gael
100+ Head-Fier
Do you mean it can be added later via a firmware update?
[KA3/KA13] FIIO X JADEAUDIO USB DAC DONGLE
- Thread starter FiiO
- Start date
Yes, because KA13 does not have a display screen. Originally, we wanted to make synchronous volume control more intuitive. But seeing that people prefer independent volume control, we are modifying a version of the firmware for independent control.
gael
100+ Head-Fier
Makes sense, e.g. I prefer sync control when connected to desktop/laptop, but independent when on mobile. But good thing that you can now select the firmware you prefer. Ordered!
Btw good job on the design, I usually default to dark color, but this one looks very attractive in light, that teal accent looks neat!
Thank you for your support and likes. The new firmware will also be coming soon.
Have been testing the Fiio KA13 dongle for the past few hours.
Here are some initial impressions before burn in and detailed A/B comparisons:
- This dongle retails at $76 USD, housing dual CS43131 DAC chips.
- Accessories are pretty generous, it includes a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and even a lightning to USB-C cable for our Apple users.
- I like that it has an independent volume controller, something that even higher end dongles like the Questyle M15 do not have.
- The chassis of the dongle has a glass panel on the front, where you can see the internals, and the sides are made of metal. It weighs 18.5g, and is very light and portable. Build is solid, no complaints here.
- Sound wise, this dongle is quite neutralish, it doesn't overly colour the frequency response. Timbre is quite natural without being overly sterile.
- The KA13 is quite technical for a sub $100 dongle, good micro-detailing, imaging and superb instrument separation greets the listener. However, soundstage is on the intimate side.
- It has 3.5 mm and 3.5 mm coaxial out, with a 4.4 mm balanced port. Get this, this dongle can be toggled between a "desktop mode" and a regular IEM mode. The former mode on balanced can output a whopping 550mW!! That's more than some DAPs can provide!
- I tested this dongle with 3 of my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87db/mW sensitivity)
- I'm glad to report that on "desktop mode", the KA13 drives these 3 behemoths very well, even at lower volumes. When underpowered, these transducers will sound bloated and one-noted in the bass, with a lack of dynamics. The KA13 powers these tough customers quite well, almost equivalent to some desktop amps. It has to be said that most portable sources cannot drive the Yinman 600 ohm decently, so I'm quite surprised with the KA13 being able to.
- With big power, there is likely gonna be battery drain. I haven't tested extensively on power drain yet, but the regular mode can probably be used on-the-go or with a phone (with less battery usage), and you can reserve the "desktop mode" for PCs/laptops where there is a power supply and you need to drive demanding transducers.
- This dongle doesn't hiss even with fussy high sensitivity IEMs, but it has an output impedance of 1.7 ohms on 3.5mm and 1.8 ohm on 4.4mm. Hence, it may not be be the best pairing with fastidious low impedance IEMs such as the infamous Andromeda (based on the rule of eights).
- During usage, especially on "desktop mode", the KA13 does get slightly warm, but not scalding (unlike some other power hungry dongles).
Will do further burn in and A/B comparisons against sub $100 dongles and report back. But initial impressions are very positive. This dongle is versatile in being able to drive IEMs on-the-go (with the exception of those with very low impedance), but its selling point is the "desktop mode" which transforms it into a budget desktop source.
Here are some initial impressions before burn in and detailed A/B comparisons:
- This dongle retails at $76 USD, housing dual CS43131 DAC chips.
- Accessories are pretty generous, it includes a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and even a lightning to USB-C cable for our Apple users.
- I like that it has an independent volume controller, something that even higher end dongles like the Questyle M15 do not have.
- The chassis of the dongle has a glass panel on the front, where you can see the internals, and the sides are made of metal. It weighs 18.5g, and is very light and portable. Build is solid, no complaints here.
- Sound wise, this dongle is quite neutralish, it doesn't overly colour the frequency response. Timbre is quite natural without being overly sterile.
- The KA13 is quite technical for a sub $100 dongle, good micro-detailing, imaging and superb instrument separation greets the listener. However, soundstage is on the intimate side.
- It has 3.5 mm and 3.5 mm coaxial out, with a 4.4 mm balanced port. Get this, this dongle can be toggled between a "desktop mode" and a regular IEM mode. The former mode on balanced can output a whopping 550mW!! That's more than some DAPs can provide!
- I tested this dongle with 3 of my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87db/mW sensitivity)
- I'm glad to report that on "desktop mode", the KA13 drives these 3 behemoths very well, even at lower volumes. When underpowered, these transducers will sound bloated and one-noted in the bass, with a lack of dynamics. The KA13 powers these tough customers quite well, almost equivalent to some desktop amps. It has to be said that most portable sources cannot drive the Yinman 600 ohm decently, so I'm quite surprised with the KA13 being able to.
