One of the most positive trends in high-end audio has been the accessibility and affordability of network players and streamers that support hi-resolution streaming. You can certainly spend thousands of dollars on a high performance model from Innuos or Aurender, or you can go the opposite way and spend less than $500 on a rather capable unit from WiiM Audio, NAD, Cambridge Audio or FiiO.
Is there a huge difference in performance between something like the Cambridge Audio MXN10 or AXN10 and the WiiM Audio Pro Plus? The reality is that the sonic differences have more to do with tonality, speed, and presentation style as opposed to one unit being that much better than the other. It’s surprisingly close.
Where you find some daylight is when you start comparing the control apps that allow one to integrate all of the various streaming platforms, control multi-room audio systems with wireless loudspeakers, and apply EQ if necessary to the sound.
The WiiM Audio Pro Plus scores rather highly in that regard and gives some more expensive apps on units that are significantly more expensive a genuine lesson in setup, connectivity options, and flexibility when it comes to building out your systems at home.
FiiO have clearly been paying attention to the success of WiiM and are hoping to offer an even better solution with the FiiO SR11 for only $99.
Does it come with the same bells and whistles as the WiiM Pro Plus? Not entirely.
The SR11 is a high-performance lossless streaming music receiver which is ideal for plugging in to a legacy hi-fi system, radio or active speakers and allows you to access all your favourite streaming services.
The size makes it a perfect companion to the K11 DAC (Now $129.99 at Amazon) and headphone amp which creates a headphone based hi-fi system small enough to fit on any desk or bedside table.
The award-winning FiiO FT3 and FT5 headphones are a perfect match. The SP3 BT speakers create a fully fledged hi-fi system too. A remote control is included which makes everything easy, whether you want to operate via your phone or the dedicated remote control.
The SR11 offers support for AirPlay and is Roon Ready. Dual-band wi-fi means maximum speed and reception for larger homes. An ethernet socket completes the comprehensive online support.
The optical, coaxial, USB Type-A and USB Type-C digital outputs ensure that you can easily connect to the device of your choice for streaming from your favourite service and enjoy TIDAL, Apple Music and Amazon Music in high resolution.
The SR11 supports 768kHz/32-bit files and DSD 256; there is no support for MQA at this point.
The SR11 also features a custom LCD display screen, aluminum alloy body and digital cables and power cables are supplied in the box.
Initial Thoughts
Is it realistic for a $99 desktop network streamer to offer all of the connectivity options and sonic performance of other units that retail for $300 or even $500?
Until we compare the SR11 in the same system as the WiiM Pro Plus, which we feel is the benchmark in the category under $500 for overall performance and one of the best control apps available for any streamer, it’s hard to know what one is possibly missing.
Do most consumers need support for DSD? Not at all.
How many are likely to be using Roon? A small fraction at best.
What we like about the SR11 is the promise of better sound quality than any smart phone connected wirelessly to your home system for under $100. FiiO has proven to be very good at developing affordable products that deliver a lot of performance for less and the SR11 could be a cost-effective way to add hi-res streaming to a soundbar, pair of active loudspeakers, and secondary system in an office or bedroom.
We think it makes sense for a college dorm room if your student has a pair of powered loudspeakers on their desktop.
For more information: fiio.com/sr11
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Mike Cornell
June 9, 2024 at 11:46 am
I’m assuming AirPlay in this device uses the AirPlay 1 protocol, as it doesn’t specifically mention AirPlay 2, which is great, as according to John Darko’s detailed look into AirPlay, AirPlay 2 dumbs everything down to 256 AAC.
(Wtf, Apple?). At least with the original AirPlay, you get cd quality streams (16/44.1) This might be a nice little upgrade from my AirPort Express (AirPlay 1) through an iFi Zen One Signature, which currently is my preferred method of getting Apple Music to my HiFi.
Dingle Dallan
June 10, 2024 at 5:56 am
I’d be tempted by this if it had Chromecast. What’s impressive about WiiM is how complete their suite of services is, and how they keep on developing it. If they released a streamer without DAC or ADC at this sort of price I’d probably pick up a couple.