FiiO has released the USBDAC JA11, with an initial price of only $9 (69RMB) and support for PEQ DSD128 PCM384

[kemmler3D]

$9 for inline PEQ is a no-brainer! Very tempted...

 

[TonyJZX]

yeah i bought two as well

i mean its FOMO... if its $15 reg. but $9 on sale... buy two in each color just to be sure

i'd say that hooked up to a old android phone or old laptop or a $50 mini pc like an old Lenovo M700 then you got a cheap streamer

you will need a 3.5mm to stereo rca cable but you got those... and i reckon performance will be close enough

the fact there's no Windows PEQ companion app is a pain though

going by this review NOT in English

FIIO JA11 最新情報／PEQ対応／マイク入力対応／／リーズナブルなドングルDAC – EARL-FIIOとライフスタイルDXブログ

FIIO JA11はFIIOで最も廉価なドングル型DACとなります。その価格は99元と日本円で約2000円です。しかし、一般的なU2000円と異なる機能として、FIIO JA11はPEQ機能を有し、アプリコントロールに対応していることです。そしてこのオーディオ用途の機能を有しながら、CTIAとOMTP双方の3.5mm4極マイク入力にも対応しています。そのため簡単に言えば一般的なAppleやAnkerのイヤホンジャックアダプター製品群にオーディオ用機能を追加したドングル型DACとなっています。その上で価格が2000円ですので、価格比でコストパフォーマンスの優れた製品となっています。

earl4proxyvoting.com

the DAC is a "KT02H02"

google brings up nothing so i would assume its some China only cottage industry fab

we know China can spam up various processors at a whim

 

[CedarX]

the DAC is a "KT02H02"

google brings up nothing so i would assume its some China only cottage industry fab

I suspect it’s actually the KT02H20 (not -02), the high-end version of the KT02xxx family of USB DAC/Amp from KTMicro:

USB Audio series-KT Micro

Products are integrated with USB 2.0 function controller and USB transceiver, compatible with full-speed mode, and also integrated with audio ADC and DAC for USB audio transmission system.

www.ktmicro.com

These chips are quite common in entry level USB dongles, adapters, or IEMs (USB-C IEMs that is). Each version appears to include a DSP offering up to 5x filters, but the corresponding configuration app (Android, but could be Windows, Chrome extension, Linux, MacOS) is not always implemented by the OEM… or it requires a unique firmware on the chip side. Tanchjim and Moondrop are using other versions of DSP-enabled KTMicro chips (KT0210).

KTMicro may not be very well known, but if you peak at their website, they do offer a range of digital/analog chips.

 

[MCH]

I suspect it’s actually the KT02H20 (not -02), the high-end version of the KT02xxx family of USB DAC/Amp from KTMicro:

These chips are quite common in entry level USB dongles, adapters, or IEMs (USB-C IEMs that is). Each version appears to include a DSP offering up to 5x filters, but the corresponding configuration app (Android, but could be Windows, Chrome extension, Linux, MacOS) is not always implemented by the OEM… or it requires a unique firmware on the chip side. Tanchjim and Moondrop are using other versions of DSP-enabled KTMicro chips (KT0210).

KTMicro may not be very well known, but if you peak at their website, they do offer a range of digital/analog chips.

I suspect the same. Specs are in post #8, good fit with the price

 

[CedarX]

I suspect the same. Specs are in post #8, good fit with the price

Since Moondrop FreeDSP was mentioned earlier, that chip and its variants (Moondrop May and Dusk) is not from KTMicro. Based on pictures, it seems to be a CX31988 from Synaptics (Conexant), the same chip used in the Yongse Y01 recently reviewed by Amir. I could not find much information about that chip: it includes an ARM MCU (Cortex M0?) and, based on my experience with the Moondrop app, the DSP implementation (9x filters) is… finicky!

On the other hand, my experience with the same Moondrop app with CDSP, Jiu, & Chu-II-DSP, as well as Tanchjim DSP-enabled IEMs—all KTMicro-based—has been much better, more reliable, even if I only have 5x filters to play with.

So, as long as FiiO does not screw up their app, the JA11 could be a very interesting way to add DSP capabilities to any IEM and easy to drive Headphones connected to a phone, PC, PlayStation etc.

 

[Jeromeof]

Since Moondrop FreeDSP was mentioned earlier, that chip and its variants (Moondrop May and Dusk) is not from KTMicro. Based on pictures, it seems to be a CX31988 from Synaptics (Conexant), the same chip used in the Yongse Y01 recently reviewed by Amir. I could not find much information about that chip: it includes an ARM MCU (Cortex M0?) and, based on my experience with the Moondrop app, the DSP implementation (9x filters) is… finicky!

On the other hand, my experience with the same Moondrop app with CDSP, Jiu, & Chu-II-DSP, as well as Tanchjim DSP-enabled IEMs—all KTMicro-based—has been much better, more reliable, even if I only have 5x filters to play with.

So, as long as FiiO does not screw up their app, the JA11 could be a very interesting way to add DSP capabilities to any IEM and easy to drive Headphones connected to a phone, PC, PlayStation etc.

Yes I think it will be good but a pity it hasn’t the power of FiiO similar KA11 - but looking forward to play with mine when it arrives

 

[muza_1]

If some of you are using it with a cel/mobile phone I just got one of this things for $2 to go with the JA11 and because of the size of the dongle it works really well for reliving the stress from the USB port.

