Big thank you to Apos for sending this review unit! This review will cover both the K9 Pro AKM and ESS versions.
Before we get started, check out Apos Audio. They are a great up-and-coming distributor with a phenomenal-looking website and excellent customer service. They also offer free shipping, the lowest price guarantee, a 2-year warranty, and a 45-day return.
So, after demoing 55+ Amps & DACS covering the span of about 4 years, I can safely say FiiO’s K9 Pro provides the most value at the most sensible price (given what it can do) and is without a doubt the most versatile unit I’ve tried.
I absolutely recommend it wholeheartedly and you’ll find out exactly why in this extensive review.
Greetings mate and Welcome aboard.
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear), all over again, so…
Video Discussion (AKM Version)
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ESS Video
Here’s the updated ESS version!
At A Glance
FiiO K9 Pro
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Apos! | Check B&H! | Song Playlist: Here!
In The Box
FiiO K9 Pro Amp/DAC
USB Type-A to Type-B Cable
Power Cable
Bluetooth Antenna
1/4″ Headphone Adapter
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Card
Introduction
I think it’s safe to say that FiiO and quality go hand in hand.
Sure, they have a few minor issues that need to be ironed out (namely a sometimes sluggish Bluetooth response), but by and large, investing in their products is a safe bet and I’ve never had anything they’ve sent break down on me or cease to function dating back to 2018.
The only other company I’ve had more experience with is iFi, but both are synonymous with reliability and an overall fantastic value.
The K9 Pro is no different.
In fact, this thing may end up replacing almost every desktop recommendation I have on this site with regard to Amps and DACS and this article could be the most important piece I’ve ever written on the subject.
So definitely stick around as we’re going to cover all bases today.
It will be long, but by the time you’re done reading, you shouldn’t have a doubt in your mind whether or not FiiO’s flagship Amp/DAC is for you.
We’ll cover everything from Gaming/Film, Bluetooth, Desktop Listening, Speaker pairing, Vinyl, Balanced, Unbalanced, and everything in between.
So let’s get rolling!
Specifications
- Form Factor: Table Top
- Converter Type: D/A
- Number of Channels: 2
- Conversion Formats: S/PDIF (Coaxial), S/PDIF (Optical), TOSLINK
- Converter Circuitry: A/D Chipset:
1 x AKM AK4499
1 x XMOS XUF208 - Display: None
- Max Sample Rate/Resolution: 384kHz / 32-Bit (DSD256)
Analog Audio I/O
- 2 x RCA Coaxial Unbalanced Line Input
- 1 x 4.4 mm TRS Balanced Line Input
- 2 x XLR 3-Pin Balanced Line Output
- 1 x 1/4″ TRS Unbalanced Headphone Output (Front Panel)
- 1 x XLR 4-Pin Balanced Headphone Output (Front Panel)
- 1 x 4.4 mm TRS Balanced Headphone Output (Front Panel)
Digital Audio I/O
- 1 x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input
- 1 x TOSLINK Optical S/PDIF Input
Other
- Host Connection / USB: 1 x USB Type-B
- USB (Non-Host): 1 x USB Type-C
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth (Audio Streaming, Mobile App)
Performance
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Max Output Level
- XLR Line Outputs:
+5 Vrms - RCA Line Outputs:
+2.5 Vrms - 1/4″ Headphone Outputs:
+26 V p-p - 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
+51 V p-p - XLR Balanced Headphone Outputs:
+51 V p-p
Headphone Output Power & Output Impedance
- 1/4″: 1.1 W into 16 Ohms
- 1/4″: 2 W into 32 Ohms
- 1/4″: 278 mW into 300 Ohms
- XLR 4-Pin: 1.1 W into 16 Ohms
- XLR 4-Pin: 2 W into 32 Ohms
- XLR 4-Pin: 278 mW into 300 Ohms
- 4.4 mm: 1.1 W into 16 Ohms
- 4.4 mm: 2 W into 32 Ohms
- 4.4 mm: 1.1 W into 300 Ohms
- Output Impedance: < 1 Ohms (32-Ohm Load)
SNR
- RCA Line Outputs:
≥ 123 dB (A-Weighted) - XLR Line Outputs:
≥ 128 dB (A-Weighted) - 1/4″ Headphone Outputs:
≥ 123 dB (A-Weighted) - XLR Balanced Headphone Outputs:
≥ 123 dB (A-Weighted) - 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
≥ 123 dB (A-Weighted)
THD+N
- RCA Line Outputs:
< 0.0007%
XLR Line Outputs:
< 0.0004%
1/4″ Headphone Outputs:
0.0005%
XLR Balanced Headphone Outputs:
< 0.0004%
4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
< 0.0004%
Crosstalk
- RCA Analog/Line Outputs:
≥ 110 dB (1 kHz, 10 kHz) - XLR Analog/Line:
≥ 123 dB (1 kHz, 10 kHz) - 1/4″ Analog/Headphone Outputs:
≥ 75 dB (1 kHz, 32-Ohm Load) - XLR Analog/Balanced Headphone Outputs:
≥ 114 dB (1 kHz) - 4.4 mm Analog/Balanced Headphone Outputs:
≥ 114 dB (1 kHz)
Digital Audio
Sample Rates
- TOSLINK Optical S/PDIF Inputs:
Up to 96 kHz - Coaxial S/PDIF Inputs:
Up to 192 kHz - USB Inputs:
Up to 384 kHz (DSD) - Bit Depth: Up to 32-bit
- Digital Audio Decoding: DSD
Power
- Power Requirements: AC Input
- AC Input Power: 110 to 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Physical
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.9 x 3″ / 22.5 x 20 x 7.6 cm
- Weight: 6.2 lb / 2.8 kg
Packaging Info
- Package Weight: 9.465 lbs.
- Box Dimensions (LxWxH): 14.1 x 13 x 6.2″
Wow, now that we’ve written out enough specs to fill out a book as thick as the Patriot Act, let’s talk about the literal Elephant in the room.
That’s right, I’m referring to this Super Mutant Behemoth Amp/DAC roughly the size of Big Pun.
It’s almost as if the folks over at FiiO sat down one day, surveyed the current market of do-all Amp/DACS, and decided to one-up everybody like Scarface.
Well, one-up everyone they have, bass heads.
SAY HELLO… TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!
Because when I tell you this thing is capable of anything, I pretty much mean anything. 😉
Remember how I said the K5 Pro was like a lean soccer player with some muscle?
