FiiO BTR17 Review: A Portable DAC Wonder at an Affordable Price

Explore the FiiO BTR17, a portable Bluetooth DAC offering crisp, dynamic sound and versatile features at an unbeatable price point.

Another day, another intriguing FiiO product, and today we're diving into the FiiO BTR17—a portable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifier that’s turning heads. At first glance, it’s a small device, but don't be fooled by its size; the BTR17 boasts an impressive feature set that stretches well beyond its compact frame.

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 offering stellar codec compatibility, dual ESS ES9069Q DACs, high power output when used as a desktop headphone amp, and a solid battery life, this little gadget handles ultra-high-resolution digital audio files with grace. Plus, it gives you the choice between balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs. Clearly, FiiO has put a lot of thought into getting it right.

What really seals the deal is experiencing the BTR17 in action. Whether it's acting as a wireless receiver or a wired adapter for your smartphone or laptop, its core sonic character remains consistent—fast, insightful, well-controlled, and extremely enjoyable to listen to. Just don’t expect thundering bass power here; the BTR17 emphasizes bass speed and precision over sheer muscle.

While you can tweak the sound through the menu options, any changes tend to come at the expense of the device’s signature character and vibe. So, is this one of the best portable DACs for the money? Absolutely—with one caveat I’ll get to shortly.

If balanced audio isn’t your thing, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you value quickness and nimbleness in sound as much as, or more than, brute bass power, the BTR17 is bound to win your heart.

Launch Date and Price

• Released early November 2024
• Price: Approximately $200 USD (converted from local pricing)

The FiiO BTR17 is already available and presents an incredible value proposition for a portable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifier. If you don't mind wires, there are other USB DACs worth considering, like the more expensive iFi GO Bar Kensei or iFi hip-dac 3, but the BTR17’s blend of wireless capabilities and price is hard to beat.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Supports up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 playback
• Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and aptX Lossless support
• Balanced headphone output power: 650mW + 650mW

It's no surprise that FiiO describes the BTR17 as a product that can outshine similar gear from other brands. Yet, even I was a little taken aback by how far they’ve pushed the envelope with this model.

No matter if audio data arrives via USB-C or Bluetooth, it’s handled by a pair of ESS ES9069Q DACs capable of decoding major high-res formats up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. Bluetooth 5.4 support includes codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless, powered by a Qualcomm QCC5181 chip that also meets LE Audio standards.

Using the BTR17 in desktop mode involves powering it via USB from a dedicated source. FiiO generously includes a premium monocrystalline 8-wire USB-C to USB-C cable with silver and copper plating, ensuring stable power supply and accurate data transfer. Impressively, it delivers 650mW + 650mW of balanced power—often a spec found in larger desktop headphone amps—enough to drive demanding headphones easily.

On battery power, it offers between seven hours of high-demand Bluetooth playback with balanced 4.4mm output at loud volume, and up to ten hours in “phone mode” with moderate volume and unbalanced 3.5mm output at standard 16-bit/44.1kHz quality. Charging from dead to full takes a mere 90 minutes.

Like the older FiiO BTR7 Bluetooth DAC (not to be confused with this new model), the BTR17 features a sophisticated three-stage power block with ten power rails and multi-stage architecture borrowed from FiiO's premium digital audio players. It supports driverless operation for devices like PS5 or Nintendo Switch, offers a built-in DC output, and has a temperature sensor to protect against overheating.

In short: FiiO hasn’t skimped on the tech specs.

Specs Rating: 5 / 5

Sound Quality: Speed and Precision Over Power

• Punchy and rhythmically upbeat
• Detailed and insightful
• All-or-nothing EQ and filter settings

Recently, I’ve heard DAC/amp combos that sound hefty and bulldog-like—thick-bodied and imposing. The FiiO BTR17, though? It’s more like a sleek greyhound, quick and agile.

The sound is marked by speed and a natural dynamic flow, whether fed via Bluetooth or USB-C. Take Broadcast’s "Black Cat" for example: its rhythmic urgency comes alive, energized and full of life—without feeling forced or pushy. It’s more like a gentle nudge than a shove.

This impression partly comes from how the BTR17 handles low-frequency attacks—there’s no blur or lag. Its bass is precise, unflustered, and crisp. While there are minor bass-related quirks (more on those soon), you have to admire how fast this little device can play a track.

Importantly, organization and clarity aren’t sacrificed. The BTR17 creates a spacious, intelligible soundstage where complex tracks unfurl cleanly and individual elements pop out. Every frequency range is packed with detail, from fleeting micro-phenomena to grander audio gestures. You get the full picture, front and center.

Tonally, it stays neutral and transparent. Whether you’re playing a warm-toned Johnny Too Bad by The Slickers or the chilly Floating World by Zodiac Free Arts Club, the BTR17 respects the original vibe without coloring or boosting.

