FiiO R9 Flagship Desktop Media Player with Dual ES9038PRO DAC Chip

The FiiO R9 is a flagship all-in-one digital media streamer that brings a network streamer, DAC, headphone amplifier, digital jukebox and preamplifier together in one desktop unit. Two ESS 8-channel ES9038PRO DACs and an 8-channel THX AAA 788+ amplifier deliver up to 7,300mW per channel; an open Android system on a 6-inch portrait screen runs your streaming apps; and an unusually wide range of inputs and outputs, including HDMI and HDMI ARC, across ten operating modes makes it the centre of a desk or TV system. Its two-tone metal finish is inspired by luxury cars. Its awards include Headfonics Best Wireless Streamer 2023, EHA 2024 Good Design and Technology Innovation awards, and VGP Life Style awards in 2024 and 2025.

Two 8-channel ES9038PRO DACs

FiiO has used the ES9038PRO in the M17, Q7, K9 Pro ESS and M15S, and that experience lets it push sound quality further here. The R9 uses two of them, one for each channel. Each chip contains eight independent D/A converters, connected in parallel for a fully differential output, for precise, clear yet full sound.

Next-generation THX AAA 788+ amplifier

The 8-channel THX AAA 788+ headphone amplifier is fed by a high-voltage power supply, with its channels connected in parallel in 2 × 2 groups for a four-way, fully balanced design that greatly enhances transient performance. Comb-shaped heat sinks and an optimised layout dissipate heat efficiently for continuous, stable high-power output: 7,300mW (over 7W) per channel into 32Ω from the balanced outputs, 102% more than the R7, and 1,000mW per channel into 300Ω.

A five-stage audio architecture and five gain levels

The analogue circuit has five carefully crafted stages: I/V, low-pass filter, gain, pre-amplification and current expansion. Key to it are OPA2211 op-amps, made in a silicon-germanium (SiGe) process for excellent performance. Variable gain and a variable supply voltage give five gain levels (ultra high, super high, high, medium and low, at 0, −3, −9, −15 and −21dB), and three volume curves suit everything from IEMs to hard-to-drive headphones, so you can dial in exactly the volume you want.

Android on a 6-inch portrait screen

The tall 6-inch (2,160 × 1,080) portrait screen and open Android system make the R9 intuitive to use: install the third-party streaming apps you like, and FiiO has refined the system so you don’t have to worry about app compatibility. Navigate with gestures or two or three buttons, double-tap to wake, and choose a screensaver (analogue clock, performance panel, “space FiiO goat” or digital clock). There is 64GB of storage (about 46GB available), 4GB of RAM and a microSD slot for cards up to 2TB, and firmware updates arrive over the air or from local storage.

A high-end digital core

Three components work together: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, which FiiO has fine-tuned over several years for a silky-smooth experience; a 16-core XMOS XU316 for high-performance, low-latency USB audio up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512; and a Qualcomm QCC5125 for Bluetooth reception. A fourth-generation phase-locked loop FPGA with two low phase noise femtosecond oscillators gives a high-precision, low-jitter unified clock for a purer, more stable signal chain.

Ten operating modes

• Android: use third-party apps and the major music streaming services.
• Pure Music: FiiO’s dedicated music mode, for truly immersive listening.
• USB DAC: connect a computer or phone, up to 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD512.
• Bluetooth receiver: LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX, AAC and SBC.
• AirPlay: stream wirelessly from an iPhone, iPad or other Apple device.
• Roon Ready: certified, for serious Roon users.
• Coaxial and optical: a high-end decoder for other sources, up to 192kHz/24-bit (coaxial) and 96kHz/24-bit (optical).
• HDMI IN: audio from games consoles, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes or a computer, up to 192kHz/24-bit.
• HDMI ARC: audio returned from a TV or projector.

The R9 also streams over DLNA, plays music from a NAS on your network and plays local files up to 384kHz/32-bit and native DSD256, with MQA. In the Android, Pure Music, AirPlay and Roon modes it can send audio on through its USB port (up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512) or by Bluetooth 5.0 to wireless headphones with LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC or SBC.

HDMI IN, OUT and ARC

Connect a computer, games console or Blu-ray player to HDMI IN and a monitor to HDMI OUT: the R9 decodes the sound and passes the picture through, for high-resolution audio with high-definition video and games. HDMI OUT also puts the R9’s own interface on a larger TV or monitor for easier remote control. With HDMI ARC, connect a TV or Blu-ray player and feed active speakers such as FiiO’s SP3 from the RCA or XLR outputs for high-quality TV sound.

