Description
Flagship Studio-Grade Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier
The K19 is FiiO’s most powerful desktop device ever. This ultra-high performance USB DAC and headphone amplifier has been designed to revolutionize your listening experience. Enjoy audio at its finest thanks to an industry-leading ESS flagship dual DAC combination, paired with our most powerful THX AAA amplifiers to faithfully reproduce your music. All of this joins a new DSP section, allowing for more audio customization and configurability than ever.
Equipped with USB-C, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, and for the first time, HDMI digital inputs; RCA and 3-pin XLR balanced analog line level outputs; and three headphone jacks (1/4″ single-ended, 4.4mm balanced, and 4-pin XLR balanced), the K19 is designed to elevate your audio experience no matter what audio source you’re using with your headphones and speakers. Five switchable gain levels are available, enabling you to use the built-in amplifier at comfortable volume levels with your entire collection of headphones and earphones.
Purchases from Bay Bloor Radio include a 1-Year Warranty from FiiO Canada, with local repair/replacement without the need for international shipping.
Flagship Dual Hybrid DAC
To maximize performance, FiiO K19 features two of the new ESS 8-channel ES9039SPRO DAC chips, featuring fourth generation 32Bit HyperStream architecture. These DAC chips allow the K19 to output clearer and richer audio with plenty of detail, with ultra-high dynamic range and ultra-low noise. The result is more realistic, detailed sound — as if you were there on stage or in the studio with your favourite performing artists.
With its XMOS XU316 USB decoding chip, K19 offers lower latency, more stable transmission, better compatibility, and supports up to 768kHz/32bit, native DSD512 decoding, and MQA full decoding.
8-Channel THX Amplification
For K19 AKM’s headphone amplification circuit, FiiO has raised the bar: an 8-channel THX AAA 788+ headphone amp architecture working together in parallel and backed by a high-voltage power supply. The THX amp chips are connected in parallel via 2×2 groups to make up a fully balanced, 4-channel amplification system. The result is enhanced transients, and high-power output up to 8000mW+8000mW of sustained undistorted output power with a 32Ω load — allowing the K19 to drive all kinds of headphones with ease.
THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) ensures a no-compromise headphone audio experience by delivering the world’s highest fidelity audio with infinitesimally low levels of noise, distortion and power consumption. Patented feed-forward error correction topology creates realistic, fatigue-free listening by reducing harmonic, intermodulation, and crossover distortion.
Digital Signal Processing
For the first time in an FIIO product, the K19 flagship desktop DAC and headphone amplifier utilizes an ADI ADSP-21565 DSP chip with the SHARC+ core, backed by a custom ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillator. This DSP chip featuring a high clock frequency of 800MHz and capable of 64-bit double precision floating point calculations is what makes the new 31-band high-precision lossless PEQ possible in the K19.
The ADI DSP chip not only ensures that audio signals after PEQ adjustment are of high quality and with minimal distortion, it also helps to enable powerful system protection functions that safeguard both the K19 and the other devices and headphones connected to it.
31-Band Lossless Parametric EQ
The K19 features DEL (Dual Engine Limiter) technology, and through proprietary algorithms, it can apply various audio effects such as dynamic range compression (DRC) and dynamic range enhancement (DRE), as well as an advanced limiter to prevent clipping.
Also on the K19 is an adjustable 31-band high-precision lossless PEQ*, which supports direct adjustment of PCM 44.1k~192k audio signals without resorting to sampling rate conversion (SRC). For each band, the gain can be adjusted between a range of +12~-24dB and the Q value can be adjusted between a range of 0.4dB~128dB.
And the equalizer curves don’t have to be used only by you — PEQ presets on the K19 can be shared between users. Being able to import and export PEQ presets opens up a whole new dimension to sound adjustment. *PEQ adjustment is supported on Windows and Mac computers, as well as with the FiiO Control smartphone app.
Fully balanced design
The K19 processes audio signals through a fully differential chain — from the dual DACs, to the current-to-voltage conversion, to the low-pass filtering, and finally to the balanced headphone amplifier. This ensure high dynamics and minimal crosstalk.
Also, various parts of the audio circuits such as the current-to-voltage converter, low pass filter, and preamplifier use multiple precision op-amps including the OPA2211 and the OPA1602 to ensure the K19 outputs stable, high-quality sound.
Digital audio processing architecture
For the first time in an FIIO product, the K19 utilizes a powerful quad-core FPGA as a high-definition digital signal processing center. The FPGA is responsible for handling all incoming digital signals, including Bluetooth reception and decoding, USB decoding, coaxial and optical decoding, HDMI/ARC decoding, and DSP digital signal processing.
These digital signals are directly transmitted through two sets of I2S channels to the dual ES9039SPRO DACs, ensuring minimal distortion and loss of audio signals in the digital audio processing chain.
Ultra Low Jitter Clock
The K19 employs two industry-leading ACCUSILICON AS318-B ultra-low phase noise femtosecond crystal oscillators (45.1584MHz, 49.1520MHz), which are 100% pre-screened before being selected for use in the K19. These femtosecond crystal oscillators effectively reduce the impact of phase noise on audio signals and allow for accurate audio restoration and different sampling rates – resulting in purer and more stable sound no matter the source sampling rate.
Clocks are globally managed, ensuring digital signals being handled are low-jitter, making for purer and clearer audio.
Audiophile-grade components
- 8 Panasonic film capacitors + 36 MELF resistors: low temperature and low noise under any temperature ensure stable high-quality sound in all conditions.
- NEUTRIK gold-plated connectors: tulip-shaped XLR connectors that are anti-oxidation and wear-resistant, allowing for precise and reliable connections sound in all conditions.