Yeah, forget I said that.
The K9 Pro makes the K5 Pro look like an anorexic runner on a diet of Rice Cakes and Powerade.
This thing should have its own area code. I mean, it has everything else.
If it were a bodybuilder, it would be Arnold Sch… no. It would be Ronnie Coleman at the height of his meathead days.
In fact, I was expecting it in the mail and still had no idea what it was when I pulled it out of the locker in my apt. complex.
The freaking box weighs over 9 lbs. NINE.
“Did I order dumbells?” I thought nervously to myself.
“No, I have a gym membership, why would I order dumbells.”
Opening the box was almost like that scene in Pulp Fiction when Vincent opens the stolen briefcase.
“Are we happy? Vincent?”
“Oh, we’re happy.”
You think I’m kidding, but it’s the first time I’ve ever put on GLOVES before handling an Amp.
That’s right, you heard me correctly.
I refuse to dirty up this beautiful piece of hardware with my grubby pawprints.
Design & Aesthetic
Make no mistake, this is a beautifully elegant unit but doesn’t unnecessarily draw attention to itself (I know, it’s hard to believe).
As much as I just joked about it, it’s sleek, utilitarian, and unassuming.
On the bottom are 4 built-in rubber feet which are to be expected at this price point. Everything about it feels premium and high-class.
Update: The ESS version comes with separate rubber feet that stick on.
The amp does occupy a rather large footprint, so plan your space accordingly.
For instance,
it’s so big that I can’t just do a simple reach around to flick the On/Off switch given my setup. It barely fits in the space I have.
No, I have to physically turn it a little in order to get my finger back there.
…ahem.
This all-aluminum anodized black chassis has been finely sandblasted and does look and feel rather luxurious without really resembling what it actually is; an incredibly hefty and robust piece of hardware that could honestly be in the Guinness Book of world records.
I was truly impressed with the craftsmanship here and there’s not a doubt in my mind you will be as well.
Let’s take a look at everything it can do.
We’ll discuss the sound profile as well as its ultimate value, so don’t fret.
Inside
Note: From here on out, the review will focus on the AKM version with a comparison to the ESS one towards the end.
The K9 Pro is equipped with the AK4499 DAC Chip and supports up to 384kHz and native DSD256.
- Related: What Is DSD In Audio?
If you’re familiar with the AKM facility fire, you’ll know that these chips have been pretty scarce for the last couple of years, which is just another reason to add to the list of many why you should consider investing in this thing.
The K9 Pro also utilizes the THX AAA 788+ module which supposedly provides exemplary detail and dynamics according to FiiO.
I’m a bit wary of recommending DACS based on the THX stamp, but your mileage may vary.
Fully Differential Design
Without getting overly technical, the main purpose of a fully differential amplifier is to suppress noise.
A lot of the terminology and math used to describe this technology is admittedly way over my head, but in short, you can expect the following benefits from a fully differential amplifier such as the one utilized in the K9 Pro:
- Improved voltage swing. Both signals are out of phase, and the dynamic range is two times more than a single-ended output with the same voltage swing.
- Noise immunity. Since a differential signal is a difference between two single-ended signals that are out of phase to each other, any common-mode disturbance, power-supply noise, ground disturbance or electromagnetic interference will affect both signals equally – and ideally cancel each other out.
- Reduced harmonic distortion. Theoretical analysis of the distortion products of the differential output signal results in an even-order term cancellation. In reality, the distortion is also strongly dependent on the board layout and measurement setup.
These sentiments are echoed by FiiO themselves:
I like to think of a fully differential amplifier as something similar to the concept of a simple balanced design that ultimately uses reverse polarity to cancel out the noise or interference that may run down the wires.
While I think most of the selling points on FiiO’s website can be boiled down to “It’s clean”, I do think its Asynchronous nature is important even though you may or may not actually hear a difference.
I like to say that I can perceive a subtle one, but your mileage may vary.
The K9 Pro also utilizes what’s known as dual-mode clock management technology.
Dual femtosecond clocks of excellence
In any event, the K9 Pro has you covered. We’ll get into specifics of its versatility in a bit.
Front Panel
The all-aluminum alloy front contains a whopping 3 different headphone outputs including 4-pin XLR, Balanced 4.4mm, and 1/4″ Single-ended.
In the middle is your Gigantic Stainless Steel Volume Potentiometer that makes the K5 Pro’s look like something you’d find in Toys-R-Us.
It feels pretty incredible to the touch, and as much as I joke about audiophiles and their obsession with gear, this thing kind of almost puts me squarely back into that camp. Almost.
I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it.
There are RGB indicator lights surrounding the volume knob that vary in color depending on the sample rate.
- Blue = 44.1kHz
- Yellow = Anything over 48kHz
- Green = DSD
When the unit is idle, the colors will cycle.
For instance,
pressing pause initiates these color changes and they range from Green, Red, Yellow, White, Cyan, Blue, Magenta, etc.
The metal input switches and input buttons are super easy and intuitive to use as well, as I can go from listening on my PreSonus Eris e3.5s back to headphones quickly and easily depending on what I’m pairing with the unit.
The input button cycles through 5 modes: USB, Optical, Coax, Line, and Bluetooth.
We’ll get into all of that in a sec.
Rounding out the rest of the front panel is a power button, a gain stage switch (High, Medium, Low), and the output switch (DAC, Preamp, Headphones).
Let me just verify, that all the stuff I mentioned at the start is nice, but if you know me, you’ll know I don’t recommend DACS based on all that.
I don’t even really recommend them based on sound either.
No, the reason I’m excited about the K9 Pro is due to factors totally separate from its technical specifications and any perceived improvement that results from them.
I love it because of its value and versatility. And you will too.
Because you don’t really need anything else if you have one.
Before we get into its usage, let’s take a look at the back panel.
Back Panel
Firstly there’s the AC 110-115V~/220-230V~ power jack and the I/O switch on the left.
FiiO even provides a gigantic WARNING sign for users in different countries as using the wrong voltage input with your local nominal voltage may cause damage to the unit.
Select 115V if you are in the following countries:
USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Guam, Jamaica, etc.
Select 230V if you are in China, South Korea, Russia, UK, Argentina, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, etc.
The switch is located on the underside of the unit towards the back right.
To the right of the power switch and jack is the digital input section.
Digital Inputs
Here we have Bluetooth, Coaxial, USB Type-B, and an Optical input.
