Lynn opinions the FiiO TT11, a brand new absolutely automated entry-level turntable with a swappable cartridge functionality, phono outputs, and Bluetooth integration. It’s at the moment priced at $174.99.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in trade for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I need to thank FiiO for his or her help.
Click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This submit follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO TT11 Overview
Abstract
The reasonably priced FiiO TT11 turntable sound is a bit hotter than the TT13 and with barely much less element retrieval. However throw on a 180g high quality urgent, and the TT11 obliges you with a tone that not solely reminds you it’s vinyl however does so with aplomb akin to sitting in your straightforward chair after a protracted day’s work.
Professionals
Totally automated makes for simple use.
Person-changeable cartridge capability shouldn’t be missed.
Pair the TT11 with set of audio system (both powered or by means of a pre-amplifier), and you’ll be rewarded with a high quality classic sound.
Cons
Lack of distant.
The mud cowl is a bit flimsy.
It appears FiiO is making an attempt to maintain retro gear alive and kicking whereas producing some top-quality new merchandise. Whereas they aren’t alone, the developments kicked up by the corporate proceed to impress.
Evidently FiiO additionally takes notes on the discharge of their “retro” merchandise to enhance future merchandise. The TT11 is the results of pushing the TT13 idea additional ahead, giving it a extra conventional look whereas holding its absolutely automated performance.
The TT11 additionally is available in at a lower cost, however with a user-changeable cartridge to associate with the absolutely auto options, one thing I enormously admire since there are such a lot of selections on the market for the vinyl fanatic.
Having reviewed the TT13, there shall be a pure comparability between each, and particularly the focused competitor, the Audio-Technica LP60XBT-USB, which does are available in at a barely increased value level.
FiiO has the purpose of creating an reasonably priced, absolutely practical automated turntable with top-quality sound to attract in additional vinyl customers, they usually might very properly have succeeded.
Options
The FiiO TT11 runs two NE5532 op-amps and an AC6951C Bluetooth chip. With a wow and flutter of lower than 0.2%, it’s also proper up there with the most effective at school.
A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of higher than 70dB in Line Out (LO) is spectacular, whereas the higher than 57dB in Phono Output is pretty regular.
I may inform the budgetary nature of the parts, however this didn’t reduce the enjoyment. With THD (Whole Harmonic Distortion) of lower than 3.5%, the FiiO falls into the everyday vary at school, too.
The inventory AT3600LA cartridge, which is once more a funds MM cartridge with a loyal following, feeds instantly into one opamp chip (powered by one LDO) after which right into a second opamp (powered by one other LDO) when operating in BT mode.
The good thing about the TT11 over the TT13 (to me) is that you could change to a distinct cartridge should you want. With the aptitude to make use of cartridges that want as a lot as 4.0g in pressure and anti-skate, the consumer may have loads of choices.
I had supposed to vary to considered one of my spare cartridges, however as a result of different obligations couldn’t. Altering cartridges is so simple as it could be on a higher-end turntable, so long as you correctly align and stability them. Most may have the required vinyl instruments to take action.
The pressure wanted, as soon as balanced first, is 3.5g, with an anti-skate set at 3.0g first. Extra beneath on setup, although.
In phono out, the sign goes instantly by means of the RCA connection, giving the benefit of utilizing exterior pre-amplifiers, built-in amplifiers, and receivers resembling you’d discover in a two-channel system.
That’s, so long as they’ve a phono stage in-built, otherwise you use an exterior phono stage earlier than getting into the amplification stage.
Design
The TT11 comes throughout with a extra mainstream look than the TT13 (a unit I’ll incessantly evaluate it to moreover the comparability). With two selections in black and brown, my unit got here in brown.
The body is manufactured from thinner wooden veneer with a lighter aluminum platter, which isolates vibrations to a degree. Whereas the cartridge by no means skipped, you may hear the thumps when tapping on the body or lid. Usually, you wouldn’t do this, although.
All controls are inside the space of the duvet when dropped, however most will solely want these for starting all sides. The buttons functioned with minor pushes and by no means failed to intensify. The texture was top of the range.
A straight tone arm has the AT3600L cartridge connected, and when at relaxation, it may be locked in place. Fortunately, there’s a security mechanism if one forgets to unlatch the arm after you push the beginning/cease button. Good considering, FiiO. I appreciated it.
Identical to the TT13, the rim underneath the platter might be set to numerous colours for impact.
The TT11 comes throughout as each fashionable and with a classic look that won’t be misplaced in your principal system or desktop. The TT13 took some getting used to. Not so with the TT11.
I/O
Identical to its greater sibling, the TT11 has all connections out again.
Left-to-right, there’s the phono/line change to be used when going between each outputs, the RCA line out and floor connection (cable included, with three RCA on the top finish, and the everyday floor wire connection on the opposite).
There’s a toggle for 7” and 12” albums, a USB-A port for firmware updates solely, and an influence connection for the included wire. I do want the labeling had been positioned above every connection, although.
Many will most likely agree since we frequently attain over to hook up with totally different sources.
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Pairing was simple with any of the sources or BT audio system used, with solely minimal delay. I bumped into issues pairing the xDuoo TA-32, however realized my iPhone robotically related to it. As soon as cleared, I used to be in a position to join the 2 (TT11 and TA-32) on the second attempt.
Pairing to the FiiO SP5 was even simpler and took about 8 seconds from pairing mode to connection. I believe it is a matter of being cautious between the 2.
As soon as related, I used to be listening to music by means of each sources inside the time it took me to position an album and clear it.
RCA
I used my Cambridge Audio Alva Duo for connecting to an exterior phono stage, then into the identical Dynaco/xDuoo setup.
I briefly hooked the TT11 on to my McIntosh MA6100 built-in amplifier and Klipsch Forte IIs with out difficulty, however most of my two-channel listening was by means of the Dynaco/xDuoo.
