This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks Andy! TIDAL just rolled out their maximum 24 bit Hi-Res Catalog for everyone under the same price bracket. So this has made me decide whether to use the BTR15 or the KA13. Appreciate your dedication to DongleMadness as always!
I'm still rocking my xDuoo Link2 Bal after your review (it was the one to convince me go buy it). Even though nowadays there are some better dongle DACs, I feel like I don't need to "upgrade" anymore. With that being said, this FiiO KA13 looks like a better deal nowadays imho.
Link2 BAL started it, and sets the standards for the next CS line of dongles, things does improve but I can say Link2 BAL still holding strong regardless
Thank you for the excellent, detailed review. Very well communicated. New subscriber in Tucson, AZ. I will receive my KA13 in two days and look forward to trying with my Artti T10 and Hifiman Edition XS. I already use KA11 so I will compare. Also will be using 4.4 for first time.
Thank you Andy, i bought the KA 13, after wathing this video about a month ago. Is a significant upgrade from ibasso DC 03. KA 13 is powerful enough to drive the sundara too.
Hi Andy. A great review as always. Just want to inform that I am able to access the 5 low pass filter functions of the Fiio app for KA13 by tapping on the Audio icon of the app. Just to share.
Hi Andy, great reviews as always and detailed. I'm abit of a newbie for dacs and have sennheiser momentum 3. I was wondering if my headphones will benefit and work well with KA13? I am looking for great imersive sound stage, one that you feel like your in the music. This might sound ridiculous but hope you I have your expertise. Thank you and lookin forward to more great videos! Dacs I was also looking at are DC04 pro. Saw your review and it seems pretty much the same.
Assuming that you are using PC onboard sound or from a phone directly, then yes KA13 will offer better resolution and overall quality for your headphones, especially if you run them from the 4.4mm BAL side. DC04Pro is definitely among the very best and you can expect great performance from that one too
thank you so much🎉🎉and wow such a quick reply. I am sure you will help a great deal more people on their way to getting better dacs. Have a great week ahead and looking forward to seeing you review Questyle m15i ❤
I returned mine due to one thing: heat ,they put so much power yet no vents, it was unpleasant to handle even when used inside ,after 15 minutes or so even in low gain mode i measured over 42 degrees Celsius on top of the unit ,not pleasant to hold in hands and it was just sitting on my desk with no sunlight in LOW gain. Everything else i liked about KA13, so if u do not care about it getting quite hot its very good and has lot of power .
@@teste-yh5df What are you trying to drive that you need to raise it to 90 % ? I have never needed to reach my FC4 to 90 % because it's already powerful for my devices.
@@Stylianos. Some people just need high level of loudness, on most 4Vrms dongles I needed only 30/100 to drive full sized hard to drive magnetic planars, but I do know some will need more than double of that to get proper loudness for their needs, this is why we have something like iFi Diablo or 15 Vrms Class A amps, to satisfy that needs
As always an excellent review! I had two questions: 1. In other videos you showed that you have a Sennheiser HD 650. How does the KA13 behave with it? Is this a dongle you would also recommend for use with headphones? 2. How does it compare to mini desktop amps like the Fosi K5 PRO or iFi Uno? These two have an average output power of 220mW. My question is: can you replace one of these mini amplifiers with the KA13? Thank you very much and congratulations on the great reviews, Andy.
