I just purchased the KA5 and it’s a great DAC Dongle. My only issue is the Fiio Control App is not supported on iPhone. You can download the app but the KA5 is not in the compatible list of devices. 😠 That’s the only negative I have about the KA5. Great review. 👍
Bought FiioKA5 yesterday. Sounds nice and definitely an upgrade over apple dongle. But on my iPhone Apple Music doesn’t stream hires lossless through KA5. Also drains the battery very fast. It is driving my 250ohms bayerdynamic without any issues Update: it does stream 192Khz from iPhone.
Unfortunately I didn't test that. Hypothetically, I think that from the balanced out it will be ok, but it's more of assumption. Some DAC with own battery like FiiO's Q3 will do better here (but it's bigger of course)
I'm really sorry, but due to a different reasons I tested only UA5 from your list. And comparision is really simple here. They have a different sound with Shanling being warmer and tad more relaxed. So it's a matter of taste first of all
Thanks for the nice review,how does KA5 compare to shanling UA3?sound term quality? I prefer darker lively sound and more bass ,musical not clinical ,what tou recomend? thanks
if you prefer a darker sound then Shanling will be a better choice for you, it's their signature representation. for me KA5 is better due to better dynamcis, but if you want a darker sig, most probably you'll like them less
Unfortunately, I didn't test Xelento. So, I assume that KA5 will be a good pairing, but I'm not sure if it'll be able to push Xelento to the maximum level
Hi, I have 660s too and am considering KA series from Fiio. What is your current dac/amp and what would suggest to me? I sold my K7 to go for a portable one. I'm between Ka1, 3 and 5.
With the K5 plugged to my phone, and a headset connected to the DAC, can I make phone calls? I do not mind if the mic used is the one on my phone, but I want to listen to the caller in my headset. What phones have you tried?
Almost all modern smartphones redirect all sound to DAC, so it'll work exactly the way you want. Sound will come from earphones, and you'll be able to answer using phone's mic. I've tested it with iPhone
Hi thanks for nice review , how it compare sonically with shanling m2x bass is deeper? sound brigter darker? or fiio x3 gen 2 has also cirrus logic but single it worth upgrade fio x3 2gen ? do I get a better sound compared to the two? thanks
what do you think, whats better, ka5 of q3? dont care about the size, just overal sound experience... im using philips x3 and shp 9500 and a pc, rarely phone... so its kinda of a home setup with 32 ohm not super sensitive headphones. i have a ka3 also, and i kinda wanted to upgrade for a bigger soundstage and a feeling of a massive sound
Well, if you want more massive sound, I'd suggest Q3. It has a hint of additional weight, not too much, but noticeable compared to KA5. Also, built-in battery will be good in terms of saving smartphone's charge
@@PortaFi thanks, that's a good advice. I thought about it too, and seems like new k3 might be even better... And then I tried to find how it's different from my ka3 and as I understood it's very similar... So I'm kinda stuck... I know later this year there would be new q13 and q15 coming out, as well as ka7 Maybe I should just wait for something better
@@ivanzvontsov4628 from one hand, waiting for a new model is a good idea, as usually it'll be a better option. From the other one, there always will be some newer model on the horison. So I suggest to set some limit of wait :)
@@PortaFi Around 150$, Should I go Fiio KA5 or portable headphones amp like Topping NX4 DSD and SMSL SAP-11 or Desktop Amp for 470Ω but 98dB/mW headphones(R70x) to get superb quality or as good as possible?
@@うずまきクシナ-x4v for the 470Ω 98 dB it's definitely better to get something with battery at least (Topping, xDuoo has good DACs, FiiO's Q7 but it's expensive). Or desktop DAC/amp, but it's more a matter of your usage scenario: do you need to use it on the go or not
To my ears Q11 sounds bit dryer and brighter. I'm not a fan of that "same DAC = same sound" theory. There are devices on same chip, but with a really different signature
@@PortaFi great, I agree. Same Dac can sound different depending on how it is implemented. thank you for you sharing your thoughts. I am patiently awaiting for my Q11 to arrive. Would be cool to compare that to my old Dragonfly Red.
@@odnimusic2155 sure it is! But I think that the future will be in computational audio. Better stage, more fine-tuning to end users, etc. Even the current implementation of spatial audio in Apple music sound really engaging with AirPods Max. But it's just a first step
KA5 SPDIF out is through the 3.5mm jack. You need a 3.5mm to RCA which does NOT come with the KA5. I had the cable because it DID come with my FiiO M11 ESS Plus. I used the KA5 SPDIF to my Schiit Bifrost 2/64, and it works perfectly and sounded great.