 

[TonyJZX]

i feel like if i'm mobile or i'm at work then i can put up with bluetooth

if i'm home sitting at a desk or i'm in bed on a laptop then i'm ok with something hanging off the type c port

but use your own judgement... also think about how long you keep a phone

 

[muza_1]

i feel like if i'm mobile or i'm at work then i can put up with bluetooth

if i'm home sitting at a desk or i'm in bed on a laptop then i'm ok with something hanging off the type c port

but use your own judgement... also think about how long you keep a phone

I hate charging things so no Bluetooth for me I usually keep my phones for years and micro SD is a must, I keep all my music there compressed in opus 160-200, I mostly listen to IEMs outside on walks/runs.

 

[Palladium]

Please note you need to plug in headphones into the dongle before plugging the dongle into your Windows PC's USB-C port to be detected and recognized as a standard sound card inside Device Manager. It took me a long time to figure this out...:

Afterwards you can update the v1.7 firmware with the FiiO's upgrade tool as instructed.

 

[hugwolf]

I am having lots of issues with the Fiio app with this dongle and also the KA11. These are the only two Fiio products I own. Basically, any time I leave the Fiio Control App or press the back button in upper left corner which takes to the main "My Devices" page, it shows the Ja11 and Ka11 but can never connect to them or get back into the settings (see photo). Each time I have to add new device, then re-add whichever I have plugged in and was just adjusting in the app moments before. Also this frequently just fails to reconnect period until one or two cycles of plugging/unplugging the USB port. All this in addition to the EQ resetting and whatnot as mentioned above. I am finding it very frustrating to use either of these devices.

Can anyone help me understand why the app wont behave for me? I am on LG V60 if that matters.

 

[MCH]

Got mine today. No complains using the app and setting up EQ and everything, much better first time use experience than the freedsp app actually. 5 PEQ with no restrictions, master gain level.... it seems great actually. While waiting for it I even thought of opening it up to try to uncover the DAC chip mystery but no way, this is a keeper.

The only little problem I saw is the power consumption, ca. 120mW Vs 55mW with the freedsp in exactly same conditions, not ideal for mobile phone usage... But please take this with a grain of salt, test was with music and different IEMs. Will try to run a more controlled test one day.

 

[hugwolf]

Got mine today. No complains using the app and setting up EQ and everything, much better first time use experience than the freedsp app actually. 5 PEQ with no restrictions, master gain level.... it seems great actually. While waiting for it I even thought of opening it up to try to uncover the DAC chip mystery but no way, this is a keeper.

The only little problem I saw is the power consumption, ca. 120mW Vs 55mW with the freedsp in exactly same conditions, not ideal for mobile phone usage... But please take this with a grain of salt, test was with music and different IEMs. Will try to run a more controlled test one day.

Hmm, that's good to know I guess. I have a silver one coming so I'll see if maybe my first one has some issue. I tried it on my S6 lite tablet and it was doing the same stuff as on my V60 so doesn't seem to be an issue with my device.

I also notice quite a bit of battery drain with this little 1v dongle.

 

[Tell]

I take it that the PEQ settings is saved on the dongle itself, so if I dial in some settings on my Android and then plug it into my computer the PEQ will still be there?

 

[TonyJZX]

Fiio JA11 review: This $15 dongle DAC is too good to be true

Fiio's latest dongle DAC is an instant buy.

www.androidcentral.com

i'm almost glad to hear it pulls the power

you need enough power to drive a typical headset here

 

[hugwolf]

I take it that the PEQ settings is saved on the dongle itself, so if I dial in some settings on my Android and then plug it into my computer the PEQ will still be there?

Correct. You can adjust it "on the fly" until you close the Fiio app or replug the dongle, or there is an option "save to device" which makes it the default. Same thing goes for the volume.

 

[MCH]

. Same thing goes for the volume.

This for the volume I found it surprising, but I can see it being useful if you have kids.

@hugwolf if there is an issue you would like me to try to replicate I can give it a try, but if the issue is that your device doesn't get recognised upon unplugging and plugging, I have not experienced this so far.

 

[muza_1]

The only little problem I saw is the power consumption

I haven't notice any difference compared to a CX31993 dongle, I use it for about 2-2.5 hours a day, maybe in not long enough to notice.

No connection problems for me.

Are the Shelf-filter working properly? For me even 12dB changes make little difference.

 

[MCH]

I haven't notice any difference compared to a CX31993 dongle, I use it for about 2-2.5 hours a day, maybe in not long enough to notice.

No connection problems for me.

Are the Shelf-filter working properly? For me even 12dB changes make little difference.

Just tested low shelf at 200Hz with +3db gain and it is very noticeable. It would be better to just measure it but it seems ok to me.

By the way, in doing the test back and forth between the fiio app to change the settings and the hiby music to play the music was also quite smooth besides the permissions stuff. Only noticed one little "click" when saving the settings to the dongle, but nothing too annoying or loud.

 

[muza_1]

Just tested low shelf at 200Hz with +3db gain and it is very noticeable. It would be better to just measure it but it seems ok to me.

Thanks I am going to reload the firmware and check again, I tried with a High-shelf filter (8000Hz at first and then 2500Hz to test) and it made almost not difference I tried against Equalizer APO on the PC not as smooth but it was the only way for me.