Thanks Adrian. Yes I used to have HD650 but it is not with me anymore, but I know HD650 very well, my Fostex T40RP MK3 ultimately is harder and more demanding than HD650, so I can say that KA13 will work well with HD650 not just power and loudness, but synergy factor too. Compared against mini desktop amps, KA13 would hold really well to compete head on with the likes of FiiO Q11 and Fosi K5 Pro. I haven't tried UNO so can't say about it. And I would say KA13 can definitely replace those mini desktop DAC/Amps and even mid type, as long as you don't expect it to perform like a FiiO K9 or Burson Audio Playmate 2 or VE Prime DAC + R2BFE
Always doing great review as always 🔥. Regarding floor noises in black background. How can we determine it from bad recording or the noise come from equipment (dac,iems,etc) Thank youu
Thanks. The issue of floor noises depends largely on how familiar you are with the song/music you listened to. Some poor recordings does contain recorded noises in the background and you get to hear them when used with highly analytical listening equipment. But on a known good recording and you hear floor noises, then it is definitely the fault of the equipment
@@donglemadness thank you for your explanation 🙏🏻. May i suggest you to try intuaura plume. It’s still unknown yet but i think this is the hidden gem in 2024 with very good price to performance value. Cheers! 🔥
Hii Andy, loved your detailed reviews. You have been my first preference to me for any IEM/dongle review to watch for. Just a small request, when you will be reviewing Shanling UA4?? Currently am using a small portable USB DAC which is CX 31993 (single chip). I want to upgrade from it so I was in a thought to purchase Fiio KA13 and then I got to know about Shanling UA4. Now am a bit confused on what to purchase between these two (Fiio KA13 nd Shanling UA4). But before that I was waiting for your review on Shanling UA4 also. Can I expect your review soon on that?? It would be very helpful for a beginner like me. Also am using simgot ew200 nd it runs on very low impedance I believe (not much about into these terms 😅) will Fiio KA13/Shanling UA4 be a significant upgrade for an IEM like ew200 from single DAC chip (CX 31993) in terms of technicalities nd sound quality?? Hope you reply to my comment. Eagerly waiting to listen from you Andy. Thanks a lot in advance... A big fan of you from India ❤
Awesome review as always, thank you! Will you get a chance to test the new ibasso dc06-pro and the ibasso dc elite? Last question, will the Cayin RU7 still have the most holographic soundstage and the deepest soundstage and layering? I dont care for wideness, but only for depth. Thank you!
Thanks, I already have DC-Elite and DC06Pro here with me. Testing them now. And yes, RU7 still rules with holographic soundstage as of all the dongles I reviewed so far
A great review! Thank you! Question: if I am pairing with HD650s, is there additional benefit to using 4.4 balanced OR the high gain desktop mode in an iPhone? Want to ensure I don’t under power them but also don’t want to overkill if it impacts battery with no benefit. Thanks!
Yes, the 3.5mm SE is running on less than half the power. You want the 4.4mm BAL to get 550mW at 4 VRMS because HD650 is super scalable, the higher the better
Hi Andy, great review. I am getting the E10K Olympus for 56$ in clearance. And getting this KA13 for 85$. I'm in India. Will E10K be enough for HE400SE? Or I need to get shell out more and get KA13. Any other dac/amp you would suggest for HE400SE. I'm on a limited budget. Thanks!
Thanks, I may do a short video on my PC setup when I can spare some time. It is custom built from scratch with Cooler Master NR200P Max chassis with i9 and RTX4090
Hello Andy love your review on KA13! I was wondering if i can pair Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro 32 ohm or 80ohm or 250ohm version with KA13 Which i bought after your recommendation.Which would be the best choice? I was thinking to go for 80ohm version,Thank you.
I would go for 250 Ohm version, but provided that you will get a 4.4mm BAL cable for it to make use of the full power of KA13, otherwise if you can only run 3.5mm SE, then the 80 Ohm version is more suited
Hey Andy thanks for this great review. How would this ka13 using 4.4ml balanced pair up with the se846 gen 2? Is it too much power or a match made in heaven?
I would not know as I never tried SE846 of any gen. Assuming that SE846 is the one that can appreciate scaling to more power, then the results should be good, or it could also turn out to be overkill if SE846 is sensitive, of which you will need something like a 2 Vrms solution (running from 3.5mm SE)
Hi Andy, Would you recommend the KA13 or the Dawn Pro if I plan to use it with the following: Crinacle Zero Red, Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci, Hisenior Mega5EST and the Sennheiser HD650?
@@sachithyoda no i had both if u just want iems or 80ohm or less regular sensitive headphones bellow 100ohm and regular sensitive dbs than dawn pro is better option also its smaller weight a bit less and does not get as hot in temperature as KA13 but it can not drive over ears that are less sensitive i would say anything more than DT770 Pro 80ohm would not have enough headroom specially if u use preamps and EQs. So if u will be using sensitive headphones or iems and wanna save few bucks go for MoonDrop no problem
Hello Andy. Do you think the fiio ka13 would be suitable for my needs? You see, my current dac, a Jcally ap7 sounds too "digital" for me, it kinda cuts out the bass and raises the treble quite a bit (I think...). While the jcally ap7 does provide a much cleaner sound, I still find myself enjoying more the sound coming straight out of a laptop or my phone without it. I was wondering if that would be the case for this dac as well. I have a Qkz x Hbb, Tangzu Wan'er and Kz Castor bass, I use the Kz the most. Your response will be much appreciated.
