Audiophilepure

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0125/FiiO_S15_Music_Streame_Hi_Res_DAC_Bluetooth_Receiver_Review.htm#gsc.tab=0

I connected a generic Ethernet cable from our home router to the S15’s LAN input. Our home’s Wi-Fi router is in the same room as my system, only about six feet from the equipment rack. Its LAN input was the source I used for much of the review, although I used my music server, connecting Wireworld’s Starlight 7 USB 2.0 cable, which ran to FiiO’s S15 rear panel USB input.

FiiO’s S15 analog outputs were connected to the linestage, usually a vacuum-tube powered Nagra Classic Preamp, but sometimes the two-chassis Pass Laboratories XP–22 linestage.

This system used for review would likely be more advanced than one that purchases a $1000 streamer. However, the FiiO S15 performed so well that it was suitable at home while I auditioned for this system.

I also listened to the FiiO S15 through headphones for much of this review. A very long run of Cardas interconnects terminated with RCAs ran between the analog output of the S15 to my headphone amplifiers. Most of the time I listened through a Woo Audio WA2 headphone amplifier. A while ago I replaced its stock input tubes with a matched pair of NOS (New Old Stock) Amperex 6299s and the larger output tubes with a matched pair of Tung-Sol 6080s. The other headphone amp was a very good-sounding solid-state Pass Laboratories HPA-1 that I acquired in 2016.

Whether listening to the FiiO S15 through my main audio system or headphones, I enjoyed listening to a wireless signal sent from my iPhone using Airplay. I heard no difference in using the Qobuz and Tidal apps in this way compared to using the apps on the front screen of the S15.

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