🟥Audiophile's Best Friend | FiiO K9 Pro _(Z Review)_

[@ZReviews]

Want to see these Reviews Early, Get in on Monthly Yard Sales, Hear Sound Demos? Check out... ⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon

[@matthewcullen7106]

I should have already bought this before this review. My first 3 entry level headphone amps were Fiio, at a time when it was much more of a niche' market. Their E1 iPod dock to 3.5mm amp which basically looked like an inline volume control, the E11 portable amp which I still think is great, and the original version of the E10K DAC/AMP. Really impressive to see how far this company has come in the last 12 years or so.

[@W650cultmember]

I still have my old e11 too! Should dust it off.

[@voop00p]

I had their tiny E3 and E5 amps!

[@timschutte3961]

Yeah same here still have the Fiio E10 after almost 10 years still running daily and my E11 is still working but the red light stays on and drains the battery so not good. And now doubting to get the Fiio A9 pro or Burson Playmate 2 or the Aune S17 Pro.

[@ChristyOFaghan]

you had me at FiiO e10 was also my introduction, and i'm one of the 1400 who left glowing reviews on the K5-pro

[@HANK_SCORPI0]

I have this thing (K9 Pro) and love it. I rolled the dice and got it before your review and glad i did...they are hard to come by now....at least here in Canada.

[@SC-wu2dn]

I have one also and Im in love with it. Dont forget to email Fiio support they are sending owners a free stand via Allied Express.I just got mine, Fiios customer support and service are brilliant also!!

[@damiendegrasse]

I passed on getting the AKM version for $899 CAD.... OOPSIE

[@hardkombucha]

I got the iFi Zen Dac V1 for $130 and never looked back. I love the balanced outputs and bass boost button.

[@Tomomoto9000]

Thanks Zeos for making the HD8XX within my grasp👍

[@alstonmaccow9386]

Are the 8xx $1100 with the $400 off

[@Tomomoto9000]

@@alstonmaccow9386 after coupon it's $700. But after taxes where i live and free shipping came out to $751.31

[@ZReviews]

@@alstonmaccow9386 $699, you have to put the code in

[@instrugramm]

@@ZReviews How long is the utilisation period of the coupon/ for how long will the deal last? Thanks in advance. (:

[@aceofspades6667]

So the real question is $550 for adorama HE6 sev2 vs $700 for the 8XX from drop?

[@magnus24112]

Dog wallpaper because k9 canine? (btw Korone is cute as hecc)

[@kontrebassman]

Zeos "I know what a good knob feels like" Pantera

[@TBMartin]

And only a knob

[@darrellsmith9727]

I've always been a fan of fiio. This looks amazing but fiio has always been good audio quality on a budget. The price of this is pretty expensive but I'm sure it's worth it just out of my price range atm.

[@nativeenglish2u]

If I were you I would not be tempted by anything until you can get the K9 pro. In my opinion it is endgame quality. 👍🏻

[@BKrisz42]

Am I ready to watch an hour-long review of something I will not buy? Absolutely.

[@EverythingisFire]

I just finished it (Playing in the background a little bit). I had no clue it was almost an hour 😂

[@aceofspades6667]

This was a great review and I have 0 interest in it

[@ZReviews]

@@EverythingisFire Hope you cleaned your kitchen.

[@oscarp4278]

Z, can you compare FiiO K9 Pro to iFi NEO iDSD and the Shangling EM5. I know you have said that you love both NEO and EM5, but didn't hear you compare the sound out of the headphone amps. Both might be upstair in the new pad now, but just wanted some of you thoughts. The EM5 is a media player.. which is a +++ but focusing on just the headphone output.

[@Zack-pl9np]

Zeos: “now that, that is there I think you know where this going” My wallet: shaking in my back pocket

[@arielext]

HD 8xx with $401 off? Wow that means it only costs about €1100 for us Europeans! Free VAT. Thx a lot Z!

[@enpappa]

Thx for a great review (yet another great one I mean). I bought one. Arriving Feb 28. Perfect for my home studio.

