[kelp]

Just got my BTR15 today and it's a nice device but I'm seeing a couple of issues.

I immediately updated the firmware to 2.2.

I'm using it in PC mode or Phone mode connected via the included USB-C cable to either my iPhone 15 Pro, or my MacBook Pro M3 16" to stream from Apple Music with Hi-Res Lossless enabled. I'm on the latest iOS (17.2.1) and macOS (14.2.1).

• Streaming from my iPhone 15 Pro, the BTR15 display shows "PCM 192K" when I play a song that Apple Music says is 24-bit 192 kHz ALAC. Seems fine!
• Streaming the same song from Apple Music on my MacBook Pro over USB-C the BTR15 display says "PCM 44.1K". Doesn't seem right. Apple Music says it's doing 24-bit 192 kHz ALAC.

I have it set to UAC 2.0, but I also tried UAC 1.0, doesn't seem to make a difference. Though in UAC 2.0 I have to use the volume on the BTR15, iPhone or MacBook Pro volume is disabled for the device. In UAC 1.0 I can change volume on the iPhone or MacBook Pro. I tried 2 other USB-C cables and every port on my MacBook Pro. I even tried the Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable for good measure. Same result on the Mac.

Then one issue with FiiO Control App on iOS, I haven't done much with it, but found a design issue:

• It has little ? info circles you can tap for help info about certain functions. When you tap them they show for 3 seconds, and then go away. This is a pretty odd design choice because several have more text than I think someone could reasonable read in 3 seconds.

I guess I found the solution to my first issue here: https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202105191616354037331

You have to go into the Audio MIDI Setup.app and set the output format higher. Then the BRT15 shows whatever you set the format to in Audio MIDI Setup.app, not what Apple Music is playing. Though seems like an Apple issue more than and FiiO issue.

 

[VishnuKare]

I guess I found the solution to my first issue here: https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202105191616354037331

You have to go into the Audio MIDI Setup.app and set the output format higher. Then the BRT15 shows whatever you set the format to in Audio MIDI Setup.app, not what Apple Music is playing. Though seems like an Apple issue more than and FiiO issue.

Yes, it's the resampling issue with Mac, not the DAC. There is some script to automate the MIDI output format based on song bit rate.

 

[FiiO]

@FiiO

On the FiiO BTR15, it seems you can only set 3 custom EQ profiles which isn't very flexible. Is there any possibility that this could be increased in a future update? I have several IEMs and sometimes like using different EQ profiles with each of them.

Dear friend,

We will report to the engineer for assessing about that first.

Best regards

 

[FiiO]

Yes, that issue. Car mode is OFF.

The same happens to me

Dear friend,

Please try to set the car mode to on then turn it off. Does the issue remain?

Best regards

 

[dirtdawg]

Dear friend,

Please try to set the car mode to on then turn it off. Does the issue remain?

Best regards

This worked, thank you!!

 

[kelp]

Yes, it's the resampling issue with Mac, not the DAC. There is some script to automate the MIDI output format based on song bit rate.

Yeah it's LosslessSwitcher. Testing it now and it works well. Slightly glitchy when you switch songs that have different sample rates. But it's tolerable.

 

[OceanOfLight]

Sorry if I ask, what does the "Dual DAC mode" option in the Fiio Control app (BTR15) actually does? And if I set it "ON" does it transfer to PC when the BTR15 is used as a USB DAC? Thank you!

 

[Orfik]

What low-pass filters does the btr15 have (eg slow roll off, fast roll off, etc)?

 

[VishnuKare]

I noticed a few users are complaining about the battery life on BTR15. Kindly advice if it is really that bad?
Also, any of you tried paring Andromedas or any highly sensitive iems with BTR15, please share the experience.

 

[FiiO]

Sorry if I ask, what does the "Dual DAC mode" option in the Fiio Control app (BTR15) actually does? And if I set it "ON" does it transfer to PC when the BTR15 is used as a USB DAC? Thank you!

Dear friend,
Generally, when using the PO output, one DAC will work for L channel, the other one will work for R channel. After paralleling each DAC will work for both channels at the same time. When connected to a headphone in high impedance (For example 300 ohms) , the output power can be bigger.
Best regards

 

[FiiO]

What low-pass filters does the btr15 have (eg slow roll off, fast roll off, etc)?

Dear friend,

Sharp Roll-Off Filter and Hybrid fast roll-off filter.

Best regards

 

[OceanOfLight]

I generally use the 4.4 port (Balanced) on the BTR15 paired with only Iems (10 to 30ish Om maximum), so I don't really need any more power to drive them. I only care about sound quality, so in that regard I have two questions:

1- Does the Dual DAC Mode work exclusively with the 3.5 port (PO) or with the 4.4 (BAL) too?
2- Does the Dual DAC Mode actually improve sound quality in any way (imaging, instruments separation, soundstage etc.), or is it only used to achieve higher volumes with high impedance headphones?

Ultimately, in my case scenario (4.4 port paired with IEMs) should I turn it ON, or leave it OFF?

Thank you so much!

 

[cleg]

My video about BTR15



In my opinion, this device offers great value, as it's not only a capable BT receiver, but also a good USB DAC with own power supply

 

[cleg]

Does the Dual DAC Mode work exclusively with the 3.5 port (PO) or with the 4.4 (BAL) too?

Exclusively for 3.5 mm out. Balanced out always use two DACs.

Does the Dual DAC Mode actually improve sound quality in any way (imaging, instruments separation, soundstage etc.)

Yes, in does improve stage and dynamics (at least to my ears in blind test).

 

[OceanOfLight]

Exclusively for 3.5 mm out. Balanced out always use two DACs.


Yes, in does improve stage and dynamics (at least to my ears in blind test).

Thank you for the clarification!