FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC - Central interface for desktop audio

Foto © FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. | FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC

FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. now presents the FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC as the new flagship headphone amplifier with integrated D/A converter in the desktop audio sector.

FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. has always been recognised as an expert in the field of personal audio devices. Initially, it was portable D/A converters and headphone amplifiers with which the Chinese company built up an impeccable reputation over the years, followed by DAP and headphones, Bluetooth receivers and accessories for the personal audio segment.

Recently, FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. has once again been pushing the desktop audio sector with D/A converters and headphone amplifiers, such as the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC, which is much more than the name initially suggests. In fact, with this new solution, which will be presented for the first time at CanJam New York these days, the Chinese company is offering an immensely versatile central interface for desktop audio systems.

FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC with numerous interfaces

What enables the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC to fulfil this task and makes it an exceptional solution are the numerous interfaces that are available for a wide variety of sources.

From S/PDIF to HDMI

There is an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface, a USB-C interface for direct connection to a PC or Mac, a USB-C interface for corresponding storage media and an HDMI.

The FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC is just as flexible when it comes to outputs, because in addition to two pairs of RCA sockets, there is also a pair of XLRs available as analogue outputs. Analogue signals can therefore be forwarded both unbalanced and balanced, for example to a power amplifier or active loudspeaker systems. Headphones can also be connected both unbalanced and balanced via a 6,3 mm stereo jack, a 4.4 mm Pentaconn and a 4-pin XLR.

For digital signals, the FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC also offers an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface at the outputs and there is also an HDMI port, which even has an ARC, i.e. an Audio Return Channel, so that a TV set can be connected directly and audio signals can be transmitted directly to the FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC.

The DAC and headphone amplifier also have 12 V trigger inputs and outputs and an RS232 interface is also available, which is interestingly designed as a USB-C port.

Bluetooth on board

Of course, Bluetooth is a must, with Bluetooth 5.0 and support for SBC and AAC as well as aptX, aptX HD and LDAC, allowing signal transmission up to Hi-res audio.

Dual power supply

Power is supplied via an external power supply unit, whereby a so-called dual power supply is used, allowing you to choose between 15 V DC and classic 230 V AC. A ground lift switch on the rear of the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC should also be mentioned.

Tidy front

First and foremost, the front is adorned with a comparatively small display, which nevertheless provides all the relevant information. There are also two rotary encoders, one for selecting the input and the other for controlling the volume.

Sophisticated signal processing

Another special feature of the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC is the use of truly sophisticated signal processing.

This is based on two 8-channel ESS ES9039SPRO DACs from the specialist ESS Technology Inc., which are supported by two AccuSilicon AS318-B Crystal Oscillators for the perfect clock. This allows signals to be processed in Linear PCM with up to 32 bits and 768 kHz and DSD up to and including DSD512, as the manufacturer states in the data sheet. In addition, an ADI SHARC+ ADSP-21565 DSP from Analog Devices Inc. is used, which is primarily used for the 31-band parametric equaliser offered here.

The developers relied on an 8-channel THX-AAA-788+ amplifier from the specialist THX Ltd. as a particularly powerful output stage, so that a remarkable 8.000 mW into 32 ohms is available via the balanced output. This means that any headphones can be operated without any problems and kept under full control at all times.

Prices and availability

According to the manufacturer, the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC will be available from specialist retailers these days in Silver and Black. The recommended retail price is given as € 1.300,-.

Getting to the point

With the new FiiO K19 Desktop Headphone Amplifier/DAC, FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. is launching a desktop audio solution that is characterised above all by its numerous interfaces and sophisticated signal processing.