FiiO K9 Pro ESS review 2024: Outstanding Audio

Since its inception in 2007, FiiO has been methodically but resolutely expanding its target market, all the while maintaining its commitment to the entry level market, which is where the company initially built its reputation. When it comes to desktop-friendly headphone amplifiers and digital-to-analog converters, the term “up-market” refers to the K9 Pro ESS.

Its functionality and compatibility span a wide range, and its build quality offers every indication of being high enough to withstand even rather significant explosions. Its specification is comprehensive, and its usefulness and compatibility span a wide range.

FiiO K9 Pro ESS Specifications

One of the most well-known brands in the audiophile community is FiiO. They create a wide range of audio equipment at various pricing points.

Design and Build Quality

FiiO has really done nothing in terms of design beyond spec’ing some high-quality, tactile aluminium and then building a chassis out of it. Aside from the obvious gold trim surrounding the large central volume knob, the box’s design is very straightforward. In addition, FiiO has placed a ring of light around the volume control; the colour of this ring is determined by the quality of the incoming signal.

The FiiO is relatively large and heavy for its category, measuring 70 x 200 x 22 mm (H x W x D) and weighing 2.75 kg. Its compact size means it won’t take up too much room on a shelf if you want to use its preamp functions in a larger system, but it’s still tiny enough to sit on your desk. And if you’d rather rest your K9 Pro ESS on its side, FiiO includes a tiny stand in the box for that purpose. You can buy this from its official website

FiiO K9 Pro ESS: Sound Quality

The balanced 4.4mm and XLR ports on the K9 Pro have a signal-to-noise ratio of 123dB and output 2.1W of power at 32 ohms and 1.1W at 300 ohms respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the single-ended 6.35mm port is 129 decibels, giving you 2.1 watts of power at 32 ohms and 281 milliwatts at 300 ohms respectively. The K9 Pro basically has more than enough power to drive any headphones or earbuds, regardless of their sensitivity or impedance, including high-impedance headphones. You also have the option of selecting one of three different gain levels: low, medium, or high. You gain an additional 6 dB with each mode.

There is absolutely no hiss in the background, and using headphones is the optimal way to operate the K9 Pro. The sound that is crisp and unclouded is what distinguishes this DAC from others, and Fiio performed an excellent job of achieving this criterion. This has excellent tone and dynamic range, and the DAC does an excellent job of staying out of the way so that headphones and IEMs may display their full potential.

Price and Availability

In the UK, you can purchase the FiiO K9 Pro ESS headphone amplifier/DAC for £699. It retails for $849 in the United States but AU$1349 in Australia. Fiio debuted the K9 Pro in the fourth quarter of 2021. The original product used DACs from AKM. However, there wasn’t a sufficient quantity, therefore at the start of 2022, Fiio switched to ESS and relaunched the K9 Pro with the ESS ES9038PRO.

Final Words

The FiiO K9 Pro ESS excels in more ways than one. Its exhaustive list of features and its sturdy aluminium construction are just two examples. Its sound is slightly airy and lacking in low-end body until you couple it with headphones that emphasize the bass. The FiiO K9 Pro ESS isn’t perfect, but it does have a lot going for it thanks to its impressive build quality and impressive sound.

FiiO K9 Pro ESS review: The good and The bad

A large piece of machinery that is obviously well-made yet does not appear to be doing anything particularly spectacular.

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