[@masterxyr]

So Fiio K9 Pro or Shanling em5? And hadn't you already done this vid? and you talked bout D liking it too or am I getting worse?

[@black_n5492]

Haha... you're good. that was his unboxing channel. I thought he'd go into more detail in that video but this one's the actual review

[@masterxyr]

@@black_n5492 you're right! I was left with such a comprehensive feeling for the unit that I could have sworn I'd seen this one. Also, I saw dms' review after too so... not completely mental yet, but getting there!! haha Cheers

[@kirbykrause7866]

These are soooo great, what wonderful detailed spacious music they give. I have 3.

[@black_n5492]

Finally! Been waiting for this. Bought this off Valor and DMS's reviews but I was eagerly waiting to hear what the OG Z had to say too. Digging in on this with the Focal Elex + Fiio K9 Pro!

[@Ch3if137]

Bro the deal is real man, I honestly can't believe it. Was a headphone I thought I'd never be able to get

[@masterxyr]

great price for a great can!

[@Michael_mki233]

Did you intentionally sticker the K9 Pro the best of Best Girls? Cause that's damn high praise putting Rias on there.

[@Harzexe]

I'm still happy with K5 Pro though. It sounds clean with a little bit of warmth to it, it has a lot of power even on low gain, it has perfect selection of inputs/outputs.

[@KontrolStyle]

me too, k5 pro going to be fine until it dies i think

[@silentKeys20]

Can I ask what headphones you pair it with? I just got a Sundara and wondering if the K5 Pro is nice with it or not.

[@ognyankoynashki]

It is better then the ifi zen dac, opposite to what was stated in the review.

[@Harzexe]

@@ognyankoynashki I own K5 Pro and Topping DX3 Pro+: both are great units but I think Fiio sounds a little bit better in lower frequencies - it's a bit more punchy, warmer and musical than Topping in my opinion so it sounds better at lower volume and it got more power than DX3 Pro+. On the other hand Topping sounds a little bit more clean - so some may prefer this sound signature - and it got bluetooth with LDAC and a remote which is very handy for using it as a tv setup device. But Topping doesn't have RCA input and K5 Pro got RCA in and out. I would say: if you don't need bluetooth and you are going to use it with a pc only then K5 is a better choice from my perspective. Topping DX3 Pro+ is a better choice if you are planning to use bluetooth a lot and it's a great addition to active speakers and watching TV. I never owned ifi Zen dac so I can't compare Fiio to that.

[@joshuasterling2144]

@@silentKeys20 Hey bud I have the Hifiman XS's and the K5 pro and while they could use more dynamic headroom, they sound fantastic together. Everybody I have let listen to them is very impressed. I would suggest using a PC for listening so you can eq your headphones. I personally use Dolby Atmos with eq on the Window's store to add some flavor to your sound.

[@mores_hitt]

korone wallpaper = good review I feel it

[@loucipher7782]

i remember Zeos liked the k5 pro, now he just shitting on it for no reason lmfao

[@aledwidge]

Where do you purchase your headphone cables? Great review!!

[@Tomomoto9000]

I really like the K9 pro but i finaly reached my stopping point with the S.M.S.L HO200/DO200.

[@AmazingMrX]

That 8XX sale is excellent! I'd totally go for it if I didn't already own a pair. I'd get a second set, but I only have one head.

[@llysender]

Just curous does the HD8XX fix the serous 6k ringing issues of the orginal HD800?

[@AmazingMrX]

@@llysender I wouldn't know how they compare to the other HD800s but Zeos has a few 8XX videos that I largely agree with. At least one of those is a comparison between the models.

[@llysender]

@@AmazingMrX thanks ill go look up his 8XX vid. Hopefully the 8XX doesnt try to kill you in the lower treble like the og

[@JPC326]

Is the FiiO K9 AKM a better value ?

[@Achiez-z]

Definitely

[@InfoForNow]

A fun watch even when not in the market for a k9 pro definitely worth noting for future products. Zeos have you heard or played with the Modded 8XX (stickers)? Claims are some of the EQ differences from HD800S proper are done with fabric stickers/glue.