Yes, different DAC/Dongle does offer different sound temperament and timbre. If you find AP7 a bit bright/edgy for your taste, then you should look into getting something like EarFun UA100 or EPZ TP30, cost a bit more than AP7 but they would likely suit your needs
@@donglemadness Thanks Andy, apart from those two, do you think that the Fiio ka13 would be a good choice too? as long as it doesn't add excessive brightness, I'm good with it. I saw a Fiio ka13 on shopee going cheaper than the EPZ T30.
Hi Andy I want to ask between Fiio Ka13 and Ibasso DC06 Pro which one is most suitable for planar IEM 😁 I'm confused because Ibasso is currently on promotion
Andy you didn t recommend to me Shanling UA3 for Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro x /48 Ohm/. I would ask you if you would recommend this DAC Fiio KA 13. 1.8 Ohm ???? so low. I use 3.5mm so 170 mW is not as big.
@@donglemadness I'm afraid this is not so obvious. Shanlin UA4 does not work with a Samsung Galaxy A35. Maybe you should consider to make a few tests like this on your next reviews 🤙
I haven't tried BTR3K so I don't know how it compares to KA13, but for EA500LM and EA1000, both will synergize really well with KA13, you probably need to run on Low Gain especially for the highly sensitive EA1000
hi. would it be dangerous to my IEM to use with this? my IE 600 doesn't need an amp, i'm looking for a dongle dac to provide a sound quality boost, currently got the apple dongle/m1 macbook air aux port.
Anything that makes sound will always have an amp, either integrated or modular. The difference is how strong or how not strong they are. KA13 is far superior than Apple dongle even for easy to drive IEMs, and don't worry, for as long as you keep the listening levels well within reasonable threshold, it will not be dangerous to the IEM or you
I want to buy this, but watching your chart, Moondrop Dawn Pro seems better, Moondrop has less power i think its 250 300 mW? and the KA13 has 550mW so... why do you think moondrop is better? right now Moondrop is only 700-800 pesos and the KA13 is $1,100 pesos... you think moondrop is superior because of the price?
@@donglemadness Hey Andy thank you su much, and the little dots, the little holes in it, do you think that is bad for the dust inside ? Do you think that the KA13 has 2 or times the Dawn Pro, but do you think the difference of the power matters too much? for it moondrop is $15 dlls cheaper. But that little holes worries me a little...
@@donglemadness I have been three days watching your videos to make a decisión watching conparissons. I'm more into ka13 because of the power and moondrop has me a little bit worried about the little holes, and i saw a review In Amazon that the volume bottons broke ;( Also i like a Lot good detail, niice bass control, Big soundstage.
If you use 3.5mm only, DC03Pro is a clear choice. But if you have 4.4mm BAL jacks, then I am more inclined to say KA13 or DAWN Pro, both equally good and rated equally in #donglemadness
Hi, I'm a newbie. When I connect my 7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM to my phone, I have to set the volume to full for better listening. I know the KA13 is powerful, but will using it damage my IEM? Is it overkill or good enough to increase the volume? Also, will the dual DAC in this model improve sound quality compared to the Fiio Jade Audio KA11? Please reply.
No it will not, for as long as you don't blast it 100% all the time, at which you will damage your IEMs and your ears. KA13 has the power, you just need to be mindful to set the volume at proper levels before you attach your IEMs. I don't have JA11 to compare
@@donglemadness Thank you for reply. What about comparing dual DAC with any other single DAC models? Can we feel the quality difference or just a marketing gimmick?
