Great review. I do not like the SMSL SU-9 at all. I sent it back and replaced it with the smoother Topping D30Pro. The SU-9 has that ESS glare in the treble and everything is in your face and very dynamic. 30 minutes and I was exhausted with that DAC. Of course I was coming from an iFi Audio Burr Brown DAC which made the SU-9 a bridge too far. So, not surprised that this little Fiio BR13 did well against it. Still $50 is a stunning price for performance. Great Review!
I recently got this and im very satisfied,,,,jis wondering if i get a topping e30 ii to it will it elevate the sound quality ,,,,,any help would be appreciated
So my Edifier speakers' bluetooth receiver went kaput and I plan to get one of these connected with RCA as a replacement. I just have two questions. 1. Will I be able to control the volume of the DAC with just my phone's volume button for convenience? 2. Is latency an issue when watching videos? Thank you and great video, Ryan!
it would be nice to note that this is a receiver only not a transceiver, so if you intended to connect your computer to the FIIO BR13, it won't bluetooth out to say a bluetooth headphone/earphone. You'd need to spend $70 more to get the BTA30 Pro if you wanted a transceiver.
Great hardware but the Fiio Control APP is a piece of crap. Pairs BT on my LG V20 and iPhone12 but the control wont connect at all on the LG and connects and immediately crashes on the iPhone. Latest app from Play and apple. Probably going to send it back.
>FiiO have deployed the ES9018 DAC well with associated high end chipsets, all there medium2upwards gear is top notch quality, IEM's another space - i stopped with the FH7 already had over 15+ products items, 2*Q5s 2*BTR5 M11 FH5 M7 etc - run a BT gateway at home with the BTR30 noosted RF - thanks Ho
it's got really good sound the only thing do not update the firmware you have to use the mobile app to do the firmware update what will brick it. I install the firmware update it restarted and then bricked. so I bought another one and it did the same thing. so I bought a third one and I will not update it now
Not long purchased this to hook up to a technics SU-G700mk2 amp. Really impressed with it. I did however update the firmware and it froze, had to mess about for awhile updating to the patch 1.0.9 and it works perfectly again.
Now that I have bought the BR13 and listened to it I think I will write down what are my thoughts. The Fiio BR13 is actually excellent for the price and since I have it I say Coax in with external 18650 power bank sounds the best though at volume 40 - 48 its where all the details soundstage and imaging is best at with usb connected imaging becomes quite congested with a power bank I would say its about 50% sound quality improvement so that leaves with Optical and Coax in and Line Out for use. So I think this device is meant to take Coax in best from what I feel hearing it for almost 3 weeks non stop, I even rarely use my Ifi Zen Dac Balance rarely anymore because of this Fiio BR13 :( sad but the sound improvement is real, Zen Dac is more relax but punchy but the BR13 is Punchier with more details and air with almost extra layering with only RCA, times have change I guess cheap dacs and making it through somehow with makes recommending dacs really hard at higher price range. Overall now I use my Coax out from Ifi Zen Blue V2 into BR13 Coax Ldac from my PC using the A2DP Alternative App Dual Channel and 18650 Battery 24/7 pretty much never run out of juice even the ifi ipower X and ifi Ipower 2 I have can't out perform a 18650 battery I guess. As to finish this comment this are all my experience it will vary from one person to the other so please don't read and think this is the only method to achieve something or anything, the variation of test and enjoyment is subject to one curiosity as always spend what you will and how you will and as always the most important thing is we all listen to music to enjoy and with that have a pleasant day everybody ;) Item used are as per mention below: Ifi Zen Can powered by Ifi Ipower 2 gives more weight note and refine bass separation and Ifi Ipower X more clarity and layering depends on taste Ifi Zen Blue v2 powered via power bank 18650 batteries Fiio BR13 powered via power bank 18650 batteries Ataudio OCC Cable as RCA and Coax In and Out + Line Out Artist Listened to during the 3 weeks test: Saosin, Relient K, Essenger, alot of various anime songs, Scorpion, Black Sabbath, Hawthorne Heights and Underoath and alot of game soundtrack like Tenchu 1,2 and 3, Parasite Eve, Xenoblade 1,2 and 3 and Astral Chain.
