Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
If there’s one company that I feel listens to stuff I rant about in my articles, it’s FiiO.
Now, it’s entirely possible they don’t actually give a crap about anything I have to say, and I’m well aware of that.
Even so, all of the things I harp on about value, bang for buck, versatility, and so forth are things that appear in their products time and time again.
In other words, it seems like they genuinely try and improve with each successive release, and though I’m way past the point of being cynical about audio gear (DACs specifically) and have been for a few years now, I genuinely enjoy their products because I feel as though they are valuable and pragmatic.
With that, is FiiO’s K19 another product that deserves your hard-earned money?
Let’s take a look at what it’s capable of and help you make a sound decision. We’ll discuss build, features, connection options, “sound”, and more.
By the time you’re finished reading this, you’ll know if it’s worth a purchase, and if it’s not, I’ll point you in the direction of something that is.
Deal? Cool.
Let’s dive in.
Specs, box contents, and pricing towards the end!
The K19 represents FiiO’s latest flagship offering, presumably replacing the older K9 Pro (ESS & AKM). I also reviewed the K9 (non “pro”) but I don’t think they ever considered that a flagship. I might be wrong.
In any event, the K19 dons a brand new look and shares the same general appearance as their entry-level K11.
In other words, FiiO went for a design overhaul in their products and I don’t have a problem with it. I enjoyed the look of the older models K5 Pro, K7, K9, and K9 Pro, but these feel more modern and clean looking for whatever that’s worth.
- Required Reading: FiiO’s K Series DACS, Ranked
The unit lights up like Nicolay with a fat blunt in his mouth, supports the FiiO control app, and contains a 1.3-inch full-color display.
So the package is quite tremendous and somewhat overwhelming when you pull it all out.
Build
To begin, FiiO has implemented an internal heat dissipation system, consisting of thermally conductive material inside. This supposedly transfers heat from the chips to the aforementioned material and then ultimately to the honeycomb aluminum alloy outer shell.
The design is said to allow for convection heat dissipation, but does it actually work?
Well, the unit still gets rather hot, so no.
Despite that, the overall build is fantastic and it seems a lot of work went into this product. The unit is made of an ultra-thin die-cast unibody shock-proof aluminum alloy, carefully polished by multi-axis CNC machining.
CNC machining is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machines to precisely cut, shape, and finish materials like metal, plastic, or wood.
It stands for Computer Numerical Control, meaning that the machines follow programmed instructions to create complex parts with high accuracy and consistency. This process is widely used in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics for producing everything from simple components to very complex ones.
Going further, we have 8 Panasonic film capacitors, a + 36 MELF resistor, Neutrik Gold-Plated connectors, 4 WIMA capacitors + 4 ELNA SILMIC II capacitors, and 4 sets of silver-plated oxygen-free copper connecting cables.
- Panasonic Film Capacitors and MELF Resistors: These components offer precise signal handling and minimal distortion, contributing to cleaner, more accurate sound reproduction.
- Neutrik Gold-Plated Connectors: Gold plating enhances conductivity and resists corrosion, ensuring a reliable, long-lasting connection with minimal signal loss.
- WIMA and ELNA SILMIC II Capacitors: Known for their excellent audio characteristics, these capacitors help smooth and stabilize the audio signal, resulting in a warmer, more natural sound.
- Silver-plated, Oxygen-Free Copper Cables: These cables minimize resistance and signal degradation, preserving the integrity of the audio signal for high-fidelity sound.
Together, these components play a critical role in maintaining the audio quality, reliability, and longevity of the K19, making them important for achieving a high-end listening experience.
For some added stability, just grab the stand support which looks like it could double as some sort of strange chastity device.
That same support? With the unit sideways, You can situate it on top and even use it as a headphone stand.
What?!
That’s right you read that correctly.
- Step 1: Take the Chastity device out of the plastic and place it over top of the Amp.
- Step 2: Drape headphones over the Amp.