[@derreckr6494]

Been waiting for this one.

[@the_dietcam]

Well, I mean, Korone is the wallpaper, I obviously have to buy this now.

[@KipFox]

So there's still a few of these floating around new for a good price. Wonder how this would fair against the Ifi Zen Can 3 + Ifi Zen Dac V3 stack?

[@jamesbittle469]

Josh said that the equalizer worked only on Bluetooth.

[@beezlebub3955]

Zeos Pantera -“I know what a good knob feels like.” ---------2022

[@seaweed6492]

Korone is very cute doggo

[@tommyv8584]

Fiio K9 pro or Topping DX 7pro?🎧🎼👍🏼🎸🎧🎼.....

[@hs1124]

Fiio k9 pro

[@MyouKyuubi]

K9 Pro... they both have the same featureset... Only difference is that the K9 Pro has more power. Meaning, the K9 Pro wins. :P

[@tommyv8584]

@@MyouKyuubi Thanks for the info,ToppingDX 7Pro have a remote which is convenient.

[@Vaznazza]

Hey Zeos, would you recommend this or the topping dx7 pro? currently running a hd660s and akg k7xx looking to upgrade phones at some point.

[@jshanks1001]

This thing is kind of weird when it come to power output. It can do 2W @ 32ohms balanced and single ended, but it does 278mW SE and 1.1W balanced @ 300ohm.

[@TheTastefulThickness]

I dont understand the relationship between power and headphones at all period lol. Soundnews said this powers susvaras...not super well...but still...its 2 watts wtf. Maybe at need to be looking at current stats or something

[@AyukiAkiba]

I am incidentally an audiophile and clicked this video randomly but it was a pleasant surprise to see Korone

[@pavlovskiy8735]

Hello. What type of connection will give better sound ?

[@StefAdr]

I am ready to order one! For someone interested only to play digital music files, should I bother looking for big amp hifi systems like Yamaha, Denon etc.? Would they offer anything more to DAC qualities?

[@SecretAgentSuperDragon]

Tiny output switch = dealbreaker. Thank you for the review.

[@manuel.di-leo]

Is it even worth it getting something like this for IEMs? I'm currently using Fiio's FH7 IEM's with a KA3. Thanks in advance!

[@humanbass]

No.

[@RafiGish]

I'd just get portable DAC/AMPS for IEMs, but if you'd really 'need' a desktop DAC/AMP for IEM's, you could check the RME ADI-2 DAC FS which has a IEM dedicated output next to the headphone output.

[@manuel.di-leo]

@@RafiGish Thanks for the advice m8. I'll check it out

[@ZReviews]

For just those? No I would get something smaller. Then again if you have $2,000 in IEMs

[@MyouKyuubi]

Worth it? Maybe not, but, it WORKS in Single-Ended, so... Make of that what you will, lol.

[@lolikpof]

Philips SHP9500 (slightly used) for $50 vs Koss KHP40 for $40? Which should I get? I know you like both of these, which is better?

[@lolikpof]

Almost thought I was lucky for a second there..

[@ZReviews]

@@lolikpof Think about how unlucky I feel.

[@lolikpof]

@@ZReviews my condolences :') SHP9500 vs KHP40? Just a quick answer without elaboration would be appreciated, thx 👍

[@outdoria]

Zeos, which will fit better to Sendy Peacok? FiiO K9Pro or hybrid tube Xduoo TA-30? Thank you for your opinion.

[@kenshiromilesvt.7037]

So K9 is short for Korone 9 Because time with Korone is Cloud 9?

[@jannr233]

I think the EQ will only work on the Bluetooth input -.-

[@agmos01]

Great review! Very good product indeed, but I ended up going back to the RME ADI-2 DAC fs...

[@cotc4x153]

The shanling em5 seems like a more complete pckage for a little extra money. How does the k9 amplifier compare to the em5?

