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

[nycheadphones]

I try to connect FIIO KA17 with iOS iPhone 15 pro max using FiiO control app via CABLE USB-C----USB-C
https://apps.apple.com/at/app/fiio-control/id1485988916

Latest app version
Latest iOS-version
Latest KA17-version

App cannot find KA17

Does it work for anybody using KA17 and iPhone connected with USBc-Cable?
Do I need any trick?

I would like to do some EQ settings

You have to use the website interface - https://fiiocontrol.fiio.com/ but it’s not stable - I bricked my KA17 many times and had to downgrade the firmware to fix (and then upgrade it again). Also the shelf filters seem to make the unit unstable - I’d recommend using just regular filters. It’s a great device but the software is terrible and I’m not going to buy another Fiio product because of this.

 

[Hubert481]

Thanks for feedback
https://fiiocontrol.fiio.com/ does not work on iPad or iPhone

It looks like FiiO released the product to early

It is my first FiiO
Hardware looks fine
Actually I am horrified about the software and firmware

How long does it usually take time for FiiO to fix most bugs of a new unit?

 

[nycheadphones]

Thanks for feedback
https://fiiocontrol.fiio.com/ does not work on iPad or iPhone

It looks like FiiO released the product to early

It is my first FiiO
Hardware looks fine
Actually I am horrified about the software and firmware

How long does it usually take time for FiiO to fix most bugs of a new unit?

Yeah - I run the site on windows - I should have noted this.

The KA17 I believe was released in January 2023 and there are reports of software issues on their forum, here and Reddit. My take is they often don’t polish the firmware but rather just move onto the next product but perhaps I’m biased because of my own experience including the lack of response from @FiiO

 

[Hubert481]

Where can I find the presets from the fix eq-settings - is there any chart
The documentation does not include any chart-info

 

[nycheadphones]

Where can I find the presets from the fix eq-settings - is there any chart
The documentation does not include any chart-info

Not sure I understand, but on the device itself there is an eq menu within settings that you can activate and scroll through. When you are on the website if you have a preset selected on your device (I believe the site has a “device” button that shows which eq is currently set on the KA17 which you can change from there) I believe the graph of the preset will then display. This said **don’t adjust eq using that graph** - instant bricking of the ka17 for me lol - rather use the columns with the numbers.

Once you have your custom eq set (there are 3 user eq spots) - again using no shelf fillers, I found the eq still has issues when the sample rate on Apple Music (using my 15 pro max or iPad Pro) changes. I found the following steps makes the KA17 more stable when on desktop mode which is what I use (I don’t need the power but like the sound much better):

Steps:

1) the iPad/iPhone 15 pro max can power the ka17 in theory - however use an external source ( I use an Anker with a built in cable)
2) power the device with the power bank first. You’ll see a plug icon on the device within a few seconds
3) unlock your iPad/iPhone
4) then insert the data cable from the KA17 to your device

Let me know if any questions - I spent way too much time with this thing and I may be able to troubleshoot.

***One more thing - I’m not sure what firmware versions can be updated on a Mac (don’t think you can change firmware on the phone/iPad) - so keep that in mind if you use the control website as it’s super easy to brick the device.***

 

[Hubert481]

Haha - super easy to brick the device
This is not another tamagotchi, I was looking for

I am looking of the grafical frequency charts of the 7 fix presets - cannot find any information therefore

• Jazz
• Pop
• Rock
• Classic
• Hip-Hop
• Dance
• Metal

 

[nycheadphones]

Haha - super easy to brick the device
This is not another tamagotchi, I was looking for

I am looking of the grafical frequency charts of the 7 fix presets - cannot find any information therefore

• Jazz
• Pop
• Rock
• Classic
• Hip-Hop
• Dance
• Metal

Think you can see on the website - not testing it as I don’t want to unbrick today lol

 

[Hubert481]

The KA17 gets very hot with the cover after some time of usage
@FiiO

1. what is the reason to use the cover, when the temperature might be so high - i think cooling down by not using the cover would be the better choice?
2. using custom peq, the unit makes a lot of clicks during playing music - must be still a bug - any news when we get an update to fix it
3. Is it planned to get an ios-app for the apple-users which is working like the android app?

Thank you

 

[FiiO Support Lin Lin]

The KA17 gets very hot with the cover after some time of usage
@FiiO

1. what is the reason to use the cover, when the temperature might be so high - i think cooling down by not using the cover would be the better choice?
2. using custom peq, the unit makes a lot of clicks during playing music - must be still a bug - any news when we get an update to fix it
3. Is it planned to get an ios-app for the apple-users which is working like the android app?

Thank you

Dear friend,

1. The KA17 with tiny body and big output power has the temperature rising for about 15℃ while working. Getting a bit hot is normal phenomenon.
2. Please try to set the global EQ to lower value to check again.
3. Because IOS devices have strict restrictions on external devices, IOS devices do not support controlling the KA17.

Best regards

 

[xxxstarmanxxx]

Hey guys - Finally took the plunge and move away from dongles and off to a DAP.

Before I leave I'd just like to thank everyone on the thread for their input and tips/tricks over my time with the KA17 - you've all been invaluable including all the tech updates on here from the Fiio team.

I've loved playing around with a number of Fiio DAC dongles but I've decided to move on to the Hiby R4 as it was getting a bit of a drag connecting and carrying on a daily basis.

Kudos to the Fiio team for the battery extender.

Kudos to the participants in this thread for the time and effort taken to iron out problems - If it wasn't for this place I don't think I would have rediscovered my passion for music listening again, now well into my fifties.

All the best everyone

Justin x

 

[Hubert481]

Dear friend,

1. The KA17 with tiny body and big output power has the temperature rising for about 15℃ while working. Getting a bit hot is normal phenomenon.
2. Please try to set the global EQ to lower value to check again.
3. Because IOS devices have strict restrictions on external devices, IOS devices do not support controlling the KA17.

Best regards

Error message by trying to set global EQ with edge on win10
UpdateEqBand Error: Failed to set global gain

Is there any workaround to fix this?

 

[FiiO Support Lin Lin]

Error message by trying to set global EQ with edge on win10
UpdateEqBand Error: Failed to set global gain

Is there any workaround to fix this?

Dear friend,
Hi, I failed to reproduce this issue in Edge. But you may check whether other browser helps? And remember to switch the EQ to user EQ for KA17 first.
Best regards

 

[nycheadphones]

New KA17 firmware is out - well kinda - when I downloaded from the Fiio forum, it had the old version of the firmware in the folder. Anyone have a link?

 

[FiiO]

The new firmware V2.21 for KA17 is now available!
KA17 Firmware download link and update instruction:
https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202403121546197194373&tid=77

 

[FiiO Support Lin Lin]

New KA17 firmware is out - well kinda - when I downloaded from the Fiio forum, it had the old version of the firmware in the folder. Anyone have a link?

Dear friend,

Hi, please try this link: https://fiio-firmware.fiio.net/KA17/英文固件/KA17 V2.21 Firmware.zip

Best regards