FiiO BTR17 Review

In this article, we review FiiO’s new flagship wireless DAC/AMP, the BTR17, retailing for $199 USD.

Disclaimer: FiiO provided the FiiO BTR17 for review at no cost. As always, this review reflects my unbiased experience with the product.

FiiO Company

Known for its dedication to designing high-quality audio equipment, FiiO is a cornerstone of the global audiophile market. Since its launch in 2007, FiiO has specialized in the design and development of a wide range of audio products. With an extensive distribution network spanning continents, FiiO continues to deliver innovative products that resonate with music enthusiasts worldwide. 

Today, we’re looking at the BTR17, the successor of the now-old BTR7. It is the new flagship of the BTR series with a bunch of new tech within its brand-new, larger chassis. Over the years, we have reviewed and awarded a lot of FiiO equipment on Headfonia. You can access those reviews through this link: Headfonia FiiO Reviews.

FiiO BTR17 – Flagship Portable Bluetooth DAC & Amplifier

In 2024, FiiO has simplified its BTR series with a clear structure: the BTR13, the award-winning BTR15, and the new BTR17, which replaces the BTR7 as the new flagship of the popular series. The BTR17 brings a lot of news to the BTR line-up, with new DACs, improved and redesigned amplifier modules, proper PEQ implementation, an interesting desktop mode, and more. FiiO did not increase the price of its 7-series, as the BTR7 was also priced identically. The BTR17 is priced at $199 USD and available around the globe, thanks to FiiO’s vast network.

The BTR17 features dual ES9069Q DACs, which is a new DAC released by ESS Technology. It comes with ESS’ Hyperstream IV modulator, balancing power consumption and performance for audio manufacturers. FiiO has also equipped it with a color 1.3-inch IPS display. Similar to the rest of the BTR series, the screen helps a lot with the navigation.

Just like the new BTR13 we’ve reviewed recently, the BTR17 comes with a 3-mode physical switch, which allows easy switching between the modes. Also, FiiO has improved desktop capabilities by introducing a new mode called Desktop Mode, which doubles the power delivery and makes it possible to drive harder-to-drive full-size headphones.

FiiO has been developing THX amp modules in cooperation with THX for a while now. The BTR17 features the latest THX AAA 78+ and delivers the 650mW output into a 32Ω load via the 4.4mm balanced port and DESKTOP mode (D.Mode), which requires an additional power cable connected to it. The regular/portable mode can push 300mW of power into a 32Ω load. The BTR17 also comes equipped with one of the latest Bluetooth chipsets, the QCC5181 chip, supporting the latest and the greatest in the hi-res wireless sphere.

• ESS ES9069Q×2 Dual DAC Configuration
• Improved THX AAA 78+ Dual AMP Modules (×8 op-amps)
• Qualcomm QCC5181 Bluetooth 5.4 Chipset
• AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX LL/aptX Adaptive/LDAC Codecs
• 32-bit 768kHz DSD512 USB-Decoding Capability
• 3.5mm HPO 140mW@32Ω – 4.4MM HPO 300mW@32Ω
• Desktop Mode Switch -dual wired- 650mW@32Ω
• Click here for the full chart of BTR17’s power output.
• 1.3-inch IPS Color Display
• Phone / BT / PC – Physical Mode Switch + Car Mode
• 2-Step Gain L/H + D.Mode Toggle
• Flagship USB ControlleR XU316
• FiiO Control App Support with OTA FW Updates
• 10-band PEQ+GEQ Support + Web-based EQ through USB
• Microphones: Built-in Omnidirectional Mic for BL Voice Call
• Battery: 8h of Balanced Usage & 10h of Single-Ended Usage
• Dimensions & Weight: Approx. 16×41×86mm – 73gr
• Available in Black & Blue
• BTR17’s web page can be found here. Full specs are here.

Packaging & Accessories

FiiO has gone with a darker, more refined look for the BTR17’s packaging, which aligns with 17’s flagship positioning within the BTR series. The semi-reflective outer surface features a blue diamond pattern that adds a premium touch, and I have to admit, it caught my eye right away. For someone familiar with FiiO’s aesthetic choices, it feels like an intentional nod to their high-end products.

Lifting off the cover, you’re greeted by a cardboard insert displaying the BTR17 model name in both English and Chinese. Below this layer, the BTR17 sits snugly in a foam compartment alongside a smaller box holding the accessories. Inside the accessory box, FiiO has included a blue leather case. The case features a nice faux leather textured design and includes a sturdy clip, making it easy to attach to belts, bag handles, or straps.

