Overview

The FiiO LEVEL 1 is a compact stereo power amplifier built around a Texas Instruments TPA3255 chip, rated at up to 300W per channel into 4 ohms, with Bluetooth, USB, coaxial and RCA line inputs. It's for anyone who wants to drive a pair of passive bookshelf or floorstanding speakers from a phone, computer, CD player or other source with one notebook-sized box, without a full-size receiver.

The TPA3255 uses TI's PurePath Ultra-HD technology, and FiiO adds a Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) loop for lower noise and output impedance, lower distortion and a frequency response that changes less with the load. FiiO rates it at 300W+300W into 4 ohms and 190W+190W into 8 ohms at 10% THD+N, or 240W and 135W at 1%, measured with a 53V/12A supply, with SNR of 111dB and THD+N under 0.0025%. A 48V/5A (240W) adapter is included, and the DC input accepts 24 to 53V.

Inputs cover Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC, USB-C (up to 96kHz/24-bit), coaxial (up to 192kHz/24-bit) and RCA line in. Banana-jack speaker terminals that also take bare wire, a subwoofer output and an RCA line output let you add a sub or another amp. Physical bass and treble knobs each give ±10 steps, the FiiO Control app adds PEQ, and RGB lights show the input and Bluetooth codec. The aluminum chassis has wood side panels: walnut on black and maple on silver.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

The LEVEL 1 has no phono input, so a turntable needs either a built-in phono preamp or a separate one before it connects to the RCA line in. FiiO's headline 300W rating is measured with a 53V/12A supply, while the included adapter is a 48V/5A unit that FiiO says supplies up to 240W, which is plenty for most bookshelf speakers at home listening levels. Use the subwoofer output to fill out the low end if your speakers are small.

More Info

Why the FiiO LEVEL 1 Stands Out

Buyer's Guide

Who It's For

• The Small-Space System Builder: Wants real power without a receiver.
• The Streaming Listener: Plays from a phone over LDAC.
• The Desk or Shelf Setup: Wants a compact amp for passive speakers.

How It Compares

Compared with a traditional stereo receiver, the LEVEL 1 skips radio, phono and video features and focuses on a powerful TPA3255 amp with Bluetooth, USB, coaxial and RCA inputs in a much smaller chassis. Unlike FiiO's headphone DAC/amps, it drives passive speakers and has no headphone output.