Package looks like an old VHS video tape.
yes! I hade a few blank tapes with this design
I just purchased the KA5 and it’s a great DAC Dongle. My only issue is the Fiio Control App is not supported on iPhone. You can download the app but the KA5 is not in the compatible list of devices. 😠 That’s the only negative I have about the KA5.
Great review. 👍
thank you for sharing! unfortunately iOS limitations sometimes are annoying
thank you for this detailed review!
My pleasure!
Great review, thanks for doing these!
Glad you like them!
Bought FiioKA5 yesterday. Sounds nice and definitely an upgrade over apple dongle. But on my iPhone Apple Music doesn’t stream hires lossless through KA5. Also drains the battery very fast. It is driving my 250ohms bayerdynamic without any issues
Update: it does stream 192Khz from iPhone.
250Ω require a good dose of power, so battery drain will be significant
thank you for sharing
Hi, I need an opinion. Which is better, the Fiio ka5 or the Ibasso Dc04 pro? Please
Hello, sorry, I didn't test DC04Pro
Thank you for this review! Do you think this would be able to handle something like Sennheiser HD600, or would a different portable DAC/AMP be better?
Unfortunately I didn't test that. Hypothetically, I think that from the balanced out it will be ok, but it's more of assumption. Some DAC with own battery like FiiO's Q3 will do better here (but it's bigger of course)
How does the KA5 compare to the questyle m15, Hiby FC5/6, Shanling UA5, L&p W2 and dc04pro?
I'm really sorry, but due to a different reasons I tested only UA5 from your list. And comparision is really simple here. They have a different sound with Shanling being warmer and tad more relaxed. So it's a matter of taste first of all
@@PortaFi in terms of resolution and detail, which would be better? Shanling UA5 or Fiio KA5?
@@prosnapple KA5 is a bit more focused on micro-contrast, so it will highlight details more.
@@PortaFi thank you!
Amazing how so many people think that “resolution” and “detail” are characteristics of a DAC and not the head/earphones themselves plus the amp stage.
Thanks for the nice review,how does KA5 compare to shanling UA3?sound term quality? I prefer darker lively sound and more bass ,musical not clinical ,what tou recomend? thanks
if you prefer a darker sound then Shanling will be a better choice for you, it's their signature representation. for me KA5 is better due to better dynamcis, but if you want a darker sig, most probably you'll like them less
Thank you for the detailed review. One question please: is the Fiio KA5 good enough for my IEMs: Beyerdynamic Xelento 2nd generation?
Unfortunately, I didn't test Xelento. So, I assume that KA5 will be a good pairing, but I'm not sure if it'll be able to push Xelento to the maximum level
I'm on KA1 paired with HD660S.
Do you recommend upgrading to KA5? Or maybe just KA3 is enough?
Subjectively, I find the screen and buttons a feature useful enough to pay extra. But it's just my preference
Hi, I have 660s too and am considering KA series from Fiio. What is your current dac/amp and what would suggest to me? I sold my K7 to go for a portable one. I'm between Ka1, 3 and 5.
Thanks for review! Would be this DAC good for FiiO FH3?
sure, it's a good DAC for every good earphones, including FH3
With the K5 plugged to my phone, and a headset connected to the DAC, can I make phone calls? I do not mind if the mic used is the one on my phone, but I want to listen to the caller in my headset. What phones have you tried?
Almost all modern smartphones redirect all sound to DAC, so it'll work exactly the way you want. Sound will come from earphones, and you'll be able to answer using phone's mic. I've tested it with iPhone
Hi thanks for nice review , how it compare sonically with shanling m2x bass is deeper? sound brigter darker? or fiio x3 gen 2 has also cirrus logic but single it worth upgrade fio x3 2gen ? do I get a better sound compared to the two? thanks
Hello, unfortunately I don't remember Shanling M2X and FiiO's X3-2, they were pretty long ago, and I didn't have a chance to listen them
this or ibasso dc04 pro, both same price where i am
sorry, but I haven't test DC04 Pro unfortunately
@@PortaFi please compare with Ibasso DC04 pro.
Does Ibasso DC03 Pro, DC04 Pro and KA5 single ended 3.5mm jack have difference in sound?
