The K17 offers eight operating modes, catering to a broad range of audio sources. These include USB, Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, single-ended line-in, balanced line-in, streaming (Roon Ready/AirPlay), and local playback from USB drives. This versatility allows for integration into various setups. The Gigabit Ethernet and 2.4G/5G Wi-Fi connectivity options provided stable network performance for streaming.
Internally, the K17 features a fully balanced architecture, physically separated circuit boards, and a 35W low-noise linear power supply with five large 4700µF electrolytic capacitors, powered by a custom low-noise transformer. The multi-stage analog power supply, with dedicated power control circuits and TPA7A47/7A33 LDO regulators, is designed to provide stable and clean power.
The use of high-quality components, such as three ACCUSILICON ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillators (AS318-L and AS318-Pro), silver-plated oxygen-free copper connecting cables, NEUTRIK gold-plated connectors, Panasonic film capacitors, Beryl solid capacitors, and ELNA/Nichicon capacitors.
The K17 also features a dual-core design, with a X2000 multi-core processor and a low-power ESP32-S3 SoC, contributing to a stable user experience. The UI, based on a highly customized Android OS, is fluid.
Equipment’s used for this review:
- DAC/Amplifier’s : FiiO K17
- Sources : MSI Vector GP68 HX, FiiO M23
- Headphones : FiiO FT5, FiiO FT1
- IEM’s : Campfire Audio Astrolith, Oriveti OH700VB
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
- Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Sonya Yoncheva – (Giuseppe Verdi) II Trovatore, ActI (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Rush – YYZ (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Rok Nardin – Berserks (Spotify)
- Bear McCreary – Valkyries “God of War OST” (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
- Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Alboran Trio’s – Cinque Lunghissimi Minuti (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
- Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
The Sound:
The FiiO K17 provides a refined and transparent audio experience, featuring a well-controlled bass that offers pleasing depth without excess. Its midrange is thoughtfully balanced, presenting vocals and details with warmth and clarity. The treble is handled with care, delivering crisp highs that remain smooth and comfortable. Paired with a spacious, well-structured soundstage and precise imaging, the K17 consistently stays pretty true to the recording.
This review was written after an approximate 100-hour burn-in period. I paired the FiiO K17 with my MSI Vector GP68 HX laptop and FiiO M23 digital audio player. My sound impressions are primarily based on experiences using the 4.4mm balanced output, paired with IEMs such as the Campfire Audio Astrolith and Oriveti OH700VB, and full-sized headphones like the FiiO FT5 and FT1.
Bass:
The FiiO K17 handles bass with control and reliability, providing enough power for various headphones and IEMs without losing its grip on the sound. When listening to Lorde’s “Royals” through the FiiO FT5, the low frequencies had a distinct rumble, adding weight to the track while staying precise even at higher volumes. The bass remained restrained, allowing the FT5’s planar drivers to perform accurately, ensuring a steady and dependable performance without unnecessary embellishments.
In Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with the FiiO FT1, the mid-bass was pronounced and robust, with the kick drum and bass line delivering an energetic yet controlled experience. The K17 provided enough energy to the FT1’s dynamic driver, avoiding muddiness even during complex passages. Its focus on faithfully conveying the recording resulted in an honest and unforced listening experience, without unnecessary coloration.
For a more intricate track, I tested Gogo Penguin’s “Raven” using the Campfire Audio Astrolith IEMs. The K17 effectively separated the contrabass and drums, making it easy to differentiate between elements. There was no noticeable overlap, and the sound remained sharp, allowing the Astrolith’s detail to stand out. The K17 provided a distinct bass response, adhering closely to the source material. While it may not have delivered dramatic effects, it managed the complexities well, ensuring an enjoyable and uncluttered listening experience, particularly in densely layered tracks.
Midrange:
The midrange on the FiiO K17 is balanced and transparent, accurately reflecting what’s in the recording. When playing Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” through the Oriveti OH700VB IEMs, the male vocal had a natural warmth that blended nicely with the OH700VB’s own tonal qualities while staying true to the original track. The K17 managed to keep everything clean and free of extra noise, preserving the integrity of the recording.