Being able to hook up with an exterior phono stage, whether or not a unit such because the Cambridge or to a comparable amplifier, makes good use of the TT11.
Merely flip the change on the again between line out and phono for BT connection, and you may maintain the TT11 in a single place.
Controls
The FiiO TT11 comes with 5 buttons set on the entrance proper nook of the suspended platform. To the left, additionally on the entrance, is a rotating knob to go between 33 and 45rpm.
From left to proper, you’ve got the ability button with a light-weight above it indicating the unit is on, the BT pairing button (maintain for two seconds to pair), a repeat button for taking part in a aspect time and again, the up/down button for elevating the tone arm, and the beginning/cease button.
As with the TT13, not one of the buttons are accessible with the mud cowl lowered. I may even be aware that the motor for elevating/reducing and shifting the tone arm is pretty loud, so be ready for that.
Packaging & Equipment
The TT11 comes properly protected, with the platter tucked neatly beneath the deck. The mud cowl sits above in a well-protected recyclable cardboard cutout.
Included gear is the ability wire, a tri-jack RCA cable (twin on the opposite finish with an everyday phono floor cable), a 45rpm adapter, a felt mat, the counterweight, mud cowl hinges, and a fast begin information.
Detailed directions for setup, that are straightforward to learn, with good photos for assist, are additionally included.
Arrange
Upon unpacking, I left the protecting plastic on the mud cowl to forestall potential scratching. The counterweight was straightforward to placed on first, with solely minor consternation till an audible click on was heard when set correctly.
After the press, there’s sufficient fore & aft motion to stability the tonearm and counterweight correctly.
As soon as balanced, and you actually ought to take your time or use a stability gauge (which I didn’t have), merely rotate the smaller, numbered dial counterclockwise till you attain 3.5g. Then rotate the antiskate dial to three.0g.
Why the distinction? As a result of FiiO asks that you just begin there. If there’s distortion within the left channel, improve the antiskate in direction of 3.5g. If there’s distortion in the suitable channel (denoting an excessive amount of push inward), rotate the dial decrease than 3.0g.
I did mess around with that, particularly when utilizing my Dynaco/xDuoo alternate dwelling system, and ended up proper at 3.5g. Alignment of the cartridge was wonderful from the manufacturing unit, too.
The toughest bit for me was attaching the belt over the spindle, even with the paper ribbon to be used in stretching the belt over the drive spindle.
Although I’ve accomplished it quite a few occasions, the method didn’t work for me. It was my fault, and I shortly rectified the scenario, however simply one thing to pay attention to.
As soon as the belt is on, the felt mat is positioned on high, and you’re able to play. Connect with your chosen supply, and you’re good to go.
Sound Impressions
The FiiO TT11 was used largely in two settings: related by way of BT and RCA by means of my Dynaco ST70 paired to the xDuoo TA-32 (for each BT and RCA when used with the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo) and Dynaco A25s, and BT to the FiiO SP5 powered audio system. Utilization between the 2 was most likely 60/40 Dynaco to SP5.
Abstract
Identical to the TT13 opening, the cartridge most likely has as a lot to say in regards to the sound as any of the opposite elements.
The distinction right here is that you could substitute the cartridge. A superb eventual improve from the venerable AT3600L can be the AT95 sequence or Sumiko Ranier. The Sumiko has replaceable needles, which makes it fairly versatile. The AT95 sequence is available in many flavors, although.
That mentioned, the AT3600L presents a full sound, if a bit bass-light in response to each setups. However element retrieval is respectable, if not excellent. Taking part in the TT11 by means of higher-quality gear helps bit, and the AT3600L does an honest job at presenting the vinyl expertise.
Usually, conical-tipped needles are missing in readability, and the TT11 follows that go well with. However there’s sufficient weight within the midrange to assist maintain the sound pleasantly listenable.
Timbre
The TT11 comes throughout as easily vinyl-like in character, with out the finer particulars current in high-end turntables. However as a gateway into the vinyl path, the TT11 presents a richer signature than its increased brethren.
That hotter signature conveys musicality to the sound, however that conical tip rolls off the true high finish. I did discover that after I performed increased high quality pressings, resembling 180g vinyl, there was higher extension, with higher element current.
Each the A25s and SP5 audio system introduced good listening, with the hotter setup of the Dynaco settling into the extra “vinyl mode” of listening.
The SP5s introduced higher transient response, largely as a result of their cooler signature. Nonetheless, the element retrieval didn’t reduce the be aware weight as one would possibly count on.
I loved being able to shortly bounce between two distinct tuning conditions, and this allowed for 2 very totally different flavors, making the TT11’s versatility come throughout positively.
Staging & Dynamics
Soundstage is the place the AT3600L continues to shine. Glorious width and depth make for wonderful sonic qualities, even in a medium to large-sized listening room.
The balanced strategy of the AT helps to even the soundstage out in all three dimensions, however with a bigger setup.
As a substitute, the controlling of that stability makes for a full stage with out changing into bloated down low, or too far ahead within the mids or highs.
The enchantment of the 3600 turns into fairly obvious the extra you hear. Put high quality in, and also you do certainly get high quality out.
Paired by way of BT with powered audio system, the limitation could be the audio system, and naturally, placement. However for these with fashionable tastes, the TT11 paired to the SP5 audio system to current a soundstage that, whereas not fairly as open because the Dynaco, introduced an correct sound, which helped dynamically extra so.
For sheer ease of use, the BT is certainly the simpler selection, and those that worth simplicity will nonetheless admire the sound qualities provided.
Once more, the alternatives between the 2 programs complemented one another, giving me two distinct sound signatures that had been each nice and conveyed the vinyl sound musically.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