ZSX is already very efficient IEM, it will probably will not benefit from the extra power of KA13, so you can consider Moondrop DAWN Pro, and even DAWN Pro is already very powerful. Both KA13 and DAWN Pro are on equal terms with sound quality
@@donglemadness ahh I see.. I have buy moondrop pro and exactly like you say the sound is amazing, and like u say is too over power for KZ ZSX.And if I want to upgrade my iem what do you suggest for under $80? Best regards
Both has the power you need, as I have tested both with something even more demanding than Artti T10 - for as long as you run them on 4.4mm BAL side. You only need to decide now, if you want something small and compact or something a bit more suited for non stationary usage
@@donglemadness someone told me on FB Chifi group community that Q11 is more suitable for headphones so I should get ka13, now I don't know what to do 🤷I don't mind the size, what I like about Q11 is the battery and it has 650mW max power output,100mW more than ka13 if I'm not mistaken. I prefer a warmer sound but not too much
@@S1RBR4N I gonna be repeating what I have said before, both are more than enough for your Artti T10, unless you are convinced that T10 is more demanding than Sennheiser HD600 300 Ohm, 91dB Fostex T40 RP Mk3 or HiFiMan Sundara then it is a different story. Most dongles nowadays are exceedingly powerful and in fact overkill for some IEMs especially when used with 4.4mm BAL. Power specs does not tell the whole story, the actual implementation of it matters more, take HIBY FC6 for example, it has lowly mW at 160 but it does not stop it from sounding the best of the best among all dongles that offer much higher mW rating, food for thoughts
I haven't tried DX1 so I can't speak for it. But KA13 has the power and juice to do what you want for HE400SE and HD600. Both are easy and not as demanding as when compared to Fostex T40RP MK3 that I use most of the time, and I am so very familiar with all three headphones
Few reviews are saying this FiiO KA13 gets very hot when using with a hungry fone, as HE400SE on balance for exemple. One Brazilian reviewer said that he was really worry about it, he thought it would explode hehehe. Any one has something to say regarding to this situation on getting extremely hot with high demanding fones? I’m thinking about getting it, but don’t want to get a future problem. Thanks.
More than enough. To clarify something, a neutral DAC does not boost sound or color it, KA13 is a neutral DAC, to do what you want you need to play with EQ or just get a strong V sounding headphones like Beyerdynamic DT880, if offer sparkly highs as well as dense lows
@@donglemadness Offcourse, but 650/600 are different beasts altogether. The 300ohm marking on them is kind of misleading. They resist way more than that in both upper & lower the frequency you go. Even with something like Topping L30 they sound dead. They need a very high voltage swing to operate. Tube amps are something at mid-fi level that can operate to its full potential. That's why I ask for a 650 perspective. You pair it up with Bottlehead Crack they sound like different headphones altogether, pair it with something like Fiio K7 they are dead. Due to its driver resonance frequency, AMPs act like EQ without messing with THD.
@@arghadeepmisra7865 For the level of articulation you seek, then I don't think any dongles can do that 100% other than DACport HD and FC6, the richness of sound texture. Best to keep it with true desktop stuffs like Burson Audio Playmate 2 or VE Prime DAC + R2BFE stack
New subscriber here, loving your channel! I ordered the K13 before you answered. Trying to run: Sen 650, Beyer 990 250 ohm, Hifiman Ananda. Will the K13 power these through iPhone or have I wasted my $$? Other question, will this dongle make a difference with my very efficient Philips X2HR, 30 ohms/100dB or is the Apple Dongle the same quality of sound for efficient headphones? I don't use IEM's. Appreciate your response!@@donglemadness
@@WWeiss-nv5vz hey did it end up working with your iPhone 13? I have the same phone, and also read that the KA13 doesn't work with iPhones which would be a shame
Before I suggest anything, I assume that you already have KA13, what are you driving and how are you using your KA13? PC? Android? iPhone? do you use USB exclusive mode. I need to know all that because the reality is, tons of dongles now are very powerful especially 4 Vrms rated dongles and they all passed my tests with Sennheiser HD650, Sennheiser HD600, HiFiMan Sundara, Fostex T40 RP MK3 with good authority to drive all of them with proper headroom and dynamics. Once I understand your situation and what you are looking for, perhaps I can recommend something that will work for you.
