FIIO KA15 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[dirtylabomba]

Really appreciate all these write ups. I have a Snowsky Melody coming in and I was wondering if it's better to use the PEQ on device itself or use Equalizer EPO to PEQ? I'll be using the Melody on my PC and Switch 2 at the same time, and I'm not exactly sure how I'll set this up yet. First method is using a Topping DX1 I currently have on the PC and have the Melody hooked up to USB-C on the Switch 2 and use the 3.5mm output to line-in to the PC. The second method is to use a USB switcher and use the Melody only, going to input on the USB switcher, and have 2 USB outputs going to the PC and Switch 2.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Really appreciate all these write ups. I have a Snowsky Melody coming in and I was wondering if it's better to use the PEQ on device itself or use Equalizer EPO to PEQ?

Personally I use the PEQ on my Melody for consistency with my Fiio Tiny on my phone. (Thankfully, none of the PEQ profiles I actually want to use have a problematic high-shelf, but some of the ones I tested do).

EqualizerAPO gives you more features (like more filters, and a higher range of supported parameter values), but I haven't needed these (I only have 7 filters on my most complex profile).

The PEACE add-on does give a nice GUI for live editing of EQ profiles, and has a "hearing" test feature to help you generate an EQ, but for probably psychological reasons I don't notice the effect of EQ changes as much on my computer vs my phone, so I prefer to use the Fiio Control app (connected to my Melody as it doesn't have the dangerous high shelf issue), and lie in bed in the dark so I can focus more on what I'm hearing.

(I've also used this site https://www.pragmaticaudio.com to make EQ profiles, it supports importing and exporting to EqualizerAPO's format, as well as saving and loading it to a Fiio device.)

As far as the actual sound you get out, it shouldn't make much difference what you use (provided you correct for the pre-amp and Q values as I described I'm my post above). Theoretically, you might get problems on your computer if it's slow and/or being overworked, then EqualizerAPO might not be fast enough giving you lag and/or dropouts. I've not used EqualizerAPO enough (and I have a fast computer) to know if this might actually be an issue.

You say you want to use your Melody with a Switch as well, then you'd need to use Fiio's PEQ (unless there's some Switch software tjat does it?) so there's no point in EqualizerAPO unless you want to try out the PEACE GUI. (Of course you can use my script to convert any profiles you make with it to Fiio's format).

I'll be using the Melody on my PC and Switch 2 at the same time, and I'm not exactly sure how I'll set this up yet. First method is using a Topping DX1 I currently have on the PC and have the Melody hooked up to USB-C on the Switch 2 and use the 3.5mm output to line-in to the PC. The second method is to use a USB switcher and use the Melody only, going to input on the USB switcher, and have 2 USB outputs going to the PC and Switch 2.

Hmm, why not just get 2 melody's? (and maybe a 3.5mm splitter?) (I personally got my Tiny for my phone as it's very small and allows charging the phone simultaneously, but its not as loud as the Melody).

 

[dirtylabomba]

You say you want to use your Melody with a Switch as well, then you'd need to use Fiio's PEQ (unless there's some Switch software tjat does it?) so there's no point in EqualizerAPO unless you want to try out the PEACE GUI. (Of course you can use my script to convert any profiles you make with it to Fiio's format).


Hmm, why not just get 2 melody's? (and maybe a 3.5mm splitter?) (I personally got my Tiny for my phone as it's very small and allows charging the phone simultaneously, but its not as loud as the Melody).

There's no EQ software for Switch 2 and I doubt there will ever be. Switch 2 still only uses UAC 1.0 like the Switch 1, so 16bit, 44100hz only IIRC. Right now I just have my Fiio JT7 headpones (using Oratory1990's FT1 Pro EQ settings) connected to my Topping DX1 on PC using EAPO without PEACE, so I was looking for a setup to run both audio sources to the same headphones. I'll probably try the USB splitter method first with the Fiio EQ and see how that works. Thanks for the help.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Right now I just have my Fiio JT7 headpones (using Oratory1990's FT1 Pro EQ settings) connected to my Topping DX1 on PC using EAPO without PEACE, so I was looking for a setup to run both audio sources to the same headphones.

I'm guessing you don't actually go walking around with your Switch? Otherwise I'd suggest doing what I do and have two DACs and switch headphone cables (the one for my phone has a microphone and buttons, and the one for my computer is balanced).

 

[dirtylabomba]

I'm guessing you don't actually go walking around with your Switch? Otherwise I'd suggest doing what I do and have two DACs and switch headphone cables (the one for my phone has a microphone and buttons, and the one for my computer is balanced).

Yeah I leave it at home. Was able to get everything sorted with the USB switcher. The top USB-C port on the Switch 2 won't work but the USB-A's on the dock do. Can just switch between sources with one button. Output is clean on both sources as far as I can tell.

 

[Boese]

How to Turn Off a PEQ Band ?

