[Mlaihk]

I have a few of those in my drawer....

What's your view on the KA17 comparing to the RU7 and W4?

 

[ClieOS]

I have a few of those in my drawer....

What's your view on the KA17 comparing to the RU7 and W4?

In normal mode, I think KA17 can just about rival any lesser top-tier or upper 2nd-tier USB dongles. In external-powered desktop mode, I think it can pretty much equal any top-tier USB dongle in performance, and excel in one particular area - its tightness/control/output power. The harder, and more demanding the headphone is, the easier that you will notice KA17's advantage over other USB dongles. The overall signature is clean, and transparent, with a very grand and opened stage/image that is more desktop-like than dongle-like. The other USB dongle that shares a fairly similar presentation is the iBasso DC-Elite, except KA17 offers just a little bit more punch.

 

[Jigetz]

Could you do a sound comparison with M11 Plus? I wonder what is the equivalent among normal DAP players if we compare only the sound.

I did last night for a quick AB and I thought they were pretty comparable but that the M11 was slightly better is overall resolution but it seemed very close. I'll try and so some more critical listening this weekend and report back.

 

[Steve_72]

Ordered one today - excited! The KA13 really blew my expectations away for what a tiny device can really be capable of

Just received mine. Seriously impressed with this unit. Plenty of juice, no hiss and easy to operate and cycle through features with the display. Quite a bargain in my opinion.

 

[KaiFi]

I can enable desktop mode when I dont have an external power source. Does this mean it will just pull from the phone and will power the desktop mode from my phone?

I'd like to know this too. I can't imagine desktop is running properly without the external power source.

 

[Mlaihk]

In normal mode, I think KA17 can just about rival any lesser top-tier or upper 2nd-tier USB dongles. In external-powered desktop mode, I think it can pretty much equal any top-tier USB dongle in performance, and excel in one particular area - its tightness/control/output power. The harder, and more demanding the headphone is, the easier that you will notice KA17's advantage over other USB dongles. The overall signature is clean, and transparent, with a very grand and opened stage/image that is more desktop-like than dongle-like. The other USB dongle that shares a fairly similar presentation is the iBasso DC-Elite, except KA17 offers just a little bit more punch.

Thanks. Based on that, I just pulled the trigger to try for myself

 

[akelew]

I'd like to know this too. I can't imagine desktop is running properly without the external power source.

Desktop mode does not require the secondary usb port connected if the source device supplies enough power. Many android do, iphone do not.

 

[akelew]

Turning off MQA and keeping it on UAC 2 seems to work with no issues other than no MQA but better this than having tacks mess up.

I'd say turning off MQA is just overall better, regardless.

 

[KaiFi]

Desktop mode does not require the secondary usb port connected if the source device supplies enough power. Many android do, iphone do not.

Thanks! I’d be using it with a laptop, so that shouldn’t be a concern.

I think I will order this. I haven't owned a dongle DAC since the Audioquest Dragonfly Red, and it'd be nice to own one with its own dedicated volume control and ouput power similar to the Chord Mojo 2.

 

[Steve_72]

Does anyone else have issues with it not working with an iPhone (lightning models) with MQA turned off? Audio only plays if MQA is set on so I can’t use any built in EQ presets as well.

 

[kgs51]

What type of external power supply can I use with ka17?

 

[Jigetz]

Desktop mode does not require the secondary usb port connected if the source device supplies enough power. Many android do, iphone do not.

Thanks seems to work with my iPhone 15 Pro Max

 

[Jigetz]

I'd say turning off MQA is just overall better, regardless.

While I don’t disagree the device is marketed to work with MQA and since I use tidal some of the tracks on my playlists are MQA. I have turned it off for the time being but definitely doesn’t work with MQA on and UAC2 enabled.

 

[ClieOS]

What type of external power supply can I use with ka17?

Judging from the power draw, any USB power source that is capable of 500mA and over should be sufficient. But to be on the safe side, I do recommend a PD compatible power source

 

[FiiO]

Does anyone else have issues with it not working with an iPhone (lightning models) with MQA turned off? Audio only plays if MQA is set on so I can’t use any built in EQ presets as well.

Dear friend,

After turning off the MQA function and selecting EQ, please try to adjust the volume of your iPhone to higher level to see whether the issue remains?

Best regards