FiiO BTA30 PRO Review - The Do-It-All Gizmo

[@jb678901]

Have owned one for the better part of 8 months...liked it so much that I bought a second BTA30 Pro for the family room...so that I can stream from my phone to the vintage receiver with bookshelf speakers in that location. Bought both on eBay for about $125 delivered, each. RCA outputs...optical...coax...and three modes: TX, RX, and DAC. Covers a variety of codec from LDAC, AptX HD, AptX LL, AAC, SBC. I use it daily at my office desk at home, interfacing my PC to both a Yamaha CR-420 and Nakamichi SR-2E (both vintage receiver/amps) to two different pairs of speakers (6-8 Ohms). I also use it for BT setups (Shuoer S12's paired with KZ AZ09 Pro's, Earfun Free Pro 2's, or Soundcore Q30's). I also use a USB anti jitter going into the BTA30 Pro. Frankly, it's fantastic. As for base and dynamic performance in general, it did not disappoint. For sure, if I want maximum performance I take advantage of the receivers downstream. The Shuoer S12's powered by the AZ09 Pro's do a terrific job (AptX). I did buy a 12dB antennae to extend range outside of the office. PS: The USB 3.0 serves for BOTH the signal input and power supplied from the PC.

[@Slyclientthetechdad]

Hi there, this device seems very intriguing. I'm having a hard time understanding the need for it though. I have The IFi Gryphon Bluetooth amp dac that can connect to Bluetooth through my tv. Why would there be a need for the FiiO BTA-30 Pro? I also have the Qudelix 5k and this is connected to my LG C2 OLED Tv as well. The tv has Bluetooth so it works seamlessly. Where would this device come in? Does it sound better?

[@jb678901]

@@Slyclientthetechdad As a DAC, it has USB-C input with Optical output or RCA output, so it's a useful desktop DAC (from PC) to my vintage amps and receivers. As a receiver, it is an excellent BT receiver for streaming directly from the phone to my vintage receiver/speaker setup. As a transmitter, it provides excellent CODEC support and range for my BT devices (headphones, earhooks, earbuds). Has manual volume/gain control knob plus remote app control (incl EQ) from the phone. For only $125, it is a very versatile device packed with features. Not sure, given what you already own, if you need such a device...depends on use case, I suppose. As for audiophile sound quality, it's good. Is it the very best DAC...probably not. But is it one of the better devices in terms of all around capability, sound quality, and versatility...for this amount of money it is hard to beat, IMO.

[@brentkjernisted2215]

Does it transmit LDAC from its usb connection to a windows 10 computer to Sony xm4 and Sony xm5 headphones and a Qudelix 5K?

[@jb678901]

@@brentkjernisted2215 It will always depend on the CODEC of the receiving sound device. In the case of my FiiO BTR5, yes. From PC as source to the FiiO BTA30 Pro via USB, and with the BTA30 Pro in transmit "TX" mode, the BTR5 registers LDAC and the LED indicator on the BTA30 Pro is WHITE in color. WHITE indicates LDAC. Alternatively, on my KZ AZ09 Pro BT5.2 earhooks, the LED on the BTA30Pro indicates Purple for AptX. Not Yellow (which is AptX HD), or GREEN (which is AptX LL), or TEAL (which is AAC), or BLUE (which is SBC) or WHITE (which is LDAC).

[@brentkjernisted2215]

@@jb678901 Why do I have no sound? I installed the usb driver after I had the fiio connected and the LDAC white lights on. I have my Earstudio in pairing mode and all other bluetooth devices disabled. I took the bletooth ariel off and tried to pair the earstudio which has LDAC with the Fiio. No luck. No sound. Even when I hit the test button. My computer is a desktop pc. Do I need to install bluetooth drivers?

[@HiFiGOAudio]

It's like a swiss army knife. Adds a lot of convenience if you have a bedroom stereo setup too.

[@jb678901]

Definitely. I have a PC with wall mounted TV in the master bedroom, plus a vintage receiver with some bookshelf speakers at the desk. Works perfectly. As well, if I am watching a movie before sleep, I tend to go with comfortable earbuds (Earfun Free Pro 2's, they do not fall out if I am on my side; SBC quality). If I want to listen to high quality music wirelessly, then a set of Shuoer S12's paired to KZAZ09 Pro's, for AptX quality. If at the desk, my HiFiman's cabled to a receiver/amp, with BTA30Pro in DAC mode.

[@CezarLucan]

Salut Sandu!! Frumos review, felicitari

[@CharlyDS]

Great video. Wondering: if I connect the BTA30 Pro to my computer via USB, can I transmit the the usb audio to my speakers via RCA *and* also transmit by BT to my Soundcore headphones? I think I have to switch the output right? Today I have an iFi Uno and a cheap BT transmitter and I want to cut down on devices.

[@aceofspades6667]

seems like a pretty solid product at that price point.

[@veldanen]

Great review - straightforward and informative. Though I'm curious if you've tried to connect two bluetooth devices to the bluetooth sender? If yes, how did it sound? I've tried many bluetooth transmitters. Most bluetooth gizmos advertised dual link functions but can't really deliver. I'm just about to give up until I've come across this. Thanks in advance!

[@Flavius7]

Is there anything this toy can't do? Obviously entry level, but Fiio doesn't mess around with smaller gadgets either.

[@diegovasquez7164]

Thank you for the review. How does it compare with the topping d50s?

