Hi-Fi brand FiiO has recently released its incredible R7 desktop streaming device. Priced at $699, the device does the job of several separates, in all-in-one compact, stylish unit, that will sit on your desk and bring you unadulterated audio joy every time you switch it on.

Ready for me to rhapsodize endlessly about the FiiO R7? Well, I'm about to begin, so pop your headphones on, then we can get down to business and review this miniature marvel.

Inside the Box

The FiiO R7 comes in a lovely presentation box made of rigid cardboard. You'll find your R7 nestled inside moulded foam to reduce the chance of damage in transit. Inside the box, you'll find:

• FiiO R7 Desktop Streaming Player
• Power cable
• USB Type-C cable
• Two rubber bases (one flat, one angled) with double-sided tape
• Spare fuse
• 6.35 to 3.5mm adapter
• MicroSD card adapter (in card slot)
• Dust cover for front face headphone sockets
• Device literature and warranty card

So, quite a few bits and bobs are in there.

FiiO R7 Desktop Streamer: Unboxed

One (admittedly subjective) design feature I noticed when removing the FiiO R7 from the box, is just how cool it looks. I mean, the box has a 3D wireframe illustration of the R7 on the front, giving you a clue, but this futuristic cool transitions to the device itself once you pull it out of its housing.

It is an all-black design, with a sturdy aluminum chassis to give it a nice, premium feel. In fact, most of the R7 is aluminum, even down to the volume/multifunction dial and analogue output level dial. These are located to the front of the device, on the right-hand side of the face, with RGB light rings surrounding each dial.

To the left, and dominating most of the front face, is the 4.97" 720 x 1280 touchscreen. Below are the capacitive controls for navigating the screen menus, and the FiiO logo, all in silver. At the bottom right, you will find three headphone outputs; XLR4 (balanced), 6.35 mm, and 4.4 mm (balanced).

Both sides of the FiiO R7 have honeycomb air vents, which serve to add to the cool, futuristic aesthetic that FiiO is presenting here. Around the back you'll find a huge array of inputs and outputs. These are:

• MicroSD card slot (containing an adapter)
• Type-C USB port
• USB-A port
• RCA line-out
• Optical I/O
• Coaxial I/O
• XLR balanced LO
• Ethernet port
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna
• AC/DC toggle
• AC/DC power in
• AC power switch

So, yeah, a HUGE number of options are available to the discerning audiophile.

In terms of dimensions, the FiiO R7 measures 160 x 110 x 134mm, and weighs only 1.2 kg, so it doesn't take up much room at all (even on a small desk) and is certainly not heavy either. Because of its portrait orientation, it takes up even less space, too, in terms of footprint.

In all, I think the R7 is a great-looking little device. Smart, clean lines lend it a sharp look, which matches well with the overall futuristic appearance of the streamer.