- 4 WIMA capacitors + 4 ELNA MILIC capacitors: for enhanced sound quality and soundstage.
- Internal cabling: audio signals transmitted between different internal boards are high-quality with minimal loss via the use of silver-plated oxygen-free copper wires.
Inputs and outputs
With fully comprehensive inputs and outputs, the FiiO K19 can cater to more audio setups.
It features six input modes:
- USB Decoding: the XMOS 16-core XU316 enables decoding up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD512, and MQA full decoding. There is a USB-C port on both the front and rear of K19 for convenient access; the front port takes priority when both are connected.
- Bluetooth input: the Qualcomm QCC5125 enables support for aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and more codecs.
- Optical input: capable of receiving digital optical input, for use as an optical decoder.
- Coaxial input: capable of receiving digital coaxial input, for use as an coaxial decoder.
- HDMI input: supports audio input from devices such as video game consoles, Blu-ray players, and set-top boxes. K19 supports PCM decoding, but not multichannel audio. If the HDMI source also sends video signals, the K19 will pass these through the ARC port.
- HDMI ARC: connect the ARC (audio return channel) port to a device that supports ARC output, and audio signals can be passed back to the K19.
On the output side, there’s 6.35mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced, and 4-pin XLR balanced jacks to drive all of your headphones. All are located on the front of the K19 for convenient ergonomics. On the rear, you’ll find both 3-pin XLR balanced and two sets of RCA unbalanced line outputs for interfacing with a variety of active speakers and external amplifiers, plus digital optical and coaxial outputs.
Switch between four output modes: PO+Pre Out to use both headphones and rear audio out simultaneously, PO for headphone output via the front panel 6.3mm, 4.4mmm and XLR ports, PRE for pre-out with adjustable volume via the rear connectors, and LO for line out with fixed volume via the rear connectors.
The rear also features 12V trigger input and output, supporting active/passive control modes to switch compatible devices on and off in sync. The optional GND/Lift switch reduces crosstalk and interference between devices.
HDMI
HDMI IN and ARC capabilities are present in an FiiO desktop DAC and amp for the first time. The K19 supports decoding from HDMI 2.0 input, HDMI output, and HDMI ARC audio return channel functionality, opening the doors to a new way of experiencing an immersive audiovisual experience. HDMI decoding/output supports up to 192kHz/24bit sampling rate, while HDMI ARC supports 44.1/48kHz sampling rates.
Bluetooth connectivity
With the QCC5125 Bluetooth chip, the K19 supports LDAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and other enhanced Bluetooth codecs. This ensures high-quality, lower-latency Bluetooth audio for various applications, from music listening to video gaming.
FiiO Control app
Unlock a range of functionalities by connecting the K19 to your phone via Bluetooth and using the FIIO Control app. Customize your audio experience with options such as filters, status indicators, EQ adjustments, and channel balance settings to match your preferences.
Remote
A custom infrared remote control is included with K19, allowing you to conveniently switch between operating modes , select EQ, adjust volume, and operate other functions from a distance.
Flagship thin unibody construction
The new design of the K series of desktop DAC and amps is displayed with the K19, made of a die-cast unibody aluminum alloy body for a totally seamless design. The aluminum alloy body is carefully polished by a multi-axis CNC machine to a quality befitting of a flagship. This aluminum alloy body not only features reduced thickness, but is also capably shock-proof.
The 1.3-inch colour display allows you to easily understand current status, and makes changing
settings easier. The RGB lighting around the two control knobs support sample rate indication and various lighting effects.
Vertical or horizontal
Two placement options help you to use desk space efficiently and effectively dissipate heat. When paired with the included stand, K19 is stable used vertically; in this position it also can be used as a unique headphone stand for even more convenience.
DC/AC dual power supply
Built into the K19 is a new generation 40W lower-noise, high-efficiency, long-lasting industrial-grade power supply. This power supply supports an ultra-wide range of input voltage (85~305VAC) and can operate under extreme temperatures (-40℃~85℃) with high reliability of around 500,000 hours. The K19 can also be used with an external DC power supply, allowing you to pair it with a high-performance linear power supply, letting you experience a different sound. (External DC power supply supports 15V-3A.)
Separate analog and digital sections
Separate power supplies for the digital and analog audio circuits effectively avoid crosstalk and interference between the two circuits. It also allows for better power supply isolation.
Multi-stage analog power supply
The K19’s analog audio circuit is powered by a multi-stage power supply. The numerous stages of the analog power supply mean that there are power control circuits for the digital-to-analog conversion, LPF, preamplifier, headphone amp and other audio circuit stages. Each stage uses a large number of precision LDOs for secondary voltage stabilization to ensure continuous pure clean power.
Heat dissipation
The internal and external heat dissipation systems of the K19 allow the machine to consistently output high power without the user worrying about heat issues. The K19’s internal heat dissipation transfers the heat from the internal chips to a special thermally conductive material, and finally to the aluminum alloy outer frame. In addition, the thermally conductive aluminum alloy body features a honeycomb mesh design, which allows for convection heat dissipation.
What’s included
- FiiO K19
- AC Power Cord (North America)
- 6.35mm to 3.5mm headphone adapter
- 3.5mm audio cable
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-A to USB-C adapter
- Rubber Feet for horizontal mode
- Aluminum colour-matched stand
- Vertical stand support
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- XLR4 port dust cover
- Infrared remote
- Quick start guide
- 1-Year Warranty, administered by FiiO Canada and Bay Bloor Radio (no international shipping required)
Specifications
Dimensions:
About 250 x 225 x 36.7 mm
Weight:
About 1800g