- With big power, there is likely gonna be battery drain. I haven't tested extensively on power drain yet, but the regular mode can probably be used on-the-go or with a phone (with less battery usage), and you can reserve the "desktop mode" for PCs/laptops where there is a power supply and you need to drive demanding transducers.
- This dongle doesn't hiss even with fussy high sensitivity IEMs, but it has an output impedance of 1.7 ohms on 3.5mm and 1.8 ohm on 4.4mm. Hence, it may not be be the best pairing with fastidious low impedance IEMs such as the infamous Andromeda (based on the rule of eights).
- During usage, especially on "desktop mode", the KA13 does get slightly warm, but not scalding (unlike some other power hungry dongles).
Will do further burn in and A/B comparisons against sub $100 dongles and report back. But initial impressions are very positive. This dongle is versatile in being able to drive IEMs on-the-go (with the exception of those with very low impedance), but its selling point is the "desktop mode" which transforms it into a budget desktop source.
gael
100+ Head-Fier
Now I'm confused... unless controller != control... which would make me even more confused...
Dear friend，
You may check the answer from our product manager again.
Best regards
FIIO SK-KA13 Exclusive Leatherette Case for KA13 Is Officially Released!
The mini desktop DAC and headphone amplifier KA13 has been on the market for some time. It has been warmly welcomed among users in configuration, performance, as well as visual sensation. To help users better provide the device, we specially designed a protective case with two colors available, Midnight black and Forest green.
This is a leatherette case that has not only been through several design iterations to ensure great ergonomics, but it has also been meticulously manufactured to a high standard being refined through several processes.
This is a leatherette case that has not only been through several design iterations to ensure great ergonomics, but it has also been meticulously manufactured to a high standard being refined through several processes.
* The SK-KA13 is available on our AliExpress Official Store. Click the link below to take it home right away:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805892786925.html
Best regards,
Guangzhou FIIO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
KA13 v0.11 firmware has been released:https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202309281720242213748&tid=17
firmware changes are as follows:
1.Modify the volume control mode so that the playback end and KA13 headphone amplifier end independently control the volume;
2. Optimize some mute timings and improve the problems of POP sound and noise when playing on certain mobile phones.
firmware changes are as follows:
1.Modify the volume control mode so that the playback end and KA13 headphone amplifier end independently control the volume;
2. Optimize some mute timings and improve the problems of POP sound and noise when playing on certain mobile phones.
ekbalco
New Head-Fier
Received mine today via Aliexpress. Decent little thing. Nicely made.
I tested this with both the HD600 and HD 660s2
Positives; powerful in balanced mode. “Desktop mode” adds more loudness for sure. Decent separation. Composed without being sterile. Handles both the HD600 and the HD660s2 well enough.
Negatives;
Not a huge fan of the CS43131 chip as utilised here, slight detail loss IMO.
Probably unfair but I prefer the KA5 with the CS43198 chip. Different price structure so to be expected.
I’ll certainly give it more time and a thorough listen. Value for money can’t be faulted here so in that sense a thumbs up.
I tested this with both the HD600 and HD 660s2
Positives; powerful in balanced mode. “Desktop mode” adds more loudness for sure. Decent separation. Composed without being sterile. Handles both the HD600 and the HD660s2 well enough.
Negatives;
Not a huge fan of the CS43131 chip as utilised here, slight detail loss IMO.
Probably unfair but I prefer the KA5 with the CS43198 chip. Different price structure so to be expected.
I’ll certainly give it more time and a thorough listen. Value for money can’t be faulted here so in that sense a thumbs up.
Thank you for sharing
givemeyourshoes
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2010
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@FiiO i got my KA13 in today. It works great on my MacBook Pro and windows devices. But I get no output when connected to my iPhone 12 Pro Max with iOS 17. Audio continues to play through the phone speaker. I’m using the included OTG lighting USB C cable and even made sure the firmware on the KA13 is fully updated. Any thoughts? I tried emailing y’all but your contact us link goes to a 404 error.
You can replace the lightning plug for an interview. You can also test it on a friend's iphone if it's convenient. Otherwise, there may be a cable fault, you can contact the seller to solve.
What do you think is important for a dongle？
Good sound quality, more output power or nice design?
FIIO KA13, 550mW high power/DSD256/3.5+4.4 dual outputs/App connectivity | SPDIF output.
Good sound quality, more output power or nice design?
FIIO KA13, 550mW high power/DSD256/3.5+4.4 dual outputs/App connectivity | SPDIF output.
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