I was originally looking for DX3 Pro +, but I saw this on Amazon and also see someone who barley appreciate products is reviewing K7 by impression. So I make the decision on K7 right away. I love it, I have a AKG K712 which was running with my M1 Max MacBook Pro, it sounds clear on the MacBook, but it sounds more like Music on the K7.
@@huizan5041 at the moment I have that stack, had it for basically a year and a half, really like it with my Sundaras, but I think it is time for me to move on, maybe to the K7
Hello! Thanks for the great video. Quick question for you - On the output switch, what is the difference between Line Out (LO) and Pre (pre out)? thanks again.
it's volume control, one doesn't have it, while other is controlled by the knob so it depends on AMP you want to use. usually it's recommended to use Amp's control of volume, but sometimes it can be different
Any thoughts about how it compares against the DX3pro+? I recently got the DX3 just days before K7 was made available. After listening for many hours on the DX3pro+, I am still not liking the sound, because the top end is quite piercing and I get tired after listening for a while unless I EQ it. It seems that to get a feel of airiness, Topping messed around with how the DAC reproduces the treble region. On the other hand, I have tried the M11plus ESS DAP from FiiO and just love the beautiful sound coming from it. It sounds luxurious, silky, realistic, and elegant compared to the DX3pro+.
unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to test this topping model and, as you like M11Plus, probablility that you'll like K7 more is pretty high, as FiiO is tuning recent devices in relatively similar style
I also have the DX3pro+ and cannot listen to it because of the sharpness. So on 11.11 I ordered the K7. Waiting for the package to come. Really disappointed by all of the reviewers claiming DX3pro is an excellent device.
@@milosCivejovidar I guess I'm not the only one who felt DX3pro+ to be piercing and brighter than what feels natural. I just placed an order for K7 now, minutes before seeing your reply. I've recently read some hifi forums and I found quite a few people saying that DX3pro+ sounds thin and shiny. So we are not alone.
@@HammadIqbalPhoto Even the basic headphone output from my 10 year old MacBook sounds better than the DX3Pro+. Had to waste over 200 USD to find that out.
Is this amp good for pairing with my dt990 pro 250ohm? Now i have the fiio q11. I like the sound, is full body, deep and clear, but not enough power. So i' m thinking to go buy a k7 for my dt 250ohm. Do you think its a good choice the k7 for these headphones? Thanks.
Hello, IMO it's more than good for mid segment headphones like Bayers, Sennheisers, etc. It's dynamic, it has powerful amplifier, price is more than reasonable, etc. :)
you know, sound stage difference won't be a big criteria here, as stage is mostly dependent on headphones, and difference won't be that noticeable, compared to better dynamics, precision and tightness that K7 offers compared to K5 Pro
Hello..good review, can you tell me if this dac amp is more lush punchy and no fatigue sound like ifi zen v2? Or is more analitical dey sounding device?
Thanks for making this video! I have a question. I have a fiio btr5 and a pair of Focal Elegia. I mainly use it on my PC and I kind of wish I had a knob but I wouldn't upgrade unless it was also a big improvement in sound. Do you have experience with the BTR5? What do you recommend? Thanks in advance!
I haven't test any of Focal models (unfortunately), so I can't be 100% sure, but "in general" with a good full-size cans desktop amp will give better control, more dynamics and engagement. And K7 is actually a reaaaaly good desktop DAC with a surprisingly good price But to be 100% sure you can try asking on Head-Fi, it's a big forum, so there is a possibility that someone tried this in practice
Well, I didn't have Mojo for test, and I just auditioned it in the shop, but by memory this DAC is more netural, with more natural treble representation
Great review. I thought that was a bit big but it copes with a great range. And headphone amps I've had tend to sit near me in a fixed location. And great to see the chapter sections in the video.
@@PortaFi Thank you for your reply! I am using it mainly for IEMs, so the difference should be less significant? Is it worth paying $500 more to get the Q7? I am pairing it with Effect Gaea. Thank you!
difference will be still noticeable, but I think it's better to start with K7, Q7 is a DAC for hi-end models first of all, and spending that amount of money without trying isn't an optimal idea
Great review. I just bought the K7 and i love it. I wanted to add more volume when I was using my HD650 with Sonarworks on my Apollo Twin X. It works great now on its own. I have no idea how to connect the K7 to the Apollo. Any thoughts please?
Thank you! I never tested Apollo Twin (it looks fancy on photo I must admit), so I don't have a practical advice here, but based on photo I see that Apollo has a line out on the back side. So you'll need a cable to connect line out of Apollo to the line in of K7, in this case Apollo will do D/A conversion, and K7 - amplification
@@PortaFi Thank you so much. I stayed up late last night researching this as this is my first amp. Lots of things to learn. Finally found a cable to out from Apollo headphone out to k7 rca line in. And it works. Yay!
