FiiO - KA3
Ultra-Portable USB Amp & DACUnfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔
While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend
This product is rated 4.9 of 5.0 stars.
It has received 23 reviews.
Customer Reviews
On Thursday i recived Fiio KA3...
Before buying i have read almost every review i found on internet about it ... (Their isn't much about KA3) , watched every video on internet including Japanese and chainese langvage (by taking screenshot of every subtitles and translet with google lens )
I interact with lot people on YouTube....
Also talked with headphone guru lan pereira ...
Lot of them from YouTube and online review were clamming that it sounds really good better than my 18k DAC and 15k DAC ... Its setting new benchmarks
The sound is crisp clear and so much detailed....
Soundstage is awesome and every IEM sound great with it .....
I didn't find much of this ....
(What i am gona say now is on the basis of what i experienced i have only one IEM that's KZ ZSN pro X brought from headphonezone and my source is rooted Android i have good amount of FLAC , WAV , AAC LC files some DSD too ...and i use them daily so i will easily notice if thier is a change )
As soon as i started using it ... I feel like, its the same sound not any difference ... Then i update the firmware of KA3 to 2.0 and didnt notice much ....
Their is slightly (very slight ) improvement in details but it dosent makes difference... My phones bloody internal ordinary DAC give almost 95% of same details i was using POWERAMP ... I i switch to UAPP ...and it still didnt make much difference
I tried DSD files ... In native DSD mode ...
And playing them from PowerAmp without DAC was almost same they played as DoP (digital to pcm)in PowerAmp ...
Another drawback is the same soundstage ....
My phone gives the same soundstage not any improvement at all
Slight improvement in instruments sepration but not what i heard
And worst porblem is after 5 to 7 min it automatically disconnected in my phone .... Their is good chance its my phones problem
The only thing what is good is amplification ... It gives a lot amplification which i dont need i was allready using my IEM bilow 45_50 i rarely go 60
Now with dac i go 12-16 ....
I am willing to return but according to headphonezone policy i won't get refund i have to buy something yels ... Which i cant now .... So i am gona keep it ...
What other options do i have ...
I hope my initial experience will prove wrong in future
And with my other IEM , or with another firmware upgrade the KA3 will satisfy my expectations ...
I havent tried it with balanced output , i hope it might sounds good their
Built quality is great ... Its very small i have taken photos with sharpner to compare
We are extremely sorry that the product didn't match your expectations. We appreciate your honest review & ratings, Mukul Kalsait! Soundstage majorly depends on the IEMs/ headphones you use & so we recommend you to try other IEMs & we are sure you will notice a change. We again appreciate your elaborative review which will help others to make an informative decision.
I have reviewed this product above ... Where i was realy disappointed by the sound quality of it ...but after 3 4 days of usage i suspect sumtime it sounds really different and good .................. After lot of experiment i found out that inbuilt Dolby Atmos was messing with the sound quality all the time i was using costume rom so it might be broking something so i change rom and what a change in audio quality.....
This is purly awesome DAC ... The details are absolutely finominal and really fast even when using 320kbps songs i got surprised ...
I would like to apologise for the initial review i gave without completely understanding and using the product
I am looking forwod to buy a beter IEM to get best of it .
Thankyou headphone zone .
And yes an Awesome product needs Awesome photoshut
HI there, we are so happy you took out time & elaborately reviewed the product with a comparison. We are sure this will help our customers to make an even better & informed decision.
It's good adaptor but it only works great Android.
When connected to windows the audio drops for 1 sec every half a minute.
I have upgraded the firmware and also Installed drivers from official sources.
I tried usb 2 , usb 3 and even type c port but the problem is same.
Hope Fiio resolve this issue in firmware upgrade or else this is waste of money.
After much deliberation I purchased my first DAC for use with my Apple phone and new Headphones! But my dreams of good listening were dashed when I found out that there is no iOS app for the FIIO KA3! The photos showing the KA3 placed on a Mac and an iphone mislead one into believing it is compatible with these products. Additionally it is not mentioned anywhere in teh device info that the control app is only available for android phones. Without the app there is no way to adjust the settings of the device and through that find out whether the device is really making a difference to my music. I would request Headphone zone to verify such compatibility issues before they post a information of any device on their website.