In the box is the supplied Bluetooth Antenna. Just screw it on and you’re all set.
To enter in, go into your phone’s settings and press Bluetooth.
Now press “Search” and wait. It should show up as FiiO K9 Pro.
As mentioned in the introduction, one thing FiiO could improve on is the time it takes for the device to pair with your phone and/or the number of attempts taken.
Sometimes I’ll try 3-4 times before it accepts.
For instance,
I don’t have any issues pairing iFi products with my phone, but I sometimes run into longer than desirable wait times with FiiO products.
I go into this a bit more in-depth in the Go Blu Review as well as the Best Portable Headphone Amplifier Guide.
To the right of the digital input section is the Analog section.
Analog Section
Here we have a 4.4mm line-in, RCA line inputs, RCA line outputs, and XLR balanced outputs.
Now let’s go over everything you can do and the options you have at your disposal.
Digital Inputs
Bluetooth/Phone Option
As alluded to above, you can pair it with your phone if you have some speakers handy.
I just bought a set of Eris e3.5 speakers and this option works well if you have guests over as you won’t have to control the music from your laptop.
Since the Eris’ are nearfield monitors and meant for mixing purposes, I’d probably invest in a different set if one of your main goals is to listen wirelessly.
Still,
for around $230 (Zen Blue + Eris) you can have a simple Bluetooth setup in your living room without the need for a separate receiver and passive speakers.
The problem with that is you don’t get all the versatility of the K9 Pro.
K9 Pro vs. Zen Blue
I thought it would be interesting to compare the Bluetooth range on both and determine which is better.
Both do fine keeping a connection while I’m sitting on the couch about 10 ft. away (as they should), but what about connected to speakers?
The Zen Blue’s range is about 30 ft. before it starts cutting out.
I tested this by walking outside of my apt. and leaving the door open.
I could get to the entrance of the breezeway and it was still playing music but cutting out intermittently.
Inside, I can be anywhere in my apt. and it won’t cut out at all.
Do keep in mind the Zen Blue is pretty much a receiver only, so you’ll have to pair it with a separate amp if you want to listen with headphones. I was using the Gryphon.
With speakers, just use the supplied RCA to RCA cables in the box.
By contrast,
the K9 Pro’s range maxes out at around 22 ft.
I can only walk about 3 feet outside before it starts cutting out.
This likely won’t matter much as both units do fantastic inside the apartment, but it’s something to keep in mind regardless.
FiiO Control App
Another feature FiiO offers is the Control App, which was a bit persnickety to get up and running but works pretty well all things considered.
This isn’t what you’ll primarily be buying the K9 Pro for, obviously, but I suppose it’s a cool little add-on.
It is free, with features including an EQ profile and various filters, none of which I found particularly useful.
The EQ feature is okay if you use the supplied presets, but attempting to modify/customize the different frequencies yourself is almost an exercise in futility.
For instance,
a simple 2dB bump for any frequency actually makes the headphones sound considerably worse and weirdly makes the volume lower, but this could just be a product of trying to EQ over Bluetooth – something you should probably avoid at the end of the day.
Coaxial
This is great for stuff like TV Sets, CD/DVD Players, etc.
So anything that outputs Coaxial can be used with the K9 Pro and comes in handy when you don’t have HDMI as an option to transfer audio data.
Optical
My preferred method of transfer is optical, and fortunately, the K9 Pro has that as well.
So I can use it with my PS4 via Optical cable from the output on the back of the Playstation into the K9 Pro’s input.
USB
Type-B
This will be your primary connection to your laptop and comes in the form of a USB Type-B to Type-A cable, a standard for most desktop units, FiiO or otherwise.
Type-C
There’s also a Type-C slot on the right-hand side, and I’m assuming you can connect to your laptop or phone that way as well.
Analog Section
Perhaps the second most used feature will be your RCA outs which can connect to various types of gear as a preamp.
My Eris e3.5s mentioned earlier come in handy here and you have a few options:
- RCA to RCA. For this, just use the K9’s RCA outputs and connect the other ends to the e3.5’s inputs on the back.
- RCA to line. Same as above, only you’ll plug the other end into the front of the e3.5 where it says “Aux-In”.
- Line Out to a separate Headphone Amp. If you want, you can utilize the K9 Pro as just a DAC and connect it to a separate amp of your choosing. Just make sure the Amp either has RCA inputs, a line input, or balanced inputs.
Line Inputs
Line in from separate DAC. The K9 Pro works as just an Amp from a separate DAC of your choosing. Utilize the RCA inputs or the 4.4mm line in.
For instance, you can connect an iFi Zen (via its 4.4mm output) with the K9 Pro via 4.4mm line cable into the K9’s input.
You can also use the K9 Pro with a turntable like the Audio Technica AT LP60.
Just make sure to flick the switch on the back to “LINE” and connect the Male RCA cables from the Turntable to the Line input on the K9.
From here you have 2 options:
-
- Listen with headphones.
- Output the sound to your speakers. More on that in a bit.
XLR Balanced Output
Finally, we have what is perhaps the coolest feature on the back; balanced outputs for use with speakers that utilize balanced inputs.
Fortunately, the Eris e3.5 has us covered there as well. Just snag a set of XLR Female to 1/4-Inch TRS Males as I did and you’re golden.
But wait, there’s more.
Headphone Section
Here we have 3 different options:
- 4-pin balanced XLR
- 6.35mm (1/4″ single-ended)
- 4.4mm balanced
Are you starting to understand now, Mr. Krabs?
While we’re on the subject of headphones inputs, let’s discuss the K9 Pro’s sound.
Sound
- Headphones Used: HIFIMAN HE400se, Sennheiser HD600 (Balanced & Unbalanced), Apos Caspian (Balanced & Unbalanced), HIFIMAN Arya, HIFIMAN Edition XS, HIFIMAN Ananda, AKG K702. More to come!
- Source(s): Spotify, YouTube, PS4, Turntable, Phone.
- Speakers Paired: Presonus Eris e3.5 (Balanced & Unbalanced)
- Playlist: Here!
- Albums/Media: Toward the bottom!
You may notice the Potentiometer seems to take a bit of turning to get the volume loud enough, but upon further research, this is due to its ADC Curve reconstruction.
Let’s take a look at some more of FiiO’s literature:
Normally I’d say this is marketing-speak, but in testing for myself at very low volumes I found there to be virtually no channel imbalance.