[@max-6035]

Watch it ;)

[@srd8228]

‘’I know what a good knob feels like.”

[@pedecia]

When I enter the discount code says that it is not valid: "Enter a valid discount code or gift card"

[@esdeath8686]

Ah, i see you are a man of culture as well.

[@mattcrosson401]

Why womt he talk about the regular k9?

[@ZReviews]

That lived for like 2 months. Then the Pro got involved and everyone forgot.

[@mattcrosson401]

@@ZReviews for $500 is the k9 (non pro) a buy? In your humble opinion

[@sonyasever7625]

the cap idea... why no one made that before????

[@TheCarAudioGuy]

Jack black is that you son!

[@masterxyr]

woof woof Fiio. get it? get it?

[@benstriker4546]

This or the Shanling EM5?

[@cowardlycountryboy5270]

I’m in China rn, and all the fiios k90pros are in the hands of scalpers. It’s a pain in the ass. All the prices are up by 80-100 bucks give or take.

[@MyouKyuubi]

Lmao. xD That is tough, scalpers don't seem to bother with the K9 Pro in Europe, as far as i can tell, got mine retail, extremely fast and easy. :) Just wait until, i think the summer season? The ESS version will release, and that one can be produced indefinitely, meaning Scalpers wont get any benefit from scalping it. :) I'm guessing scalpers are targeting the k9 pro due to the AKM chip factory burning down, so there's going to be a scarcity market for it. Not sure if they're repairing the factory or not, i don't know the details, but, it's the only conceivable reason i'd see ANYONE bothering to scalp a k9 pro. : /

[@cowardlycountryboy5270]

@@MyouKyuubi yeah mate, I think I will wait. Thanks for the info!

[@harackmw]

At least it is available, I am in Korea and it does not look like it will be available for a decent price for a very long time.

[@cowardlycountryboy5270]

@@harackmw sorry to hear that, best of luck

[@harackmw]

@@cowardlycountryboy5270 thanks bud, you too!

[@Overlordick]

Please tell what is difference between rca and xlr outputs when using as a dac? My amplifier has no balanced inputs, just regular 2xrca

[@yutangbai2375]

Sorry because Im asking you a question dont relate to your content but I couldnt find any review about Jolida glass fx tube III. Do you have any experience about this Dac/preamp? I intend to use it preamp stack with xduoo mt604 and Lcd 2c. Thank you

[@johnnyboo9041]

On a scale of 1 to 10 how much better is this then the K5 pro ess, thx

[@Rotary787B]

Based taste both Rias and Korone 👌

[@carlosaranda5254]

39:00 Kiznaiver was great !!

[@beezlebub3955]

So are you saying that the BTR5 has a significantly different/better sound than say the BTR3K? Not just power, I have the 3k and I do love it, but I’ve been reluctant to upgrade to it mainly because I have a Q3, but I don’t use it portable but I like the way it sounds. Idk, bless me with your opinion oh mastah Z

[@almostkinda]

I have a micca origin g2 in my desk drawer that I have been happy with for 3 years. Would this be like mind blowing difference if I upgraded to this?

[@jwickerszh]

Hmmm... should I upgrade my $100 chinese FX-Audio X7 ? ... since my quarter inch output is slowly falling apart, probably 😅

[@alessandroparma6297]

I'm very curious to see it in comparison to the all in one hifiman ef400 with 2x Himalaya R2R DAC and 4.4 watt on 32 ohm power output

[@theandren85]

Looking at the specs before the video I wish I didn't have sp200+m200 already.... Let's watch! And I fcuking wish I didn't have good headphones already and I would buy 8xx at 400 off... It's a bad time to already be geared up...

[@Iti755r-xz2dk]

A90D with k5 pro or this one ?

[@eldeanogrande]

Gonna give this one some time, mostly to see what changes with the ESS version, but this is nearly 100% going to be my next big purchase.

[@MyouKyuubi]

ESS version will be the same product, but with an ESS dac chip, instead. One difference would be that the ESS version will have ventilation holes on the sides of the box. That concludes the differences.