Frequency integration is spot-on; no range dominates unduly. Unlike some devices that blast lows or push mids forward, the BTR17 keeps everything balanced and natural.

But here’s the rub: the bass content is not hefty. It can hit fairly deep and has decent punch, but the sub-bass presence is modest. This leaner low-end is part of what makes the sound so nimble, yet bass purists might find it lacking.

You can tweak EQ settings and experiment with different filters on the device. At first glance, this seems like a way to bulk up the bass. But the truth is, most adjustments are subtle and pushing too far ruins the carefully crafted low-end character. You can make the BTR17 sound heavier, yes, but you’ll lose its signature speed and rhythmic positivity—in a bad way.

Sound Quality Rating: 4 / 5

Design: Minimalist Portability with Quality Feel

• Dimensions: 87 x 41 x 16 mm (H x W x D)
• Available in black or blue finish
• Weighs just 73 grams

When a product’s main goal is true portability, design often takes a backseat to compactness and weight savings. And that’s exactly the case here.

Apart from a small protrusion below the 33mm front screen and a neat rotary/press control at the top left, the BTR17’s shell is rather plain. Its dimensions and featherlight weight mean it fits comfortably in the hand or pocket, regardless of color choice.

Build quality and finish standards are solid. The BTR17 is mostly plastic, but it’s pleasantly tactile and seems built to last.

Design Rating: 5 / 5

User Experience and Setting It Up

• Tiny physical controls
• Full-color display
• Exceptionally well-designed companion app

The 33mm full-color IPS screen may seem small, but it’s crisp and shows a wealth of information simultaneously: file type or Bluetooth codec, sample rate, EQ settings, battery life, and volume.

Navigating menus happens through the rotary knob on the top left—you get satisfying tactile feedback as you turn or press it to adjust volume, pause playback, or answer calls. Smaller buttons line the device’s edge, with tiny labels, but after some practice, you can quickly switch playback modes, toggle Bluetooth/phone/PC modes, or activate desktop mode.

These usage modes impact battery life significantly:

• PC Mode: device powered via USB from the connected computer
• Phone Mode: powered by internal battery, reduces smartphone load
• Bluetooth Mode: powered by BTR17’s own battery

Physical connections are handled by two USB-C ports at the bottom—either can be used for charging and data, while one is dedicated to power in desktop mode. On the opposite end, you get both a 3.5mm unbalanced and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.

The FiiO Control app offers an overwhelming array of functions:

• Custom double-click button actions for skipping tracks
• Creating your own 10-band EQ presets
• Enabling/disabling “distortion compensation” across harmonics
• Adjusting left-right channel balance
• Screen brightness, timeout settings, and more

If you’re a tweak-aholic who loves fine-tuning every audio detail, this app is your playground—but casual users might find it a bit much.

Usability and Setup Rating: 4 / 5

Value For Money

• Outstanding price-to-performance ratio
• Performs its duties exceptionally well

Value isn’t just “how many features do I get?” Even though the BTR17 is tiny and lightweight, it delivers big in functionality and sound quality.

Most USB DAC/headphone amps at this price point lack wireless options, fewer still offer vibrant screens or companion apps, and hardly any can boast the speed and clarity of the BTR17’s audio. It might not suit everyone’s sonic taste, but if it clicks with you, it’s a stellar buy.

Value Rating: 5 / 5

Should You Buy the FiiO BTR17?

Alternatives to Consider

iFi Go Link Max — A compact, well-built USB-C DAC/amp with excellent sound but no Bluetooth.

Helm Audio Bolt USB-C — Another solid DAC/amp without wireless functionality.

How I Tested the FiiO BTR17

• Used during work, commutes, and car rides
• Tested both Bluetooth wireless and wired modes

I plugged the BTR17 into my Apple MacBook Pro laptop as a desktop DAC/amp and connected it to an Apple iPhone 14 smartphone using USB-C for wired headphone use since the iPhone lacks a headphone jack. Bluetooth pairing with my smartphone rounded out the experience.

It also proved handy in the car, where I lacked Bluetooth integration. Streaming from my phone via Bluetooth to the BTR17, then using its 3.5mm output to feed my car’s auxiliary input, delivered quick, quality audio no matter the connection type or music.

“FiiO BTR17 delivers fast, insightful, and well-controlled sound that's a joy to listen to, especially if you favor speed and agility over bass power.”

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FAQs

• What is the battery life of the FiiO BTR17?
  Battery lasts about 7 hours under heavy Bluetooth use with balanced headphones and up to 10 hours in moderate phone mode with unbalanced headphones.
• Does the BTR17 support high-resolution audio?
  Yes, it supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 files.
• Can I use the BTR17 with gaming consoles?
  Yes, it supports driverless operation for devices like PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
• What headphone outputs does the BTR17 have?
  It features both a 3.5mm unbalanced and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.
• Is the FiiO Control app necessary?
  While not mandatory, the app offers extensive customization options for those who love tweaking their sound settings.