Fiio
KA17
DAC
USD
150
MEOWSCORE
expert reviews
The FiiO KA17 is an extraordinary dongle DAC that pairs power and portability along with features and superb audio quality.
The FiiO KA17 dongle DAC wins me over not only because of its drivability capability for both IEM and headphones but because it also stages well and has a handful of features, all within an affordable package.
Let’s be simple: the FiiO KA17 is the best dongle-sized DAC/Amp that the brand has to offer nowadays.
Join me as I analyze the marvels offered by FiiO latest flagship portable DAC Amp, KA17
FiiO calls their new flagship DAC/amp a "pocket desktop amplifier", and they are right, this compact device can deliver tons of power and excellent sound
description
As the flagship model, the KA17 is the first USB dongle from FiiO to use the THX amplifier circuit. It uses the architecture of the new THX AAA 78+ amplifier with a configuration of 4 channels fully balanced + 8 channels of parallel connected operational amplifiers. This architecture significantly increases the output power. In desktop mode, the balanced power of the KA17 can reach 650 mW + 650 mW, approaching the power of a desktop amplifier, with more dynamic characteristics and better control, and full sound reproduction.
The FiiO KA17 uses two new ESS DACs, the ES9069Q, based on the fourth-generation 32-bit HyperStream architecture. It achieves higher performance and lower power consumption by further reducing digital noise inside the DAC, achieving a noticeably wider dynamic range of 130dB and -120dB THD+N.
The KA17 is also equipped with a professional-grade chip. 16-core XMOS, XU316, which is rarely used in USB dongles. It offers lower latency, more stable transmission, better compatibility and supports up to 768kHz/32bit, native DSD512 decoding and full MQA decoding. Paired with dual audio crystal oscillators, it can precisely adapt to different sources and sample rates.
In addition, the KA17 is one of the few USB dongles that support PEQ settings. It supports ten adjustable frequency bands, allowing users to fine-tune the EQ bands, gain level. The compact enclosure features multi-stage HiFi audio architecture, analog and digital boards are isolated to prevent crosstalk, 3-stage 10-channel power design, and comes with a case-colored faux leather case. There is also built-in thermal protection and SPDIF support.
DAC chip: dual ES9069Q
Dimensions: 64×27.7×12.7mm
Weight: 33.5 g
Supported audio formats: up to 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
USB connector: Type-C USB 2.0
Ports: 3.5 mm (single-ended), 4.4 mm (balanced), 3.5 mm coaxial out
Output: SE 140mW; BAL 300mW
Output Desktop Mode: SE 270mW; BAL 650mW
NR (single-ended): ≥123 dB (32 Ω/A-weighted)
SNR (balanced): ≥ 122 dB (32 Ω/A-weighted)
Noise floor: PO＜2.0 μV (A-weighted); BAL＜2.2 μV (A-weighted)
Recommended impedance: PO: 8~150Ω; BAL: 8~300Ω
THD+N (single-ended): ＜0.0015% (1kHz/-10dB@32Ω)
THD+N (balanced): ＜0.0005% (1kHz/-3.5dB@32Ω)
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