Raising the volume is also rather smooth and fluid vs. sudden and jarring which is something you’ll come to appreciate as well – especially when switching back and forth between various Impedance/Sensitivity ratings and headphones.
The K9 Pro ensures you’re pretty much never going to be at risk of blowing your eardrums out.
Still,
make sure to turn the volume back down as a precautionary measure when switching headphones/sources regardless.
A neat feature of the K9 is that it will gradually raise the volume when switching between sources or just resuming a listening session after pressing play.
This gives you time to quickly turn the volume down if you happened to goof and forgot to turn it down initially. The only other DAC I’ve tried that had this was the beloved Oppo HA-2.
Sound Profile
The sound itself is typical AKM – smooth and velvety but still detailed.
It’s not tube-level warm, but it never feels overly clinical or sterile sounding.
I like to think of it as a cross between neutral and warm, and given it’s advertised less than 1 Ohm output impedance, this makes sense.
Music is simply enjoyable to listen to and make no mistake, this sounds like a premium product in every facet.
I’ll still always urge you to seek out good quality source files as they are of the utmost importance, but the K9 Pro certainly delivers in terms of providing a clean backdrop for your music.
I’d feel comfortable driving anything with the K9 Pro which is yet another reason in a long list of many to invest in one for the long haul.
To be sure,
278mW into 300 Ohm (as advertised) is plenty here and you won’t have an issue with any headphones you may have.
I’m also not sure if this number is peak power or continuous, so if you know, definitely comment down below as it’s a pretty important distinction that a lot of companies don’t bother to clarify.
Again, I’m more concerned with value and versatility, but the K9 Pro doesn’t disappoint on the sound front.
The Arya is a perfect headphone to use in evaluating the K9, as the headphones are neutral, open, and incredibly transparent/honest – so much so that they don’t always sound good and most certainly do not put lipstick on a pig.
If your source is even slightly mediocre, you’ll know immediately.
K5 Pro Comparison
The Arya sounds smooth and clean through the K9 Pro, but what’s interesting to me is going back and forth between it and the K5 Pro.
You may assume that the K5 Pro would be warmer (given its slightly higher Output Impedance), but to my ears, this actually isn’t the case.
The K5 Pro sounds ever so slightly more brash and prickly for lack of a better word.
It’s subtle, but I think the K9 Pro slightly outperforms the K5 Pro in terms of a refined, lush sound.
The K5 Pro doesn’t sound like a cheap unit in comparison, it’s just not quite on par with the K9 Pro’s improved overall sound profile.
I think the K9 opts for a smoother, slightly more velvety presentation, but it also seems to emphasize vocals and spacing a bit better.
Voices seem a bit more intimate, and the Soundstage generally feels more expansive.
Take these impressions with a grain of salt, as they’re simply my own interpretations and I haven’t read anything about this unit.
I could be totally wrong, but I’ve been going back and forth for quite a while through the duration of the demo.
I’m sure at some point down the road some snob will come out with an article saying how the K9 Pro actually isn’t that good, and in advance, I’m telling you right now, I don’t give a flying crap.
Lol. So don’t @ me. 🙂 Thanks!
In terms of sound alone, is the K9 Pro worth roughly $550 more than the K5 Pro?
In my opinion, absolutely not, but again, this isn’t why I’m recommending the K9 Pro over everything else (as mentioned previously).
If the K5 Pro was my previous do-all unit, the K9 Pro only improves on that notion by adding even more options at your disposal without going overboard on price.
Speaker Pairing
With the e3.5 it’s more of the same.
It may be my imagination, but I experienced a slight upgrade when switching over to balanced.
It kind of feels like the music takes on a slightly liver flavor.
Instruments and voices seem to be fleshed out a little more, with superior decay and realism.
Could a simple reduction/eradication of unwanted noise in the transfer be the culprit?
Maybe, maybe not.
I used balanced monitors for years (LSR305 + Scarlett 2i2) and loved them, but I don’t know if they make that much of a difference vs. an unbalanced connection.
For as much as people obsess over using balanced, I personally think the distinction is incredibly subtle if it’s even there at all.
Still,
if I have the balanced option at my disposal you can bet your buns I’m probably going to use it over a single-ended connection, so take that for what it’s worth.
Gaming & Film
- Headphones Used: AKG K702
So, you want to use the K9 Pro for gaming and film duties.
Well, it’s got you covered, but I’ll be honest; As with the K5 Pro, this is not a unit you’ll want to be frequently moving around too much.
To test it out with my PS4, I had to remove 2 balanced cables, the RCA cables, the USB cable, and the power jack from the unit.
You then have to carry it to where your PS4 is and reconnect the USB, Power, and finally run an optical cable from the back of the console into the K9.
Make sure to switch the input to optical and flick the switch on the front to “HP” (Headphones).
In short, I’d plan to keep this unit in one spot.
In other words,
moving it around is not something you’ll likely look forward to.
What I do love is how it sounds with gaming and film.
I’m not going to sit here and yammer on and on about how it’s light-years better than a G6 or K5 Pro because it’s not.
Is it slightly better? Sure, and I mentioned that in the sound section.
For me, it’s simply another way out of the many you can utilize this unit to do basically whatever you want and that’s why it’s so valuable.
Vinyl Listening
- Connection: Line
- Album: John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)
Speaking of doing whatever you want, you can even use the K9 Pro with a USB turntable as mentioned earlier.
Just connect the RCA males from the record player to the back of the K9’s Female inputs, and then Run RCA to RCA from the outputs of the K9 into the inputs of your speakers.
Again, I’m using the e3.5’s and AT LP60 from Audio Technica while spinning one of my all-time favorite Jazz Records; John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”
Try it out!
If you want to listen with headphones, just plug some in and turn the volume down on your speakers.
K9 Pro AKM version vs. ESS version
I received the ESS version in the mail and have to say I prefer it a bit over the AKM version.
If you’re a regular reader or subscriber, this won’t surprise you much as I’ve swooned and drooled over the ESS sound for the better part of 4-5 years now dating back to 2017-2018.
So I’m not just blowing hot air here; I truly enjoy the crisper, brighter, more lively sound that it provides which is why I still recommend the DragonFly Red a lot.
Make sense?
Good.
Now, is the ESS sound for everyone? Absolutely not.
You may find it to have a bit too much glare (dubbed the Saber glare by snobs) and feel as if it’s too accentuated and overly zesty.
I totally get that (it’s still kind of nitpicky), but I’m just telling you that I personally. prefer it. That’s all. So again, don’t @ me.
