FiiO BTR7 Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Dual DAC output. Seems this means it has a higher peak to peak voltage than most other bluetooth DAC devices. It easily drives a pre-amp input to high levels. Copes with ribbon and 300 ohm headphones better than other receivers. You will still need to pair it with another headphone amp for hearing-detroying levels. Bluetooth connection is rock-solid. So many codecs are supported. I use LDAC exlusively as it is lossless. Display is a very nice touch. No more having to remember what colour means what. Beatiful device. Quality unit. Retro "leatherette" case. Money well spent.

A Clear Improvement Over The BTR5

I have owned the BTR5 for two years and continue to enjoy it. However, the BTR7 is an improvement in every way. It is bigger, but that is the only downside. The improved screen is very welcome because it can display the bitrate in a readable format. It is more stable when used in DAC mode. The 4.4mm Pentacon connector for balanced cables is much better than the old 2.5mm standard. Most importantly, it can drive full sized headphones properly, and it sounds great.

A disappointing affair - FIIO 💀

So no doubt this is a solid product, however this is not a perfect one.The tiny screen doesn't make any sense at all, they could have added some additional info in the front glass panel.Second, it is a Bluetooth receiver, so you won't be able to connect Bluetooth earphones.Third, the battery sucks .. it is not even giving a proper 5-6 hr on MQA USB connection.The cables provides are small and of poor quality.You can never turn off the Bluetooth. It will always try to pair as soon as you turn it, we could have saved a lot of battery consumption by disabling it.You can connect maximum two bluetooth device again as it is just a receiver you can only use one device at a time.The design is a finger magent and that cover is dust magnet.Pros - wireless charging ... MoreSo no doubt this is a solid product, however this is not a perfect one.The tiny screen doesn't make any sense at all, they could have added some additional info in the front glass panel.Second, it is a Bluetooth receiver, so you won't be able to connect Bluetooth earphones.Third, the battery sucks .. it is not even giving a proper 5-6 hr on MQA USB connection.The cables provides are small and of poor quality.You can never turn off the Bluetooth. It will always try to pair as soon as you turn it, we could have saved a lot of battery consumption by disabling it.You can connect maximum two bluetooth device again as it is just a receiver you can only use one device at a time.The design is a finger magent and that cover is dust magnet.Pros - wireless charging , very good MQA , PCM unfolding at 32 bits. Sound is vivid and not sharp. It doesn't add additional layer instead enhance the sound amazingly.In short waste of money.

Amazing, except eq software doesn’t work properly

I am using the BTR7 with a pair of M50x and an iPhone XS. I always thought the lightning dongle was pretty good, decent timing and ok dynamics but sounds a bit flat with the M50x, they are decent but not a very musical sounding headphone tbh. The DF Red was my solution but wasn’t really one. I like the M50x because they’re inexpensive and can be driven by anything. The BTR7 did not sound much better when I first got it though a lot more power. I did a 100h burn in on the BTR7 and wow it sounds so lively and dynamic compared to the Apple dongle now with A+B testing. Timing is spot on from the start and after the break in period leaves the Apple dongle for dust in terms of liveliness and dynamics. I listen to my same music and I actually have fun now. It has a similar ... MoreI am using the BTR7 with a pair of M50x and an iPhone XS. I always thought the lightning dongle was pretty good, decent timing and ok dynamics but sounds a bit flat with the M50x, they are decent but not a very musical sounding headphone tbh. The DF Red was my solution but wasn’t really one. I like the M50x because they’re inexpensive and can be driven by anything. The BTR7 did not sound much better when I first got it though a lot more power. I did a 100h burn in on the BTR7 and wow it sounds so lively and dynamic compared to the Apple dongle now with A+B testing. Timing is spot on from the start and after the break in period leaves the Apple dongle for dust in terms of liveliness and dynamics. I listen to my same music and I actually have fun now. It has a similar sound to the DF Red but the BTR7 gives a better sense of life and really throws itself into the music. Same fast timing as DF Red but more dynamic and more powerful. Also the BTR7 has cleaner and better extended highs than the DF. The best sound I’ve ever heard out of a headphone jack and even with AAC over Bluetooth it makes the M50x sing and punch like I’ve never heard them really do. The software on the BTR7 is pretty glitchy when it comes to the EQ. I don’t need it anyways. It has decent battery life and is a f gorgeous little gadget and Bluetooth is so far flawless.

