FiiO is on a 2025 release spree that borders on absurd—more than 20 new products across headphones, DAPs, dongles, Bluetooth transmitters, portable CD players, amps, and desktop gear, with shockingly few duds in the pile. While most brands struggle to launch two or three solid hits a year, FiiO is carpet-bombing the audiophile market with competent hardware at every price point.
Now they’re aiming higher. The new K17 isn’t another budget wonder or impulse-buy dongle—it’s a $989 desktop DAC/amp built to muscle into a tier normally owned by far pricier hardware. The question is whether this brick of aluminum and silicon has the muscle to drive everything from hungry planars to diva-tier 600 ohm dynamics—and whether it earns its place on your desk without feeling like another “FiiO flavor of the month.”
Specifications & Technology Behind the FiiO K17
Let’s start with the core architecture. The K17 uses AKM’s current-generation setup: an AK4191 digital modulator paired with two AK4499EX DACs. It’s a straightforward implementation of AKM’s split-design approach, focused on lowering noise and improving channel separation.
The measured performance tracks with what these components typically deliver: crosstalk over 119 dB, THD+N below 0.00049% at 32 ohm, and an SNR above 123 dB. In short, the K17 is built for low noise, stable output, and predictable behavior under load—nothing flashy, just solid engineering.
The K17’s amplification section is fully discrete, built around ON Semiconductor’s MJE243 and MJE253 transistors. From the balanced outputs it delivers up to four watts, which puts it comfortably in the “drives almost anything on the market” category without relying on exotic circuitry or inflated numbers.
FiiO also opted for a linear power supply—still uncommon in sub-$1000 all-in-one units. It’s a 35W design supported by five 4700µF capacitors, chosen to keep both low-frequency stability and overall noise performance in check. The result is a power stage that’s steady, quiet, and appropriately spec’d for the class.
Design & Build
The K17 leans hard into a retro-industrial look, and it works. Both the black and silver versions use clean, squared-off lines paired with round controls, and the orange touchscreen gives it a late-80s/early-90s vibe without feeling gimmicky.
The controls themselves have a solid, tactile feel, and the overall build leaves a strong first impression. At nearly 3 kg, the K17 sits on the desk with real intent—no flex, no lightweight shortcuts.
The 3.93-inch touchscreen is equally well executed. It’s responsive, cleanly animated, and didn’t show any stutters or software quirks during testing. Under the hood, FiiO runs everything on an ESP32-S3 SoC with an X2000 multi-core processor handling UI and system tasks.
My one small complaint is that the K17 looks almost identical to the more affordable K15. A bit of visual differentiation, something subtle but intentional, would have helped justify the step up and make the flagship model feel less like a clone with more power under the hood.
Beyond that, FiiO built the K17 to cover just about every use case, and the I/O layout reflects that. The front panel includes 1/4-inch, 4-pin XLR, and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, plus a USB-C input for quick hook-ups to a phone or DAP without digging behind the unit.
The rear panel of the K17 is where its all-in-one ambitions really show. You get both 4.4 mm and RCA line inputs, giving you flexibility whether you’re feeding it from a portable player or a more traditional source. Coaxial and optical inputs and outputs sit alongside those, which makes the K17 usable as either a DAC or a digital pass through in a larger system.
The RCA and 3 pin XLR outputs let you run the K17 as a standalone DAC into powered speakers or an external amplifier, while the Bluetooth antenna jack handles wireless input when you want a simple streaming setup. Rounding things out are a USB C input for computer or mobile connections and a LAN port for network control and future software updates.
A quick word on what comes in the box. Along with the K17 and its power cord, FiiO includes a remote control, a 4 pin XLR cover, a spare fuse, two USB data cables, a 3.5 mm to quarter inch adapter, the warranty card, and a quick start guide. It’s a practical set of accessories that covers the basics without padding the package.
FiiO K17 Functionality & Everyday Use
One of the standout features on the K17 is its 31 band parametric equalizer. Having this level of control built directly into a DAC amp at this price is uncommon, and it gives users real flexibility to tailor the sound without relying on outside software.
The PEQ is handled by the M21586Q DSP, paired with an ES9821Q ADC and a low phase noise femtosecond oscillator to keep processing clean and predictable. The equalizer works up to 96 kHz without sample rate conversion, and you can save and share profiles across devices. It’s a practical, well executed tool rather than a gimmick, and easily one of the K17’s most useful features.
FiiO claim the K17 can operate in eight distinct modes, and the range of functionality is genuinely broad for a single chassis. I wasn’t able to test the streaming features directly, but the overall scope is still notable for an all in one device.
You get four decoding paths: USB, which supports DSD512 and PCM up to 32 bit 768 kHz, Bluetooth with LDAC support, and both coaxial and optical inputs for traditional digital sources. The K17 also offers single ended and balanced line outputs, letting it function as a standalone DAC in a more complex system.
