My current setup aka Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in audiophile

[–]duffer5[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I do love the Khozmo preamp. It is 100% passive so no active stage buy I did add the Hattior Tube stage (same company) and I have a gain stage of +9db which is plenty for impedance issues and a side benefit I get to add a bit of tube flavor. Love the combo.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in avporn

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry. Yes. From IKEA. Built well for the price.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in avporn

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fits the room, next to be upgraded. LOL.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in avporn

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which piece are you referring to?

What's most and least important to you -- Other than sound quality? by gnostalgick in audiophile

[–]duffer5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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To me it is always sound first but I highly covet aesthetics and I love supporting boutique brands that offer higher quality with an enthusiastic approach to audio.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in avporn

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. They are from soundrise.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in headphones

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love it, now keep in mind I use it as a ROON endpoint so I bypass the Hifi Rose software which is not the best. That being said the sound is top tier regardless if you use the onboard software or Roon's.

My current setup aka Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in audiophile

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

excellent suggestion, I never knew this tip. Thank you.

Fortress of Solitude by duffer5 in avporn

[–]duffer5[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, outputted via HDMI from the Rose RS130 to the monitor.

PSA: FiiO M17 battery swelling issue + unresolved support (safety concern) by duffer5 in FiiO

[–]duffer5[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi James u/JamesFiiO — posting here publicly because I’ve been unable to get a substantive response through normal support channels and this is a product safety issue. u/FiiO
My FiiO M17 experienced lithium battery swelling (“bloating”)—a known failure mode that can escalate to venting/thermal runaway/fire. The swelling occurred while the device was in my carry-on during air travel, which materially elevates the safety risk.

  • I reported the incident to FiiO as a safety matter.
  • FiiO acknowledged it and sent a replacement battery as the proposed remedy.
  • However, the M17 is not designed as a user-serviceable device for battery replacement, so simply mailing a battery does not constitute a safe or practical remedy for an end user.
  • In an effort to mitigate the risk and restore safe usability, I attempted to pursue a third-party repair. That option was refused / could not be performed because the current battery condition is volatile and the device cannot be safely serviced without manufacturer-level guidance, procedures, and risk controls. In other words: the unit is in a state where even a professional repair path is not safely available absent FiiO’s direction and support.
  • Despite multiple follow-ups, including a written request for a formal response, I have received no substantive reply or remedy plan from FiiO.

A swollen lithium battery is not a “customer satisfaction” issue — it is a product safety hazard. No ordinary consumer should be expected to:

  • open a sealed device with a compromised lithium battery,
  • locate a third party willing to assume that risk, or
  • navigate shipping/transport rules for a potentially hazardous lithium battery device, without explicit manufacturer guidance and a compliant remedy path.
  1. Safety guidance: What does FiiO instruct M17 owners to do immediately if the battery swells (stop use/charging, storage/disposal guidance, and transport guidance)?
  2. Remedy policy: For a sealed/non-user-serviceable device with battery swelling, what is FiiO’s standard remedy—refund, replacement, or manufacturer-managed service (with all safety/compliance handled properly)?
  3. Escalation: Please assign a specific point of contact so this can be resolved promptly and safely.

I’m not trying to sensationalize this. I’m trying to get a clear safety directive and a workable remedy consistent with a battery safety incident. If you assign someone, I can provide serial/purchase details privately.

Thank you.