Fantastic sound, poor Battery

The sound and features are terrific, especially for the price point. However, while battery life is excellent in Bluetooth mode, it is very underwhelming in USB DAC mode. Additionally, the excellent PEQ is only applicable to USB 1.0 and Bluetooth modes, leaving the user out of luck with Tidal and other apps that don't have a built-in EQ. Hopefully that is not a hardware limitation and FiiO will correct that oversight in a future firmware update.The BH Photo team have been outstanding, as usual. Will definitely purchase from then again in the future.

Great sound quality using both

Great sound quality using both IEMs (FiiO FH5S Pro) & my old trusty Bose QC25s. The mic makes it nice to carry on a phone conversation, but I’ve been told my voice volume is low unless I have it close to my mouth. Siri seems to understand fairly well when voice texting. Overall, I’m quite pleased. The FiiO control app needs a lot of work. The equalizer sliders are horrible. Also, the app should allow for more customization of the buttons. For a compact combo Bluetooth/wired DAC AMP, I’m really happy. FiiO makes some quality stuff.

Monster!!

Don't judge its SQ and ability to drive looking at its price and size.I have used it with Monarch MK2, IE900, Ananda, Arya V2, Arya SE and Final E5000. It paired so well with everything and had enough juice even for Arya V2 and E5000(which is very hard to drive).Fiio surprisingly engineered it to sound the best out of AAC compared to wired. It can definitely go against a $1000 DAP(I have owned a Shanling M7 earlier) and compared BTR7 against Shanling H7(it was coming close to H7 for IEMs and it was better than H7 with Arya SE).Best pairing with Monarch MK2(to my ears) so far. It surprisingly sounds the best out of AAC compared to the wired option.Other pairings that I have tried: Shanling M7, Shanling H7, AK SP2000T, iBasso Dx320(stock amp), Sony 707, iDSD ... MoreDon't judge its SQ and ability to drive looking at its price and size.I have used it with Monarch MK2, IE900, Ananda, Arya V2, Arya SE and Final E5000. It paired so well with everything and had enough juice even for Arya V2 and E5000(which is very hard to drive).Fiio surprisingly engineered it to sound the best out of AAC compared to wired. It can definitely go against a $1000 DAP(I have owned a Shanling M7 earlier) and compared BTR7 against Shanling H7(it was coming close to H7 for IEMs and it was better than H7 with Arya SE).Best pairing with Monarch MK2(to my ears) so far. It surprisingly sounds the best out of AAC compared to the wired option.Other pairings that I have tried: Shanling M7, Shanling H7, AK SP2000T, iBasso Dx320(stock amp), Sony 707, iDSD Signature and Fiio M17.The best part is its size, transparent sound while being musical, dark background, good synergy with almost everything(I was surprised that I liked IE900), excellent refinement for the price and also technical performance.I am still surprised to see such performance at this price, one can easily use this as their main source for IEMs and as a portable source for HPs(at least planars till Arya segment).Great job Fiio with the pricing.

My first DAC

I recently bought DT700 PROX . I wanted a heavenly music output. Damn ! The BTR7 made me experience something different, not what I used to experience directly from my devices . It was heavenly. So much details and richness of music(not going into technical details). I am totally satisfied with my investment. Literally can mouthshut anyone who logically debates , on why spend on DACs when you can listen to music anyway.