Service by Headphone Zone was very good! Could track my order every step of the way and received it earlier than expected! Thank you Headphone Zone!!
I am an audiophile! I discovered it when I first listened to music on my friend's Sony W700i, and I wanted only this phone and nothing else. My first smartphone was Sony Walkman as well. Once Sony stopped producing Music centric phones, LG stepped in with its quad DAC phones. My LG G7 ThinQ was a music beast. Unfortunately, I dropped it, and I don't know if the service center guys can fix it. In my search for a music-centric phone, I was only disappointed, as I found none that can match my LG phone. And LG stopped making phones, Sony stopped selling phones. After a lot of research, I discovered dongle DACs can be good alternatives. Also, after a lot of research, I zeroed in on KA3. I am not disappointed. When I first listened to music using KA3, it not only matched but exceeded what my LG phone could pull off. I am satisfied.
Hey, always a delight to hear that our customers are happy with the purchase & it is up to their expectations. Thank you for the review & ratings. Cheers!
Chi-Fi
Excellence
Ideal for Audiophiles
Best Suited for Portable Use
Ideal for Commuting
4.4mm
Balanced Output
DAC Chip
You may not even realise it, but most of us use a digital-to-analogue converter (commonly known as a DAC) daily. Built into your computers, tablets and smartphones, a DAC is fundamental to unlocking the convenience of digital music. Any device that acts as a digital sound source will need a DAC to convert digital audio to analog. A DAC converts the digital information stored in “0s and 1s” into an analog signal that's passed to speakers or headphones and ultimately our ear. In short, DACs play a large part in making digital music hearable.While this technical process is undoubtedly impressive, the DAC embedded into your smartphones or laptops is nowhere good enough to listen to your favourite music recordings in high quality. So, if you want to listen to music in high quality, an external DAC is essential to allow headphones or speakers to perform at their potential. An external DAC, first and foremost, will improve audio quality dramatically.
Pair with Laptop via USB
A majority of people use a laptop as the primary source device to listen to music or watch movies. Since the laptop is an essential part of the audio chain there are headphones and devices designed to work a laptop or computer system flawlessly. With the availability of USB connectivity, it becomes easier to pair various devices like an Amp, DAC or even headphones without worrying about drivers or any additional piece of software.
Upto 240mW@32Ω
Power Output
Metal
Build
Super Lightweight
Design
The FiiO KA3 is a remarkable DAC, known for its exceptional build quality, connectivity, compatibility, and notably higher power output than its peers in the same price range. Additionally, it operates efficiently with relatively low power consumption. If you're looking for an affordable DAC and Amp combination, it's challenging to find another dongle that can rival the KA3 in terms of technical performance.
About RAGHAV SOMANI
Raghav Somani is the Founder & CEO of Headphone Zone. An avid audiophile and musician since 2008, his choice of headphones include STAX Electrostats, Audeze LCD 3, and for music on the go, the JH Audio Roxanne + Astell&Kern SP1000 is never too far away. On his playlist, you'll find A.R. Rahman, Michael Jackson, and the Eagles.
DESCRIPTION
FLAGSHIP-GRADE ES9038Q2M DAC CHIP OFFERING PCM AND DSD SUPPORT
FiiO has designed the KA3 USB DAC/AMP in collaboration with their sub-brand Jade
Audio. In terms of the processing audio signals, the tiny body of the KA3 features an independent
high-performance flagship ES9038Q2M DAC chip, which supports a sampling rate of up to 32bit/768kHz and
DSD512 decoding natively. The ESS Sabre DAC chip delivers unmatched sound decoding with ultra-low distortion
and high SNR ratings bringing high-resolution support to your pocket.
