Introduction

It's still May in 2023 as I write this review and already FiiO has launched more products than many companies do in a full year. Here at TechPowerUp, FiiO's coverage began with an entry level set of IEMs followed by one of the most versatile audio sources I have used to date in the FiiO R7 which is also a major component of the brand's new Hi-fi desktop setup venture that also includes brand new headphones and a set of speakers we will be looking at soon enough. Amidst all this, I should point out that FiiO desktop sources have consistently received the most views in this category, with the flagship K9 Pro ESS ending up being highly popular among customers and reviewers alike. The K9 Pro ESS costs $850 though and the impressive FiiO K7 at $200 meant there was a big gap in the lineup remaining to be filled.


Okay, there is a K7 BT now at $250 but you get the point. FiiO must have seen it too because its 2023 product roadmap included an interesting entry into the desktop DAC/amp line named the K9. A single look at the stock photo above indicates this is clearly based off the K9 Pro/K9 Pro ESS and FiiO is promising a worthy candidate in the ~$500 segment to take on the likes of the JDS Labs Element, YULONG DA-ART Aurora as well as intermediate stacks from the likes of TOPPING, S.M.S.L., and no doubt many others. Thanks to FiiO then for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp as we aim to examine these claims and see how well the K9 holds up in an extremely competitive market. As usual, we begin with a look at the product specifications below, so be sure to click the images twice to fully open it and go through all the details.

Specifications