Right this moment, Louis opinions the FiiO BTR17, a wireless-capable twin ES9069Q dongle DAC able to as much as DSD512 decoding and 650mW output energy. It’s priced at $199.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in trade for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank FiiO for his or her assist.
You’ll be able to click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio products we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This put up follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Right this moment, we’ll cowl FiiO’s sequel to their very fashionable BTR7 wi-fi DAC dongle, the BTR17, priced at $199.99.
For my part, FiiO leads the Bluetooth receiver phase as a result of they provide extra fashions on this class than some other model I do know of.
For dongle DACs, we’ve got gone by way of the BTR1K, the BTR3, the BTR5, and their final flagship, the BTR7. FiiO has additionally began to refresh this line with latest releases, together with the BTR13 and the BTR15.
The BTR17 is FiiO’s flagship refresh, that includes fairly a couple of upgrades in comparison with the earlier prime mannequin.
Options
Decoding
The FiiO BTR17 is what I name a composite audio gadget, because it contains many features and aspects. Let’s begin with the DAC part as a result of the BTR17 is not only a Bluetooth receiver.
When utilizing the BTR17 as a DAC amplifier by way of USB, the sign first goes by way of a professional-grade XMOS 16-core XU316 chip, which lets you hook up with most gadgets and play again numerous digital codecs.
On this mode, the BTR17 can be utilized as a desktop DAC amplifier or as a dongle DAC with a cellular gadget.
From there, the sign goes to a pair of ES9069Q DAC chipsets which, mixed with the XMOS chip, permit the BTR17 to play PCM, DSD, and MQA recordsdata. The BTR17 is able to dealing with 32-bit 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA 16x codecs.
For those who hook up with the BTR17 by way of Bluetooth, you’ll be utilizing the built-in Qualcomm flagship QCC5181 5.4 Bluetooth platform.
This platform permits you to hook up with the BTR17 utilizing the brand new aptX Lossless codec, in addition to LDAC, AAC, SBC, and several other aptX variants corresponding to aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and customary aptX.
Not solely can it assist most digital music codecs and Bluetooth wi-fi codecs, however you should utilize the BTR17 with a PC, Android gadget, iPhone, iOS, or Chromebook.
Amplification
The amplification setup appears much like what’s discovered on my M11 Pro and just lately reviewed KA17. The BTR17 employs a pair of THX AAA78+ chips and implements a four-way, absolutely balanced topology amplifier configuration.
On this mannequin, FiiO has carried out their desktop mode: flip a swap, then join a second USB-C cable, and also you’ll get extra energy and better output present functionality. Utilizing the BTR17 in D mode, you may obtain as much as 650mW per facet.
For additional customization, FiiO included a 10-stage PEQ. Contained in the menu, the PEQ mode choice provides eight manufacturing facility EQ presets and three user-defined curves. These might be chosen by way of the FiiO Management App or rapidly accessed by double-tapping the earlier observe button.
Design
The brand new design is relatively busy for my style, with full pushbutton controls, entrance glass therapy, a rubberized again, plus an extra rotary quantity knob. I might label the BTR17’s look as fashionable “Mech-Tech.”
The display look has been improved, and the most important change is within the quantity management. The quantity buttons have been changed with a multi-function knurled rotary knob, much like the one on the GO blu.
The rotary knob features as a 60-step quantity management and in addition grants entry to the primary display’s options. By urgent and holding the knob, you enter the menu, the place turning the knob scrolls by way of the choices.
Aesthetics
The BTR17 physique is product of anodized aluminum with extra outlined—however not sharp—edges. The general measurement stays the identical because the earlier mannequin, the BTR7.
My solely concern with this design is the rubberized backplate. It gives a non-slip grip, particularly when holding the unit. Nonetheless, I’m hoping it’s a rubber mat that received’t degrade over time like rubber coatings typically do. I might have most popular that FiiO included a separate rubber mat.
Apart from that, the BTR17 is solidly constructed, handsome, and aesthetically pleasing. Initially, I felt it may be higher to unfold a number of the buttons throughout each side, however protecting all of them on one facet is sensible because it permits for one-hand, one-finger operation.
I/O
The one twist in connectivity right here is the additional USB-C energy port. The BTR17 has two USB-C ports on the backside of the unit: one to feed the DAC and the opposite strictly for energy and charging.
After all, you should utilize the BTR17 with simply the info port, operating it in telephone mode to forestall draining your telephone’s battery.
On this mode, the BTR17 makes use of solely its inside battery. When telephone mode is disabled, the info port expenses the interior battery however will rapidly drain your telephone’s battery.
The remainder of the I/O is customary. The BTR17 is supplied with a 3.5mm customary 3-pin single-ended connection and a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connector. Each connections are flush-mounted on the highest of the unit.
Controls
The entire BTR17 controls are positioned on one facet, with none on the opposite. The ability button is positioned just under the quantity knob on the prime.
Urgent and holding the facility button turns the unit on or off, and a fast press wakes up the display. A small orifice above the facility button homes the interior microphone.
Beneath are two buttons for skipping ahead and backward between tracks, that additionally twin as fast EQ preset controls.
