Whether you want to listen to DAB, stream or – just to name a few – use the built-in headphone amplifier: the FiiO R9 can do it all.
The Chinese company FiiO regularly releases very nice devices. However – as always – we do have a raise a flag. A device like the FiiO R9 is constantly connected to the Internet and can also access devices on your home network. It runs an open version of Android as the OS, but you can’t tell from the outside whether there might be some uninvited guests in the form of state spyware hitching a ride. In short: if you want to use a device like this (relatively) safely, at least connect it to a network separate from your main home or business network. That could be your router’s guest network, for example, if it supports such functionality.
Android Open
That said, the FiiO R9 is an (almost) all-in-one equipped with a 7300 mW headphone amplifier. It lacks a regular power amplifier, but you can effortlessly connect active or, if necessary, Bluetooth speakers to it. Thanks to Android Open and an app store containing apps like Apple Music, Tidal and so on, the R9 allows you to stream directly without further intervention from smartphones or other external devices. The integrated DAC is based on two 8-channel ES9038 Pros. The set features numerous connections and has a price tag of €1490.