AMPLE POWER WITH DUAL HIFI OP-AMPS AND DUAL HEADPHONE OUTPUT PORTS
FiiO KA3 features two independent HiFi op-amps for the final analogue amplification circuit that helps it produce powerful output thrust. FiiO has featured both single-ended as well as balanced headphone output ports on the KA3. This compact device houses a 3.5mm single-ended as well as a 4.4mm balanced connection port. The 4.4mm output port provides up to 240mW of power at 32Ω load while the single-ended port delivers up to 130mW of power. This is more than enough to power earphones and over-ear headphones with ease.
TUNED TO DELIVER A NATURAL SOUND WITH RGB INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR PLAYBACK
FiiO has tuned the KA3 for a smooth and natural sound. It provides an immersive experience for the users with a detailed and immersive sound field. FiiO KA3 delivers ample power to the connected earphones to bring the best out of them. The FiiO KA3 has also been equipped with RGB indicator lights and these cool and visible RGB indicator lights are not only attractive but also can indicate the sampling rate of the currently playing song, helping to tell audio formats conveniently.
FULLY VERSATILE DEVICE WITH MULTI-PLATFORM SUPPORT FOR CONNECTIVITY
The FiiO KA3 offers unmatched versatility in a small form factor and can be paired with smartphones and desktop systems. The FiiO KA3 is compatible with multiple operating systems with straight out-of-the-box support for Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac OS systems providing you with high-resolution audio capabilities anywhere you want. All you need to do is connect the FiiO KA3 to your smartphone, tablet, or even desktop PC/laptop and open the doors to the hi-res audio realm.
ELEGANT AND DURABLE ALL-METAL BUILT WITH SUPPORT FOR FIIO CONTROL APP
FiiO KA3 is a well-built ultra-portable USB DAC/Amp. It has an elegant look with an all-metal chassis. The materials utilised to build the KA3 are of high quality and offer a premium feel to the device. In addition, the KA3 can be controlled by the FiiO Control app where you can enable more functions, such as 7 filters, low and high gains and channel balance. You don't need to install any software or application to use the KA3, though using it with the FiiO Music application or FiiO Control application you can access multiple settings on the KA3.
SPECS
| MODEL | KA3 |
| COLOR | Black |
| FIIO CONTROL | DAC: ES9038Q2M |
| COLOR | Yes |
| WEIGHT | 17.5g |
| SIZE | 56.3mm x 20.2mm x 12mm |
| USB PORT | Type-C USB |
| EARPHONE PORT | 3.5mm |
| BALANCED OUTPUT PORT | 4.4mm |
| DSD | DSD64/128/256/512 |
| FIRMWARE UPGRADE | System firmware and Bluetooth version can be upgraded via USB |
| SAMPLING RATE INDICATION | Blue ≤48kHz Yellow ＞48kHz Green ＝DSD |
| CHANNEL BALANCE | PO: <0.004dB(32Ω/THD+N<1%) BAL: <0.046dB(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| RECOMMENDED HEADPHONE IMPEDANCE | 16~300Ω(PO) 16~300Ω(BAL) |
| MAX SUPPORTED SAMPLING RATE | 768KHz/32bit |
| OUTPUT POWER | 120mW (16Ω,THD+N<1%) 130mW (32Ω,THD+N<1%) 14mW (300Ω,THD+N<1%) 7mW (600Ω,THD+N<1%) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20Hz to 20KHz, amplitude of variation 0.2dB 20Hz to 50KHz, amplitude of variation -1dB. |
| NOISE FLOOR | ＜1.7uV（dbA） |
| OUTPUT LEVEL | 2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| CROSSTALK | ≥ 76dB(1Khz, 32Ω load) ≥ 118dB(1Khz, no-load) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | <0.5Ω (load 32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥ 122dB(32Ω A) |
| THD+N | <0.0008% |
| OUTPUT POWER | 120mW (16Ω,THD+N<1%) 240mW (32Ω,THD+N<1%) 56mW (300Ω,THD+N<1%) 28mW (600Ω,THD+N<1%) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20Hz to 20KHz, amplitude of variation 0.2dB 20Hz to 50KHz, amplitude of variation -1dB. |
| NOISE FLOOR | ＜2.9uV（dbA） |
| OUTPUT LEVEL | 2.7V(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| CROSSTALK | ≥ 106dB(1Khz, 32Ω) ≥ 115dB(1Khz, no-load) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | <0.7 Ω (32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥ 119dB(32Ω dbA) |
| THD+N | <0.0010% |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. FiiO KA3 |
| 2. USB Type-C to Type-C Cable | |
| 3. Type-C to USB-A Cable | |
| 4. Quick Start Guide |
Quick Start Guide | KA3
Ultra-Portable USB Amp & DAC
|
FLAGSHIP-GRADE ES9038Q2M DAC CHIP OFFERING PCM AND DSD SUPPORT
FiiO has designed the KA3 USB DAC/AMP in collaboration with their sub-brand Jade
Audio. In terms of the processing audio signals, the tiny body of the KA3 features an independent
high-performance flagship ES9038Q2M DAC chip, which supports a sampling rate of up to 32bit/768kHz and
DSD512 decoding natively. The ESS Sabre DAC chip delivers unmatched sound decoding with ultra-low distortion
and high SNR ratings bringing high-resolution support to your pocket.
