FiiO K17 Desktop DAC/Amp Review

FiiO has long held a reputation for delivering high-quality audio gear at competitive prices, and their latest desktop amplifier—the FiiO K17—proves to be no exception. Designed with a blend of retro aesthetics and modern hi-fi capabilities, the K17 is aimed at serious audiophiles who want desktop performance without compromise. At just under $1,000, it enters a competitive market with standout features in power delivery, customization, and connectivity. This detailed review explores the K17’s unboxing experience, design, functionality, performance, and most importantly—its sound quality.

What Comes In the Box

• FiiO K17 DAC & Headphone Amplifier
• AC Power Cord
• Remote Control
• XLR4 Plug Cover
• Fuse
• USB Data Cables (x2)
• Headphone Plug Adapter
• Warranty Card
• Quick Start Guide

Everything included speaks to FiiO’s emphasis on accessibility and readiness—everything you need to get started is right in the box.

Aesthetics & Build Quality

The FiiO K17 excels at combining retro-inspired design with modern versatility. Its solid, all-metal chassis exudes durability and confidence. At over 6 lbs, this amplifier is intentionally hefty—a reassuring trait that reinforces its high-end construction and internal component density.

Available in sleek black or shimmering silver, the amplifier fits into any audiophile or minimalist desktop setup. The front panel features physical knobs and buttons that satisfy both tactile and functional expectations, while the rear and side panels offer a wide array of inputs and outputs, ensuring adaptability to most modern and vintage systems.

Customization is a major win here: the 3.93-inch LCD display allows users to select between orange or blue screen themes, adjust brightness levels, and even enable pulsing visual effects in sync with the music. The optional VU meter mode delivers serious retro vibes, although it is only available in streaming or local playback mode.

Connectivity & Interface

FiiO packed the K17 with extensive connectivity options that cater to nearly every use case:

• Inputs: USB-C, USB-A, Optical, Coaxial, RCA, AirPlay, Wi-Fi (LAN), and Bluetooth (QCC5125 chip for high-res wireless audio)
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm single-ended, 4-pin XLR balanced
• Speaker Outputs: Dual XLR, RCA analog outputs for speaker integration

The touchscreen interface is intuitive and segmented into three main sections: signal chain, now playing, and settings. Whether navigating through EQ presets or altering digital filters, the physical dial and touchscreen duality offer ease and precision. Setup is plug-and-play, and switching between sources is seamless, making it ideal for daily use or studio environments.

Amplification & Power

Under the hood, the FiiO K17 is a powerhouse DAC/amp combo with discrete transistor amplification (MJE243G/253G). It offers adjustable gain settings, including an Ultra-High gain mode, making it a true companion for power-hungry headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800 S or Abyss AB-1266. Conversely, it can be dialed back for sensitive planar magnetics like the Audeze LCD-X, preventing distortion or overwhelming the transducers.

The amp section is both powerful and clean—delivering voltage and current without coloration. This neutrality makes it particularly well-suited for critical listening and reference environments.

Features & Control

FiiO has outfitted the K17 with a thoughtful suite of features tailored to both casual listeners and professional users:

• Adjustable Parametric EQ
• Analog Filters
• Gain & Channel Balance Control
• Custom EQ via FiiO Control App
• Remote Volume Control

The app extends control from the front panel to your smartphone, allowing for real-time EQ manipulation, volume control, and preset management. The onboard parametric EQ is impressively surgical, offering granular tone shaping for specific frequency bands—ideal for tuning your headphones or speaker chain to your preferences or room acoustics.

Technical Specifications

• Display: 3.93-inch bezel-less LCD (240×1020 resolution)
• DAC Chipset: Dual AK4191EX + AK4499EQ
• USB Decoder: XU316
• Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm QCC5125
• Amplification: MJE243G/253G discrete transistors
• Processor: ESP32-S3 MCU, X2000 SoC
• Dimensions: 24.46 x 21.3 x 6.68 cm
• Weight: 6 lbs (approx. 2.72 kg)

Listening Impressions

The FiiO K17 offers a transparent and balanced sound signature, with little coloration added to the original source. Upon initial use, the amplifier exhibited a slightly bright timbre, which bordered on analytical coldness—particularly with already treble-forward headphones like the HiFiMAN HE1000.

However, after a few hours of warm-up, the tonality settled into a more balanced and mature sound, revealing:

• Extended highs with refined sparkle
• Midrange clarity without overt warmth or bloat
• Controlled, textured low-end response

The Audeze LCD-X benefited from the K17’s neutrality, gaining enhanced detail in the upper mids while maintaining its signature warmth. In contrast, the HE1000 Unveiled approached excessive brightness initially but mellowed out with use, offering exceptional spatial detail and imaging.

Genre-based filter presets proved musically effective:

• Pop/Rock: Enhanced sub-bass and mid-bass punch
• Jazz/Country: Improved vocal forwardness and midrange dynamics

This makes the K17 not only versatile but highly engaging for both technical analysis and casual enjoyment.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a desktop DAC/amp that delivers powerful amplification, pristine digital-to-analog conversion, and deep control over your listening experience, the FiiO K17 is an exceptional contender in its price bracket. It supports a wide range of headphones, integrates into speaker setups, and provides both wired and wireless functionality with zero compromise.

Whether you're a studio producer, critical listener, or forward-thinking audiophile, the K17 provides the flexibility, finesse, and sonic fidelity to meet—and often exceed—expectations.

The FiiO K17 Desktop DAC and Amp is available at Audio46.