And again I have on my desk a familiar black box that foreshadows another amplifier for the Fiio X7. When you start making interchangeable amplifiers for your player, it's hard to stop damned. The new module, which received the AM2A index, is actually an amateur modification of the "base" AM1, which has spread among the Chinese community. The company decided to meet users and released a similar amplifier themselves.
This model is based on the AD8620 and AD8397ARDZ chips and is characterized by high power, it emits more than 400 milliwatts at 32Ω, greatly exceeding the AM2 and almost approaching the AM5. In addition, this amplifier offers a more flavored darkened serve for connoisseurs of similar.
As a bonus, I included in this review a brief digression dedicated to the universal docking station Fiio DK1.
Specifications
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥118 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion (32Ω, 1kHz): <0.002%
- Channel separation: > 73 dB
- Output voltage: > 10.6 Vp-p
- Output Impedance: <0.3Ω @ 32Ω
- Output power: > 420 mW @ 32Ω
- Dimensions: 64 mm × 25 mm × 16 mm
- Weight: 32g
Packaging, installation and operating time
By the box and the packaging, everything is absolutely standard. A black cardboard box outside, tin inside. The delivery set is also familiar: the amplifier itself, screws, a set of stickers and instructions - warranty coupons. From the new - in the package of the delivery added stickers confirming the passage of Fiio X7 certification "HighRes", you can safely glue them wherever you want.
The installation also did not become more difficult, just unscrew the 2 screws, carefully remove the existing amplifier and connect a new one. After that, it remains only to carefully return the screws back. You can do this without even turning off the player, but I still try not to do it "on hot". The change of the amplifier is very easy, something can be done wrong or it can be spoiled, only by deliberately trying.
Naturally, the increased power did not pass without a trace for the battery, in my standard test (FLAC 44.1 / 16 bit, volume by 40 points, low gain, MeeAudio P1 as a load), the player worked 7 hours 35 minutes. The result, of course, is not prohibitive, but this is the price of power.
Sound
And, of course, the most important thing.
To listen to the device used the following headphones: ZMF Omni, Meze 99 Classics, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, HiFiMan HE-400S, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser K10AU, Campfire Audio Jupiter, Dita Audio Brass.
By sound, this amplification module is even slightly darker than the usual AM2, its sound is warmer, but it is not softer and does not lose details on the midrange and high frequencies. In general, the main difference is in the low-frequency range.
AM2A is the most basic of all the amplifiers of the line, its low frequencies have a high weight and are fed quite powerfully, but without the excess, which leads to blurring of the middle frequencies. Of course, accenting the bass slightly shifts the perception of the pitch, but there is no effect of the typical bass enhancement - hum, creep on the MF and other shortcomings. In the "middle" this amplifier is perhaps the most similar to the AM3, but slightly less emphasizes the microcontrast and does not try to accent the minor flaws of the recording. An imaginary scene, this module builds a little bit of the usual AM2, but the depth is approximately equal. HF also roughly corresponds to AM2, also slightly relaxed, but no frills.
Intermedia - dock
In addition to amplifiers, Fiio continues to develop and a line of other accessories. One of the most useful additions to it is the newly released . Not so long ago I described the amplifier K5, equipped with a connector that allows you to connect to it any of the company's players and use it with a powerful gain. But what if you already have a good amplifier? This is where DK1 comes in - a simple docking station that allows you to charge your player and / or use a line-out.
The design of DK1 in the company came qualitatively: a box of reliable cardboard, the base of the dock is made of aluminum, the stand for the player is made of reliable plastic. On the table, the construction stands securely thanks to the heavy base and the rubber ring on its underside.
The docking station is suitable for almost any player in the company's new line that supports 11-pin USB (X1 for both generations, X3-2, X5-2, X7). The swivel base of the connector allows you to connect any Fiio device without problems.
A linear output is available from the interfaces (it can be switched to a balanced one if it is supported by the device) and MicroUSB for charging and connecting to a computer. It should be noted that the headphone jack does not work, and in the case of the Fiio X7, it is completely unavailable.
In combination with Fiio RM1, you get a very convenient and stylish microsystem that allows you to listen to music from any source without any problems, and a low price (about $ 20) makes this accessory very affordable.
conclusions
In general, the choice of amplifiers for X7 is great, but Fiio does not intend to stop at this, so the biggest problem for X7 users is to choose the right option. Fortunately, everything here is quite simple. AM1 is the basic option for sensitive headphones with emphasis on MF and HF. AM2 - a more powerful version with a slightly softened feed, I consider it the most versatile and convenient for portable use. AM2A is an option for those who want an even warmer sound, the bonus is extra power. AM3 - for those who need a balance, and AM5 - for swinging heavy models without recapability. While something like this, but I'm looking forward to the new modules, I think they are on the way.
The article is based on materials .
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