AMPLE POWER WITH DUAL HIFI OP-AMPS AND DUAL HEADPHONE OUTPUT PORTS
FiiO KA3 features two independent HiFi op-amps for the final analogue amplification circuit that helps it produce powerful output thrust. FiiO has featured both single-ended as well as balanced headphone output ports on the KA3. This compact device houses a 3.5mm single-ended as well as a 4.4mm balanced connection port. The 4.4mm output port provides up to 240mW of power at 32Ω load while the single-ended port delivers up to 130mW of power. This is more than enough to power earphones and over-ear headphones with ease.
TUNED TO DELIVER A NATURAL SOUND WITH RGB INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR PLAYBACK
FiiO has tuned the KA3 for a smooth and natural sound. It provides an immersive experience for the users with a detailed and immersive sound field. FiiO KA3 delivers ample power to the connected earphones to bring the best out of them. The FiiO KA3 has also been equipped with RGB indicator lights and these cool and visible RGB indicator lights are not only attractive but also can indicate the sampling rate of the currently playing song, helping to tell audio formats conveniently.
FULLY VERSATILE DEVICE WITH MULTI-PLATFORM SUPPORT FOR CONNECTIVITY
The FiiO KA3 offers unmatched versatility in a small form factor and can be paired with smartphones and desktop systems. The FiiO KA3 is compatible with multiple operating systems with straight out-of-the-box support for Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac OS systems providing you with high-resolution audio capabilities anywhere you want. All you need to do is connect the FiiO KA3 to your smartphone, tablet, or even desktop PC/laptop and open the doors to the hi-res audio realm.
ELEGANT AND DURABLE ALL-METAL BUILT WITH SUPPORT FOR FIIO CONTROL APP
FiiO KA3 is a well-built ultra-portable USB DAC/Amp. It has an elegant look with an all-metal chassis. The materials utilised to build the KA3 are of high quality and offer a premium feel to the device. In addition, the KA3 can be controlled by the FiiO Control app where you can enable more functions, such as 7 filters, low and high gains and channel balance. You don't need to install any software or application to use the KA3, though using it with the FiiO Music application or FiiO Control application you can access multiple settings on the KA3.