One of the reasons why I like it better is because the music just feels more lively, and more exciting.
Voices tend to sound more present and immediate, and I feel hornier because of it.
I actually cried today listening to Smokey Robinson’s “More Love” through the Apos Caspian utilizing the K9’s balanced jack.
It was one of those experiences that makes you remember why you love music and yes, sometimes gear does come into play and helps considerably.
The combination revealed 99.9% of every single little minute detail that went into the recording, and I was astonished because I had never heard it in that way before.
This is just one reason why Motown music is still played today. There’s truly nothing like it.
For as much as I get on people for over-exaggerating what are actually super subtle differences between DACS, the ESS sound is one example of something that will always stand out as being markedly different than a lot of other chips – In. my. opinion.
Aside from the sound,
the physical stature of both are identical aside from one small efficiency change – FiiO put vents on the left side to help dissipate the heat that emanates from the DAC.
Closing Thoughts
What more could you ever want in a DAC/Amp?
As mentioned at the start, the K9 Pro will pretty much be replacing every recommendation I have on this site with regard to desktop/best of Amps & DACS.
I also don’t foresee it leaving the top spot any time soon.
I’ll probably still recommend the K5 Pro/ATOM for beginners who don’t want to spend a fortune right away, but even so, why not just go for the gusto and never upgrade ever again?
The K9 Pro is an astonishing cross-section of price to performance ratio and value vs. money spent.
There are amps out there costing thousands of dollars that don’t do a fraction of what this thing is capable of.
Sure, their claim to fame may be “better sound” but you know better than that by now that those grand proclamations are rather hollow when you know the truth about Amps & DACS.
In my mind, the price here is a bargain considering everything we’ve discussed today.
In fact, it’s a steal.
K9 Pro vs. Neo
There’s really only one unit I’ve tried currently on the market that competes with the K9, and that is iFi’s Neo iDSD.
I was excited about that one for obvious reasons (Value/Versatility), and both units are incredibly similar.
Both are priced similarly, both have XLR outputs, RCA Outputs, Coaxial In, Optical In, USB Type-B, and Bluetooth.
Both also have 4.4mm and 6.35mm headphone connections on the front.
Both can be used with Tidal MQA, both support DSD and hi-res files although the Neo can play up to 768kHz and DSD512 while the K9 is only capable of 384 and 256.
For me, that doesn’t really matter much, but your mileage may vary.
I also don’t run Tidal anymore for a few reasons, but that’s neither here nor there.
The K9 Pro adds RCA inputs and a balanced XLR connection for your headphones.
It’s also heftier and seems built better than the Neo.
I can’t comment directly on sound at the moment as I don’t have the Neo here anymore.
It’s obvious FiiO’s looking to compete with iFi in this particular segment of the DAC market, and I think they have a better overall product and a slight edge here at the end of the day.
Interested in the K9 Pro?
Learn More:
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this FiiO K9 Pro ESS and AKM Review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know 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.
Is the K9 Pro worth a purchase? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!
Photo Gallery
Media
Apollo Brown, Stalley – Blacklight (2021)
Big K.R.I.T. – 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time (2017)
Gleemer – Down Through (2020)
The Roots – Illadelph Halflife (1996)
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)
Khrysis – Khrysis On The Boards (2015)
Oh Wonder – 22 Break (2021)
Arrival (2016)
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Se7en (1995)
War of the Worlds (1953)
The Machinist (2004)
Black Swan (2010)
The Outer Worlds (2019)
FiiO K9 Pro
Pros
- Plenty of power
- Incredible build
- Extremely versatile
Cons
- None
67 comments
Can you add a comparison with popular stacks like smsl su9/su8 or topping a90/d90 E50/L50 or some other in the same price range?
Hey man! Yeah, I will definitely keep it in mind for the future! Would make for a nice shootout. Thanks for stopping by!
Did bought fiio k9.
It is very good dac/amp
Sound stage is wide and 3D
Female Voices sound marvelous.
But!
It is not hi-fi dac/amp
Just Play track 6 “Presto” Four Seasons Vivaldi.
Then go to the Filharmony and listen the same ” track ” in real.
YOU WILL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE IMMEDIATELY.
K9 pro just makes that Violin attack soft and delicate.
It doesn’t sound right
HIGH FIDELITY HAS NOTHING TO DO IT WITH THIS AMP
Ok man, if you say so 🙂
I just got the K9, and your review was very influential in my decision. I pleased to say that I loved it immediately; the sound is very clear and natural which is just what I was looking for – even over BT with my iPhone 12. I’m just using it as a DAC into my amplifier (a perhaps outdated Arcam AV350) but it’s noticeably better than anything else I’ve tried. Thank you.
Thank you for the vote of confidence Jenna and you’re welcome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I think you’ll love the features and all it has to offer. A truly great value!
Hi Stuart,
Very unfortunately, because I like the sound of this DAC, it looks like I’m going to return it because after using it for 10 days at approx 1 hour per day I suddenly started experiencing ‘drop-outs’ (about 1 second of total silence) in the middle of a track. It happened yesterday at least 3 times during the first movement of Rach 3 and then again today during Lief Ove Andnes’s Mozart 20. Before I commit to returning it, I’m wondering if you’ve any suggestions or if there is a solution out there? I connected it to my Mac and it showed that I do have the latest firmware 1.13.
Hey Jenna!
I would reach out to FiiO and get a replacement unit as you may have gotten a lemon or perhaps it just needs a driver/firmware update. That seems to fix all of the issues I’ve had with their products.
…and I meant to add that this first happened with a wired optical connection and then later it also happened over bluetooth – which I would not be too suprised at, but would, at this price (CAD$1250 inc tax), find unacceptable.
Yeah, it could just be driver/firmware. I’ve had some strange issues with some of their stuff and that’s always fixed it immediately. In fact, I was having an issue with the K9 and my speakers (buzzing/static, etc.) and an update did the trick.
Sorry, it’s me again. I tried to subscribe but every time I try to confirm and do the Captcha I get this
“We couldn’t process your request at this time. Please try again later. If you are seeing this message repeatedly, please contact Support with the following information:”
Hey! What did you try to subscribe to?
Hi Stuart, thanks for your helpful replies. I actually decided to exchange it at the store for the Cambridge Audio CXA81 (quite a bit of extra $) as I had been thinking of doing that originally (replacing my old Arcam AV350 which I liked) but then I found the K9 and really wanted to try it. I guess I was just unlucky with my unit as I wanted to hold on to my Arcam. I would have liked the DacMagic 200M but they are nowhere to be found other than by wating for 2 – 3 months.