The accessory box also contains a small USB-C to USB-C interconnect cable. Beneath the main compartment, you’ll find a quick start guide and a warranty card. For a $199 product, I’d say the accessory selection is modest, though the leather case does elevate the overall package. Personally, I’d have liked to see an additional USB cable dedicated to power delivery; this small addition would have made the BTR17 fully ready for action right out of the box.

Design & Build Quality

We’ve come to expect FiiO to deliver solid, high-quality devices, and with the BTR17, they’ve maintained that reputation once again. Considering that FiiO has released over 100 products to date with only a few exceptions, it’s impressive how consistent they’ve been overall. With the BTR17, they’ve stayed true to form by opting for a design that prominently features aluminum and other premium materials. This model immediately gave me a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic Walkmans, with its asymmetrical build, aluminum chassis, and leather-wrapped back. The volume crown on the right side makes volume adjustments and navigation a breeze. It’s worth mentioning that the BTR17 is available in two colors: black and blue. Our review unit is in blue, and I was quite impressed with the sandblasted finish, which adds a refined touch.

All the controls are conveniently positioned on the right side, laid out as follows: at the very top is a microphone hole, followed by the power button. Just below that, you’ll find the previous track button, then the next track button, and beneath that, a physical mode selector. At the bottom, there’s an additional physical switch dedicated to enabling Desktop Mode, which is reminiscent of the old mute switch on iPhones, providing similar tactile feedback. The headphone outputs (4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended) are neatly arranged side by side on the top of the device, while the bottom houses two USB-C ports. One for data and power and the other solely for power. To activate Desktop Mode, you’ll need to connect a cable to the dedicated power port on the side. The design of the BTR17 brings to mind both vintage radios and classic Walkmans, thanks to its raised front curvature. This design enhances the grip and feels more comfortable for right-handed users.

The volume knob doubles as a button and has a tactile, stepped rotation, allowing precise volume control. The left side of the device is entirely free of buttons, giving it a clean look. Overall, the BTR17’s design language marks a departure from the previous BTR series. With sharper angles and a more distinctive aesthetic, it reminded me of Astell & Kern’s design approach. Just like A&K, FiiO has utilized light reflections on the device’s surface to create varying shades, adding a unique character to the BTR17.

While the earlier BTR models, except for the BTR7, favored smoother lines and a classic sandwich design, the shift in style for the BTR7 and now the BTR17 seems to emphasize their flagship status. To me, this change signals FiiO’s intention to set these models apart as their top-tier offerings.

Power & Amplitude

One of the standout features of the BTR17 is the integration of FiiO’s latest THX AAA 78+ amplifier modules, developed in collaboration with THX. These modules have been fine-tuned over the years. A similar module was present in BTR7 as well, and I’m continually impressed by how FiiO has managed to miniaturize these full-sized, high-powered modules for use in a battery-powered, pocket-sized device like the BTR17.

Building on the feedback from their global user base, FiiO has further optimized the power output with the BTR17 to cater to both IEMs and full-sized headphones. This time around, the power delivery is even more impressive, thanks to the new desktop mode and the dual ES9069Q DAC configuration paired with the quad THX amp modules. The BTR17’s balanced 4.4mm output can reach an impressive 650mW into a 32Ω load in Desktop Mode, which doubles the power delivery compared to the previous flagship, the BTR7. This mode requires an additional power connection via the dedicated USB-C port.

Here’s a full breakdown of the power outputs:

• Single-Ended Output (3.5mm) in Desktop Mode: Delivers 280mW + 280mW into 32Ω load.
• Single-Ended Output (3.5mm) in Portable Mode: Delivers 140mW + 140mW into 32Ω load.
• Balanced Output (4.4mm) in Desktop Mode: Delivers 650mW + 650mW into 32Ω load.
• Balanced Output (4.4mm) in Portable Mode: Delivers 300mW + 300mW into 32Ω load.

For higher impedance loads (300Ω), the single-ended mode delivers 31mW + 31mW, while the balanced mode outputs 125mW + 125mW.

This substantial increase in power, particularly in Desktop Mode, allows the BTR17 to comfortably drive full-size headphones in my collection, such as the Sennheiser’s HD58X and Hifiman’s Ananda Nano, easily.

Beyond its amplification capabilities, the BTR17 features a true dual DAC architecture, ensuring a fully balanced audio path. The dual ES9069Q chips work in tandem with an advanced LDO filtering system, isolating the amplification section with an EMI shield to reduce interference. The THX modules operate with x8 op-amps in total.

For those who need that extra push, FiiO’s Desktop Mode significantly improves power delivery, making the BTR17 one of the most powerful DAC/AMPs that also offer Bluetooth connectivity in a small package. Versatility is the key here.

The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: FiiO, BTR17, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, Power & Amplitude

Page 2: Features & FiiO Control & PEQ, Comparative Sound & Performance, Comparison, Last Words