I can only Put a Frequency, 0.0 DB gain, and min. Q 0.25

I only need 9 Bands Out Off 10 ?

Regards

 

[IsaacOscar]

How to Turn Off a PEQ Band ?

I can only Put a Frequency, 0.0 DB gain, and min. Q 0.25

I only need 9 Bands Out Off 10 ?

Regards

Just set the gain to 0.
I also set the frequency to 20000 so it gets sorted at the end.

 

[dirtylabomba]

After using the Snowsky Melody for a few days, I'm starting to hear the "hissing" some other people have experienced when playback is stopped and started again. It doesn't always happen, and you can just barely hear it if you jump around the timeline in a youtube video as an example. Starting playback also starts at a low/muted volume for half a second. With discord as an example, when the notification sound plays, the first half of the sound is less audible than the second half. The Fiio product page has this blurb: "Thanks to its advanced built-in microprocessor and Fiio's cutting-edge software development, Melody delivers excellent audio while making sure power consumption and heat generated are low. When music playback stops, Melody's ultra-low standby power consumption drops below 10mA." I wonder if that is what's causing it or if there's anyway to trick the device/source audio to act like it's always in playback mode.

 

[IsaacOscar]

After using the Snowsky Melody for a few days, I'm starting to hear the "hissing" some other people have experienced when playback is stopped and started again. It doesn't always happen, and you can just barely hear it if you jump around the timeline in a youtube video as an example. Starting playback also starts at a low/muted volume for half a second. With discord as an example, when the notification sound plays, the first half of the sound is less audible than the second half. The Fiio product page has this blurb: "Thanks to its advanced built-in microprocessor and Fiio's cutting-edge software development, Melody delivers excellent audio while making sure power consumption and heat generated are low. When music playback stops, Melody's ultra-low standby power consumption drops below 10mA." I wonder if that is what's causing it or if there's anyway to trick the device/source audio to act like it's always in playback mode.

Assuming you are on Windows, see my post on another thread:

Best cheap USB-C headphone dongles?

FYI @Jeromeof has created some software called devicePEQ that allegedly lets you control the PEQ functionality of various devices (including the Melody), I'll give it a go tomorrow and see if it's any better than fiiocontrol.fiio.com. Give it a go and if you find something not working correctly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[dirtylabomba]

Assuming you are on Windows, see my post on another thread:

Best cheap USB-C headphone dongles?

FYI @Jeromeof has created some software called devicePEQ that allegedly lets you control the PEQ functionality of various devices (including the Melody), I'll give it a go tomorrow and see if it's any better than fiiocontrol.fiio.com. Give it a go and if you find something not working correctly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks. Hopefully there's an update for any devices effected by this with some kind of power save option. Between this, the shelf filter bug, and the forced browser+fiio website to access EQ on PC, it's hard for me to recommend some of these Fiio products.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Thanks. Hopefully there's an update for any devices effected by this with some kind of power save option.

It would be great if there was a setting to turn this off. Although it may actually be Windows that is causing this problem.

the forced browser+fiio website to access EQ on PC,

I think this is actually good, as the alternative would be to require you download and install a seperate program. Of course the website has many bugs, it doesn't let you control the settings (unlike the Android app), and requires internet access. (the web app can't communicate to the DAC on Android, but I think that's a security feature of the Android OS, so nothing Fiio can do).

it's hard for me to recommend some of these Fiio products.

Yeah, very annoying. Are there any other comparably priced products with the same features? (namely, 10-band PEQ, and similar amount of power output?). I recall reading somewhere on the TRN Black Pearl thread that it also has the shelf filter bug, and power saving features, but the EQ control interface may be better.

 

[dirtylabomba]

Yeah, very annoying. Are there any other comparably priced products with the same features? (namely, 10-band PEQ, and similar amount of power output?). I recall reading somewhere on the TRN Black Pearl thread that it also has the shelf filter bug, and power saving features, but the EQ control interface may be better.

Not similarly priced but the the Qudelix K5 and T71, and the Neutron HiFi DAC seem to be ones that don't have issues. Going to pick up the Neutron since the Qudelix T71 isn't in stock.

 

[IsaacOscar]

Going to pick up the Neutron since the Qudelix T71 isn't in stock.

Wow, I don't think those are worth the extra cost, when the Melody does actually work fine once you apply a couple of workarounds (install SoundKeeper, and multiply some Q values by √2).

Maybe if I needed more PEQ bands or per-channel PEQ.... (I'm only using 6 bands at the moment)

 

[IsaacOscar]

It seems that Fiio may be finally fixing the shelf Q value bug?

Not directly related to the CS431xx distortion…
FiiO has released a fw update for the KA15 to address another source of clicks or short silences: v1.1.6 allows the user to turn the power saving mode off by long-pressing the "Volume -" button while connecting/powering the KA15. Restoring factory settings will re-enable the power saving mode.
Note that they also did something about the LS/HS wrong Q-factor, but I think it’s only for the QX13.