Every connection you need

On the front are 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm headphone outputs. On the back are RCA (2.4Vrms) and 3-pin XLR balanced (4.8Vrms) line outputs, coaxial and optical inputs and outputs, HDMI IN and HDMI OUT/ARC, Ethernet, a USB-A host port, a USB-C (USB 3.0) port and a microSD slot. As a preamp, it can feed several amplifiers or active speakers at once; as a digital jukebox, its coaxial (up to 384kHz/24-bit and DSD128), optical and USB outputs feed an external DAC. The USB ports also take hubs, portable drives, external decoders and keyboards, supplying up to 1.5A.

One knob chooses the output: PO+PRE OUT (the default) for the headphone outputs and the rear line outputs together, PO for headphones only, PRE OUT for a volume-controlled feed from the rear, or LO for a fixed-level feed to an amplifier with its own volume control. Switch from headphones to speakers with a twist.

Fine-tune the sound

The audio settings include a 10-band dynamic EQ (±12dB) with eight presets and custom curves, three DAC filters, All to DSD (which converts all PCM to DSD, also for third-party apps), a second-harmonic setting (levels 0, 1 and 2) that simulates the even-order distortion of valve amplifiers, channel balance in 0.5dB steps (up to 20 steps each way) and a choice of Bluetooth transmit codec and volume mode.

Careful power supply design

A new 40W low-noise, high-efficiency, long-lasting industrial-grade power supply is built in, able to operate from −40°C to 85°C and rated for 500,000 hours. A rear switch selects an external 15V DC supply (at least 3A) instead, such as FiiO’s PL50 linear supply, for an even purer, blacker background. A ground switch, which connects or separates the circuit board and the case, can reduce ground-loop interference. The digital and analogue circuits have separate supplies, and the analogue circuit has a finely divided, multi-stage supply for the DAC, low-pass filter, pre-stage and amplifier, each with many precision LDOs for clean, stable power.

Separate boards and industry-leading parts

The power supply, digital section, DAC and headphone amplifier sit on separate boards, and metal shields fully isolate the DAC and THX amplifier sections, so the signal stays accurate, clean and dynamic. Twelve wide-temperature, low-loss metallised film capacitors and 70 high-precision, low-noise film resistors keep the sound stable in hot or cold rooms; ELNA electrolytic capacitors improve the soundstage; five sets of silver-plated oxygen-free copper wires connect the boards; and gold-plated, tulip-shaped Neutrik connectors resist oxidation and wear. Side honeycomb vents and a rear grille keep it cool, and overheating, over-voltage and DC protection safeguard the R9 and your headphones.

Luxury-car styling and lighting

The two-tone metallic finish is inspired by luxury cars. A body-coloured 4H PET layer protects it from fingerprints and scratches, and the high-density metal body is robust and stable, reducing vibration that could degrade the sound. A dynamic light bar and RGB rings around the knobs can be set to custom effects, and their colours also show the Bluetooth codec or the sample rate (blue for lossy, cyan for SQ, yellow for hi-res, green for DSD and magenta for MQA). Two included stands set different viewing angles, and dust plugs protect unused sockets.

Many ways to control it

The included RM3 Bluetooth remote controls playback from a distance with buttons and gestures, even for complex operations. From your phone, FiiO Link in the FiiO Music app selects the mode, adjusts the volume and chooses tracks, over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from Android or over Wi-Fi from an iPhone, and third-party apps can control it too. FiiO’s KB1K adds play, pause and track controls on your desk. Dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi and a 100Mbps Ethernet port keep it connected.

Good to know

• The coaxial and optical outputs are switched off by default; turn them on in the audio settings. They are not available in the HDMI modes, and USB audio and Bluetooth output work only in the Android, Pure Music, AirPlay and Roon modes.
• Which headphone output to use? The balanced outputs give far more power (7,300mW against 2,100mW into 32Ω).
• In the box: R9, AC power cord, RM3 Bluetooth remote and tips card, slanted and flat bases with silicone pads, USB cable, headphone adapter, spare fuse, dust cover plug, cleaning cloth, microSD card holder and screen films (fitted), quick start guide and warranty card.