[felidaey]

I'm a new FiiO Fan, currently owning M11 LTD, NewK3, FD7 and FH5s. Now I got also the KA3 to go with my Smartphone (Oppo Find X3) and it's the first FiiO product I'm not satisfied with. I upgraded to Firmware 2.0 but still having problems with noise and crackles during the music. It's only with the smartphone, on my PC everything's perfectly fine. Also replaced the cable and tried different apps (Qobuz, Spotify, Youtube, Audible). Seems to be a general problem when using the KA3 with Smartphones? Same issue also with the OnePlus Nord of my wife. Any ideas?

Edit: just tested: NewK3 doesn't have the issues with my smartphone. But surely it's no replacement for portable use.

 

[FiiO]

I'm a new FiiO Fan, currently owning M11 LTD, NewK3, FD7 and FH5s. Now I got also the KA3 to go with my Smartphone (Oppo Find X3) and it's the first FiiO product I'm not satisfied with. I upgraded to Firmware 2.0 but still having problems with noise and crackles during the music. It's only with the smartphone, on my PC everything's perfectly fine. Also replaced the cable and tried different apps (Qobuz, Spotify, Youtube, Audible). Seems to be a general problem when using the KA3 with Smartphones? Same issue also with the OnePlus Nord of my wife. Any ideas?

Edit: just tested: NewK3 doesn't have the issues with my smartphone. But surely it's no replacement for portable use.

Please try to enable Hardware mute switch via the FiiO Control app to see whether it helps?


The device is embedded with a hardware mute switch, which can mute the impulsive sound that occurs when switching between tracks of different sampling rates. However, when the mute switch functions,it will also make a slight pop sound. You may choose to enable or disable it according to your preference.

Best regards

 

[felidaey]

Please try to enable Hardware mute switch via the FiiO Control app to see whether it helps?


The device is embedded with a hardware mute switch, which can mute the impulsive sound that occurs when switching between tracks of different sampling rates. However, when the mute switch functions,it will also make a slight pop sound. You may choose to enable or disable it according to your preference.


Best regards

Thanks for your reply, but there's no problem between the tracks. It's when the tracks are playing. The background noise (hissing) is constant. And randomly (maybe 1-2 times per minute) there are short crackling sounds. Less when I'm not browsing with the phone, more when I'm browsing. Probably something with the wireless/mobile connection?

I played around with the settings in the FiiO Control App, but nothing helped.

Edit: I could reduce the background noise/hissing by setting a lower Max-Volume in the FiiO Control App. Instead I raised the system volume in Android. But problem with the crackles remains

 

[Atek2019]

Thanks for your reply, but there's no problem between the tracks. It's when the tracks are playing. The background noise (hissing) is constant. And randomly (maybe 1-2 times per minute) there are short crackling sounds. Less when I'm not browsing with the phone, more when I'm browsing. Probably something with the wireless/mobile connection?

I played around with the settings in the FiiO Control App, but nothing helped.

Edit: I could reduce the background noise/hissing by setting a lower Max-Volume in the FiiO Control App. Instead I raised the system volume in Android. But problem with the crackles remains

I never heard any hissing sound when playing with my smartphone. The crackles si gone after updating the new firmware with the setting

 

[FiiO]

Thanks for your reply, but there's no problem between the tracks. It's when the tracks are playing. The background noise (hissing) is constant. And randomly (maybe 1-2 times per minute) there are short crackling sounds. Less when I'm not browsing with the phone, more when I'm browsing. Probably something with the wireless/mobile connection?

I played around with the settings in the FiiO Control App, but nothing helped.

Edit: I could reduce the background noise/hissing by setting a lower Max-Volume in the FiiO Control App. Instead I raised the system volume in Android. But problem with the crackles remains

Is the sensitivity of your headphone in high level? Or you may try to turn off the Wifi, keep the KA3 away from the antenna to see whether it helps?

Best regards

 

[felidaey]

Is the sensitivity of your headphone in high level? Or you may try to turn off the Wifi, keep the KA3 away from the antenna to see whether it helps?

Best regards

After the update to Android 12 it's working like a charm

 

[pierse]

I never heard any hissing sound when playing with my smartphone. The crackles si gone after updating the new firmware with the setting

 

[pierse]

Is the sensitivity of your headphone in high level? Or you may try to turn off the Wifi, keep the KA3 away from the antenna to see whether it helps?

Best regards

After updating to 2.0, the ka3 no longer works on any device.

Device manager is now showing 'comtrue-inc firmware update device'

Cant re install firmware as the installer doesnt detect the device as the ka3.

Anyone else having this issue? any help appreciated

 

[pierse]

https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202201241545236683326&tid=4

if anyone has same problem here the solution

After updating to 2.0, the ka3 no longer works on any device.

Device manager is now showing 'comtrue-inc firmware update device'

Cant re install firmware as the installer doesnt detect the device as the ka3.

Anyone else having this issue? any help appreciated

 

[FiiO]

https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202201241545236683326&tid=4

if anyone has same problem here the solution

Yes, does the issue with your KA3 be solved now?

Best regards

 

[FiiO Kang]

After updating to 2.0, the ka3 no longer works on any device.

Device manager is now showing 'comtrue-inc firmware update device'

Cant re install firmware as the installer doesnt detect the device as the ka3.

Anyone else having this issue? any help appreciated

Please don't worry. If your problem is still unresolved. Please send us a private message.

 

[HiFiRobot]

Tuesday work setup. Fiio KA3, Ikko OH10, Xinhs 8 core silver/copper hybrid 4.4mm balanced cable.

 

[FiiO]

Distinguished FiiO users,

In order to better know the usage scenarios and further improve our products, we are making a questionnaire about Portable DAC/Amps and would like to invite you to participate in it. Thank you so much for your time and support.

Link: https://forms.gle/MszZKV8fKDLdeQ2C9

 

[Ynot1]

I just noticed that when I use an amp with a usb dongle or external dac running off smartphone otg, I can get severe ground noise. I could not figure out what it was until I started using multiple powerbanks to drive the amp and the dac off of separate power source. Creative G5 and E5 are pretty ground noise sensitive. With that said when using highly sensitive headphone, the ground noise was still detectable. And with all of that said I think if you can power the external dac with a separate power supply so that you don't run off the noisy smartphone power supply, then you have better chance of lowering the ground noise. Hence dac/amp is better than dongles, unless a special cable can be used to power the dongle separately.

Edit: I almost bought the KA3 when it went on sale. So thought counts for something.

 

[FiiO]

I just noticed that when I use an amp with a usb dongle or external dac running off smartphone otg, I can get severe ground noise. I could not figure out what it was until I started using multiple powerbanks to drive the amp and the dac off of separate power source. Creative G5 and E5 are pretty ground noise sensitive. With that said when using highly sensitive headphone, the ground noise was still detectable. And with all of that said I think if you can power the external dac with a separate power supply so that you don't run off the noisy smartphone power supply, then you have better chance of lowering the ground noise. Hence dac/amp is better than dongles, unless a special cable can be used to power the dongle separately.

Edit: I almost bought the KA3 when it went on sale. So thought counts for something.

Dear friend,

Thanks for the kind feedback. We will also report to the product manager about that.

Best regards