FIIO K11 Compact Desktop R2R Architecture DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Black)

The media could not be loaded. I’ve been running the FiiO K11 R2R for a while now, and it’s an incredible way to step into ladder DACs without spending a fortune. Build quality is solid, the display is clear, and it’s truly plug-and-play.Unlike the standard K11, which uses a delta-sigma DAC chip, this version employs a true R-2R resistor ladder to convert digital to analog (No DAC chip). The R2R architecture gives music an organic, textured feel, and makes its OS/NOS switch worth exploring.Here’s how the two modes behave:•Oversampling (OS) is my default. It keeps rock, classical, and movie scores lively and punchy, with tight bass and precise imaging.•Non-Oversampling (NOS) softens edges and smooths the top end — great for older masters like Silver Springs from Fleetwood Mac, bright recordings, or late-night listening sessions.Switching is instant, so you can tailor playback to the recording.My listening chain is: Bluesound Node (coax out) → K11 R2R DAC → Denon AVR-X4500H (analog in) → Emotiva BasX amp → ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 towers + dual REL T/1003 10″ sealed subs. I run the AVR in Stereo mode while bypassing Audyssey EQ on the mains — this gives me the transparency of Pure Direct while keeping my subs engaged.Using the Audyssey MultEQ-X PC app, I let it measure the F5.2s’ natural roll-off and it automatically set their crossovers around 40 Hz. I also keep the AVR’s bass management set to LFE + Main, which blends the RELs smoothly with the towers instead of letting the subs “bloom” separately. The result is bass that feels integrated rather than overblown.Price-wise, the K11 R2R is unbeatable. Many R-2R DACs run for about $1,000 or more, but this one is roughly $175. The high-end models may squeeze out another 30–50 % of refinement, yet they’re not 5–6× better — for most setups, that premium price tag just isn’t justified.If you’re curious about R-2R sound and want a DAC that punches way above its price, the K11 R2R is an easy recommendation.In addition, this DAC has made my Sennheiser HD650XX headphones come alive for the first time ever!This DAC is a no-brainer upgrade IMHO, however, based on the reviews you may want to buy the additional extended warranty as this product only comes with a one year warranty.Thank you for reading this and I hope it was helpful!!

I purchased this unit as an introduction to the "R2R sound" and yes, it delivers! I was previously using a Schiit Modi+ DAC, and while good as an entry-level DAC, I wanted something different, so I went for this, after seeing and reading several positive reviews.It's an entry-level DAC but it's a very nice unit, well built, feels solid although very lightweight (not ideal for desktop setup if you want it not to move while using the dial or swaping cables); very intuitive to use, no need to read the manual.I'd say it's a very different flavor that my previous Schiit DAC; this one sounds a bit fuller and livelier. Nowadays that I'm using a pricier R2R DAC which has a more refined sound, this one sounds a bit "overproduced"; the sound is truly engaging but it sounds a bit too much "enhanced" specially in the high registers.Don't have too much to say about the headphone output; I didn't use it really. I was using it as a desktop DAC with my home audio system which has a nice headphone amp for late night sessions. I tested back and forth the OS and NOS modes and, while not a night and day difference, the NOS mode makes this DAC a true delight to listen your music through.If you're on a limited budget and want a nice DAC with great sound and that's easy to use, this one is a NO BRAINER!!

There are a wide range of opinions out there about the sound quality of this DAC. I'm firmly in the "sounds excellent" camp, for DACs in this price range. Remember - this is an entry level DAC, not $5000 R2R DAC. It should be compared to other DACs in its price range, not to R2R DACs in general. That said, it has plenty of "R2R-ness" in how it sounds.The sound staging is excellent, about as good as you can get with headphones. The accuracy and precision is high enough that crappy recordings are nearly unbearable to listen to, as they should be. I played in orchestras and big bands and I'm always listening for inner parts - that third horn bit in this piece or the bass trombone part - and that's all there. I've gone back and forth on NOS versus oversampling, and find that just like on every other DAC I have, it depends which sounds best from album to album. I'm running it with a wifi Raspberry Pi supplying signal via USB.I have noticed that choosing the right sensitivity for the headphones used matters a LOT in sound quality, and I listen through everything from custom in-ears through some really nasty and hard to drive planar headphones. This DAC doesn't do a wonderful job on the two hardest to drive headphones, but is perfect for everything else as long as I pay attention to selecting the right sensitivity. But that means that each time I use a different headphone, I have to deal with that single knob interface. I find the single knob interface to be annoying and fussy like every other similar implementation out there... would a couple of selector buttons really kill the value proposition???Overall, happy with performance, sound quality. Fun to listen through. You'd be hard pressed to match the sound quality anywhere near this price