FiiO SR11 DESKTOP STREAMER REVIEW
FiiO SR11 Desktop Streamer is a sub £100 “Roon Ready” music streamer designed to attach to legacy HiFi systems without streaming capability, active speakers, radios, or just to be used with headphones. In a world where the price of entry for pretty much any HiFi component is in the many hundreds, if not thousands, how does this incredibly affordable product fare? Michael Fairbairn finds out for HiFi PiG.
FIIO was established in 2007. “The Chinese “飞傲” is the transliteration of FIIO, indicating the positive and innovative spirit as thriving as spring.”
The company is renowned for “developing countless portable music products of different types.” The SR11 desktop streamer was launched back in June 2024, and joined the K11 DAC/headphone amp from the company to “…create a powerful, compact sound system at an affordable price point.” A high-performance lossless streaming music receiver which is ideal for plugging into a legacy HiFi system, radio or active speakers and allows you to access all your favourite streaming services.”
It supports AirPlay, DLNA and is Roon Ready and can be paired with any phone, laptop or tablet. The dual-band wifi is flawless and works seamlessly in my house. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Specifically, it is designed to work well even in larger properties. It can also be connected via ethernet socket.
“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.”
BUILD QUALITY AND FEATURES OF THE FiiO SR11 DESKTOP STREAMER
These are diminutive, sleek boxes. I love their size. So much HiFi gear can be large and unwieldy. Not these. They are unassuming, wee beasties. So portable too. They would sit happily on any surface, and I’m inclined to think their location wouldn’t affect their sound/output in any way, such is their light footprint. In fact, when paired with the K11 (which was supplied along with the streamer to use for this review), it is described as creating, “…a headphone-based HiFi system small enough to fit on any desk or bedside table.” More on that idea later.
I got the silver machine for review, which is a nice contrast to all the gothy bits of kit on my rack. They feel nice to hold, not heavy by any means, but also not some cheap, throwaway tat. Dimensions are 157x133x32.3mm, and it weighs just 375g. The soft, rounded edges of the aluminium alloy body are a nice touch, making them feel less harsh than some components tend to. They come in black, too. I also like that the unit has a silicone anti-slip pad. No worries about these guys being pulled off their perch by pesky cables.
They fit neatly in the narrow rack on my unit, leaving plenty of space to see the illuminated RGB FiiO logo on top. The blue light is also appealing and a nice change from a red LED on all my other devices. The status can be changed to suit your taste too: constantly on, on/off based on playing state, or just off. Furthermore, if you feel the need to adjust the light brightness, you can easily do that too with a range of levels from 1-5. Neat!
Similarly, the Custom LCD display on the front can be adjusted from 1-3. I didn’t make any changes, as I was perfectly happy with the look, especially in a dark or dimly lit room. Love the blue!
Alongside the crystal-clear LCD panel, there is a power/lockscreen button that requires just a short press to turn on the device or lock/wake up the screen, or a hold to turn the SR11 off. Next to that is an Infrared receiving port for the remote. To the right of the screen is a larger, (relatively speaking) Knob/OK button that matches the silver and finish of the main chassis, and protrudes slightly, compared to the flusher power button. It’s a tactile thing, though, and feels reassuringly affirmative when pressed.
The FiiO logo on top of the K11 R2R is illuminated with RGB lighting, giving a quick way to identify the sampling rate of the current audio being played back
The back of the streamer is equally neat and well laid out. Far left is a USB input for the supplied 5V power supply. As you might expect at this price, the PSU is nothing startling, but is more than adequate for the task. A basic USB cable also comes bundled with the SR11. Next is a standard USB port, followed by a reset port, and a USB HOST port. In the centre is a wireless antenna that can be turned down to be out of sight behind the case, which is my preference. You get an optical output and a coaxial output too. Finally, on the far right is the LAN/Ethernet port, which supports speeds up to 1000Mbps. I have found it to be incredibly reliable and stable.