To subscribe to your ‘in-depth content’ I just used the link at the bottom right of this page – directly right of where I’m typing. I got the email asking me confirm, clicked on the link. I’d still like to do that when the link works.
Jenna,
Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Seems the form is not working. I will fix it and let you know.
Sorry to hear it didn’t work out with the K9 but keep me posted on your impressions of the CXA81. I really do enjoy Cambridge products (the ones I’ve had experience with).
Jenna,
I just fixed it, did a test subscription with one of my emails and it worked. Can you clear your cookies/cache on your browser, try again and let me know if it goes through? Should say “Thank you, your sign-up request was successful! Please check your email inbox to confirm.” Also you can try other browsers as well. If it does go through, check your spam folder if you don’t see it in the main one. Thank you! 🙂
Website won’t let me post; keeps displaying same screen
Hey not sure what that’s about but the comments go through just fine. No worries. Yours came up 5 times lol. I generally just delete the duplicates as I get them quite frequently. It’s not a big deal on my end but I’m sure it’s confusing on yours. I don’t know what causes this.
Is there a size limit? I have a full reply of the info from the failed attempt to subscribe.
Nah there isn’t. Just replying to this so you know it went through.
Strange indeed – Trying again..
Hi Stuart,
Everything appear to work until the very last step after I prove that I’m not human and then click subscribe. Then I get a screen ( https://homestudiobasics.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe/confirm ) like this (I’m not able to paste an image here so I just copied the text – see below. I am running Adblocker and Privacy Badger but I turned them off for this site (as otherwise I can’t post here anyway).
Server Status
We couldn’t process your request at this time. Please try again later. If you are seeing this message repeatedly, please contact Support with the following information:
ip: 178.249.214.66
date: Mon Mar 14 2022 14:34:54 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Saving Time)
url: https://homestudiobasics.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe/confirm
user agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.15; rv:98.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/98.0
Please let me know if there is a fix for this. It’s too much trouble to keep on doing the Captcha every time before it fails.
The CXA81 just arrived this morning. It does have the more ‘forward’ character as described which contrasts with the more neutral sound of the FiiO. I’m not sure yet if I prefer it but it certainly is very good. More later perhaps. Thanks.
Weird. I can just manually subscribe you if that’s cool with you. Let me know 🙂
Seems that there is, so I can’t paste in all the diagnostic info. Oh well.
Ah. Thanks for trying. Gonna have to figure out what’s going on.
Sure, please manually subscribe me if that’s easier. Thank you.
Will do Jenna! 🙂
A quick note on the Cambridge CXA81 now that I’ve had a few days to listen to it. At first I thought it sounded a bit too ‘bright’ (we have no choice but to be subjective here but I guess you know enough to imagine what I’m describing) but now I think of it as perhaps more ‘lively’ than the FiiO. In retrospect I do feel that the FiiO was just a little too ‘smooth’ – even though I liked it a lot. The impression of the FiiO was more like that of listening to a good hi-fi system rather than listening to a ‘performance’ which is my experience of listening to the CXA81 – so now I do feel happy with my choice.
Jenna,
Interesting observations! I just had a look at the output impedance of the CXA81 and it’s a minuscule 0.1 or thereabouts so your “bright” impressions line right up.
I personally really enjoy the super neutral variety but headphone pairings can be tricky for obvious reasons.
Hmm, that last comment isn’t showing but I’ll not repeat it as I’m guessing you can see it but I can’t.
Yeah, I have to approve them first so after commenting I’d generally give it anywhere from a few hours to a day depending on if I’m in the office or not.
Thanks Stuart. I have the B&W P9’s which I’m very happy with. I’ve just always only had B&W speakers so stuck with them for my headphone choice. Thanks to your articles on audiophiles and marketing I’ve now let go of the (always unnecessary!) embarrassment I used to feel for still owning my 40-year old B&W DM7 Mk2’s. I know the bass extension is perhaps their weak point but the way I have them set up in my room seems to take care of that well enough. I also have the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt (yes, I know… could have gone with the Red but was persuaded by reviews!) and like that too.
Nice!
My Dad still has his B&W speakers from the ’90s and they sound incredible – always have. I actually really enjoyed the P9 though it gets some hate around the internet and I don’t really know why. The P7 sounded God awful but the P9 was definitely better.
You will be interested to know that Apos reached out about the new ESS version of the K9 Pro which they are sending over for demo. It uses the Sabre chip (vs. the AKM in this article) so will be much more in line with your preferences. I will keep you posted.
Thank you, Stuart, I’d still be interested in a K9 Pro – as a headphone amp plugged into my bedroom where I do my headphone listening. Look forward to hearing more.
Welcome! 🙂
Hi Stuart, hope you are well. I finally found some space in my budget (cramped by house repairs unfortunately) and got the ESS version last week. So far (fingers x’d) there haven’t been any glitches or drop outs and I really do like it. It’s surprising, and I do feel that this isn’t my imagination, that it does sound a little different from the AKM, at least as far as my sonic memory can be trusted, which I feel it can, but that’s purely subjective of course. It seems to have a little more presence and vitality; even if the difference is subtle. I’m not looking for any new equipment at the moment but I’ll be back here to read your articles and guides whenever that is. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the nice comment!
Do keep me posted on your impressions. It’s not your imagination. I too think it sounds a bit more neutral/sterile and I’ve always said this about the ESS Chip. To me, it represents pretty much the ONLY stark contrast vs. other DAC chips, meaning there is a pretty obvious audible difference. That said, most other differences between various products are incredibly subtle and inconsequential.
Today I was searching some blogs on Google and when I went to someone’s site and saw and read their blogs, I did not like anything and when I came to your site and saw your site, I liked your site very much.
Thank you, Sonu!
Hey Stu, Just got K9 Pro ESS yesterday! It seems to bring out the best in everything. I am running 4 Dali Spector 2 speakers off an older Marantz SR5009, it sounds like I got a new sound system. The K371 sounds awesome, between the burn in, dekoni earpads and the K9 they have a lovely sound stage for a closed back and are a lot of fun, still no $100 headphone moments. I highly recommend the track Freefall By Cornelius through them. The K702 are stellar, I just finished a crazy burn in on them and the K9 Pro is just hitting all the sweet spots. People listen to the man and buy the DAC you won’t regret it. As always Stu thanks for the audio wisdom! ???
