- \n
- DAC Chip: ES9038Q2M ESS Saber;<\/li>\n
- Output power: unbalanced output – 130 mW (32 Ohm), balanced – 240 mW (32 Ohm);<\/li>\n
- Sampling rate: 768 kHz \/ 32 bit \/ DSD512;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Headphone output: 3.5 and 4.4 mm;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Connector for connection to a sound source: USB-Type C;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Built-in battery: absent;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Dimensions: 56x20x12 mm;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Weight: 17.5 g;<\/li>\n
- \u00b7 Overall length (with cable): 110 mm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Considering the modest size of the KA3, it even surpasses the aforementioned FiiO E10K-TC and K3s in some technical characteristics.<\/p>\n
Packaging and equipment<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/65_techweek.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThey did not overthink the packaging, but took as a basis the design of the box of the previously released updated\u00a0FiiO BTR5 2021 bluetooth\u00a0receiver\u00a0.\u00a0All the same black cardboard, the same image of the device on an integrated circuit, and the same angularly sharp font.\u00a0The KA3 pattern is made in gloss and shimmers, which looks elegant and beautiful.\u00a0Hi-Res Audio certified in the upper right corner.\u00a0On the title side and on the left side of the package – the FiiO logo, on the back and on the right side – Jade Audio.<\/p>\n
The main contents of the box are covered with instructions with a minimum amount of information – tips for getting started quickly.\u00a0KA3 is placed in the foam protection layer, and below in a small cardboard box there are accessories for it.\u00a0There are, in fact, only two of them, but they are packaged separately: a USB type C \u2013 type C cable and an adapter from type C to USB typeA.\u00a0The advantage of the cable is that it is removable, and some disadvantage is its length (about 9 cm).\u00a0This length was enough to connect to a smartphone, but it was not always convenient to use it with a laptop.<\/p>\n
Design and ergonomics<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/66_techweek.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
With its rectangular shape, FiiO KA3 resembles a lighter with vertical lines along the edges.\u00a0The body is completely metal.\u00a0All faces, except for the ends, are black.\u00a0FiiO KA3 and the maximum supported sampling rates are printed on the top side in white.\u00a0Additionally, on the upper side there is a circle-shaped indicator that changes color depending on the signal sampling frequency (see below for more details).\u00a0On the underside are the Jade Audio, ESS (DAC manufacturer) logos and a small gold Hi-Res Audio sticker.<\/p>\n
At the bottom there is a type C connector, on the top there are headphone outputs: standard unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm.\u00a0There are no controls on the KA3.<\/p>\n
The FiiO KA3 is far from being the most compact DAC \/ amplifier.\u00a0It was inconvenient for me to use the KA3 on the go with a smartphone, it is better to give preference to a static scenario.\u00a0During the work, there was a heating, the KA3 became warm, but not hot in any way.\u00a0The only shortcoming in ergonomics for me was the short bundled cable.\u00a0For example, if you use a laptop on a stand, then the DAC is already sagging.\u00a0Solution – Since the cable is removable, you can replace it with a longer one.<\/p>\n
Functionality<\/h2>\n
As I said, FiiO KA3 does not have the ability to control from the device.\u00a0In theory, everything should have been simple – connected to the source and it works.\u00a0The KA3 connected to Android smartphones without any problems, but it took a little tinkering to get it working in Windows 10.\u00a0I previously had the FiiO Control Panel utility installed, which, when connecting such FiiO devices for the first time, detected them automatically and there were no problems with sound.<\/p>\n
This did not happen with the KA3, I had to go to the FiiO website and look for an answer.\u00a0It turned out that for KA3 it is proposed to download and install a separate\u00a0driver\u00a0for Windows\u00a0\u00a0.\u00a0At the same time, it is indicated that the Macbook does not need such a driver.\u00a0In addition to such a hitch with the first connection, there were no more problems during work.<\/p>\n
Another “trick” of some\u00a0FiiO DACs \/ amplifiers was\u00a0usually the need to correctly connect the cable, according to the arrows printed on it, but poorly visible.\u00a0Only the cable connected in the direction of the arrows from the source to the DAC produced sound;\u00a0otherwise, there was silence.\u00a0The KA3 cable, fortunately, lacks this feature – a connection in any direction carries sound.<\/p>\n
A color indicator is located separately on the KA3 case.\u00a0There are three color modes in total: blue – 48 kHz and below;\u00a0yellow – 48 kHz and above;\u00a0green – DSD.\u00a0In my case, only after installing a separate driver for Windows, the KA3 began to play sound and change the color of the indicator.<\/p>\n