- Step 3: ???
- Step 4: Profit
Always use protection, folks
Features
For more info on the following points, click here.
PEQ
FiiO boasts a new 31-band high-precision lossless PEQ (Parametric EQ) with DEL (Dual Engine Limiter) technology.
Through proprietary algorithms, the K19 can apply dynamic range compression (DRC), dynamic range enhancement (DRE), and an advanced limiter to prevent clipping.
The 31-band PEQ supports direct adjustment of PCM 44.1-192kHz audio signals without needing sample rate conversion (SRC).
Improved Internals
The K19 also utilizes an ADI ADSP-21565 with SHARC+ core.
What?
Exactly.
An ADI DSP chip, designed by Analog Devices Inc. (ADI), is a digital signal processor specialized for efficiently handling complex mathematical operations on digital signals. These chips are widely used in audio, communications, and other signal-processing applications.
The benefits of using an ADI DSP chip include high performance for real-time processing, low power consumption, and the ability to handle multiple operations simultaneously. This makes them ideal for tasks like audio signal processing, where precision and speed are crucial.
DAC Chip
As some of you are well aware, I’m no longer a proponent of DAC chips making any measurable (real or perceived) difference in the way a DAC “sounds”, but FiiO has included 2 ESS 8-channel ES9039SPRO chips, featuring fourth-generation 32-Bit HyperStream architecture, capable of ultra-high dynamic range and ultra-low noise; allegedly.
From FiiO:
I’m not going on another rant, but if you’re interested in my stance on DACs, watch the video below:
The SINAD Standard And Why It’s So Important
THX
The THX AAA 788+ stamp makes yet another return, and yup, I’ve discussed this as well.
In any event, the K19 features an 8-channel THX AAA 788+ headphone amp architecture and FiiO claims the following:
Enhanced transients and high power output up to 8000mW+8000mW at a 32Ω load.
Oscillators
Going further, the K19 employs 2 ACCUSILICON AS318-B ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillators.
Huh?
Yeah.
These apparently offer exceptionally low phase noise and jitter, which is crucial for high-precision timing applications. The benefits of these oscillators include improved signal clarity, reduced distortion, and enhanced overall performance in audio and communication systems.
Fully balanced design
The K19 processes audio signals in a way that keeps the left and right channels separate and balanced, which helps maintain strong sound dynamics and reduces interference between channels (crosstalk).
It does this through a series of steps, starting with converting digital signals to analog (using dual DACs), then adjusting the signal’s strength (I/V conversion), and finally filtering out unwanted noise before sending the signal to the headphone amplifier.
Key parts of the circuit use high-precision operational amplifiers (op-amps) like the OPA2211 and OPA1602. These op-amps are crucial for keeping the signal stable and ensuring the sound is clear and high-quality. This approach is important because it results in better sound accuracy and clarity, making the listening experience more enjoyable.
Connections & Functionality
All the stuff we just talked about is fine and dandy, but the main draw lies in the K19’s versatility.
To start, it has 6 operating modes including USB, Bluetooth, Optical, Coaxial, HDMI, and HDMI ARC (a new feature of FiiO Amplifiers.
With these, you’re afforded a bevy of different options, and the interface, like the K11’s, is pretty intuitive.
In addition, you’re getting Four analog outputs and 2 digital outputs:
- PO+PRE OUT (Default): front headphone out + rear audio out (volume adjustable)
- PO: Audio output only from the front headphone jack (volume adjustable)
- PRE OUT: Audio output only from the rear connectors (fixed level output)
- LO: Audio output only from the rear connectors (fixed level output)
- COAXIAL: Standard RCA connectors, digital output
- OPTICAL: Standard Toslink connectors, digital output
I put together a short video for you on the K19’s button functionality so you can get an idea of what to expect:
Front Panel
The front contains the XLR4 balanced headphone output. Next to that is a 1/4″ headphone output followed by a balanced 4.4mm output.