[@eldeanogrande]

@@MyouKyuubi Yep, I know all this, I'm still going to wait until more of them get into the wild though.

[@aqwandrew6330]

@@eldeanogrande zeos is akm version?

[@eldeanogrande]

@@aqwandrew6330 yup

[@EverythingisFire]

@@eldeanogrande It's 2 ESS chips, no? Hence why it needs more ventilation. It's also going to be closer to $1k too. For me, this version is the only one in reach.

[@davidbirkhead1176]

So is this FiiO k9 pro punching above the Schiit modius/magnius stack and Geshelli stacks when looking for a balanced output. The FiiO k9 pro EBS is probably about 2 months away from being available in the uk so is it worth waiting for. I am using sundaras ( trying not to buy the edition XS but loosing he willpower battle) and focal eligias I had a topping E30/L30 but it blew up so it’s a sign I need to drop £700 on new stuff :-)

[@austintea]

The version I see all the reviews talking about seem to be the akm version that cost 700 but that is no longer available, so is the ess that cost $150 more worth it? Not just asking if it is still worth buying but also if it is still as good of a value now that it has the ess chip and higher price tag.

[@patricaomas8750]

Want to get Swan d300s so this would act as a pre-amp?

[@ccdani2]

This or chord mojo 2? I am upgrading from chord mojo 1

[@amormagister]

Is it true that Fiio K9Pro has a heating problem_

[@nocashforfun]

This or topping a70 pro?

[@StarshipTrooper32]

Great KZbin video brother.

[@BigPoppa74]

Hey Z does your l/m/h gain work in dac and pre mode? Mine only works on l/m gain in those modes. Also app only works on BT.

[@NickyNiclas]

If the knob wasn't glass it would scratch super easily so it must be. Otherwise there would be a market for aftermarket knobs lol

[@Nordraw]

Any thoughts on the windows driver needed for this ?

[@waynewong6570]

fiio k9 pro or hifiman ef400? for sound alone.. haha.. i dun care about additional features and price

[@daelonfrazier]

What did you pick

[@jackson8jackson]

If I'm using this with the Xduoo MT-604 in preamp mode, is the dac still being used in pre-amp mode?

[@IREWolfman]

I was looking at the Schiit Fulla 4 for my PS5. But stock is hard to get. Is this the best option or do you have a better recommendation?

[@IREWolfman]

I use DT 990 Home edition.

[@scottklein7566]

How do you jump from the $100 Fulla 4 to this $700-800 monster? If you want something with mic input look at the Schiit Hel or Mayflower ARC.

[@Mr76Gus]

Great. Akm or Ess for you? :)

[@thehowker]

I'm not that long in audiofile game. I bought FiiO K9 Pro and using it with Abyss Diana V2 (I know not exactly beginners HP, I just wanted good thing right away). Previously I used Parasound's ZDAC V2 and i think i can hear much more distortion. Not sure why. I'm using single ended connector, because well Diana's additional XLR cable is priced same as the AMP xD Do you have similar experience with SE?

[@stevenmichael7770]

Custom eq doesn't work for the BTR5 either

[@ZReviews]

F

[@markuslam8150]

Where is the part were he plays all the speakers in the small room all at once

[@Tomomoto9000]

Did anybody else get a message from a person claiming to be Zeos about winning a prize and asking for an address and money for shipping?

[@albertoposenato5931]

Neumann ndh 20 or Focal Elegia? Thanks mr.Zeos👍🖐️

[@hs1124]

Focal elegia. I have Focal clear mg.

[@theandren85]

I can't say anything about focal, but I'm happy about my ndh20

[@cobrabucket]

Elegia all the way

[@mattrismatt]

The Elegia is the more-capable headphone, but I highly recommend you exchange their sound-hindering stock pads with leather Dekoni pads made for Focal.

[@albertoposenato5931]

@@hs1124 Thanks🖐️

[@kadavrus]

is this better than the aquilla ii?