Getting up and running couldn’t have been more straightforward, I’m pleased to say. I use Qobuz via Roon and simply had to do a one-click step via the working mode to select the latter. The other option is MIX (directly stream using either Roon or AirPlay). As mentioned above, the latter covers Apple Music, FiiO Music, Spotify, and TIDAL). Other functions are very familiar from using many other digital gizmos. First, a short hold push on the larger control button, rotate the dial to move through the different settings, then a single press on the preferred one and the characters start to flash. Choose the one you want, with another rotate through the options, then press hold to set. Simple! The main knob also acts as the volume up and down control. A very economical use of the limited space.
In terms of the actual settings, you can switch output from USB to either of the SPD options. DSD output is available too (either D2P or DOP). Even the LCD screen timeout can be adjusted from 1-30 minutes, or have it constantly on. Network settings for WiFi access and Firmware updates are easily accessible and updated too. It’s reassuring to know that FiiO will be future-proofing their product with enhancements to existing features and new functionality. For example, Bluetooth reception and local playback.
The SR11 comes with a dedicated remote control, which is also a slimline style. The curved ends match the edges of the main device, which is a nice touch. Control the inputs/outputs, navigation, display, and volume. Simple and effective. What more does one need from a supplied remote? Tick.
I like to mention product packaging when doing reviews, and the FiiO box is as neat and compact as they come. Think along the lines of what you might expect with a quality smartphone, or any Apple product, or the like, and you get the idea. Minimal waste too, which is always a bonus for anyone with considerations for our planet.
SOUND QUALITY
Does a streamer make a difference to sound quality? I am sure that is one of those discussions (…arguments) that can and will rage on forever and a day. Same with cables and other peripherals. I once heard that there is no such thing as bad whisky…just some is better than others! I love that sentiment, but I believe there is absolutely some bad whisky to be had. One man’s pleasure…and all that. Anyway, I digress.
To be perfectly honest, once I hooked this up to my Merrill Audio Class D Monoblocks, Lab12 Valve Pre1, and Blumenhofer Fun 13 Mk2 floorstanders, my interaction with it has pretty much been only to power it off and on. Otherwise, it’s just been a case of set it and leave it to get on with the job. When you can do that and just forget about it, it must be doing something right.
Dave Hause has become one of my favourite artists. Having just seen him perform recently for the umpteenth time, I decided to buy his most recent album, Drive It Like It’s Stolen, on CD. Despite having listened to it many times via streaming since it was released almost two years ago, I hadn’t invested in his actual products. Call myself a fan? Pfft. That’s no slight on him or his music; I had just fallen out of love with CDs years ago. They are now creeping back into my listening experience. So, what better thing to do than compare the hard copy format vs the digital file floating through the ether? The CD player I have is an older Panasonic model, but still does a great job and produces great output.
I was very pleased to find very little variance between the two sources. Perhaps, just a touch more presence and clarity with the CD, but it was negligible. We wouldn’t be comparing apples to oranges here anyway, owing to variables in the quality of the streaming file and cabling, etc. In both cases, the music sounds rich, warm, and forthright. On the title track, the separation of instruments is spot on, and the depth of timbre from his vocals is superb. Frequency response across the full range is spot on, too.
As I was finishing up this review, David Johansen sadly passed away. It was only fitting that I should blast some of his finest moments from New York Dolls and his solo work. Funky But Chic from his debut solo album is full of life, excitement and energy via the SR11. The Rock n Roll meets Funk vibe has real drive and push. Guitars sound lively and edgy, while his vocals have every ounce of that cheeky rasp and guttural NYC drawl for which he was so renowned. Lonely Planet Boy, from the Dolls’ debut album, felt like a poignant, wistful reminder of his character. It was quite a sentimental moment for me to hear that presented with such air and room-filling grace.