@@donglemadness Actually I have a Fosi Audio DS1 and a Lotoo S1, but I need more power to use some headphones and earbuds with 150-300 ohm. I use the dongle in the PC and android. I used a Tempotec BHD Pro, but the high gain mode was missed, even though it had reasonable power.
@@brendonqueiroz3703 And you find DS1 not powerful for your 300 Ohm earbuds? Did you run 4.4mm BAL on your DS1? DS1 is rated 220 mW at 4.4mm BAL and if you find that not powerful then I can say no dongles would be able to meet your needs, I may recommend that you get something like FiiO Q15 instead or at least Venture Electronics Megatron or even iFi Diablo. I understand the perception of individuals differ from one person to another and while I find something like 100 mW HIBY FC6 can easily drive Sennheiser HD600 300 Ohm with good authority, I cannot assume you would have similar sonic sensitivity to mine. The best way now for you is to avoid dongles altogether and go for the bigger DAC/Amps
@@donglemadness it's powerful, but in this case I'm looking for dongles with power but with different sound that I already have. But anyway, I will look for the options that you gave, thank you!
@@brendonqueiroz3703 Aah you looking for synergy factor then. To give you some ideas, DS1 is brighter sounding when compared to KA13, DS1 focuses more on traditional clinical ESS Sabre crisp tuning and KA13 is more natural and smoother - if that is what you looking for, then KA13 has the power as it is also naturally organic compared to DS1
Sound tuning for both are near identical, they share the same FiiO Cirrus Logic tuning after all, which one I prefer more? it boils down to features you need, no longer about the sound itself
Sound wise KA13 and Q11 tuned similarly, they are both Cirrus Logic and both are FiiO after all. Power for power Q11 may look slightly higher on paper, but in practice KA13 is more than a match
If you watch the comparison section, you will see that KA17 and UA4 practically scored the same numbers for sound. They uses the exact same DAC model and also tuned similarly. From what I heard, they are practically identical sound wise
RU7 is one of the top 5 performers for #donglemadness so it is a superior dongle in every way compared to KA13, you can check the tier list in the video description. I personally will pick RU7 every time over KA13 if I have to choose between the two
@@donglemadness yeah I have watched your RU7 video and the rankings before watching this video. Just auditioned the KA13 yesterday and it sounds amazing already. But I haven’t got the chance to try the RU7 yet. Do you think it is comparable to Mojo 2? I’m currently looking for ru7 for more mobile use. Thank you very much for your review and recommendations!
Thanks, and sorry can I get another answer please. I need to choose betwen the Fiio Ka5 and the Ibasso Dc04 pro, I saw your video about the best dongle DACS, but I need to know, how much do you feel the difference betwen the two. I prefer Ibasso’s “analog sound” but also I love the Fiio bass, so without these points. Which sounds better? Please, I want to use my HIDIZS mp145 with the best sound I can.
@@juansebastianlombeidaurgil6009 Both KA3 and DC04Pro are neutral so they don't add Bass, Treble or Mids, no coloration.On neutral sounding DAC, what you hear is the sound characteristics of the IEM you use, if the IEM have big bass then they will sound as it is. DC04Pro is superior to KA3 in all areas
@@juansebastianlombeidaurgil6009 Your first question was saying KA3. DC04Pro is 5 Star rated, KA5 is 4.5 Star, I think that alone should tell you which one is the superior dongle. For DC06Pro, please watch my review on it, I explained the difference with DC04Pro
Thanks for the answer . In the specifications of the headphones, the maximum power is 100 mW, and in k13 170mW, will this not cause the headphones to break?@@donglemadness
@@vitalikderevlyany9149 No worries about that, the power rating is to indicate the threshold of power efficiency, the fact is, most headphones will behave even better than with more power
What are you driving? do you need power over 4 VRMS? do you have 4.4mm BAL IEMs or headphones? if yes then KA13 will be a better choice. But if you only have 3.5mm SE plugs, then DC03Pro is the better one, especially if you are driving stuffs that are not over 300 Ohm
@@donglemadnessThanks ❤, I want to know for now in terms of 3.5mm - which is going to be sound more natural and overall better in terms of sound quality? DC03Pro or KA13 👀 Both are costing same in India. Please help 🙏