GM ☕️…yup, I’m looking for a new DAC also ..and ALL reviews are opinions and based on how the DAC interacts with the rest of the system… I’m done with low end ( mid fi at best) DAC’s ..I’ll save my money and look into the latest generation of streaming DAC’s …two birds with one stone I guess.
@@ryanhostudio keep Kep up the good work please review the 32 ohm ft3 I have brought them over the 350 ohms version you tested. As I prefer lower ohms for driving on dacamps I can say they are 99% as good as the 350 version I terms of sound imaging and stage I thi m the 350 are slightly better but the 32ohms are slightly more fun and easier to live with please review. I have also got epos h6pros and hd599s so I am fully able to compare I gaming well. I have to state the ft3s in gaming 3d audio and movies are mindblowing good... netflix spatial g6 7.1 and dolby for headphones the ft3s are the best I ever heard
Thanks for the review. Do you recommend this for using only as Bluetooth receiver? I would connect it to a separate dac, maybe an ifi zen blu would be better? I use tidal and UA-cam music with my android smartphone linked to chord mojo and a wireless device would be more comfy
Hi there, thanks for the review. Could you also let me know if this device gives a connection or disconnection sound? I’m looking for a DAC without that. I just want to connect via bluetooth and don’t need an annoying connection or disconnection beep. Had a few other brands that I had to return because of this and I’m now using the boobboom 80, great device but lesser bluetooth range coverage. Cheers
Great device for the price point! Hooked up to my soundboard, streaming from my FiiO M11 Plus(LDAC). The FiiO app connect is still unstable, fortunately the front face has all the buttons you need!
Very informative and presented spot on to my interests. If you could indulge a entry level question… when you mentioned it’s usb dac capability, can you set this up with a iPad as input going thru this unit to headphones?
its analog output is only variable, in this scenario is set the dac volume to max into my amplifier and controlled my volume on amplifier. You could also just set highest settings and control volume using phone bluetooth
its been a while since i heard the bta30, but bta30 is alot more expensive because it has the bluetooth transceiver, so if you really only need a receiver you save a lot of money with fiio br13, also the fiio b13 has a screen
@@ryanhostudio @capitanlevi203 wrote BTA30 Pro which is the update from the BTA30. Better DACs, supports higher sample rate, and native DSD512 decoding. As noted key difference is transceiver vs BR13 being receiver only. I wouldn't say BTA30 Pro is alot more expensive vis a vis BR13, currently being $70 more for better DACs, higher PCM, DSD512 decoding and flexibility of being a transceiver with bypass capability. Wait, I just saw you did a BTA30 Pro review a year ago 🤣
i bought it 3 days ago..the sound is awful..i dont know but my headphone sounds good when i directly connect to pc or smartphone..this is my first time in DAC thing.
Great review and I just subscribed your channel. If you don't mind, I would like to know if you tested streaming from a smartphone using the LDAC codec and how well it works. After all it's one of the reasons for considering the Fiio BR13. LDAC and an ESS DAC should make a great streaming experience from Tidal or Qobuz. I'm also considering using a vintage CD player as a transport, connected to digital input on the Fiio BR13. Thank you very much! Great work! 🙏
Use tidal then destroy its music with Bluetooth 😂😂😂😂😂 clown bt is for 12 Yr olds on ps5 controllers and normies with beats on the bus to work wired only for real listening
@@audie-cashstack-uk4881 I already have two different USB DACs for proper wired listening. I still didn't decide on a dedicated streamer and sometimes BT can be convenient. LDAC at up to 990 Kbit/s isn't that bad and I also want to improve the sound of a vintage CD player. When I get a proper streamer the Fiio BR13 will only be used for the CD. No more BT and probably no regrets about the money spent.
Yes, I have it with the RCA to AUX cable input connected to an Alpine CDE 190R 12v car unit. No bluetooth tried yet. Works fine. Sounds better than with Fiio Q1 mk2. All via laptop. (boat)
I found that the BR13’s Bluetooth fidelity was incredible. Actually it was better w/ BT than when I had it setup with spidf from Chromecasted Spotify. The imaging became muddy with a little distortion at high volumes via optical. Do you know what would cause this? A lesser quality optical chipset?
no idea i only have usb and bluetooth devices to connect them too and they both were good. there is only two chips one for bluetooth and other for wired
Why wouldmi quaily dac amp a blue tooth signal wired or nothing 16 but 44.1 hz min and 24 bit 48hz or higher wen avalable and tne best dac amp for 100 by a fking 10 mile lead is soundblaster g6 @@applanateearth586
What music are you listening to lately?