I recently watched a documentary about the band Razorlight and their path to reforming their original lineup after a number of years apart. I quite enjoyed them when they were in their moment first time around, but lost interest, much like many people did. The doc piqued my interest in them again, and I’m very glad it did. In The Morning sounds excellent. Here it is way better than I could ever remember it. The opening drums are so natural and acoustic, chock-full of definition and separation. Every hit and beat sounds crucial and delivered with real intent. Once the full band joins in and the song gets into full swing, the balance is just right. Guitars are sharp and biting, but never harsh. Vocals are dead centre and really attention-grabbing. Overall, this sounds like it could have been released recently and just as fresh and vital as the day it was released.
Wrapping things up, I opt for a much more mellow affair, dipping into a 2025 Remastered version of The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. Polka Dots and Moonbeams was a favourite of my guitar teacher years back, and it’s a track I’m very fond of. The simple arrangement is lush, laid back and very sparse. It is presented here just as I would expect to hear it, with his lilting guitar taking the focus but never dominating. All things in their right place. The opening piano is a delight to hear, very gentle and handled with care. I get depth and a great sense of space, as well as the feel of musicians being live in the room. That human element is very much evident and never clinical or cold. What a joy to hear!
QUIBBLES
None!
CONCLUSION
The FiiO SR11 is a wee gem. I love it. In fact, I am going to buy one. I may even buy two (Note to self, you don’t have a second HiFi set up anymore. Ok, self, I have to start somewhere, right?) Why not with a dinky, immensely affordable, and hugely dependable Streamer? I can think of at least two other rooms that need one of these in my house. One of those may be the aforementioned bedroom option, on my bedside table with headphones. I can see myself getting to sleep very late now! What a perfect excuse to invest in new systems for different spaces. Some may wonder why I chose the SR11 over a combined DAC/Streamer, or any of the many other devices on the market doing the same task. Well, that’s a fair point. What works for me with these is the ability to easily move them from one setup to another. It would be no effort to unhook them from the main system, take them elsewhere and hook them up with headphones. They offer that flexibility. I really can’t recommend this enough.
AT A GLANCE
Build Quality And Features:
Compact, neat, slimline, diminutive footprint
Sound Quality:
Excellent clarity
Rich warmth
Value For Money:
There is no question whatsoever that the SR11 represents unbelievable value for money. Sub-£100 is a bargain for this!
We Loved:
The ease of set-up
Leaving it alone to just work perfectly with no need to interfere or adjust anything after initial placement
The mini footprint
That cool, blue RGB indicator light on top illuminating the FiiO logo
We Didn’t Love So Much:
Nothing at all, it’s all love here
Elevator Pitch Review: The best compliment I could pay to this superb little device is that I plan to buy it and have at least two more of them in my house, before too long. It is insane value for money, effortless to set up and control (even for those with luddite tendencies). It’s refreshing to have a device that doesn’t have any quirks or quibbles and just lets you get on with enjoying streaming your favourite music. Highly recommended.
Price: £95
Michael Fairbairn
SUPPLIED SPECIFICATION:
Wireless Network Connection, 5G+2.4G dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Wired Network Connection, Gigabit Ethernet Port
Physical Connections, Optical / Coaxial / USB Type-A / USB Type-C
Roon Ready, Yes
Airplay, Yes
Working Modes, Roon Ready Airplay MIX (Roon Ready & Airplay two-in-one)
Max Sample-rates (Roon Receiving), USB: 768kHz-32bit/DSD256 (DoP)Coaxial: 192kHz-24bit/DSD64Optical: 192kHz-24bit/DSD64
Sample-rate (Airplay), 44.1kHz-16bit
MQA Support, Yes
Display, LCD
Dimensions, 157mm x 133mm x 32.3mm
Weight, 375g
Colour, Moon Silver
What’s in the box, 1 x SR11 Desktop Streamer1 x Power Adaptor1 x IR Remote Control1 x USB cable1 x Quick-start Guide1 x Warranty Card