This DAC \/ Amplifier does not have a built-in battery, and when the KA3 was working with a smartphone, the battery drain increased noticeably.\u00a0The sound volume is adjusted on the connected sound source.<\/p>\n
Sound<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/67_techweek.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The little\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>FiiO KA3 claims uncompromising audio quality and improved HiFi architecture.\u00a0Of course, this is not an “everything and everyone killer”, but for its class the KA3 is good enough.\u00a0The KA3 has a neutral pitch with good resolution and natural sounding.\u00a0It is advisable to test the KA3 with your own headphones, since the KA3 manages to convey the character of their sound well.\u00a0The KA3 has a lot of power output.\u00a0With\u00a0in-ear monitor , it coped was observed with no problems, background noise. Also, the KA3 did not give up in front of the full-size ones.\u00a0For example,\u00a0the 150 Ohm\u00a0Sennheiser 660S\u00a0worked very well with this little strongman, and there was still some headroom.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Low frequencies<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0play tight.\u00a0Their speed is not a record, but the bass plays clearly, prominently, energetically and with sufficient depth.\u00a0The sounds of bass guitars and double bass are reproduced realistically.\u00a0Perhaps, for someone for electronic or dance music, the amount of bass may not be enough.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The mids<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0are delivered solid and weighty.\u00a0Instrument sounds are conveyed naturally, vocals are natural.\u00a0Details are drawn, but rather macro-detail is preferred.\u00a0Acoustic instruments play lively, the emotional component is presented to a sufficient extent.\u00a0All this, in addition to the timbre richness, gives the sound melodic.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
High frequencies\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>They are very good for a device of this class.\u00a0The high-frequency range is fed outlined.\u00a0The HF sound is bodily, not harsh.\u00a0KA3 tries to saturate the music with airiness.\u00a0The sound picture is wide, the depth of the stage is present.<\/p>\n
Comparison<\/h2>\n
For comparison, I chose several models of a similar form factor and a similar price range from other manufacturers.<\/p>\n
iBasso DC04<\/h3>\n
This is the fourth generation of the famous DC series.\u00a0The DC04 features a non-detachable cable and a single 4.4mm balanced headphone output.\u00a0The size of the DC04 is significantly smaller than the KA3.\u00a0The sound of DC04 and KA3 is quite different.\u00a0Assertiveness, weight, detail, emotions – these are the words I would like to describe the sound of a miniature device from iBasso.\u00a0DC04, like a wave, covers the listener with music, completely pulling into this process.\u00a0It is advisable to listen to DC04 first in order to evaluate the comfort of its presentation.\u00a0KA3 gives more volume, the sound is more balanced and sustained.<\/p>\n
XDuoo Link 2<\/h3>\n
Of the options selected for comparison, this is the largest device that has physical buttons: a volume rocker, playback control, add bass and stage increase.\u00a0There is only one headphone output, 3.5 mm.\u00a0The Link 2 sounds more driving and energetic than the KA3.\u00a0Link 2 is able to emphasize the low and high frequency ranges more, which does not always benefit naturalness.\u00a0KA3 sounds more neutral and calmer.<\/p>\n
Shanling UA2<\/h3>\n
The DAC \/ amplifier from Shanling, like KA3, has two headphone outputs: unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 2.5 mm.\u00a0The UA2 cable is also removable, but with a fabric braid.\u00a0In this case, the difference in sounding for me turned out to be more of a gustatory and genre one.\u00a0Comparing KA3 and UA2, it is worth paying attention to the overall dynamics of the feed.\u00a0UA2 sounded less energetic, but with a wider stage.\u00a0Although this is all subjective.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n
High technical characteristics, compact metal body, choice of headphone output (3.5 and 4.4 mm), balanced and musical sound, reasonable price.\u00a0The FiiO KA3 is just such a versatile device.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite the active development of the\u00a0bluetooth receiver\u00a0segment\u00a0, portable DACs \/ amplifiers with a wired connection to the sound source are also in demand and their range is developing and expanding.\u00a0More recently\u00a0, FiiO\u00a0has released an even smaller DAC \/ Amplifier\u00a0FiiO KA3\u00a0after upgrading the E10K-TC and\u00a0\u00a0K3s\u00a0. Moreover, on one side of the packaging, FiiO is listed as […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":138872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[778],"class_list":["post-138867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hi-fi","tag-reviews"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoreviewer.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}