Baroque and Heavymetal. 😄
не впаривай гавно китаец ..
EDM, Progressive Metal, Hard Rock
Great review, FiiO has been knocking it out of the park lately. I’m going to keep this one on my radar. Peace and goodwill my friend.
Thank you friend!
Great review. I do not like the SMSL SU-9 at all. I sent it back and replaced it with the smoother Topping D30Pro. The SU-9 has that ESS glare in the treble and everything is in your face and very dynamic. 30 minutes and I was exhausted with that DAC. Of course I was coming from an iFi Audio Burr Brown DAC which made the SU-9 a bridge too far. So, not surprised that this little Fiio BR13 did well against it. Still $50 is a stunning price for performance. Great Review!
thank you for sharing! Dacs do sound quite different that’s for sure
это страшное гавно !!
не стоит хвалить ..
I recently got this and im very satisfied,,,,jis wondering if i get a topping e30 ii to it will it elevate the sound quality ,,,,,any help would be appreciated
@@jawadtaheri4989 last topping i liked was the topping dx3 pro+
So my Edifier speakers' bluetooth receiver went kaput and I plan to get one of these connected with RCA as a replacement. I just have two questions.
1. Will I be able to control the volume of the DAC with just my phone's volume button for convenience?
2. Is latency an issue when watching videos?
Thank you and great video, Ryan!
it would be nice to note that this is a receiver only not a transceiver, so if you intended to connect your computer to the FIIO BR13, it won't bluetooth out to say a bluetooth headphone/earphone. You'd need to spend $70 more to get the BTA30 Pro if you wanted a transceiver.
yep couldn’t have said it better myself
FiiO has been knocking it out of the Park lately
totally agree!
Great hardware but the Fiio Control APP is a piece of crap. Pairs BT on my LG V20 and iPhone12 but the control wont connect at all on the LG and connects and immediately crashes on the iPhone. Latest app from Play and apple.
Probably going to send it back.
Thank You ! RYAN
You video Helped me to decide buy It. very well decribed. i did suscribe already.
Would like to see in in test with the SP3 speakers from the same house as there ain’t a Dac build in in these active speakers
>FiiO have deployed the ES9018 DAC well with associated high end chipsets, all there medium2upwards gear is top notch quality, IEM's another space - i stopped with the FH7 already had over 15+ products items, 2*Q5s 2*BTR5 M11 FH5 M7 etc - run a BT gateway at home with the BTR30 noosted RF - thanks Ho
yeah i agree
it's got really good sound the only thing do not update the firmware you have to use the mobile app to do the firmware update what will brick it. I install the firmware update it restarted and then bricked. so I bought another one and it did the same thing. so I bought a third one and I will not update it now
Not long purchased this to hook up to a technics SU-G700mk2 amp. Really impressed with it. I did however update the firmware and it froze, had to mess about for awhile updating to the patch 1.0.9 and it works perfectly again.
Can I use direct with Klipsch the five thanks
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Now that I have bought the BR13 and listened to it I think I will write down what are my thoughts.
The Fiio BR13 is actually excellent for the price and since I have it I say Coax in with external 18650 power bank sounds the best though at volume 40 - 48 its where all the details soundstage and imaging is best at with usb connected imaging becomes quite congested with a power bank I would say its about 50% sound quality improvement so that leaves with Optical and Coax in and Line Out for use. So I think this device is meant to take Coax in best from what I feel hearing it for almost 3 weeks non stop, I even rarely use my Ifi Zen Dac Balance rarely anymore because of this Fiio BR13 :( sad but the sound improvement is real, Zen Dac is more relax but punchy but the BR13 is Punchier with more details and air with almost extra layering with only RCA, times have change I guess cheap dacs and making it through somehow with makes recommending dacs really hard at higher price range. Overall now I use my Coax out from Ifi Zen Blue V2 into BR13 Coax Ldac from my PC using the A2DP Alternative App Dual Channel and 18650 Battery 24/7 pretty much never run out of juice even the ifi ipower X and ifi Ipower 2 I have can't out perform a 18650 battery I guess. As to finish this comment this are all my experience it will vary from one person to the other so please don't read and think this is the only method to achieve something or anything, the variation of test and enjoyment is subject to one curiosity as always spend what you will and how you will and as always the most important thing is we all listen to music to enjoy and with that have a pleasant day everybody ;)
Item used are as per mention below:
Ifi Zen Can powered by Ifi Ipower 2 gives more weight note and refine bass separation and Ifi Ipower X more clarity and layering depends on taste
Ifi Zen Blue v2 powered via power bank 18650 batteries
Fiio BR13 powered via power bank 18650 batteries
Ataudio OCC Cable as RCA and Coax In and Out + Line Out
Artist Listened to during the 3 weeks test: Saosin, Relient K, Essenger, alot of various anime songs, Scorpion, Black Sabbath, Hawthorne Heights and Underoath and alot of game soundtrack like Tenchu 1,2 and 3, Parasite Eve, Xenoblade 1,2 and 3 and Astral Chain.