Thanks, Mac! So glad you’re enjoying it. 🙂 I love the K9 Pro for its versatility and ability to pretty much connect to anything. It really is a great all-in-one DAC.
Still unable to subscribe – turned my VPN but that didn’t do it…
We couldn’t process your request at this time. Please try again later. If you are seeing this message repeatedly, please contact Support with the following information:
Hey!
I manually added you until I get whatever this is sorted out. 🙂 Thank you for the heads up.
Thank you for the subscription update, Stuart. I just wanted to add something about Type C USB connections. I have a MacBook Air and connected it to the K9 with a USB-C cable and it worked perfectly straightaway. No drivers to download. Note that the Mac will only show it as an audio output option if the K9 is turned on and set to USB input. I decided to try this as my kitchen microwave near my WFH zone often interferes with Bluetooth. And, I just tried listening to the ’96 remaster of ‘Money for Nothing’ by the Dire Straits (it was mentioned in another DAC article I was reading) and at 1:36 when the main riff comes in (listening on my P9s and volume up a bit), it literally made my hair stand on end, it was absolutely electrifying. I don’t think I’ll ever regret buying the K9.
Nice! So glad to hear it. How do you like the P9? It’s been a while since I heard that song; I’m going to have to fire it up!! I can play Sultans of Swing which is one of the most fun on guitar.
I like the P9 a lot although I sometimes wish I’d compared them to comparably-priced Sennheisers as I got them as a replacement for my old Senn RS 220 (wireless) but the wireless performance was really awful (dropouts) – even in direct line of sight at less than 10 feet, and it was so annoying that it (illogically) put me off buying a wired pair of Senn’s. In hindsight I remember the actual sound of the Senn’s as having more presence and clarity than the P9, but it was just one of those ‘gotta have it’ moments I think and so I bought the P9 after listening to them only. However, I like them well enough and I’d only likely consider replacing them when I’ve paid for the new steel roof for my house which will be a couple of years! But, to the P9’s sound: as far as I can tell, the soundstage is an accurate rendition of the intention of the recording engineers as – especially with classical music – I can sense where I’m supposed to imagine that I’m sitting – although it’s clear that these recordings are intended for listening to on speakers. The overall sound is very detailed with just a touch of ‘warmth’ I think, which perhaps some would not like. The Dire Straits track certainly shows that they can ‘kick’ when needed. Yes, Sultans is a real classic and a lot of fun I’m sure.
Something interesting about the K9’s bluetooth: it appears to be a bit of a ‘bully’ as I noticed that while I had left my MacBook transmitting to my Audioengine speakers, when I turned the K9 on upstairs it replaced the connection from the MacBook though I had paired it with my iPhone right beside it, which seemed kind of odd. So I deleted it from the Mac and only connect to it with the iPhone, which was the original intention anyway. The BT connectivity so far has been perfect; it just always connects immediately which is a nice change!
Yeah, I really liked the P9 but hated the P7. I thought they were radically different actually. The P7 seemed bloated, hazy, and just really bad sounding while the P9 was crisp, open, airy, and very well done IMO.
I think all of what you said mimics my experience with the P9. It’s just a great product although I do think it’s a bit overpriced.
Hi Stuart. Recently, having got a Tidal Hifi+ subscription, I’ve been listening on my iPhone, via USB camera adaptor and the supplied USB cable for the K9 – and something is definitely wrong…. almost on any track with a slow fade out, and usually (quite precisely), at around 13 seconds before the end of the track, the music cuts out very briefly twice and then maybe a third time another second later. I’m going to write to FiiO about this but I’m just wondering if you’ve heard of this before or would be interested in testing to see if your K9 does this too. It’s so annoying that I went back to the BT connection but with iPhone all you get is AAC. I’m going to see if there is a noticeable difference between USB and BT, and I realize that it may be too subtle, but I do want to get the quality of sound that I’m paying for. My suspicion is that the K9 is somehow tricked by the gradual level decrease into acting as if the track has ended while the level is still fading. It doesn’t happen over BT so that would appear to rule out the iPhone as the cause, but perhaps not necessarily? I will write to Tidal too, they are very responsive. I will also do some more testing.
Jenna,
This is actually a Tidal issue and something I experienced back when I still had a paid Hi-Fi subscription with them. Very annoying to the point where I almost canceled right then and there. It would happen on and off for hours at a time and really didn’t go away throughout the duration of my listening sessions. I eventually got rid of mine for a few reasons (that one included), but I’d def reach out to them about it as I am pretty certain not a K9 Pro issue.
Keep me posted!
Hi Stuart, thanks for the response. I just tried exactly the same tracks and USB connection with my Dragonfly Cobalt and it does not happen – which implies that it’s not a Tidal issue. It doesn’t happen when I connect my MacBook Air directly to the K9 by USB-C. Aha, after another test, it seems to be related to MQA only, when I used the same USB config mentioned , playing the HI-FI version rather than the ‘master’, it does not cut out near the end. What I suspect may solve the problem is using the Fiio LT-LT1 connector (mentioned on their support page, but which seems impossible to find at a reasonable total cost) or a similar USB-C DAC OTG cable that I found on amazon.com. When I get the OTG cable (expected for 9/22), I will let you know. Other than that, my experience with Tidal has been excellent so I guess they’ve ironed out those issues you had. One other thing – I don’t have any MQA files in my personal library, they are all FLAC so I can’t test it using MQA files that are not from Tidal. If anything useful comes from FiiO support, I’ll let you know.
My pleasure, Jenna! Keep me posted 🙂
Hi Stuart, FiiO don’t seem to have a solution for this, and I saw that at least one other person has almost exactly the same issue on head-fi.org. They have forwarded my issue to their engineers but are quite honest that I should not expect a solution in the immediate future. The new USB-C DAC OTG cable does not fix the issue, which was no surprise. However, the simple solution is to switch from Master to Hi-Fi since the issue does not occur with a Hi-Fi stream. Now, connected by cable to the K9, I see a yellow light which, probably, indicates 96/24 which I’m prefectly happy with. So, I’m just simply downgrading my Tidal subscription to Hi-Fi, which is prefectly good enough for my equipment and ears, and saving a few $ at the same time. If FiiO ever do come up with a solution, I’ll let you know. Your helpful engagement has been much appreciated.
