That's really what you can not deny Fiio, so it's in the ability to provide its products with accessories. The flagship of the company X7 has already received 2 interchangeable amplifier modules, and several more are on the way. In this review, I'll talk about the "powerful" module AM5, and as a bonus we will have a fun Bluetooth remote control RM1.
The Fiio X7, which received the AM1 index, produced about 100 milliwatts at 32 ohms, which is enough for most headphones and many full-size models. But, as usual, there were people who did not have enough power. For them was released AM2, giving out more than 300 milliwatts with the same load and desktop amplifier Fiio K5, for those who need quite a lot of power. Thinking that "a little watt does not happen," Fiio decided to release an even more powerful module and gave it the name AM5. The price for this module is traditionally about $ 100, but I suspect that eventually they will be available for sale at a more affordable price.
The AM5 is built quite similar to the AM2, the same MUSES02 is used as the voltage amplifier, and TPA6120A2 is used as the current buffer, providing a substantial reserve for amplification. The module also has a low output impedance and good distortion and noise performance. The voltage swing of 11 volts allows you to easily handle almost any headphones.
Specifications
- Frequency range: 9 Hz ~ 84 kHz (-3 dB)
- Power: > 800 mW @ 16Ω,> 500 mW @ 32Ω,> 55 mW @ 300Ω
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥120 dB
- Output Impedance: <0.5Ω @ 32Ω
- Channel separation: > 72 dB @ 1 kHz, 32Ω
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: <0.001% @ 1 kHz, 32Ω
- Peak output voltage: > 11 Vp-p
- Maximum output current: > 250 mA
Supplied AM5 in the same package as AM2: a cardboard box containing a tin inside the box. In the kit again put spare cogs and a set of stickers for those who use them.
The change of the module does not represent the slightest problems, we unscrew two screws, remove the old module, carefully put a new one and tighten the screws back. For maximum compatibility with AM5, it is recommended to update the firmware of the player to the very latest.
The color of AM5 is the same as AM2, also slightly darker than stock AM1, although it's a pity that Fiio did not make it even darker, it would be funny.
Of course, the most interesting question in using AM5 is the time of work. The increased power is not given for nothing, with this module the player worked for me for 6 hours and 25 minutes (low gain, 44.1 / 16 FLAC, Oppo PM-3 as a load). On the one hand, it is not enough, on the other hand, with such a huge capacity, this is more than a decent result. This, in my opinion, is the strength of the replacement amplifiers, you can choose the one that suits you best, and do not spend the battery on "extra".
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, HiFiMan HE-400S, AKG K702 and AudioZenith PMx2.
As you can see, in the role of test headphones, the isodinas (albeit not the tightest ones), including the current-loving AKGs, are complex in the disclosure.
Based on the results of various experiments, the first thing I can mention is that you do not need AM5 if you do not use headphones that are really tight in build-up. Of course, there are no special problems in using AM5 with sensitive models, it is enough to reduce the volume to an acceptable level, there is no noise and hissing. But with the vast majority of models available on the market, AM2 is doing very well, and AM5 is very, very similar to it for sound, with a correction for power. So to buy AM5 "for a stock" of meaning is not enough, you will only spend your player's battery faster, without getting anything useful in terms of sound.
The difference in tonality between AM2 and AM5 is not great, a powerful amplifier slightly accentuates HH, because of this with some headphones it seems that it is higher in resolution and detail, but it is more self-deception. Of the more noticeable difference, the AM5 sounds a little sharper and angrier than AM2, but again, it's not very noticeable if you adjust the volume level before comparing.
Compared to AM1, the five has better bass and slightly less HF (the difference is also small). In this case, the main difference is precisely the power, those headphones that sound with AM1 flat and sharply because of the shortage of milliwatts, with the AM5 show themselves to the fullest. Even capricious AKGs are quite bassy, although not as much as with a good desktop amplifier.
In general, the AM5 is a more niche amplifier for those who need to swing powerful headphones. The rest is quite enough AM2, which also conserves the battery, and sounds, to my ears, a little more pleasant due to softer VCH.
Fiio RM1
And here is the promised bonus. You will not believe, but Fiio released a remote control. Initially, they positioned it as a solution for the Fiio X7, possibly in combination with Fiio K5 and DK1, but in fact it is capable of more. This panel works on Bluetooth and therefore is able to "make friends" with almost any modern devices that support the management of the "blue tooth". In general, for a device with a price of about $ 20, RM1 turned out to be good, although not ideal.
Specifications
- Diameter: 35 mm
- Thickness: 7.8 mm
- Weight: 10 g (with battery)
- Range: up to 10 m
- Operating frequency: 2.4 GHz
- Protocol: Bluetooth v.3 and higher
- Battery: CR2016, 75 mAh, 3 V
- Working time: up to 1 month
- Sleep mode: after 11 minutes of idle time
Supplied RM1 in a simple cardboard box of two halves, inside you will find the console itself, a lanyard for carrying it, fasteners for installing the remote control on the steering wheel in the car and a plastic mount giving RM1 the shape of a traditional console.
Pullik is made in the form of a very small and compact washer, which allows it to be carried without problems with a complete strap. On the front panel is a five-way joystick, from under its plastic a blue LED indicator is shining. On the reverse side there is a power button, traditionally with a long press, which activates the pairing mode. Also on the reverse side there is a battery compartment for CR2016 format. Of course, I would like RM1 to work with the battery, but this would greatly increase its price. And so - one "tabletka" is enough for a month of work.
Connecting RM1 to devices that can be managed is not the slightest problem. The connection takes place quickly, keeps reliably and operates at the promised distance of up to 10 meters. The console showed compatibility not only with the X7, but also with the iPhone and other devices that were found in my home.
There were some shortcomings. When the X7 is turned on in K5, the volume on the amplifier is used to adjust the volume, and the console loses its ability to control the volume. Similarly, if you manage the X7 "by itself", somewhere after 10 minutes of inactivity, the player turns off Bluetooth and the console disconnects. The last problem Fiio promised to fix in the firmware.
Despite the presence of minor flaws, RM1 turned out to be useful and, pleasantly, an inexpensive device for those who need to control music playback.
The article is based on materials .
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