Technical Performance
The R9 offers a soundstage that is both wide and deep, although it doesn’t reach the level of expansive staging found in super high-end sources. The presentation places you in the front row, providing an immersive listening experience. While the width of the soundstage is commendable, there could be improvements in terms of depth and length to achieve a more spacious feel. However, headphones with a naturally wide soundstage can compensate for this, potentially masking any perceived immediacy in the staging department.
The R9 demonstrates remarkably precise and clean stereo imaging. This imaging prowess lends a sense of clarity and focus to the soundstage, allowing one to discern each element of a song with precision. Additionally, the clean and transparent nature of the mid-range and treble contributes to the overall sense of air and space, ensuring a well-balanced sonic experience with ample room for each instrument and vocal to shine.
The R9’s balanced and neutral presentation establishes it as an exemplary desktop music centre. Maintaining a clean and crisp sound profile, allows connected equipment to showcase its characteristics. Acting as a neutral source, the R9 ensures a faithful reproduction of audio, letting the attached headphones, IEMs, or speakers shine according to their unique qualities.
Furthermore, the R9 excels in detail retrieval, thanks to its impressive resolution. This, combined with its precise imaging performance, enhances the overall listening experience. Additionally, the R9 offers remarkable dynamism for its price, delivering excellent pace, rhythm, and timing that elevates the enjoyment. Ultimately, the performance you derive from the R9 will largely depend on the quality and characteristics of your chosen headphones, IEMs, or speakers, which is a good thing considering the target audience.
Synergy
Matching the R9 with various gear is a breeze, thanks to its consistent and neutral delivery, which ensures a coherent performance across different setups. Additionally, the R9 offers five different gain options, providing users with exceptional versatility to accommodate different headphones and IEMs. Whether you’re using sensitive IEMs or full-size desktop headphones, the R9 maintains a clean and quiet background without any noticeable background noise issues. Furthermore, driving power-hungry headphones like FiiO’s own FT3 poses no challenge for the R9, thanks to its ample power output.
That said, to counterbalance the R9’s relatively sterile approach, it’s advisable to pair it with warm and musical-sounding gear. This allows the technical qualities of the R9 to shine through in a more organic presentation. For example, the Sony MDR-Z1R pairs excellently with the R9, leveraging its outstanding power delivery to enhance the overall listening experience.
R9 vs. R7
Let’s say you’re on the verge of deciding which FIIO streamer to get. There’s a considerable price difference between the two, and it may not be easy to decide because it’s normal to think that; ”maybe the R9 isn’t worth that premium since it’s almost the same”.
The decision depends on your needs and specific setups. The sound upgrade of the R9 and its much better output power are considerable. But it may not mean much if you have a simple setup with a pair of 5/6 inch studio monitors on your desk, or maybe FIIO’s SP3 speakers. To fully appreciate R9’s sound capabilities, you should have higher-quality speakers or headphones. So I wouldn’t recommend investing in the R9 unless you plan to upgrade the rest of your chain or already have a high-quality chain.
There are other factors to consider though. For instance, the new R9 has higher-grade Bluetooth codecs, such as the renowned aptX HD. The R7 doesn’t have that one, but it has the LDAC codec, so that may be sufficient for your scenario.
Another feature of the R9 is its HDMI input, which allows use with gaming consoles or Blu-Ray players. It also has the HDMI ARC feature to directly use with a TV or projector. It also comes with the RM3 remote supplied, but then again, you can purchase it separately for a minuscule amount.
As you can see, the decision depends on several circumstances. But if I have to compare them for sound performance alone, I would say that the R9 deserves its flagship badge. It has more power output, better layering and sound stage performance, better transparency and overall superior resolution. Moreover, the R9 exhibits a better stereo imaging performance, offering a more natural and cohesive delivery compared to the R7, which may feel somewhat artificial and digital in comparison. These factors collectively solidify the R9’s position as a flagship device
Conclusion
The FiiO R9 stands out as a remarkable piece of audio equipment, offering versatility that caters to every audiophile’s needs. Its adaptability ensures seamless integration into various scenarios, making it a versatile companion for any setup. Moreover, the user experience is highly satisfying, with well-thought-out software that boasts smooth performance and ease of use. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or new to the hobby, the FiiO R9 offers a delightful user experience that enhances your enjoyment of music.
FiiO have seen the need for a desktop device of this calibre and other manufacturers are exploring the field with their versions, but I don’t think there’s a device that I can directly compare the R9 with. The overall maturity and experience of the R9, for both hardware and software, is second to none. The versatility and freedom you get are spectacular, not to mention a high level of sound quality which makes sure that it’s not only the design or user experience.
The new R9 gets a well-deserving spot in our DAC/Source Recommendations.
Pros
- Outstanding versatility
- Improved design
- Great build and ergonomics
- Smooth software and UI
- Huge amp power
- Dynamic, resolving, top-class neutral sound
Cons
- The sound performance lacks some stage depth
- Not the most musical source
- Layering isn’t exceptional
Page 1: Info, Package, Design, Build
Page 2: Scenarios, Operation, User Experience, Hardware
