FIIO KA15 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[WondrousHippo]

I think it is an area where FiiO is definitely lacking. They appear to make very good hardware, but that’s their problem: they focus too much on the HW, struggle to support it with good SW, and end up with poor implementations or sloppy details.
Would make me think twice before buying expensive FiiO devices…

The sad thing is that Fiio is still somehow ahead of other Chinese audio manufacturers in this regard with software experience.

Thanks for the answers, everyone!

 

[roladyzator]

In fact, I just confirmed that the device volume control on KA15 is applied in DSP before DAC. In this case NO global preamp cut is necessary! A user's volume adjustment would serve as a preamp cut, and at the same time could increase volume for softly recorded tracks.

Are you certain that is the case? I do recall hearing distortion when using EQ with a preamp that's too high, and it didn't go away when reducing the volume. I'll try to make a recording of this for confirmation.

 

[mattsrs]

hey guys, is this the best USB/dongle Dac/AMP under $150? I saw with the firmware update it has gotten better. Looking for something with the best soundstage

 

[CedarX]

Looking for something with the best soundstage

You’re probably in the wrong forum…

 

[jkim]

In fact, I just confirmed that the device volume control on KA15 is applied in DSP before DAC. In this case NO global preamp cut is necessary! A user's volume adjustment would serve as a preamp cut, and at the same time could increase volume for softly recorded tracks. The design would have been same as the excellent Qudelix or RME design (despite KA15's volume control being fully digital unlike Qudelix or RME). But FiiO must not have thought about this consequence...

Are you certain that is the case? I do recall hearing distortion when using EQ with a preamp that's too high, and it didn't go away when reducing the volume. I'll try to make a recording of this for confirmation.

I checked it again. I was mistaken. You're right. The volume control on KA15 does not play the role of a preamp cut. It must adjust either the DAC chip's volume register or the signal after conversion to DAC-ready data on [-1. 1] in DSP (most likely the former). But at least the preamp slider works although it's only in 1 dB steps. Still, the -12 dB cut for whatever PEQ is a bad decision as it is not intuitive...

Crossed out the incorrect information in my original post.

 

[OHtaru]

I checked it again. I was mistaken. You're right. The volume control on KA15 does not play the role of a preamp cut. It must adjust either the DAC chip's volume register or the signal after conversion to DAC-ready data on [-1. 1] in DSP (most likely the former). But at least the preamp slider works although it's only in 1 dB steps. Still, the -12 dB cut for whatever PEQ is a bad decision as it is not intuitive...

Crossed out the incorrect information in my original post.

I usually keep the DAC volume at max, and adjust volume in the host device. So it's before the DAC, I don't need this "considerate" 12dB attenuation. In my opinion, this is a foolproof measure that shows a lack of trust in users.

 

[genius8086]

I usually keep the DAC volume at max, and adjust volume in the host device. So it's before the DAC, I don't need this "considerate" 12dB attenuation. In my opinion, this is a foolproof measure that shows a lack of trust in users.

I also keep the volume of KA15 at maximum (as I usually do for DACs as well), but it gives me an audible distortion for the balanced output and poor channel separation. It doesn't happen when I use the 3.5mm unbalanced out. I described my issue in a separate thread. Maybe someone else has the same behaviour. If the device is defective, I still have a chance to replace it.