@@rexonpadre4653 unfortunately, DC04 Pro is still not here yet
Le Fiio ka5 compatible dolby atmos
Merci
as far as I know, it doesn't
D’accord, merci
what do you think, whats better, ka5 of q3? dont care about the size, just overal sound experience... im using philips x3 and shp 9500 and a pc, rarely phone... so its kinda of a home setup with 32 ohm not super sensitive headphones. i have a ka3 also, and i kinda wanted to upgrade for a bigger soundstage and a feeling of a massive sound
Well, if you want more massive sound, I'd suggest Q3. It has a hint of additional weight, not too much, but noticeable compared to KA5. Also, built-in battery will be good in terms of saving smartphone's charge
@@PortaFi thanks, that's a good advice. I thought about it too, and seems like new k3 might be even better... And then I tried to find how it's different from my ka3 and as I understood it's very similar... So I'm kinda stuck...
I know later this year there would be new q13 and q15 coming out, as well as ka7
Maybe I should just wait for something better
@@ivanzvontsov4628 from one hand, waiting for a new model is a good idea, as usually it'll be a better option. From the other one, there always will be some newer model on the horison. So I suggest to set some limit of wait :)
My BTR5 does the same task but adds bluetooth connectivity too.
sportbike and car also does the same task, but differently
@@PortaFi you're right. Btr5 is my sportbike and this is a car 😊
Nicely Done.
Thanks!
Is there customisable EQ in the app for the KA5?
as far as I remember, no
@@PortaFi Thank you!
I’m wondering if the app is as good on IOS as it seems to be on Android?
I haven't check unfortunately. It's better to ask this on Head-Fi.org, it has a big audience, so you'll get an exact answer
Have you tried KA5 with high impedance headphones? Is it good?
tried with FiiO's FT3, not superb, but pretty decent
@@PortaFi Around 150$, Should I go Fiio KA5 or portable headphones amp like Topping NX4 DSD and SMSL SAP-11 or Desktop Amp for 470Ω but 98dB/mW headphones(R70x) to get superb quality or as good as possible?
@@うずまきクシナ-x4v for the 470Ω 98 dB it's definitely better to get something with battery at least (Topping, xDuoo has good DACs, FiiO's Q7 but it's expensive). Or desktop DAC/amp, but it's more a matter of your usage scenario: do you need to use it on the go or not
Do you think it has a similar sound signature as the Q11 since it uses the same CS43198 Cirrus Logic Dac? What differences do you notice?
To my ears Q11 sounds bit dryer and brighter. I'm not a fan of that "same DAC = same sound" theory. There are devices on same chip, but with a really different signature
@@PortaFi great, I agree. Same Dac can sound different depending on how it is implemented. thank you for you sharing your thoughts. I am patiently awaiting for my Q11 to arrive. Would be cool to compare that to my old Dragonfly Red.
@@odnimusic2155 sure, comparison with DF Red will be really interesting
@@odnimusic2155 sure it is! But I think that the future will be in computational audio. Better stage, more fine-tuning to end users, etc. Even the current implementation of spatial audio in Apple music sound really engaging with AirPods Max. But it's just a first step
@@PortaFi couldn't agree more. The new wave of DSP processing is no longer constrained within computer but into much portable devices.
How does it compare to Xdoo link2 Bal
"By memory", KA5 is more balanced and has more treble
Is the SPDIF out mini-toslink?
Haven't check, but most probably it's a coaxial. But it's better to check in official specs
KA5 SPDIF out is through the 3.5mm jack. You need a 3.5mm to RCA which does NOT come with the KA5. I had the cable because it DID come with my FiiO M11 ESS Plus. I used the KA5 SPDIF to my Schiit Bifrost 2/64, and it works perfectly and sounded great.
@@whitehatbob4153 thank you for sharing
👌👌👌👌👌👌
This vs Shio?
sorry, I don't know what Shio is
@@PortaFi Truthear Shio portable dac
unfortunately haven't heard it
Is powerful enough for a full experience with the HD 6XX?
it will drive them like "ok", but not perfectly. 300-ohm headphones aren't really created for the portable usage (except a powerful DAC/players)
@@PortaFi Thank you so much. I'll stick with the HD 58X and a Shanling UP2
@@Dinamismo staying with familiar sound you like - always a good option actually. I use IMR Rah for many years as on-the-go IEMs