Absolutely, Fostex T40RP MK3 that I use is harder to drive than both XS or HE400SE, not just you get ample loudness, you get proper headroom and sound authority as well, but then so does many other 4 VRMS dongles released recently, you will be surprised how capable they are. But of course if you talking about endgame scaling, you still need to get stuffs like Burson Audio Playmate 2 or Prime DAC + R2BFE ot K9 for over 2000 mW of power which planars are known to shine the best
My own experience with FC3 vs KA13, FC3 offers strong ESS Sabre brightness and crispy edged sound, KA13 in comparison is not as sharp as FC3, not as bright and more natural with sound timbre
I haven't tried HD599 so it's hard for me to image how it will synergize with this KA13, but being neutral as it is, I would expect HD599 to work as well as HD650 and HD600
@@kamrankambang7953 Of course there's polarizing view on this, but for me personally, many headphones runs perfectly fine on dongles, some even perform better than entry level desktop DAC
In defence of Red Ape, it was me who begged them to loan me one, they didn't ask for me to review. All the items you see that I got from Red Ape, that's me begging them to loan me for review purposes. And I will honor my part by returning the demo unit so that other buyers can test it a their shop. Red Ape did give me quite a few already some items by simply saying I don't need to return them, and that's really generous
man, dongle dacs are becoming more sophisticated, anyway thanks Andy for covering this dac.
My pleasure!
love your Oakley glasses, great and thorough explanation!!
Thank you!
This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks Andy! TIDAL just rolled out their maximum 24 bit Hi-Res Catalog for everyone under the same price bracket. So this has made me decide whether to use the BTR15 or the KA13. Appreciate your dedication to DongleMadness as always!
No worries. Enjoy your music! 😁
I had a choice between KA13 and Akliam PD4, ended up picking the PD4 Plus. Fantastic 😍
u got wrong, i have fiio ka13 it has 550mw power, its insane
Another great content & review Andy I do have the KA13 in the silver version, I use the MP145 w/silver nozzle it did open up the MP145 on the KA13
Right on
I'm still rocking my xDuoo Link2 Bal after your review (it was the one to convince me go buy it). Even though nowadays there are some better dongle DACs, I feel like I don't need to "upgrade" anymore.
With that being said, this FiiO KA13 looks like a better deal nowadays imho.
Link2 BAL started it, and sets the standards for the next CS line of dongles, things does improve but I can say Link2 BAL still holding strong regardless
Thank you for the excellent, detailed review. Very well communicated. New subscriber in Tucson, AZ. I will receive my KA13 in two days and look forward to trying with my Artti T10 and Hifiman Edition XS. I already use KA11 so I will compare. Also will be using 4.4 for first time.
Awesome, thank you! And cheers! 🙏
Great review Andy! The video quality looks really good. Love the background 😄
I love sunrise
Thank you Andy, i bought the KA 13, after wathing this video about a month ago. Is a significant upgrade from ibasso DC 03.
KA 13 is powerful enough to drive the sundara too.
My pleasure. Enjoy your music
Ka13 is much better than ibassso dc03?
Hi Andy, thanks a lot for the review. Just got mine a like it a lot.
Enjoy!
Hi Andy. A great review as always. Just want to inform that I am able to access the 5 low pass filter functions of the Fiio app for KA13 by tapping on the Audio icon of the app. Just to share.
Thanks for the feedback, that's very useful to others to know
Nice review as always, Andy. I saw King Diamond just before COVID started and can't wait for the upcoming KD and MF albums 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Thanks. KD is evergreen!
Nice review as always Andy 🙂
Thanks!
lol and I was just almost set to buying hiby FC4, now I really have to think how much I want that mic input over this FiiO!
I have been watching your recent reviews and I ordered a Dawn Pro. Looks like I got a good deal.
No doubt among the best bargain of currently available choices
@@donglemadness moondrop or fiio whats the best option?
Hi Andy, great reviews as always and detailed. I'm abit of a newbie for dacs and have sennheiser momentum 3. I was wondering if my headphones will benefit and work well with KA13? I am looking for great imersive sound stage, one that you feel like your in the music. This might sound ridiculous but hope you I have your expertise. Thank you and lookin forward to more great videos!
Dacs I was also looking at are DC04 pro. Saw your review and it seems pretty much the same.