[@sundinfan9745]

Sooo, bought this today. Plugged my iPhone 13 pro max into the side USB-C port….and nothing. It doesn’t work. Anyone have a solution ??? Is it the Apple cable ?? **update** so the only way to use the side USB-C input is with an OTG cable ……great

[@auto620]

We need K5 Pro ESS review please.....

[@TimmyK916]

Finally FINALLY an amp dac with an output switch and it’s this expensive and the switch is this tiny?!?! UGHHHHHHHH

[@agmos01]

Dang it Zeos, this video (along with the HD 8XX discount code) should have been posted a month ago! I bought the HD 800S in January! I still went ahead and took advantage of that 401.00/36.45% discount! Thank you! IF my bad ears can perceive a big enough difference and I can do a good job EQing the HD 8XX, the HD 800S will be on eBay soon... Speaking of EQ, I'll have to go check on the return policy for the Topping DX7 Pro I have on the way (landed in LA this morning)... The RME ADI-2 DAC fs' EQ abilities has just become useful to me - I don't normally EQ anything. Sure, I can still do it via SW...

[@terryss95]

Hey Z, thanks for your thoughts and in-depth reviews on the K9 Pro and the IDsd Gryphon: i was literally browsing online for reviews for those 2 devices specifically (being the micro Signature a bit too expensive here, 800€ on amazon IT), needing from a reputable brand either a powerful portable source or fantastic sounding, great value DAC+ Amp for a newly acquired pair of HD800s (a gift from a friend actually). Keep up the good work maestro, much love from Italy.

[@disadadi8958]

Topping can be bought for a nice price in EU.

[@agmos01]

What a coincidence. ~36:00 you mentioned the Topping DX7 Pro. I have one on the way... Hoping it does the trick for me. I'll definitely return the RME ADI-2 DAC fs if I'm 100% happy with the DX7 Pro... Heck, I can go get that HD 8XX with the price differenceI 👍

[@angelclaudio604]

Topping A90/D90SE stack vs Fiio K9 Pro?

[@RafiGish]

Do you want to analyze music, or have fun listening music?

[@waynewong6570]

@@RafiGish fun

[@chad6]

Should I sell my magnius/modius and get this?

[@MyouKyuubi]

... That's a bit of a weird question, my man... They're not exactly in the same price-bracket. There's no NEED to do that, if that's what you're asking... But if you REALLY want it, then go right ahead, my man. Personally, i kept my schiit stack, and bought the k9 pro, as it is a dac-amp, if ONE part breaks, the whole unit is likely to be unusable until it's repaired, in which case it's nice to have an emergency setup like a schiit stack to fill in, while the k9 pro is being repaired. :) You do you, man...

[@harackmw]

@@MyouKyuubi It is a good point, good idea to have a back up cheaper stack to fall back on....still, having something go on a all in one unit like this is a bit scary

[@MyouKyuubi]

@@harackmw Good thing a 200 Dollar schiit stack is reliable, and built to last. You know that saying "They don't build 'em like this anymore."? Well schiit products ARE built like that, they don't break easily. :P

[@harackmw]

@@MyouKyuubi Yeah I agree, but sadly I live in Asia so they are really expensive. It has made trying to get into this hobby rather annoying-- anything american made here is hit hard by tariffs and markups

[@MyouKyuubi]

@@harackmw I feel ya, where i live, everything imported from across the world costs 100 extra dollars. So i had to pay 400 dollars for that schiit stack. xD

[@grantwatson8302]

Could u review the JBL partybox 710

[@MyouKyuubi]

EQ only works for bluetooth.

[@harackmw]

Been looking at the IFI NEO iDSD....but this may be a better option

[@burns0100]

So I only have the HD58X and they work without a dac/amp but you just know its only like 60% of there true quality. What can I get for $100~ that would make them better, for laptop and mobile usage, I purely use Apple Music Lossless as my source too for those that care. Not 100% capped on the cost so if its a must buy for more please let me know. I have no idea when it comes to pairing headphones with dac/amps. I just know the HD58X sound slightly weak.