| MODEL | KA3 |
| COLOR | Black |
| FIIO CONTROL | DAC: ES9038Q2M |
| COLOR | Yes |
| WEIGHT | 17.5g |
| SIZE | 56.3mm x 20.2mm x 12mm |
| USB PORT | Type-C USB |
| EARPHONE PORT | 3.5mm |
| BALANCED OUTPUT PORT | 4.4mm |
| DSD | DSD64/128/256/512 |
| FIRMWARE UPGRADE | System firmware and Bluetooth version can be upgraded via USB |
| SAMPLING RATE INDICATION | Blue ≤48kHz Yellow ＞48kHz Green ＝DSD |
| CHANNEL BALANCE | PO: <0.004dB(32Ω/THD+N<1%) BAL: <0.046dB(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| RECOMMENDED HEADPHONE IMPEDANCE | 16~300Ω(PO) 16~300Ω(BAL) |
| MAX SUPPORTED SAMPLING RATE | 768KHz/32bit |
| OUTPUT POWER | 120mW (16Ω,THD+N<1%) 130mW (32Ω,THD+N<1%) 14mW (300Ω,THD+N<1%) 7mW (600Ω,THD+N<1%) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20Hz to 20KHz, amplitude of variation 0.2dB 20Hz to 50KHz, amplitude of variation -1dB. |
| NOISE FLOOR | ＜1.7uV（dbA） |
| OUTPUT LEVEL | 2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| CROSSTALK | ≥ 76dB(1Khz, 32Ω load) ≥ 118dB(1Khz, no-load) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | <0.5Ω (load 32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥ 122dB(32Ω A) |
| THD+N | <0.0008% |
| OUTPUT POWER | 120mW (16Ω,THD+N<1%) 240mW (32Ω,THD+N<1%) 56mW (300Ω,THD+N<1%) 28mW (600Ω,THD+N<1%) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20Hz to 20KHz, amplitude of variation 0.2dB 20Hz to 50KHz, amplitude of variation -1dB. |
| NOISE FLOOR | ＜2.9uV（dbA） |
| OUTPUT LEVEL | 2.7V(32Ω/THD+N<1%) |
| CROSSTALK | ≥ 106dB(1Khz, 32Ω) ≥ 115dB(1Khz, no-load) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | <0.7 Ω (32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥ 119dB(32Ω dbA) |
| THD+N | <0.0010% |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. FiiO KA3 |
| 2. USB Type-C to Type-C Cable | |
| 3. Type-C to USB-A Cable | |
| 4. Quick Start Guide |
|
Quick Start Guide | KA3
Ultra-Portable USB Amp & DAC
|
Don't sweat it, this
FiiO - KA3 comes with a 1 Year warranty
from FiiO that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about FiiO's warranty in India.
"For the price, the KA3 seems like a no-brainer for those looking for a simple DAC dongle for their smartphones or laptops. The crisp and meaty midrange is definitely its biggest standout."
Read More
"A dongle with fantastic technicalities, an analytical sound but with a lot of power , cleanliness, softness, soundstage, separation, detail and much more."
Read More
"It handles sensitive IEMs with finesse, so you don’t need to worry about having enough power or dealing with background noise. Wrap that up in a handsome, rugged body and FiiO has got a winner."
Read MoreHave a question? Get in touch!
Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Still have questions? Talk to our Headphone Gurus.
How is the overall build quality of the FiiO KA3?
How to use the KA3 as a USB DAC for mobile phones?
Use the TypeC-TypeC data cable to connect the KA3 to a mobile phone. So you can directly enjoy high-quality music by playing songs.
【iPhone/iPad】
Please buy an extra Lightning-TypeC OTG adapter to connect the KA3 to an iPhone/iPad/iPod. So you can directly enjoy high-quality music by playing songs.
How to use the KA3 as a USB DAC for computers?
1. Before first connecting, please go to our website to download the DAC driver, and install it as the instruction to enable the USB DAC function. Click here.
2. Use the TypeC-TypeC data cable to connect the KA3 to the computer.(If the USB port of your computer is USB A, you could use the Type C to USB A cable for help instead)
3. Select the KA3 as the audio output on the computer.
[Macbook]
Macbook does not need to install the driver. Directly choose the NEW K3 as the output device.
Does KA3 support in-line remote control in the headphone or phone calls answering with headphones?
2. When an incoming call comes in, the sound is still transmitted through the phone's speaker and microphone. You can pick up the phone and make a normal call.Whether unplugging the KA3 will not affect it.
KA3 indicator light description
Sampling rate (digital input): ≤48kHz - Blue light constantly on
Sampling rate (digital input): ＞48kHz - Yellow light constantly on
Sampling rate (digital input): DSD - Green light constantly on
When the color of the indicator does not correspond to the sampling rate of the track , please check whether the playback device or software setting is correct and check whether there is SRC.
What is the warranty like and who should I contact?