I hoped for a beefier unit with a linear transformer in the future, and I’m here to tell you that finally, the unit I envisioned last year is right now on my table.

Coupled with PMEQ, multiple gain levels and other features, such as local playback, makes the FiiO K17 a satisfying and versatile desktop DAC and headphone amplifier experience. I find it probably the most fun and positive offering from FiiO to date and a cool upgrade from the K9 Pro.

The FiiO K17 is, to me, a rare example of solid engineering. It doesn’t chase specs for bragging rights or lean on artificial sharpness to simulate detail. Instead, it focuses on balance to find a happy medium between resolution and musicality. Pretty safe to say that it nails it.

There are virtually no boundaries to the K17…other than the embarrassing basic ones in that the firmware requires an urgent update to show the local time (and not the Beijing one) and that the VU meter should be enabled for all play modes.

FiiO’s K17 Streaming DAC is a bargain in its price range. It has every feature you could possibly want, and then some. It is easy to set up and a pleasure to use.