Assuming that you are using PC onboard sound or from a phone directly, then yes KA13 will offer better resolution and overall quality for your headphones, especially if you run them from the 4.4mm BAL side. DC04Pro is definitely among the very best and you can expect great performance from that one too
thank you so much🎉🎉and wow such a quick reply. I am sure you will help a great deal more people on their way to getting better dacs. Have a great week ahead and looking forward to seeing you review Questyle m15i ❤
I returned mine due to one thing: heat ,they put so much power yet no vents, it was unpleasant to handle even when used inside ,after 15 minutes or so even in low gain mode i measured over 42 degrees Celsius on top of the unit ,not pleasant to hold in hands and it was just sitting on my desk with no sunlight in LOW gain.
Everything else i liked about KA13, so if u do not care about it getting quite hot its very good and has lot of power .
Great review as always Andy !! I decided on the last minute to get Hiby FC4 instead because of the MQA x16 for Tidal .
Thanks!
MQA is a scam
i have both hiby fc4 and fiio ka13, fiio ka 13 is way better, hiby fc4 has distortion when volume hits 90%
@@teste-yh5df What are you trying to drive that you need to raise it to 90 % ? I have never needed to reach my FC4 to 90 % because it's already powerful for my devices.
@@Stylianos. Some people just need high level of loudness, on most 4Vrms dongles I needed only 30/100 to drive full sized hard to drive magnetic planars, but I do know some will need more than double of that to get proper loudness for their needs, this is why we have something like iFi Diablo or 15 Vrms Class A amps, to satisfy that needs
świetna recenzja - dziękuję i pozdrawiam
You're welcome
As always an excellent review!
I had two questions:
1. In other videos you showed that you have a Sennheiser HD 650. How does the KA13 behave with it? Is this a dongle you would also recommend for use with headphones?
2. How does it compare to mini desktop amps like the Fosi K5 PRO or iFi Uno? These two have an average output power of 220mW. My question is: can you replace one of these mini amplifiers with the KA13?
Thank you very much and congratulations on the great reviews, Andy.
Thanks Adrian. Yes I used to have HD650 but it is not with me anymore, but I know HD650 very well, my Fostex T40RP MK3 ultimately is harder and more demanding than HD650, so I can say that KA13 will work well with HD650 not just power and loudness, but synergy factor too. Compared against mini desktop amps, KA13 would hold really well to compete head on with the likes of FiiO Q11 and Fosi K5 Pro. I haven't tried UNO so can't say about it. And I would say KA13 can definitely replace those mini desktop DAC/Amps and even mid type, as long as you don't expect it to perform like a FiiO K9 or Burson Audio Playmate 2 or VE Prime DAC + R2BFE
Thank you very much!
Greetings from Brazil!@@donglemadness
Brazil here Fiio ka 13 e muito melhor!@@adrianomoreira1341
Analytical reviewer in UA-cam,,more power,,Sir🇵🇭😋😁👍👍👏👏👏👏
Thanks! 😃
Very handsome dac dongle...
Muchas gracias por el video, muy detallado, saludos desde Honduras.
Saludos! And thank you!🙏
Always doing great review as always 🔥. Regarding floor noises in black background. How can we determine it from bad recording or the noise come from equipment (dac,iems,etc)
Thank youu
Thanks. The issue of floor noises depends largely on how familiar you are with the song/music you listened to. Some poor recordings does contain recorded noises in the background and you get to hear them when used with highly analytical listening equipment. But on a known good recording and you hear floor noises, then it is definitely the fault of the equipment
@@donglemadness thank you for your explanation 🙏🏻. May i suggest you to try intuaura plume. It’s still unknown yet but i think this is the hidden gem in 2024 with very good price to performance value. Cheers! 🔥
Hii Andy, loved your detailed reviews. You have been my first preference to me for any IEM/dongle review to watch for. Just a small request, when you will be reviewing Shanling UA4?? Currently am using a small portable USB DAC which is CX 31993 (single chip). I want to upgrade from it so I was in a thought to purchase Fiio KA13 and then I got to know about Shanling UA4. Now am a bit confused on what to purchase between these two (Fiio KA13 nd Shanling UA4). But before that I was waiting for your review on Shanling UA4 also. Can I expect your review soon on that?? It would be very helpful for a beginner like me.
