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Fiio R7

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For anyone interested in network streaming this new product from Fiio (heard of them somewhere before – can’t imagine where) looks pretty interesting. It appears to be built on a revamped Android phone platform – without the phone and communication features obviously – but therefore has access to the Google store which means that pretty much any streaming platform is available. Including Apple Music which on most streamers is only available via Airplay. Plus it benefits from Fiio’s extensive headphone capability.
I’m pretty much locked in to Sonos and Bluesound, otherwise I’d definitely be interested.

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  4. I wondered when Jon Darko would turn up here. I’ve been watching him for a few years now. Always interesting. I started using a Rasberry Pi with Volumio after seeing it on his youtube channel.

    • How did you get on with Volumio? I found it frustratingly flaky when I tried it out. Didn’t much like the interface, either. Maybe it’s more stable now.

      Almost everything Darko reviews is way beyond my price range, but he talks good talk.
      His clip of “15 Reasons Why I Still Buy CDs” is a good listen. I was particularly struck by his observation that CDs didn’t kill off vinyl in the ’80s, because the audio cassette had already done that. CDs killed off the audio cassette and we should be thankful for that.

      • Hi @Mike_H interestingly I’ve just renewed for another year. I have been using Volumio on a RasberryPi 4 through a Fiio K5 DAC/Headphone amp. I switch between the Pi and my PC through the K5. I hadn’t been using the Pi/Volumio set up for a few months and I recently switched back and the difference was a vast improvement(probably to be expected). To answer your question I find the interface very frustrating. I seem to have issues simply getting back to the ‘music menu’. I handed my mobile to the FPO and she was able to navigate without an issue(she isn’t at all techie so I was somewhat surprised!) I haven’t gone to the forum or spent much time trying to get this sorted. It may be simple and I’m just being lazy. After using Apple products(except for my PC) I think we get too used to the simple format. I like the radio stations that come with Volumio some of which are in ‘flac’ quality. I suppose it’s the price you(don’t)pay for a pretty great sounding set up for a reaonable cost(although I hear Rasberry Pi’s have increased in price a fair bit lately). Volumio have improved some aspects and you now get information on artists(a bit like Spotify) as you play tracks. I have found that when listening to Spotify it’s easy using the Spotify interface while directing the data to the Pi. I’m going to try to get to grips with it now that I’ve paid for another year and I’ll let you know how I get on.
        I really like Darko as although he does review some very expensive gear he also helps people to find access to very good hi-fi via cheaper options like the Rasberry Pi too. I really enjoyed the process of buying a Pi loading the software and having a pretty good set up for my desktop/headphone/PC corner.
        Incidentally I bought a pair of DT770 Pro’s recommended by Twang and Fentonsteve recommended the FiioK5 which have served me well so thanks guys.
        While I’m here I thought I’d mention that I bought a pair of Sony WF1000XM4’s on the back of the Darko review. I really like them but the game changer for me was when I bought some silicon adaptors from Fiio from Ali Express for £1.10 they arrived a couple of weeks later and they improved the sound quality and also stopped them falling out of my ears on random occassions which was a pain.

      • I tried Volumino a couple of years ago, but couldn’t get on with it, for various reasons. Tag handling was very poor, with no support for sort-order tags, and its handling of compilation albums was also iffy.

        Volumino uses the Mopidy server for its backend, as do several other open-sourced solutions. Having just checked the Mopidy project on GitHub, it’s evident that the sort order issue still hasn’t been fixed.

  6. I used to design such things, pre-2008 crash. Luckily for me, Fiio were not around.

    I don’t know how they can cram so much tech into a box and still make a profit. Although I do have an idea: China.

    • Yes, that struck me as well. Sounds like it is particularly good with different types of headphones if that’s your thing. I’m only an occasional headphone user. Luckily I have an understanding wife (and neighbours).

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