Audiophilepure

FiiO S15 Review

Listening on the HD 800s feels natural and dynamic; a slight adjustment in the midrange using the built-in equalizer can enhance vocal harmonies and nuances, adding to a euphonic experience.

Switching to the K9 Pro ESS using the RCA connection sees a slight drop in resolution, but dynamics remain strong, with added warmth in the midrange.

The RCA output, while generally neutral and enjoyable, falls slightly behind the XLR connection in staging separation and texture, which remains audibly superior.

When using the coaxial output from the S15 with the K9 Pro ESS decoder, the mid-bass gains prominence, with vocals sounding richer and more naturally rounded.

Although Bluetooth decoding exhibits decent dynamics, it falls short of the quality provided by local playback or USB decoding. Notably so in its treble extension which lacks a sense of effortlessness and displays a more noticeable roll-off.

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