FiiO R9From real comments

Verdict distilled from 30 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 30 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want richer, more dynamic sound than the FiiO R7 offered
  • You value an all-in-one desktop DAC/amp/preamp/streamer with flexible outputs
  • You appreciate a manufacturer transparent enough to publish full teardown guides

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable HDMI video passthrough, not just audio
  • You're sensitive to price and want more for $1,500+
  • You've had FiiO app or Bluetooth reliability problems before and can't risk a repeat

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature
Powerful driving power for demanding headphones
Premium packaging and build details
High price relative to value for many users
Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility
Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
Best value
2Mid
FiiO M21
Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ
FiiO M21
Cassette case design
Musical, warm sound signature
Desktop mode with battery bypass
Crackling/popping between tracks
Button/port layout debate
Weak or fiddly EQ
3Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality sound
Broad connectivity and service support
Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem
Treble can sound bright or harsh
App usability issues
Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
You are here
4Premium
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike sound
Attractive, understated design
Improvement over the R7
High price
Missing features some wanted
Buggy app and Bluetooth
5Mid
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviews
Analogue-like sound signature
Works well as a preamp with separate amps
Unanswered compatibility questions
Fiddly menus and login entry
File format playback errors
6Premium
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound quality
Flexible digital connectivity
Works well as preamp with external power amps
Unclear Roon and DSD support
No HDMI ARC input
No headphone output
7Mid
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound Quality
Hi-Res and MQA Playback
Broad Storage Format Support
Confusing Streaming App Setup
Slightly Muted Treble vs CD
Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player
8
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer Integration
Versatile Digital Connectivity
Internet Connectivity Failures
9Premium
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound quality
Physical buttons and dedicated music focus
Premium build and design
Poor battery life
Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations
High price for the value
10Premium
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound quality
Powerful desktop mode & transport use
Build quality and design touches
Buggy, laggy software
Battery life and battery quality concerns
Track playback glitches

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is a clear step up from the R7 for many owners. Multiple buyers described the R9 as very dynamic and lifelike across both headphones and speakers, with lower power settings suiting IEMs well. Several who previously owned the R7 said they found it disappointing by comparison and were far happier after switching, calling the R9's sound 'really good' or loving it 'so much more.' One listener, however, felt it sounded too bright paired with certain headphones.

A firmware quirk mishandles musical pauses during playback. One detailed report explained that with classical and jazz music, which often contains deliberate pauses, the R9 mistakenly thinks a track has ended, causing stuttering when the music resumes. This was noted as a known issue also discussed on FiiO's own forum, with the reviewer specifically citing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as an example and hoping for a firmware fix.

Software and connectivity reliability drew skepticism from experienced FiiO users. A longtime R7 owner reported major UI issues, unexpected shutdowns, and USB output problems despite factory resets, and said they'd heard similar Bluetooth and FiiO Control app complaints about the R9. Another commenter said the app doesn't even connect properly, souring them on paying a premium price, and pointed to competitors with more reliable companion apps instead.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?