The new R9 represents a step up from last year's impressive Applause Award-winning R7 model, which beguiled us with its attractive all-in-one package of networked Roon Ready hi-res music streamer and dedicated balanced headphone amplifier that was controlled via a smartphone-esque 5-inch touchscreen display.
FiiO announces that the new R9 is equipped with a larger 6-inch Full-HD touchscreen display and is loaded with an 8-channel THX AAA-788+ amplifier and dual 8-channel ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DACs. You also get 7300mW of power with the R9, up from 3000mW.
The R9 runs on a custom version of Android and bypasses Android's SRC restriction globally. Because of this, streaming services can deliver audio in its native quality without downsampling.
The FiiO R9 supports high-resolution PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, native DSD512 audio, and features MQA decoding. Sporting 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage (expandable to 2TB via SD card), your personal collection of audio files can be played back using the FiiO Music application. Additionally, you can install your favourite streaming applications such as Qobuz, TIDAL, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, Soundcloud and many more via Google Play Store or FiiO Store.
The R9 streamer features a range of connections, including an HDMI ARC port along with the gang of SD, USB, optical, coaxial and ethernet inputs found on the R7.
Headphone users are similarly well catered for with single-ended 6.35mm, balanced 4.4mm, and balanced 4-pin XLR outputs, which should cover most headphone requirements. Meanwhile, balanced XRL outputs add the potential of adding powered speakers such as FiiO's own SP3s making the R9 your desktop audio hub.
Cable dodgers will appreciate the R9 offering Bluetooth 5.0 with support for AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD and LDAC codecs, while Wi-Fi gets 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz radios. It also supports AirPlay and DLNA streaming and is Roon Ready.
Finally, the R9 comes supplied with a Bluetooth remote control should you find yourself not within prodding distance of that HD touchscreen.
The FiiO R9 is available from mid-January and will cost £1400.
Visit FiiO for more information
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Headphones | Lifestyle
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