Fiio is doing all the correct issues within the transportable audio class, and its Bluetooth DACs particularly are extremely regarded for his or her feature-set. The BTR5 set the tone for Fiio on this class, and the introduction of an up to date mannequin dubbed the BTR5 2021 solidified Fiio’s place. I known as the BTR5 2021 among the best funds Bluetooth DACs round, and that is right down to the sheer variety of options on supply and the clear sound supply out of what’s basically a diminutive DAC designed for transportable use.Fiio is now taking that successful components and including a number of further options for its newest mannequin within the sequence, the BTR7. There is lots to love right here, and earlier than I get began, here is a high-level overview of what you are getting: the BTR7 comes with THX’s AAA28 amp, and it features a balanced 4.4mm connector alongside a single-ended 3.5mm port — the largest differentiator over the BTR5.You additionally get a brand new design with a big colour IPS LCD panel, wi-fi charging, and all of the wi-fi codecs you want. Considering the BTR7 prices simply $199 (opens in new tab), you might be getting an incredible worth right here. As is the case with all of its merchandise, Fiio bundles a beneficiant quantity of equipment with the BTR7, together with a leatherette case, USB-C to USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A connector.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Fiio tweaked the design for the BTR7, with the DAC that includes a bigger chassis that is 26g heavier than the BTR5. The design is extra angular this time round, bringing the BTR7 according to the likes of the K9 Pro DAC and the M11S audio participant. Fiio is switching to this design language for its high-end choices, and it is nice to see that the BTR7 additionally follows the same aesthetic.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Even although the chassis is bigger, the BTR7 is available in at simply 68g, making it inherently pocketable. It has dimensions of 39.6 x 83.6 x 14.6mm, and the metallic chassis is constructed to final — I’ve been utilizing the DAC for the higher a part of six months now, and have not run into any points in any respect. If you are nervous about sturdiness, the bundled case does an important job including a layer of safety with out making the DAC bulkier.The BTR7 has a glass back and front, and you will find the same old slate of logos on the again highlighting the DAC’s MQA skills together with THX {hardware}. The glass again permits for Qi wi-fi charging, with the BTR7 taking simply over three hours to cost through this mode.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Another large change this time is the connectors; Fiio now presents a balanced 4.4mm port along with the usual single-ended 3.5mm jack on the BTR7, and that makes the DAC that rather more versatile. You’ll discover the facility and quantity buttons on the correct, together with a cost toggle that lets the BTR7 know if it ought to cost when linked to a supply or not.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s additionally a bigger 1.3-inch colour IPS LCD panel on the BTR7, and that is significantly useful for viewing what codec is getting used in addition to the quantity degree and battery particulars. You can tweak a number of settings immediately on the machine, together with acquire (excessive or low), change between EQ modes, regulate filters, and launch automobile mode.But for probably the most half, you may use the Fiio Control app to regulate settings on the BTR7. Fiio Control supplies full 10-band EQ customization, lets you view all of the Bluetooth codecs out there for the machine and set a codec manually, set channel stability, and replace the firmware.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)As for connectivity, you get the flexibility of USB-C in addition to Bluetooth. Given the use case for the DAC as a conveyable choice, most customers will use Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity to pair the DAC with their telephones, and I had zero points connecting the BTR7 with my Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Pixel 7 Pro. The DAC makes use of Qualcomm’s QCC5124 module right here, and Fiio has an exhaustive checklist of wi-fi audio codecs that embrace SBC, AAC, AptX, AptX LL, AptX Adaptive, AptX HD, and LDAC.Of course, your supply machine will want an AptX codec to stream at increased bitrates, however even when that is not the case, LDAC is baked into Android, and you need to get 96kHz/24bit playback on nearly any telephone. When used as a USB DAC, the BTR7 will go as much as 384kHz/32bit over PCM, and also you get DSD256 decoding in addition to an MQA 8x renderer, making the DAC an important selection in case you use Tidal.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The greatest differentiator for the BTR7 is the usage of THX amplifiers, with Fiio noting that it switched to THX {hardware} after listening to person suggestions about delivering a conveyable DAC with extra energy. The BTR7 undoubtedly fulfils the transient in that regard; the 4.4mm balanced port supplies 320mW of energy at a 32Ω load, 235mW at 16Ω, and 40mW at 300Ω.The single-ended 3.5mm port goes as much as 160mW at 32Ω, 165mW at 16Ω, and 18mW at 300Ω. Basically, the BTR7 is ready to drive any IEM round, and the facility on supply with the balanced port ought to comfortably drive demanding over-ear choices with none points. You’ll additionally discover an omni-directional mic right here that is useful for taking calls, and it really works fairly nicely — although it is not fairly on the identical degree as what you get on the perfect wi-fi earbuds. (Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)As for the sound high quality, the BTR7 delivers a clear and impartial sound that is attribute of Fiio’s high-end DACs, and the THX {hardware} provides a layer of vibrancy to the sound. I used the BTR7 with the Audeze Euclid and Fiio’s FA7S, and for probably the most half, I turned to Bluetooth to attach with my telephones. LDAC proved to be the best choice on this space, providing wonderful element retrieval, decision, and readability.You get an brisk bass that gives a number of character to the sound, and that makes IEMs just like the Audeze Euclid shine. The mid-range is obvious and detailed, and there is a slight heat to the sound that works very well throughout quite a lot of genres. The treble can be well-defined and interesting, and total, the BTR7 delivers a tonality that ticks all the correct containers.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)And if you wish to unlock the total potential of the BTR7, you may want to attach over USB-C. The DAC really comes into its personal on this mode, and it feels cleaner and extra energetic — significantly when utilizing the balanced 4.4mm port. Fiio advertises the BTR7 as a conveyable DAC, but it surely has the {hardware} to carry up simply superb as a dongle DAC when linked to Windows.The BTR7 options an 880mAh battery, and it takes simply over 90 minutes to completely cost the DAC over USB-C (it prices at 10W) — that quantity is doubled when utilizing Qi wi-fi charging. As for battery life, the BTR7 managed to ship just below seven hours of playback with the acquire set to excessive, and it’s greater than enough for a Bluetooth DAC on this regard.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Overall, Fiio nailed the transient with the BTR7. I used a number of Bluetooth DACs in 2022, and the BTR7 is much and away the most suitable choice in case you’re trying to maximize worth. You get design, wonderful sound profile with the flexibility to drive demanding audio gear, all of the wi-fi codecs you want, MQA and DSD decoding in wired mode, and good battery life. The BTR7 is not simply nice as a result of it has Bluetooth connectivity — this is likely one of the greatest DACs you may get for below $250.
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With a clear and energetic sound and the flexibility to drive demanding audio gear, the BTR7 nails the fundamentals. It sounds simply as nice over Bluetooth and wired mode, and the sheer variety of options on supply make the BTR7 the perfect transportable DAC proper now.