[FiiO KA17] Mini desktop-class amp, flagship dongle is officially released!

[rafaelo]

Well, i found the KA17 thread!

Maybe it was for your own benefit that you did not find it before...lucky you...

 

[zilax002]

BTW, someone said a few pages ago in this thread that the balanced port feels a little mushy, basically it doesn't make the click sound when you plug in.
For me it does make the click sound when I plug in and is very tight, no issues. Also no hissing or popping sound. This also has firmware 0.84 and only EQ is available with fiio control app.

Huh, my balanced port feels mushy too. Haven't had any issues with disconnects though, but my usage has been like 90% single ended, so I'll have to see if it becomes an issue.

 

[zilax002]

I to wondered about the effects of the case and now run it out and about without it. I still think the culprit for my random disconnections was the low quality usb c lead as it's definitely not the same quality as the one supplied with the ka3. The one on the left is from ka17 - the one one the right is from the ka3 and seems much better made imho with regards to overall lead strength

FWIW I've used it exclusively with the braided cable that comes with the Qudelix 5K and have had zero issues.

Had tons of issues with the KA13 and stock cable, though I can't attribute all the problems to that. It had interference so bad sometimes I'd move my hand *close* to the device and it'd stutter or even pause the device.

I've exclusively used it with the case, also.

And no overheats to answer another user's question.

 

[rafaelo]

Huh, my balanced port feels mushy too. Haven't had any issues with disconnects though, but my usage has been like 90% single ended, so I'll have to see if it becomes an issue.

This is true the balanced port is marginal. I have two tripowin cables but because one has slightly more skin from the 4.4 termination does not click and some times slips out. The other click perfectly. Both click perfectly witn ka5. Must be super tight tolerance mm play a difference. So is not the device but the cable that makes a difference. I need to make a picture to illustrate that.

This extra skin on top can make a difference believe or not.

 

[zilax002]

@FiiO I have to say I don't like being able to control the volume with my laptop. This is a downgrade for me. There should be a way to turn this off. I never want two volume settings for any amp. One is enough.

I now have to adjust the volume on both devices every time I plug in the KA17. Being frank, here: this firmware update has ruined what was formerly a good device.

Added functionality is NEVER a downgrade. This is crazy talk.

 

[KaiFi]

Added functionality is NEVER a downgrade. This is crazy talk.

It's a downgrade if the new function is forced on you rather than made into an option. Because it inevitably won't be preferred by everyone. I don't understand why this couldn't have just been a menu item.

 

[zilax002]

It's a downgrade if the new function is forced on you rather than made into an option. Because it inevitably won't be preferred by everyone. I don't understand why this couldn't have just been a menu item.

It's really not. Put Windows volume at 100 and you're right where you started.

 

[991 Carrera 4S]

[Update]
To clarify:
I'm pretty sure neither the filters itself, nor their numbering/order, did change between firmware 0.84 and firmware 0.99, only the names were completely wrong in 0.84
e.g. filter 4 always was "linear fast low-ripple", even though firmware 0.84 said "minimum slow".
[/Update]

Filter names according to official ES9069 datasheet	FiiO KA17 Firmware 0.99 (corrected filter names)	FiiO KA17 Firmware 0.84 (wrong filter names)
(1) Minimum phase [fast roll-off] (default)	(1) Mini	(1) Fast
(2) Linear phase apodizing fast roll-off	(2) Fast A	(2) Slow
(3) Linear phase fast roll-off	(3) Fast	(3) Mini
(4) Linear phase fast roll-off low-ripple	(4) Fast R	(4) Mini S
(5) Linear phase slow roll-off	(5) Slow	(5) Apod 1
(6) Minimum phase fast roll-off	(6) Mini F	(6) Apod 2
(7) Minimum phase slow roll-off	(7) Mini S	(7) Hybrid F
(8) Minimum phase slow roll-off low dispersion	(8) Mini SD	(8) Brick

Less confusing names would be:
(1) Minimum fast v2
(2) Linear fast apodizing
(3) Linear fast
(4) Linear fast low-ripple
(5) Linear slow
(6) Minimum fast v1
(7) Minimum slow
(8) Minimum slow low-dispersion

 

[zilax002]

@991 Carrera 4S Very helpful, but curse Fiio for using "old" filter names for different filters on the new firmware. Geeze!

 

[991 Carrera 4S]

@991 Carrera 4S Very helpful, but curse Fiio for using "old" filter names for different filters on the new firmware. Geeze!

I'm pretty sure neither the filters itself, nor their numbering/order, did change between firmware 0.84 and firmware 0.99, only the names were completely wrong in 0.84

e.g. filter 4 always was "linear fast low-ripple", even though firmware 0.84 said "minimum slow".

 

[FiiO]

does anyone know why the German distributor still doesnt have the k17 on offer? It seems that Germany often is the last country where new Fiio products arrive. which wouldnt be too concerning, but its even months after anyone else got them.

Dear friend,

We are sorry that since the quantity of KA17 was limited, so we failed to arrange KA17 for the distributor in Germany. But we will send KA17 to them this week and they will have the KA17 soon.

Best regards

 

[FiiO]

Dear friends,

Since the names of the filters do not match correctly in 0.84, so we update the names in 0.99:
MINI: Minimum phase (default)
FAST A: Linear phase fast roll-off apodizing
FAST: Linear phase fast roll-off
FAST R: Linear phase fast roll-off low ripple
SLOW: Linear phase slow roll-off
MINI F: Minimum phase fast roll-off
MINI S: Minimum phase slow roll-off
MINI S D: Minimum phase slow roll-off low dispersion

Best regards

 

[Hemlock75]

Has anyone paired the ka17 with Arya Organic? I am curious if they complement each other.

 

[sofastreamer]

Dear friend,

We are sorry that since the quantity of KA17 was limited, so we failed to arrange KA17 for the distributor in Germany. But we will send KA17 to them this week and they will have the KA17 soon.

Best regards

thank you for clarification! Thats good news! Now i am excited again..

 

[Ten Protons]

I want to ask one small thing - if I adjust the equalizer on the FiiO KA17 via my phone, will these settings work when I connect it to my computer?