No problem Jenna! I think what you just said would indicate it’s a Tidal issue if it doesn’t happen when switching from Master to Hi-Fi. I had the same exact problem with Master files and it was due to a Tidal error, not the DAC or anything else. Just my thoughts.
But, when I switch the K9 for a Dragonfly Cobalt, keeping everything else the same, the problem disappears. Perhaps, though, there is something in the Tidal data stream that causes the fault in the K9 that does not affect the Cobalt, and it’s possible for Tidal to fix it, the difference being in the DAC’s MQA handling and not really a K9 fault or error? Well, I’ve written to everyone else so now it’s time to see what Tidal have to say.
Could be. Hard to say either way but yeah, I def had issues with Masters specifically. Keep me posted!
Hi Stuart, hope you are well. Tidal finally got some info from FiiO and it appears (?) that they are aware of ‘an issue’ and that there may be a firmware fix for it at some unknown time in the future.. However, the simple solution was to revert back to HiFi on Tidal (reducing my subscription by 50%) where (of course) I discover that there is no clearly discernible difference between MQA and 44.1/16 using my P9’s, or at least any difference is so minute as to not impact the listening experience. Basically, since I don’t care about MQA, this is not an issue for me any more. The K9 works fine now and I can just listen to the music, which is the whole point.
Great to hear from you, Jenna! Wish I could make a poster of your comment and plaster it everywhere LOL.
Hi Stuart. Happy Holidays! Good news and bad news. I actually (!!) got a response from FiiO with a link to a firmware update (from vE 21 -> vE 25). I really believed that this would work (silly me). I had to go to the trouble of using my old Windows computer because they only included an .exe file, then I paid US$10 to upgrade my Tidal to HiFi Plus (downgrading it before next billing cycle). Following all the instructions and confirming with iPhone app that the firmware was the latest, I fired up Tidal and set it to Master quality streaming but was extremely disappointed that the same random drop outs still kept on coming (not often but once per song is enough to ruin it). Replied letting them know and how displeased I was. Grrr! I’m not sure I’m up for trying this again no matter what they promise – unless they refund my wasted $.
Anyway, best wishes for the New Year.
Jenna,
Happy Holidays to you and yours as well. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear that! This is why I dumped Tidal. I don’t think I’ve ever had a single dropout with Spotify. Tidal was a nightmare for me.
Keep me posted on everything! Hope you have a fantastic New Year and an an even better 2023.
-Stu
You’re right. I just went back to Apple Music and, big smile, I see that they have retained all of my info so it’s as if I never left. Now I have a nice yellow colour on my K9 and it sounds great. I only ever had drop-outs with MQA and I never had them with Apple before so now it’s ‘So long and thanks for all the [drop-out] ” -sh to Tidal.
Haha. So glad you’re Tidal-free. The app as a whole really is a pain in the ass. I too have been messing with colors but this time on the K7 in my comparison article to the K5 Pro, K3, and K9. Fun stuff!
Hi Stuart,
Thank you for this detailed review. I appreciate your work!
Did you try the Fiio K7 ?
Connected to a bluetooth device like FiiO BTA30 Pro, will this be a better value?
Hey there! Thank you for the nice comment. I have a K7 coming in the mail so stay tuned!!!
Hi Stuart. Just thought I’d pass this on in case you’ve heard of it elsewhere, and I’m sure it’s not my imagination. Since switching to Apple Music I am noticing, occasionally but often enough, what seem to be ‘digital audio artifacts’ in the form of very short high-pitched ‘tick’ sounds during playback from iPhone connected by USB DAC cable to the K9. I didn’t hear this with Tidal so now I’m trying Amazon to see if there’s a difference. I really do suspect that Apple are causing this. It’s noticeable enough to be an irritation. Hope you are well.
Jenna,
Thank you for the update! That’s .. disappointing. I don’t use Apple music but I was just reading that they have one of the largest selections of songs?
Yes, that does appear to be true, which is.. disappointing. I’ve found that Amazon is missing a few (mostly obscure) albums that I had on Apple. Also, Amazon is not entirely free from these artifacts but they appear much less frequently – so it’s hard to pinpoint the cause of the problem. If I had more time and energy I would do a direct comparison with my Cobalt but am just too busy at work these days. I should check to see if you have a section on streaming services to post more on the subject. I’ve just started using Presto Music for classical music – the indexing and search is so much better than on services designed for ‘songs’. I wonder why they don’t use the word ‘tracks’ instead for all the stuff out there that doesn’t have vocals!
Jenna,
Nice to hear from you again! I actually did update my Tidal vs. Spotify post so check that out but also now that you mention Amazon music I may add that one in the comparison as I do have Prime and thus the Amazon music app on my desktop. I just never use it. If it’s anything like Prime, I’m sure their selection is likely the best. I can pretty much find any film I want to see on Prime. Me and a friend are on this obsessive 20s-50s horror kick and it’s been super fun being able to find it all.
Hi Stuart,
Yes, I took a look at your Tidal / Spotify post and generally agree with your comments on Tidal. I really find on my K9 and P9s that 96/24 sounds better than 44/16 so that’s what I want and is why, right now, I’m comparing Apple to Amazon. Quite possibly I’m noticing the difference because 96/24 recordings are newer and made with better equipment and also the engineers know that listeners’ expectations are higher (e.g. soundstage). Unfortunately the random clicking and ticking sounds seem be just as bad on both so it could be the K9, my iPhone 14, or even my Modem (1.5 G fiberoptic). This irritates me so much that eventually I’ll have to determine where the problem lies. I only notice it on headphones but I’m sure that doesn’t mean it’s not present when playing through speakers or just that maybe it’s less noticeable; I’m not sure. But, for streaming, I listen to my speakers from iPhone via bluetooth to a CXA81 so maybe the clicks and ticks aren’t there(?) present – I’ll have to plug my phones into the amp to check. So, if you ever do some comparisions with other streaming service, I’ll be interested to hear your opinions – and especially if you experience these or other artifacts. Keep up the good work.
Jenna,
Great to hear from you! Sorry about your dilemma. I found this: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253572740 Could be an Apple issue. Seems a lot of users are having the same problem.
Def keep me posted! I was actually about to buy an iPhone 11 as I desperately need a new phone, but now I’m not so sure haha. While we’re on the subject, what are your thoughts and opinions on Apple/iPhones in general. Do you like your phone and are you satisfied with it? The guy at the store was really gushing over them. We’re basically between the iPhone 11 and the moto stylus.