And now the BTR17, both updates say
"Fixed the Issue where PEQ curve Q values are inconsistent".
(Or do these devices have their own Q value issues?)

I don't have either of these two devices so I can't test them, but if anyone here does...

 

[IsaacOscar]

FiiO has sent me a beta version of the firmware for the Tiny A!! (I reported some bugs to them only 31 days prior to this).

They didn't specify what they had fixed, so I ran some tests, and they've made things much worse!!
Firstly, the volume is lower by 2dB, even with the EQ completely off (which my graphs below compensate for)

Secondly, they've almost completely nerfed shelf filters:

The above is the test I did here of various low/high shelf filters. In particular, multiplying Q values of the shelf filters by √2 will make the old firmware (the orange line) behave the same as Equalizer APO (the green line). Yes, that purple line is what my Tiny is doing now!! The same effect happens for my usual headphone profile I use that has a low shelf filter (i.e. it's mostly flattened; the peak filters on the other hand continue to work correctly).

FiiO has however (almost) fixed the issue from my other test case (at least that one test case):

Multiplying the Q value by √2, and adding an additional 0.5dB will make the new firmware (i.e. the purple line) match Equalizer APO (the green line). I don't know why there's a 0.5dB drop here (in addition to the 2dB drop the occurs with no eq enabled).

My guess is they only tested that they fixed the second bug above (as I sent them the filters I used for that test), and didn't test anything else.

Unfortunately, FiiO took a couple of days to send me the original firmware, so I couldn't downgrade!! (I had to use my bulky Melody with my phone).

EDIT: FiiO has now sent me the original firmware, so I downgraded my Tiny, and re-did my measurements above to compare the downgraded vs upgraded firmware.

 

[IsaacOscar]

I ordered a KA15 a month and a half ago and came with 1.1.4 .never had problems with power or power saving.

That's what I thought two with my Melody, but discovered the issue was very slight, and is more noticeable with different content, e.g. videos or a computer game that makes sounds when you navigate the menu (but has no other sound when in the menu).

All features work excellently and the android app,only thing is that i feel that sound is a bit boosted ,like applying a VST loudness plug in.I turned desktop mode off and amplifier to H mode and now is a bit better but you have to bring volume a bit up.But its my personal opinion,others might like it boosted.

Um, are you complaining the volume is too loud? Or that it's distorting the sound? (i.e. are you saying that it sounds different to some other device/setup that gives the same overal loudness?)

(People on this site tend to not believe claims about DACs/AMPs sounding different to other ones....; so if yuu do think it sounds 'wriong', please post some measurements!)

 

[Alou]

I dont have tools for measurements,volume is not too loud if you control the volume buttons.It appears that with desktop mode on and or AB mode the loudness is maximized,like max headroom squeezed.Its like applying a loudness maximizer plugin when you do mastering ,its not distorting ,it just feels boosted.Its not wrong and its not distorting but might tire your ears after an hour or so of listening.My headphones are 60 ohm ,so the overall power might be designed for bigger impedance headphones.
I am experimenting to see what might sound best fro my taste,i haven't tested with bigger impedance headphones since it defeats the point of portability.In the end is also how you like your sound.I test with tracks i have personally made and mastered so i know them well.The only thing i find so far different is a small lack of brilliance in the highs,my older dongle DC03pro seems to sound a bit more detailing,pleasant in that area to my ears.But this is also personal option.

 

[IsaacOscar]

I dont have tools for measurements,

The only tools you need are:

• an ADC: a microphone or line in port on a computer would work; or if you buy a little adapter to split the 3.5mm port into seperate headphone and microphone ports, you can use the ADC in the KA15 itself
• a cable: to go from the output of your DAC to the input of your ADC
• some software: any sound recording program will do

It appears that with desktop mode on and or AB mode the loudness is maximized,like max headroom squeezed.Its like applying a loudness maximizer plugin when you do mastering ,its not distorting ,it just feels boosted

It's possible the DAC is doing digital amplification/gain, but it really shouldn't be...
Do you have any other devices that go as loud for you to compare? Otherwise, it might just be a psychoacoustic effect (i.e. you are perceiving louder sound differently to quiter ones).

The only thing i find so far different is a small lack of brilliance in the highs,my older dongle DC03pro seems to sound a bit more detailing,pleasant in that area to my ears.But this is also personal option.

Yeah this is supposed to not happen on a DAC (that being said, if you have set it to a low sampling rate, the reconstruction filter can decrease high frequencies, but I think you'd need good hearing; I'd try increasing the sampling rate in your OS or music player, and/or changing the filter setting in the Fiio Control app).

 

[Pokee1016]

Excellent review of an excellent product truly phenomenal in its sound quality