Beneath these buttons are two slider-style switches. One selects the working mode, providing three choices: PC, Bluetooth, and telephone. The second swap prompts the aforementioned desktop mode, or “D mode,” as FiiO calls it.
FiiO Management
At present, FiiO has not but configured its Management app to work absolutely with the BTR17, so I can’t remark a lot on this facet.
While you attempt to sync the app with the gadget, it does detect the BTR17, nonetheless, the emblem displayed is a generic blue field as a substitute of a picture of the BTR17, suggesting that it hasn’t been absolutely built-in but.
FiiO tends to go away app updates till later; for instance, the UTWS5 was launched, and when the app first turned out there, some options that have been current on the UTWS3—such because the equalizer and presets—have been lacking.
These have been added later. FiiO does all the time come by way of, although, and as we speak the app helps most options for his or her gadgets, together with new additions like LDAC functionality for the UTWS5. I anticipate full BTR17 compatibility will arrive quickly, opening up extra options.
Microphone
My Android telephone lets me select between the telephone’s built-in microphone or the BTR17’s microphone. From what I can inform, the BTR17 has a single microphone, although I’m unsure if it makes use of a MEMS mic system or has beamforming capabilities.
When testing the microphone, I seen an enchancment in audio high quality and pickup sample when the mic was nearer to my face. Don’t anticipate good pickup high quality or sensitivity when you preserve the BTR17 in your pants pocket.
The decision high quality was first rate, much like a median name-brand cell phone. However once more, for greatest efficiency, deliver the unit as much as face stage.
Battery Life
The BTR17’s inside battery is 1200mAh, barely bigger than the 880mAh battery within the BTR7. Nonetheless, this mannequin lacks wi-fi charging. It expenses rapidly with a median 2A charger, taking a little bit over an hour to succeed in full capability.
One characteristic I’d like to see in such a gadget is a user-replaceable battery in case it loses its capability over time.
Battery life depends upon the kind of headphones used and the quantity stage. With delicate IEMs, I achieved round 8 hours at mid-volume, which isn’t dangerous. Decreasing the quantity can enhance playback time to round 9 hours, although inefficient headphones will have an effect on it considerably.
Packaging & Equipment
FiiO is normally beneficiant with equipment, however this time the field accommodates solely a minimal quantity. It lacks connectivity choices with no full-sized USB or Lightning cable included.
Probably the most notable included accent is the FiiO-branded leather-based case. Kudos to FiiO, as many producers make their instances a separate buy. The field features a brief USB-C to USB-C cable, a fast information, and an proprietor’s guide.
The BTR17 is housed in a foam mildew contained in the field for defense throughout transit. The equipment are available a separate, smaller field, and the primary field is a bit massive for its contents, suggesting it might have been extra compact.
Sound Impressions
I used a few of my favourite headphones beginning with the HIFIMAN Arya Organic and the Ananda Nano together with MEZE Audio’s 99 Classics. In each case, I used balanced connectivity.
Opposite, I used single-ended connectivity for the IEMs I examined. I used the FiiO FA19, the FH19, and the FD5. I additionally used the ORIVETI OH700VB and the Svanar from HIFIMAN.
The BTR17’s inside PEQ mode was set to the off place. I used two items of drugs to feed the FiiO BTR17, my customized Ryzen PC with Home windows 11, and a OnePlus Nord transmitting on LDAC.
Abstract
The general sonic character of the FiiO BTR17 jogs my memory of my M11 Professional however there appears to be a sonic refinement in sure areas.
The BTR17 does have some energy circuitry enhancements and an up to date DAC part which is actually the supply of enchancment.
The general sonic expertise may very well be summed up as impartial, vivid, and crisp, with a bass response that could be a bit dry however wealthy intimately, punchy, and dynamic.
The midrange by no means veers from sounding pure and is accurately represented so far as general steadiness and pitch are involved.
The excessive frequencies are sharp and crisp however are extremely depending on sign high quality significantly when you’re tapped into the Bluetooth entrance finish. Utilizing the BTR17 on an LDAC codec, you get 90% of the sound high quality you get linked on to a USB supply.
What was lacking on Bluetooth was a number of the micro-details and the very prime of the excessive frequencies. Nonetheless, on desktop mode and fed by a USB immediately, the BTR17 outperforms most of as we speak’s dongles and most price range DAPs. The BTR17 is ideal for somebody who doesn’t need to splurge on a DAP.
The BTR17 produces sound with a black background permitting element to shine when you’re utilizing one of many high-quality codecs. Element manufacturing is highest when the BTR17 is used as a dongle DAC or in Dmode with a USB sign and high-quality audio sources.
Staging and Dynamics
The soundstage high quality additionally depends upon the standard of the sign being fed into the BTR17, In an excellent setting, and with a clear enter, the BTR17 can produce a large, tall soundstage with a enjoyable placement perspective.
Dynamic vary additionally advantages from utilizing the USB-C enter because it appears you lose a little bit of that snappiness and slap from on the spot transients by utilizing Bluetooth however that’s anticipated. Utilizing a USB-C sign produces transients which might be fast and hard-hitting.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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