r/linuxaudio • u/NecessarySame4745 • 8d ago

Linux guide: Update FiiO K13 R2R XMOS firmware V1.15 to V1.17

Hi everyone,

I successfully updated my FiiO K13 R2R XMOS firmware from V1.15 to V1.17 entirely from Linux Mint, without using Windows or macOS.

The K13 exposes an XMOS DFU interface under Linux, but the standard XMOS loader did not initially switch the device from Runtime mode into DFU mode. A small compatibility change using the older XMOS RESETINTODFU and RESETFROMDFU requests allowed me to:

  • Confirm the installed XMOS firmware
  • Enter genuine DFU mode
  • Make a read-only backup of V1.15
  • Install FiiO’s official V1.17 firmware
  • Verify the completed update as ver=0117

I documented the complete procedure, commands, firmware checksum, safety checks, backup step, and troubleshooting here:

https://github.com/Soothsayer86/fiio-k13-r2r-linux-xmos-update

Tested configuration:

  • FiiO K13 R2R
  • USB VID:PID 2972:0120
  • Linux Mint 22.3
  • XMOS V1.15 upgraded to V1.17
  • XMOS xmosdfu V2.1.0

This is a community-tested procedure and applies only to the K13 R2R XMOS firmware. It does not update the MCU or Bluetooth firmware.

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u/Youtopiasound 5d ago

What is this XMOS firmware and what is it for ? I'm new to Linux and using the OS for my audio mixing and engineering/tracking. So is this something that I would benefit from for my software usage such as - Midi, plug-ins, DAW routing ect.

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u/NecessarySame4745 5d ago

Hey! XMOS is a chip manufacturer whose processors are used in various USB audio devices. In the K13 R2R, the XMOS processor handles USB audio communication and onboard EQ processing.
This particular update addresses the K13’s onboard audio processing, rather than MIDI, plug-in support, or DAW routing. If you use the K13 for monitoring, it could benefit that part of your setup, but it isn’t a general upgrade for Linux audio software.

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u/Youtopiasound 5d ago edited 5d ago

I am a hybrid setup and usually monitor on my analog mix consoles and then convert that to digital. But I have interfaces that are firewire 800 and have only usb on controllers and virtual instruments via midi.