The middle houses the display, then a USB-C port, and finally menu knob with a button for cycling different options and a volume knob with a button for I/O.
Back Panel
From left to right, the back panel contains the Bluetooth Antenna, HDMI IN, HDMI OUT/ARC, 12V trigger in, ground switch, RS232 port, USB port, Coaxial In, Coaxial Out, Optical In, Optical Out, Single-ended line-out, balanced line-out, AC/DC power toggle switch, DC Power In, AC Power In, and finally the AC power switch.
Whew!
But does it give handjobs?
Sound
- Speakers Used: FiiO SP3.
- Headphones Used: HIFIMAN Arya, AKG K702, more soon!
- Source(s): PS4, iPhone 11, Spotify, FLAC.
If you watched the video earlier, I’m not a proponent of a DAC “sounding” any particular way, because it doesn’t.
As long as Signal-to-noise and Distortion exceed the 90dB SINAD standard, there is no audible difference between 2 similar DACs at identical signal levels.
This is hugely important because 99% of folks who claim they can hear differences are likely just hearing volume discrepancies and John Seaber confirmed as much in the video. And he based his data on identical signals that were professionally calibrated.
For a long time, I too thought there were differences in DACs (mostly subtle) but realized that my attempts at volume matching before coming to these conclusions, while admirable, were still flawed and not perfect at the end of the day. So in all likelihood, I was hearing things that simply weren’t there.
Anything conjured up in my mind during past experiences with DACs was either a placebo or simply a matter of varying signal levels. That’s it.
So please, don’t @ me about this because as a producer who understands frequency response and the limitations of human hearing, I’m libel to go off on you. Fair warning. If you buy DACs based on their “sound” this isn’t the website to follow. So just click away now and don’t come back.
If, however, you’d like to circumvent all the BS that’s endlessly perpetuated in his hobby, this is the place to be.
That said, the K19 does its job admirably and portrays music wonderfully. And with a SINAD of around 122dB, you can rest assured you’re getting a completely clean signal free of distortion.
SO DON’T OVERTHINK IT!
Overall Value/Final Verdict
Ah man, this is kind of tough. I looked up the price of the K19 and almost fell out of my chair. At around $1,300, I’m still leaning towards no, don’t buy it.
I can hear you now: “So wait, you spent all that time gushing over its features and now you’re saying it’s not worth it?”
Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. Call me crazy, but I don’t believe in dropping an entire month’s rent on a DAC.
Still, the K19 is likely the most versatile product I’ve ever tried. FiiO seems to have this weird obsession with one-upping/outdoing everyone, and here they’ve done it again.
If you can name an Amp/DAC combo that does more than this, I’m all ears. But out of the 75+ I’ve tried, it pretty easily takes the cake as the most useful from a purely practical standpoint.
And, considering I’m all about value and features, it’s hard to say no. Shave off $500 and I think it’s a slam dunk purchase. But that’s beside the point.
FiiO will likely come out with a replacement soon in the next few months, so if you want the current flavor of the week, go for it if you have that kind of money lying around. It’s a great product. Just don’t get all upset when another, “better” one comes out. Because I can guarantee it will at some point.
For a full list of specs, click here.
FiiO K19
Price: Check Amazon!
In The Box
Quick Start guide
Warranty card
AC power cord
Type-C to USB-A adapter
6.35mm (1/4″) adapter
Stand
Vertical headphone stand support
Screwdriver
6 screws
Metal xlr4 dust cover (pre-installed)
Feet stands
USB 2.0 data cable
Dual type-c data cable
3.5mm audio cable
IR (Infrared Remote) control
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this FiiO K19 Review and came away with some valuable insight.
Is the K19 worth $1,300? Is it a better purchase at say, $800? I would love to hear from you.
If you have any other questions or feel I’ve missed the mark on something, leave a comment down below or Contact me!
If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.
I very much look forward to speaking with you…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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