[@Soundnews]

D50S is more like a DAC with Bluetooth functionality as an added bonus, BTA30 Pro is a Bluetooth gizmo with a DAC as an added bonus. If you need all-in-one, then D50S is better

[@happysoul941]

What a review. Many neophytes getting in to reviewing gear should learn from this video. Great work and keep it up please! You have a new admirer and a subscriber.

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. If only one usb in port to receive source audio is this draining the power from that source (laptop ) ? Thanks

[@Soundnews]

Yep, it's USB bus powered.

[@andreicatla924]

Thank you for the review, looks like it's a very versatile "toy". Can you please provide a few more details about the "Auto power-on" feature from the app? When and how exactly does it auto power on? Can you power it on and off manually from the app? Does it also power off by itself in any way?

[@Soundnews]

Hey mate, if you enable that feature, once you power on your PC (that is connected to BTA30 Pro via USB) it will automatically power on the unit. Apart from this, there's a power On/Off button too (the one to the left). You cannot power it on or off from the app.

[@soundarraj5830]

I would like to connect my lg g8x Android phone via usb c port and get digital out via optical/coaxial to my Logitech z906 home theatre system. Does this device work for that ?!... Your reply is much helpful for me

[@fabioxe]

Does the fact that it's usb-c powered make a sound difference when using the phone to rca out powered/active speakers?

[@szerelmem30]

i connected to my R-N500 with optical and rca cable and still no sound

[@Pazza72]

Great review very useful, much better than the honest audiophile one

[@PaperBoat.]

I've a pair of JBL 305p MKii and I'm looking for a synergistic DAC for my studio monitors. Please help me to choose between the FiiO BTA30 Pro and FiiO K5 Pro ESS for my studio monitor setup.

[@drrckhamilton]

You mentioned that the unit has a dsp built in that up-samples. Where in the phone app do you control this?

[@Tirith2708]

I want to use it as a Transmiter for TV - but optical port on my tv is already used by the speakers. What other connection options do I have?

[@ruffandruff]

hi mate, any plans on reviewing the Niimbus. its around the same.price as enleum and is known to pair good with the Susvara.

[@Soundnews]

Hey Ruff, I will ask around about the Niimbus, I see that we don't have local distributors for this brand, so I'll be asking the manufacturer. Will see how far that goes ;)

[@mohamedomer6134]

How is the latency when using it as a transmitter? When I connect my fiio utws5 to my pc there is obvious latency in video's.

[@needforspeedgaming7148]

Hi , nice review. Did you try connecting two devices at the same time in tx mode. I can't seem to get it working. Both A and B lights start flashing , and I can hear that both device have been connected (little jingle). But no sound is coming out of either of the devices (headphones in this case). There is constant stutter on one of them , and on the other no sound at all. But they ARE connected , I can tell by the lights. Very weird.

[@wchadzynski76]

Hi, I have a question, I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or this function doesn't work. I have the Bta 30 pro connected to my laptop (Windows 11) via USB, and I connect my headphones (various) via Bluetooth codec LDAC or APTX. I can't control play, pause and next track with the buttons on all my headphones. When I press the pause buttons on the headphones, the music in the headphones turns off because Bluetooth disconnects in the bta30 pro, but the music does not stop on my laptop. Can you give me some advice? Fiio support wrote to me that it should work, but did not explain how to do it.

[@claudiuandrei9204]

hi. can you please help me with an advice ? i bought a pair of Sony WH1000XM4 and want to listen from my OLED TV ( BT 5.0) but in the sony app is shows SBC signal when playing from TV. i want to buy the FiiO BTA30 pro for LDAC sound from TV to headphones. cand you tell me if is worth buying ? will it be a big difference from SBC to LDAC ? Thank you

[@Soundnews]

I wouldn't do that in your stead, but check if your phone supports LDAC and if it's being checked with a mark (sometimes you just need to enable it).

[@jb678901]

@@Soundnews If it's Samsung (Android), you need to do this with the phone in developer mode. Easy to do...google for the step by step.

[@endrizo]

has NFC ??

[@jamrhxh]

do you know some fiio with this specs and works fine with wired headphones? like an DAC and tx bluetooth with ldac

[@happysoul941]

You could just buy a RCA-male to TRS-female (or TRRS female) adapter and hook away your wired phones.

[@kilmor3151]

If only it could do RX and TX at the same time.

[@jb678901]

Sadly, in this case you would have to buy two BTA30 Pro's. What is the use case?

[@henrywhite9799]

Tried many times but failed to connect with Sony WH-1000XM4. The product's instructions are terrible, probably the worst one I ever read. Will return it.

[@fdsamatt5763]

This is literally the most stupid Bluetooth device I have ever seen. How/why is there no way to 'select' the relevant device to connect to? This device is literally useless to me. I live in a block of flats and I can't even connect my headphones to it because it doesn't automatically try to connect to the right device. Absolutely rubbish.

[@jb678901]

If this is an issue in your location, try taking the antenna off to pair in close range. Then screw it back on. Power on and then simply hold the power switch down for three seconds. The status light begins to flash red-blue as it goes into pairing mode. Make sure your BT device is in pairing mode. It will then connect automatically. Once connected it will show what codec is implemented by the color of the status light: White for LDAC, Yellow for AptX HD, Purple for AptX, Green for AptX LL, Blue for SBC, Teal for AAC. Note: The power switch (short press) is also used to cycle through the various indicated inputs (USB, COAX, OPT, Bypass), so be sure that this white lit indicator at showing the correct input.

[@davidb9531]

I thought the item had an app to simplify pairing