thanks for sharing your extensive experience!!
GM ☕️…yup, I’m looking for a new DAC also ..and ALL reviews are opinions and based on how the DAC interacts with the rest of the system…
I’m done with low end ( mid fi at best) DAC’s ..I’ll save my money and look into the latest generation of streaming DAC’s …two birds with one stone I guess.
yeah i try to make all my gear neutral so it’s easier to judge each gear in isolation
Can it be connected to android phone via USB cable, is it compatible with android.
should be just universal usb c connection
A dac amp should be crisp clean pure the headphones should be slightly warm never warm with warm
funny you say that because im about to review the ifi zen dac v3 and its warm warm lol
@@ryanhostudio keep
Kep up the good work please review the 32 ohm ft3 I have brought them over the 350 ohms version you tested. As I prefer lower ohms for driving on dacamps I can say they are 99% as good as the 350 version I terms of sound imaging and stage I thi m the 350 are slightly better but the 32ohms are slightly more fun and easier to live with please review. I have also got epos h6pros and hd599s so I am fully able to compare I gaming well. I have to state the ft3s in gaming 3d audio and movies are mindblowing good... netflix spatial g6 7.1 and dolby for headphones the ft3s are the best I ever heard
Thanks for the review. Do you recommend this for using only as Bluetooth receiver?
I would connect it to a separate dac, maybe an ifi zen blu would be better? I use tidal and UA-cam music with my android smartphone linked to chord mojo and a wireless device would be more comfy
Hi there, thanks for the review. Could you also let me know if this device gives a connection or disconnection sound? I’m looking for a DAC without that. I just want to connect via bluetooth and don’t need an annoying connection or disconnection beep. Had a few other brands that I had to return because of this and I’m now using the boobboom 80, great device but lesser bluetooth range coverage. Cheers
Hello, I saw it use USB-C is 20w charger have enough power to run this thing?
more than enough it can run off a phone from usb c
@@ryanhostudio Thank you for the answer
Great device for the price point! Hooked up to my soundboard, streaming from my FiiO M11 Plus(LDAC). The FiiO app connect is still unstable, fortunately the front face has all the buttons you need!
agreed!!
в каком месте он отличный ?.
очередное гавно
китайцы будто смеются ..
Very informative and presented spot on to my interests. If you could indulge a entry level question… when you mentioned it’s usb dac capability, can you set this up with a iPad as input going thru this unit to headphones?
you can connect ipad through usb to fiio dac, but you need to connect the dac through rca to an amplifier, than connect your headphone to amplifier
Thanks for a response at a level that helped me gain knowledge of this product’s functionality . Keep up the great work. @@ryanhostudio
You were surprised ? Me too ,but by app that is not working . Im pretty angry
Gonna sell device for a bucket of bananas if they wont fix IT
Have you tried their new dac/amp combo K11?
not yet
When using aptx adaptive codec, is this device limited to max 24bit depth and 48khz sampling rate, or it can do 24bit 96khz?
Thanks for a nice review. Such an interesting device. Does the analog output has both variable and independent (fix) volume?
its analog output is only variable, in this scenario is set the dac volume to max into my amplifier and controlled my volume on amplifier. You could also just set highest settings and control volume using phone bluetooth
@@ryanhostudio Noted and thanks a lot. Appreciate the explanation.
мерзкий размытый звук !!