For network use, the K17 can operate as a streamer through Roon Ready or Apple AirPlay, connecting over Wi Fi at either 2.4 or 5 GHz, or through a wired ethernet connection. It even supports local playback from a flash drive or external hard drive, which adds one more option for simple, file based listening.
Menu navigation is fairly deep but still straightforward. Most core functions can be controlled with the physical knobs, while the touchscreen gives access to more detailed settings through swipes and sub menus.
Listening & Synergy
Now for the real question: how does the K17 actually sound? FiiO’s tuning approach has shifted over the last few years, moving away from chasing lab numbers and toward a more natural, grounded presentation. The K17 follows that trajectory. It has more weight and density than something like the flagship K19, which leans cleaner and more clinical by comparison.
The overall character has a hint of what people associate with Class A gear — a bit more body, a bit more fullness — even though the K17 uses a Class AB stage. That said, it doesn’t drift into tube-amp romanticism. Vocals and instruments come through with a smooth, realistic texture, but the underlying signature stays neutral and detailed rather than warm for the sake of warmth.
The bass on the K17 has real presence. It’s full and dynamic, but it doesn’t smear or linger where it shouldn’t. Attack and decay stay tight, and there’s enough precision to keep complex low-end passages organized. I’ve been on a Tamil R&B kick lately, and Maharani’s “In My Eyes” turned out to be a solid stress test. The bass guitar lands with proper weight, and the K17 handles that sense of “big” bass without losing composure.
Even with that emphasis down low, the midrange isn’t pushed aside. The mids carry good body and clarity, with a smoothness that doesn’t feel forced. There’s a responsive quality here — when a track wants to sound clean and open, it does, and when it calls for a bit more density, the K17 follows along. Male vocals in particular come through with enough chest and texture to feel grounded without drifting into coloration.
The treble on the K17 is clean and controlled, and it avoids the edge or glare that the K19 can introduce with brighter headphones at higher gain. It doesn’t push into sharpness, which makes longer sessions easy, but it also isn’t the most energetic top end in this price range.
For example, the SMSL DO400, at roughly half the cost — has a bit more sparkle and immediacy up high. Listening to L’Impératrice’s “La lune,” I found the triangle hits sat slightly further back in the mix than expected, requiring a bit more attention to pick out. That said, treble preference is subjective, and the K17’s approach leans toward a smoother, more forgiving presentation rather than maximum bite.
Soundstage width on the K17 sits on the modest side, but the placement within that space is very precise. Imaging feels intentional, and there’s a touch of holographic layering that keeps things from sounding flat. If you want a wide, wraparound presentation, something like the Aune S17 Pro does stretch the stage considerably more, but that’s a dedicated amplifier at a similar price rather than an all in one unit.
One thing worth mentioning is that the K17’s gain settings do influence its overall presentation. As you move up the gain ladder, the treble becomes a little more forward, adding a touch of extra energy up top. Even so, the balance never drifts into harshness, and the highest gain mode still sounds coherent and controlled.
If the default tuning doesn’t land exactly where you want it, the built-in PEQ gives you plenty of room to adjust. It’s easy to nudge the top end, fill out the mids, or rein in the bass without introducing artifacts, which makes the gain differences even less of a concern.
The K17’s slightly sweeter solid state presentation makes it an easy match for a wide range of headphones. It can take the edge off models known for sharper treble, like the Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition 600 ohm, without dulling them. Power is also not a concern. The HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled had more than enough headroom and came through with strong dynamics and a smooth, even response from top to bottom.
The Bottom Line
The FiiO K17 is a genuinely capable all in one for listeners who want power, flexibility, and meaningful control without drifting into high end pricing. Its strengths are clear: a robust discrete amp stage, a 31 band PEQ that actually works well, extensive digital and analog connectivity, and the option to use it as a streamer or a standalone DAC. Sonically, it leans smooth and neutral with enough weight to keep things engaging, and it has the muscle to handle demanding planars without breaking a sweat.
It’s not perfect. The soundstage is on the narrower side, the treble is more relaxed than some competitors, and the design looks a bit too similar to the less expensive K15. But none of these are deal-breakers if you value a balanced, polished sound and a feature set that covers almost every use case.
The K17 makes the most sense for anyone building a desktop system who wants one box to handle amplification, DAC duties, streaming, and EQ without fuss. If you’re after maximum sparkle up top or a sprawling soundstage, there are niche options that may suit you better. But for almost everyone else, the K17 is one of the most complete and thoughtfully executed units in its class.
Pros:
- Robust build with a stunning retro aesthetic.
- More than enough power to drive the vast majority of headphones on the market.
- 31-band parametric equalizer is perfect for those who want to dial in their preferred sound signature from any pair of headphones.
- An almost limitless level of functionality, from streaming to local playback.
- A punchy and highly detailed yet non-fatiguing sonic character.
Cons:
- Not for the most discerning of treble enjoyers, owing to the slightly laidback upper frequency presentation.
- Looks too much like the more affordable K15.
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