Open Box: FiiO BTR15 Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier-Black
Experience outstanding audio quality on the go with FiiO BTR15, a portable Bluetooth DAC and headphone amplifier. Enjoy your favourite wired headphones and earphones without plugging them into a source device — instead, plug them into the BTR15, then connect wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other Bluetooth audio source device.
Packed with optimized technology to take care of decoding, digital to analog conversion, and amplification, the BTR15 provides support for premium Bluetooth codecs such as SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and LDAC up to 96 kHz.
All this comes in a compact enclosure crafted from hot-bent curved glass and aluminum that looks great and is easy to handle, with a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts for up to eight hours. BTR15 is a perfect solution for music lovers wanting to mix the high quality sound of their wired headphones with the convenience of wireless streaming.
Dual DACs
At the heart of BTR15 is two ESS SABRE ES9219MQ DAC chips, which provide a high signal-to-noise ratio and low power consumption — ideal for a portable battery-operated device like this.
The audio architecture is further enhanced by the integration of a 16-core XMOS XUF316 control chip. With this chip, the BTR15 can perform asynchronous audio decoding, supporting a maximum sampling rate of 384kHz and native DSD via USB 2.0.
Amplification with dual outputs
In addition to the standard 3.5mm single-ended headphone output, the BTR15 also comes with the widely-used 4.4mm balanced head phone output, which delivers added power to compatible headphones. Even if you're not using this 4.4mm balanced output, FiiO has connected the headphone outputs in parallel to enhance the 3.5mm single-ended output's power, making BTR15 ideal for driving low-impedance headphones and unleashing their potential.
FiiO engineers also developed an independent power supply system to better isolate the DAC and amplifier sections, reducing noise and enhancing the BTR15's balanced output power by 40%.
Multiple modes
Due to the BTR15's ability to work as both a Bluetooth receiver and as a USB DAC, FiiO have implemented a PC/BT/Phone mode switch. With just a click, you can switch between three different modes to match your current scenario for listening to high-quality music.
In BT mode, BTR15 acts like you would expect, as a Bluetooth DAC and amp powered by the internal battery. When connected to a USB charger in this mode, the device can be charged during listening sessions. In Phone mode, BTR15 connect via USB cable to a phone, acting as a USB DAC dongle, powered by the BTR15's internal battery. And in PC mode, BTR15 connects as a USB DAC, totally powered by the computer without using the battery.
Better Bluetooth
The BTR15 employs the high-performance Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip, which enables decoding 24-bit audio in Bluetooth mode. It supports various Bluetooth formats like LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, aptX HD, aptX, and SBC, with sampling rates of up to 96kHz.
MQA Decoder
BTR15 introduces support for the MQA protocol when wired via USB, enabling the decoding of high-resolution, master-quality sound even in MQA's conveniently sized files from select streaming services.
Global Parametric EQ
The BTR15 incorporates a global parametric equalizer (PEQ) offering precision sound customization. Utilizing FiiO's proprietary PEQ algorithm and user-friendly interface, you can adjust specific frequencies, gain levels, and bandwidth to finely tune your sound in any mode to meet your preferences.
In BT mode, PEQ adjustments are achieved through the QCC5125 DSP, supporting LDAC and other Bluetooth formats up to 96kHz/24bit, while in PC and Phone mode, PEQ adjustments happen via the XMOS XU316 with support for up to PCM 192kHz.
FiiO Control app
The BTR15 supports the FiiO Control app for Android and iOS devices. With this optional app, you can adjust the equalizer, set up hardware buttons, and change volume settings.
Battery protection
Charge your BTR15's 550mAh battery in just 1.5 hours, and enjoy up to 8 hours of use on a full charge. In order to alleviate concerns about battery health, FiiO engineers have implemented a number of software and hardware measures to comprehensively protect the BTR15’s battery.
The device's robust, high-temperature-resistant battery enhances durability under challenging thermal conditions. A built-in temperature sensor offers dynamic monitoring, adjusting charging currents based on temperature to safeguard the battery from heat-related damage. And in USB DAC mode, when connected to a computer for extended periods, the BTR15 intelligently prevents battery charging and relies on the computer's power source to minimize battery wear.
Design and display
The BTR15 features hot-bent curved glass embedded on both the front and the rear of the device, delivering an attractive three-dimensional appearance that's easy to hold and transport. With the aluminum frame and curved glass, the BTR15 is comfortable to handle — and once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down.
The brilliant 0.96" OLED display provides information with a large font, making it easy to see the device status or change settings.
Clip case
The BTR15 includes a transparent ABS snap-on case, the back of which acts as a convenient clip to attach to your belt, bag, or elsewhere. The case adds this clip functionality while still preserving the visible design of the BTR15.
