FiiO R7 Review

Today we review the FiiO R7, an all-in-one music streamer from FiiO, which goes for $749 USD.

 

Disclaimer: The FiiO R7 is sent to me by FiiO. Many thanks for the opportunity. This review reflects my honest opinion as always.

FiiO

FiiO doesn’t need an introduction. Everybody knows them. You don’t? Then you can go to FiiO’s store here and their official website here. They now produce almost everything when it comes to portable audio. They want to be competitive in every field they operate in, and I respect their work.

I’ve just recently reviewed FiiO’s new FT3 headphones, and you can check that below:

We’ve reviewed dozens of FiiO gear over the years and you can check them out here.

FiiO R7

The new FiiO R7 is an all-in-one desktop streamer, DAC, DAC/Amp, DAP and transmitter. It basically can do anything depending on your audio needs. It’s developed to be the ultimate desktop HiFi experience. You don’t need any other device with the R7 to construct an audio chain. You have every possible option in one single package. 

What FiiO is trying to do nowadays is to attract the audience who look for the complete solution, especially in terms of desktop scenarios. That’s why they’re looking into the keyboard market, releasing speakers (SP3), full-size headphones (FT3) and so forth.

So in that use case, the FiiO R7 represents the core of the whole system. You can stream music, play local files, use wireless capabilities, or just decode music with its pure DAC function.

In terms of inputs and outputs, well, let’s simply say that the R7 has got you covered. Let me just show you what inputs/outputs you have on the back side of the unit in the below diagram, so it would be easier to understand:

As you can see, from optical to XLR, you basically have everything here. FiiO has done an astonishing job to put every type of scenario in one device. In terms of outputs on the front, you have 6.35 and 4.4 phone outs, as well as an XLR out. 

Packaging

Considering its size and it is being a desktop unit, the packaging is surprisingly compact. It arrives in a hard cardboard box, and includes;

  • AC Power Cable
  • USB Cable
  • 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter
  • Start Guide
  • Two Silicone Bases and Four Adhesives
  • A Replaceable AC Fuse

Unfortunately, the FiiO RM3 Bluetooth Remote is not included in the package. I think for a device like this it should’ve been supplied, but FiiO chose not to. You can get the remote for 25$ from dealers. That aside, the packaging is very good with all the accessories you need.

Design & Build

The build quality of the R7 is nothing short of spectacular. The whole device is made from aluminium, and it has a very solid, monoblock feeling. The sides are designed as honeycomb vents, for both heat management and a cool look. It almost looks like an ultra-mini PC. There’s no wobble I noticed on volume/output selector knobs, as well as other ports and inputs/outputs. It’s a rock-solid device overall.

The design of the new FiiO unit has a similar industrial language as other FiiO products. My sample arrived as a white version, which was released sometime after the black one, and it looks fresh. The black one looks more down to earth with a professional appearance, whilst this white one looks more flashy.

FiiO opted for a vertical design in terms of screen orientation. So the screen is fixed in portrait mode. I think FiiO could’ve done a different design allowing both portrait & landscape modes. The reason I remark on this is that some people may wish to use the device in different, tighter environments, for example inside a TV unit. It’s possible to use 3rd party apps to force a landscape mode though. After all, that’s the point of having free Android software on a device.

FiiO includes “silicone base” accessories in the package. Using the supplied adhesive tapes, you can fix these bases under the unit, so that you’d have a tilted device for a more ergonomic placement for the screen. The design is good but can be improved with a more angulated setup towards the user. I’m aware that it could cause a problem with the AC power socket placement, but maybe FiiO can think of a solution.

Page 2: Scenarios, Operation, User Experience, Hardware
Page 3: Sound Quality
Page 4: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion
3.9/5 - (80 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

2 Comments

  • Reply May 18, 2023

    De Maet

    There is no upnp yet but it might be added later on trough a firmware.
    Remote control through a smartphone is only available in pure Android mode.

  • Reply May 22, 2023

    Roy K

    Being a roon-ready device, I think this would make a perfect streamer

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