Pretty clean sound and surprisingly good at multiple connections

I had a Fiio X5 that used to be my main portable music player. When it died, I was not sure if I needed a standalone music player or if a DAC with my phone would work. I started using my phone with a usb dac in the car and for headphone listening. After a while, when the car bluetooth interface also broke down, I was having trouble with two phones and no way to use both of them with one headphone or in the car. The BTR7 has not only given me a sound quality upgrade, it has also solved my phone connection problems completely. The USB connection gives the best sound, but the bluetooth also is pretty close behind. Soundstage is more distinct than it was with the Fiio X5. I prefer a sharper base and after some fiddling with the EQ, I have been able to find a preferred ... MoreI had a Fiio X5 that used to be my main portable music player. When it died, I was not sure if I needed a standalone music player or if a DAC with my phone would work. I started using my phone with a usb dac in the car and for headphone listening. After a while, when the car bluetooth interface also broke down, I was having trouble with two phones and no way to use both of them with one headphone or in the car. The BTR7 has not only given me a sound quality upgrade, it has also solved my phone connection problems completely. The USB connection gives the best sound, but the bluetooth also is pretty close behind. Soundstage is more distinct than it was with the Fiio X5. I prefer a sharper base and after some fiddling with the EQ, I have been able to find a preferred setting. Very happy with my purchase.

The best bluetooth portable dac amp

Ive always been a fan of Fiio, and what they were doing with DAPs as well as smartphone audio accessories like the KA series and BTR is truly commendable. Let me get this out of the way. The BTR5 is probably the best at what it does at this price point. Heres my definition of "what it does": 1. Good dac, 2. Powerful amp with a low noise floor 3. Works seamlessly both wired and wireless 4. Great bluetooth connectivity and range 5. Quick UI (although it takes a noticable second more while increasing volume) & pairingBased on the above, i am fairly confident that nothing does all or most of the above as well as the btr7.How does it sound: wireless, just excellent (we are on the heels of wired here, but there is a difference in quality). Wired, i think its a matter ... MoreIve always been a fan of Fiio, and what they were doing with DAPs as well as smartphone audio accessories like the KA series and BTR is truly commendable. Let me get this out of the way. The BTR5 is probably the best at what it does at this price point. Heres my definition of "what it does": 1. Good dac, 2. Powerful amp with a low noise floor 3. Works seamlessly both wired and wireless 4. Great bluetooth connectivity and range 5. Quick UI (although it takes a noticable second more while increasing volume) & pairingBased on the above, i am fairly confident that nothing does all or most of the above as well as the btr7.How does it sound: wireless, just excellent (we are on the heels of wired here, but there is a difference in quality). Wired, i think its a matter of preference, i somewhat still like the musicality of cayin RU8, just a personal preference, but the btr7 is no slouch. It sounds pretty clean with earphones and headphones alike. I felt it was slightly bassy in certain tracks which i never felt on other flattish sources, even when EQ seemed off, not that it wasnt enjoyable, i loved it, but i am talking about technical performance.A DAP without a screen: Calling the BTR7 a bluetooth transmitter is an insult, and it has so much juice on offer, and the THX amp pair definitely shows. When wired, It adequetely powers my 7Hz timeless at vol 20 odd (33% of max vol), and Sundara gets louder than one should hear at about 40 (66% of max volume), which is insane, so i am assuming it'll power more demanding cans with sufficient headroom to spare. In Wireless mode, its about the same with phone vol at about 75%. Not sure if it was just my phone, but it doesnt volume match when connected over bluetooth.Overall, a pretty satisfying purchase. The India price compared to the global pricing is on point, infact slightly lesser considering it costs more to import it, so kudos to Fiio and Headphone Zone. With noticable improvements from its predecessor, the price is moderately justifiable, but for more price conscious folks the BTR5 2021 is still a great pick, unless one needs 4.4mm balanced, just like I did.PS: I listened to tracks on high gain, using 4.4mm balanced. BT streaming thru LDAC