Audio 2G
FiiO K15, DAC, preamplifier, headphone amplifier debuts July 19 at Canjam in London. The product, which in the tradition of the Eastern manufacturer will for sure be a champion of value for money, contains an interesting novelty, being equipped with a pair of the new Asaki Kasei 4497S chips
which join the premium 4491&4499 chips and all belong to the Velvet Sound line. R4497S, released in November 2024, and available from March 2025, is not yet on board any audio device except in this FiiO K15, which fits into the catalog between K11 (soon to be tested both on our YT channel and on this site), the more compact DAC/headphone amplifier in R2R technology, and the ambitious K17, equipped with the 4191/4499 pair. K15 not only streamer, DAC, and amplifier, then, but a true listening center, capable of handling digital and analog sources. USB input with XMOS XU316 interface (PCM 768 kHz/32 bit and DSD512) and Bluetooth LDAC, aptX HD and AAC. Completing the digital equipment is wired/Wi-Fi dual band connectivity at 2.4 and 5 GHz, through which to stream via Roon and AirPlay.
On the analog front, K15 accepts unbalanced connections via RCA and balanced with 4.4mm mini-jack. The architecture is fully balanced, taking advantage of the dual-differential DAC pair, with separate internal organization (circuitry divided into three separate boards-digital, analog, and power supply) to minimize interference and crosstalk, with digital and analog sections having independent power lines. The user interface, as well as in enclosure and front panel organization, are borrowed from its big brother K17, and thus 3.93-inch color monitor, with some knobs giving the machine a vaguely vintage look. Five gain levels dedicated to headphone listening can be selected, with 6.3 mm headphone, balanced 4.4 mm and XLR. outputs. The FiiO K15 thus stands to become a reference for those seeking a universal audio hub, capable of uncompromisingly integrating a passion for analog with the potential of digital. We’ll see when it becomes available for sale on Amazon.
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