Moving to the upper midrange, I listened to Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful” on the same IEMs. The K17 brought out the nuances in her voice, highlighting subtle details without making them sound harsh or exaggerated. It successfully captured the singer’s breathiness and emotional expression, which enhanced the overall listening experience.
Switching to Adele’s “My Little Love” on the FiiO FT1, the vocals sat comfortably in the mix, sounding authentic and grounded alongside the FT1’s relaitve neutral tonality. The K17 demonstrated its versatility by working well with different gear, holding the midrange together consistently without altering the essence of the recording. This made the listening experience feel reliable and true to the source.
Finally, when playing David Bowie’s “Heroes” with the FiiO FT5, the midrange remained transparent and even throughout the track. The K17 did not add any unnecessary coloration, allowing the FT5 to deliver the song as it was recorded. This hands-off approach kept the focus on the music itself, delivering a solid midrange with clarity and balance.
Treble:
The treble from the FiiO K17 strikes a fine balance between brightness and comfort, staying true to the source material. Listening to Dream Theater’s “Fall into the Light” with the Campfire Audio Astrolith, the high notes were articulate without being harsh or piercing, complementing the Astrolith’s detail retrieval. The sound remained clean, free of any buzzes or distortions, allowing the K17 to faithfully reproduce the recording without imposing its own character, resulting in a smooth and pleasant listening experience.
In the lower treble range, I played Charly Antolini’s “Duwadjuwandadu” on the FiiO FT1. The cymbals and guitars had a nice openness, cutting through the mix without becoming harsh or grating. In this range, the sound was neither too analytical nor too warm, which contributed to a balanced and engaging listening experience. The K17 maintained control, smoothing out any rough edges. It didn’t exaggerate or soften the highs, presenting them as they were in the track, which provided a consistent and distraction-free listening experience.
With Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song” on the Oriveti OH700VB, the K17’s strengths and limits became more apparent. On well-recorded tracks, the treble sounded crisp and precise, but on less polished mixes, it stayed pretty controlled without being too harsh. This setup excels with detailed gear and clean recordings, though it won’t mask imperfections or add its own polish, ensuring an honest and transparent listening experience true to the recording.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The FiiO K17 presents a soundstage with notable width and openness, reflecting the recording’s spatial information. Instrument placement is rendered with a sense of depth. Sound separation is precise, with distinct layering that allows for the discernment of individual elements within the mix. The K17 maintains a well-organized sound picture, ensuring clear audibility of each element. This prioritizes the integrity of the recording, avoiding unnecessary additions. The soundstage is extended especially when paired with open-back headphones like the FiiO FT5.
Conclusion:
The FiiO K17 is a versatile DAC and headphone amplifier that integrates streaming and local playback capabilities effectively. It incorporates features from FiiO’s higher-end K19 model, including a custom 31-band professional-grade PEQ for detailed audio adjustments. Equipped with dual AKM flagship DAC chips (AK4191 + AK4499EX*2) and a fully discrete AB-class transistor amplification circuit, it delivers a maximum output of 4000mW per channel.
Its retro-inspired design balances aesthetics and functionality, featuring a 3.93-inch LCD touchscreen with a custom UI for straightforward control of audio settings and playback. The rear panel offers a wide range of input and output options, ensuring compatibility with various audio sources and devices.
The sound profile includes well-defined bass, a neutral midrange, and clear treble, with a spacious soundstage that enhances the listening experience. Overall, the K17 performs consistently across both wired and wireless connections, positioning it as a dependable all-in-one audio solution.
Pros & Cons:
- + Versatile all-in-one DAC, Headphone Amplifier and Streaming Device
- + Neutral sound with wide soundstage
- + Excellent level of resolution
- + Supports high-res audio (768kHz/32bit, DSD512, MQA)
- + Up to 4000mW of Output Power
- + 31-band PEQ for precise tuning
- + Multiple inputs: USB, Bluetooth, Optical, Coaxial, Wi-Fi
- + Responsive 3.93-inch touchscreen
- + Decent build quality with retro-inspired design elements
- – The device is presently not listed within the FiiO Control App
- – An HDMI interface with HDMI/HDMI ARC decoding, similar to the K19 is missing
Thank you for the Read!
