(4) USB audio adapters (USB dongles) for mobile phones preview and existing product information
With the rise of streaming media and the elimination of the 3.5mm headphone output on mobile phones, compact portable DAC/Amps are getting so popular thanks to their simplicity, portability and high cost performance, and they are also a rapidly developing market segment.
Since the birth of the KA3 at the end of 2022, FiiO has already planned three products: KA1, KA2 and KA3. In 2023, our focus is still to complement the product line to meet users' needs.
However, USB dongles are limited by size and power consumption, and this results in increasingly minor differences between products, which makes it more difficult to achieve differentiation and characteristics. But difficulty does not mean impossibility. We are still putting efforts into it.
1. KA5 (NEW), expected to be available in March
The KA5 is a USB dongle with a display screen, using two flagship CS43198 DACs from CS. The classic DAC chip + op-amp architecture comes with independent volume control as well as relatively rich user-defined functions.
The addition of the display screen improves the convenience of human-computer interaction and allows the dongle to complete almost all operations and settings on itself. In addition, the appearance design and technology feel will also be improved.
2. KA7 (NEW), expected to be available at the end of this year
The KA7 will be FiiO's flagship dongle. It is still under planning and uncertain to be developed. Our main idea for the KA7 is to break through the current objective constraints and see if there is a chance to make a bigger innovation and provide a novel design for users who prefer to connect the dongle to their mobile phones. If it is still a simple repetition, and looks similar to the existing dongles on the market, we would rather choose not to develop it.
In fact, we have done a lot of exploration, such as a dongle design with a magnetic charging case. To be frank, this could happen.
3. KA13 (NEW), expected to be available in the fall
This is an iteration model of the current dongle KA3. At this price range (around 90 USD), the design of 3.5mm+4.4mm+DAC+op-amp should be the most mainstream for audiophiles. In addition to the big change in appearance, the KA13 will also use a new DAC, and will introduce a FiiO-patented technology to significantly increase the output power. Let's look forward to it.
4. KA1 (in stock)
The KA1 includes two versions: USB Type-C and Lightning, both featuring a single ESS9281PRO DAC chip from ESS. Frankly speaking, for dongles that feature the same ESS9281PRO chip, the differences among them can be ignored for most people. Because the ESS9281PRO is a highly-integrated single-chip solution without much space for tuning.
So when choosing one, service, build quality, appearance design, and price would be more worth considering. Besides, the Lightning version is rarely seen on the market that can be directly connected to an iOS device without an adapter or a cable.
5. KA2 (in stock)
The KA2 is the same as the KA1 with two versions available: USB Type-C and Lightning. It features two CS43131 chips from Cirrus Logic, and a CT7601 USB chip. There are other dongles using the same solution as the KA2 since the CS43131 is also a highly-integrated DAC and headphone amp chip with a simple design and low power consumption. As with the KA1, dongles with the same chip solution from different brands only have minor differences in sound quality, so it would be better to consider the brand, user service, build quality, appearance and price.
The Lightning version of the KA2 is also a rarely-seen dongle on the market that can be directly connected to an iOS device without an adapter or a cable.
6. KA3 (in stock)
The KA3 is the main model in FiiO's dongle line. Since its birth, it has become one of the best-selling models in the same price range on the market thanks to its delicate craftsmanship, bold and aggressive appearance design, high enough output power, and FiiO's good reputation for user service and quality.
The KA3 features an architecture of ES9038Q2M + independent op-amp and has the highest output power on the dongle market. In 2023, we will have the KA13 coming in the same price range. Considering that they have similar features, and the KA3 is still highly competitive, we would keep the KA3 on the market at a lower price after apportioning costs if the cost of the chip and other materials can be reduced.
In short, the dongle market is cruel. There are only a few chips to select and the power supply by mobile phones also limits brands to make differentiation on their products. Almost all brands that have relations with headphones have developed their own dongles, and the core chip solutions are basically the same. Therefore, R&D and innovation will be the most important capacities in the future. If you have any suggestions, please let us know. Thank you so much!