Hello. Tell me, please, will there be any problems if you connect such headphones as FiiO FD3 Pro and FiiO FF5 to the K7? The DAC and amplifier are very powerful, headphones do not need such power, will there be distortion in the sound? I plan to buy K7 as a universal device for my current and future headphones. I just heard that sometimes there are problems with this when simple cheap headphones are connected to an expensive DAC and amplifier. I also plan to buy Meze 99 Classics in the near future, will the K7 be suitable for them?
no, there won't be any problems unless you'll select high gain and crank volume knob to the maximum. of course, in case of cheap earphones connected to expensive DAC (or vice-versa) full potential of "higher" device will be not maximum, but I won't call that a "real" problem as it won't damage anything, and if you'll like the pairing, you can use it but FD3 Pro and FF5 won't be that case, as they're pretty decent iems
Just in time, thanks for the review. Could you please just outline the differences (level, maybe character of the sound) in comparison with something like Fiio KA3 dongle (without considering the power)?
Hi, in your expert opinion is this K7 better or the Topping DX3 Pro Plus? I would pair either of these devices with Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones. thank you.
@@t3tr1s0 from my experience: don't look at specs at all. All normal modern DACs have great specs, and that small difference is beyond our ears perception. So, to make a choice first check out features you want (inputs/ouputs/extras), then thing about the desired representation (monitoring, warm, etc), and finally consider design
to be honest, there are much better explanations in the internet than mine but in short, balanced amplifier in headphones world is the way to achieve double power (sometimes less, depending on implementation) and a bit better channel separation some people believe that balanced is always better, but in many cases it depends on headphones
@@PortaFi sorry i think i asked the question wrong, not single ended vs balanced in general, but on the K7. i plan to purchase the K7 but my budget is tight and for a while i can only use the 6.3mm single ended output only, thats why i wonder if there is any difference in tonality and technicalities between the 6.3mm output vs 4.4mm on K7
@@nezt94 same applies to K7 too. If you don't have a tough load that requires more power, then you can enjoy single-ended output. It delivers 1200+ mW per channel for 32Ω load, which is more than enough for the vast majority of cans on the market. So enjoy it! K7 is one of the best price/quality options so far :)
As far as I remember, I didn't test X1S version, so I can't say anything objective here. You can try asking on Head-Fi.org, there are much wider audience, so quite possible someone can give a useful answer
If you like K5 Pro, then there is no sense. It's always a good idea (at least IMO) to stay with gear you like. BTW, FiiO has K7 with BT version is coming, I think it's worth a wait
Well, K7 is definitely better in terms of sound quality, but main question here is that K5 Pro is also a really decent device, so difference isn't huge
I didn't test in practice, but hypothetically it should be good. It's pretty powerful, technical, and not dull. Should be at least decent match for many models
there can't be any distinct answer, as it's a random process. if you'll turn volume to maximum for a second, most probably there won't be any issues (at least with headphones, not sure about ears), but it's not 100% if you're planning to do that for a long period of time, it's better to look at headphones spec to see their max power
@@PortaFi Thanks to the answer, I found that the maximum input power is 100mW, but I have one more question and that is how is it sonically k7 compared to Fiio btr7 and shanling UA5.
@@medvidek77 well, in terms of representation K7 is "in between", not as monitoring as BTR7, not as warm as UA5. In general, it's more balanced in terms of sound, it has better dynamics and control. It's more noticeable with headphones and less noticeable with IEM
I don't have HD800S to compare with them, but K9 Pro is better, especially in treble area, but not limited to it. But in general, quality improvement isn't proportional to price
@@sergz8241 I really wanted to test ADI-2, but didn't get the chance, maybe in some future… but based on opinions of people I trust, it's really great. So I'd really considered it (at least for myself :) )
@@PortaFi Thanks for your review. I personally wanted to get an ADI 2 Pro FS-R because ADI 2 DAC FS has ESS, and having my ESS experience with some devices and the sound being a bit sharp, so I steered towards the 2 Pro which has Dual AKM4493. Plus it has a lot of options for audio output because I want to get a new pair of Studio Monitors too. However since I'm straddled with budget so probably going for K7 and will get the RME later on.
Could someone explain what the BALANCED 4.4MM output means? Can I use it on any headphones? Is the balanced ouput for shooting it into another audio device? Like not for shooting into headphones?
Actually, there are lots of good detailed explanations about balanced out. I think it's simpler to google for it, then write brief explanation In short: it gives more power to headphones, but you need to use headphones with balanced connection only
@@PortaFi Yeah research has been annoying because there seems to be no collection of balanced headphones and it's not specificed on most headphones info pages.
basic "rule of the thumb" here: all IEMs with replaceable cables can be made balanced by cable switch. same with headphones with Y-cable (connecting to both cups). For the rest - it's necessary to search for info :)
As far as I understand, this Edifier's model is an active speaker. So you can connect them to the line out of K7, and it will work as a pure DAc for them
@@PortaFi thanks. My understanding as well is they're a powered speaker. I was deciding between the K7 and the E30 l30 ii stack and think I will get this K7.
