John Darko
FiiO is taking the entry-level fight to WiiM’s door this week with the introduction of the K15: a desktop streaming DAC that’s also a pre-amplifier and a powerful headphone amplifier. Suffering a case of déjà vu? I know I am. According to the press release, the K15 features trickle-down technology from FiiO’s K17.
On the K15’s front panel, we find switches for power and operational mode (phones OUT, pre OUT and line OUT) plus five gain levels for headphone listening. Quarter-inch, 4.4mm and XLR headphone sockets cover most of the planet’s headphone connections with up to 3 Watts of Class A/B power spilling from the balanced outputs. The two LED-ringed rotaries give us access to volume control and the 4″ screen’s menu system. And that screen is a touchscreen with (I think) optional VU meter display.
On the back panel, we get 4.4mm and RCA analogue inputs plus the balanced XLR and RCA analogue outputs that allow the K15 to function as a pre-amplifier or standalone DAC.
Digital inputs number five: TOSLINK, coaxial, USB-C, USB-A and aptXHD/LDAC Bluetooth. The Ethernet socket and 2.4G/5G dual-band Wi-Fi inputs carry streams to an internal board that supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Roon. Yes, the K15 is already a fully-certified Roon Ready device.
All digital inputs must be converted to analogue before. The K15 is (apparently) one of the first audio products worldwide to feature a pair of AKM AK4497S DAC chips – part of the Japanese silicon manufacturer’s new Velvet Sound series – in a dual mono configuration. These feed a fully balanced and fully differential signal path. FiiO has also separated the analogue circuits from the digital and the power supplies by placing each one on a dedicated circuit board for a “tri-board” design.
Last word goes to the press release: “a 10-band parametric EQ is available via the FiiO Control app for further tweaking to find your perfect sound.”
Price: US$549, £499 or €599. Shipping begins August 1st. Previews can be had at CanJam London on July 19th.
Further information: FiiO