после паузы засыпает .!
To be fair, it $60 price not fifty
it was $50 on amazon at one point. I checked the price history just now and i guess its $60 now camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0CJFCB5H7
Thanks bro, gonna keep an eye on this DAC
🤩
As a receiver, who is better Fiio bta30 pro or Fiio Br13?
its been a while since i heard the bta30, but bta30 is alot more expensive because it has the bluetooth transceiver, so if you really only need a receiver you save a lot of money with fiio br13, also the fiio b13 has a screen
@@ryanhostudio @capitanlevi203 wrote BTA30 Pro which is the update from the BTA30. Better DACs, supports higher sample rate, and native DSD512 decoding. As noted key difference is transceiver vs BR13 being receiver only. I wouldn't say BTA30 Pro is alot more expensive vis a vis BR13, currently being $70 more for better DACs, higher PCM, DSD512 decoding and flexibility of being a transceiver with bypass capability. Wait, I just saw you did a BTA30 Pro review a year ago 🤣
Well, you helped me a lot to make my mind and decide for this DAC, thanks Ryan!
you welcome!
How is the Blue latency?
I just got one excellent
i bought it 3 days ago..the sound is awful..i dont know but my headphone sounds good when i directly connect to pc or smartphone..this is my first time in DAC thing.
Great review and I just subscribed your channel. If you don't mind, I would like to know if you tested streaming from a smartphone using the LDAC codec and how well it works. After all it's one of the reasons for considering the Fiio BR13. LDAC and an ESS DAC should make a great streaming experience from Tidal or Qobuz. I'm also considering using a vintage CD player as a transport, connected to digital input on the Fiio BR13. Thank you very much! Great work! 🙏
Use tidal then destroy its music with Bluetooth 😂😂😂😂😂 clown bt is for 12 Yr olds on ps5 controllers and normies with beats on the bus to work wired only for real listening
@@audie-cashstack-uk4881 I already have two different USB DACs for proper wired listening. I still didn't decide on a dedicated streamer and sometimes BT can be convenient. LDAC at up to 990 Kbit/s isn't that bad and I also want to improve the sound of a vintage CD player. When I get a proper streamer the Fiio BR13 will only be used for the CD. No more BT and probably no regrets about the money spent.
has anyone tried connecting it to his car amp? if so, how does it sound?
Yes, I have it with the RCA to AUX cable input connected to an Alpine CDE 190R 12v car unit.
No bluetooth tried yet. Works fine. Sounds better than with Fiio Q1 mk2. All via laptop. (boat)
I found that the BR13’s Bluetooth fidelity was incredible. Actually it was better w/ BT than when I had it setup with spidf from Chromecasted Spotify. The imaging became muddy with a little distortion at high volumes via optical. Do you know what would cause this? A lesser quality optical chipset?
no idea i only have usb and bluetooth devices to connect them too and they both were good. there is only two chips one for bluetooth and other for wired
spotify is shit.
use tidal or usb player pro lossless.
What chip is in it? From an iron or washing machine? In a washing machine, sorry, it will be more expensive😂😂😂😂😂😂
Sabre ES9018K2M
@@ryanhostudio plus Qualcomm QCC5125 bluetooth chip, and TPA1882 amp chip
гавно там чип
не справляется с app
и криво отлажен пауза гнилая
боль ушам ..
My question is, FiiO BR13 is it suitable as a dac for my active speaker first, and is it better in terms of sound quality compared to SMSL SU-1
yeah you can connect via rca to speakers amplifier! I haven’t tried the su-1 before
May I know what your configuration is like using this tool with IEM and others too
To me, the BR13 sounds like a $50 DAC. The smsl SU-1 sounds miles better and the topping E30II sounds even better than both.
AND the smsl D6s sounds even better than all of them!
Nob ...they do not have bluetooth and cost way more.
you wrong
Why wouldmi quaily dac amp a blue tooth signal wired or nothing 16 but 44.1 hz min and 24 bit 48hz or higher wen avalable and tne best dac amp for 100 by a fking 10 mile lead is soundblaster g6 @@applanateearth586
Better connect a btr13 to topping e30ii and I'm done
гавно !!
после паузы уходит в сон а потом обрезает поодолжение с заметным щелчком при спуске с паузы
app считай не работает !!
chất âm có tốt không?