Also am using simgot ew200 nd it runs on very low impedance I believe (not much about into these terms 😅) will Fiio KA13/Shanling UA4 be a significant upgrade for an IEM like ew200 from single DAC chip (CX 31993) in terms of technicalities nd sound quality?? Hope you reply to my comment. Eagerly waiting to listen from you Andy.
Thanks a lot in advance... A big fan of you from India ❤
Thanks. Worry not, UA4 is up next in a day or two and hopefully you get some clarity with what suits your needs
@@donglemadness thank you so much for the quick reply..
Andyyy I love your review! Between this one FIIO KA13 and the iBasso DC04PRO, what will be your preference? Base on this is the one I'm gonna buy :)
Thanks!. I personally still prefer DC04Pro from the Cirrus Logic side
Is iBasso dc03 pro still relevant? How does it compare to the fiio ka13?
Es curioso como ahora la mayoría de fabricantes se están dando cuenta de que el sonido orgánico le gustara mas a la gente
¡Es genial tener opciones!
Awesome review as always, thank you! Will you get a chance to test the new ibasso dc06-pro and the ibasso dc elite? Last question, will the Cayin RU7 still have the most holographic soundstage and the deepest soundstage and layering? I dont care for wideness, but only for depth. Thank you!
Thanks, I already have DC-Elite and DC06Pro here with me. Testing them now. And yes, RU7 still rules with holographic soundstage as of all the dongles I reviewed so far
great, thank you for your fast reply! @@donglemadness
yeah im sure its still in development and has not replicating highend portable dac just yet, its too different from desktop
A great review! Thank you! Question: if I am pairing with HD650s, is there additional benefit to using 4.4 balanced OR the high gain desktop mode in an iPhone? Want to ensure I don’t under power them but also don’t want to overkill if it impacts battery with no benefit. Thanks!
Yes, the 3.5mm SE is running on less than half the power. You want the 4.4mm BAL to get 550mW at 4 VRMS because HD650 is super scalable, the higher the better
Hi Andy, great review. I am getting the E10K Olympus for 56$ in clearance. And getting this KA13 for 85$. I'm in India. Will E10K be enough for HE400SE? Or I need to get shell out more and get KA13. Any other dac/amp you would suggest for HE400SE. I'm on a limited budget. Thanks!
Thanks. I have no experience with E10K so I can't say. But for HE400SE, KA13 is more than enough
Amazing video! Can you make a video on your pc? Is it a prebuilt?
Thanks, I may do a short video on my PC setup when I can spare some time. It is custom built from scratch with Cooler Master NR200P Max chassis with i9 and RTX4090
@@donglemadness please make a short video. That PC setup looks fantastic.
Hello Andy love your review on KA13! I was wondering if i can pair
Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro 32 ohm or 80ohm or 250ohm version with KA13 Which i bought after your recommendation.Which would be the best choice? I was thinking to go for 80ohm version,Thank you.
I would go for 250 Ohm version, but provided that you will get a 4.4mm BAL cable for it to make use of the full power of KA13, otherwise if you can only run 3.5mm SE, then the 80 Ohm version is more suited
Thankyou!Andy its doesn’t come with 4.4mm balanced only 3.5mm with non-detachable cable in single ended.I think i should stick with 80ohm.
Hey Andy thanks for this great review. How would this ka13 using 4.4ml balanced pair up with the se846 gen 2? Is it too much power or a match made in heaven?
I would not know as I never tried SE846 of any gen. Assuming that SE846 is the one that can appreciate scaling to more power, then the results should be good, or it could also turn out to be overkill if SE846 is sensitive, of which you will need something like a 2 Vrms solution (running from 3.5mm SE)
The se846s have a 114 dB SPL/mW sensitivity and impedance of 9ohms. I'm just afraid that 550Mw may be too much
@@bigb3564 Yep overkill on 4.4mm BAL, but should be grey with 3.5mm SE
Thanks I appreciate it.
Great 👍
My KA13 is on the way and can't way to use it with my DT 990 Pro
\m/ King Diamond!!!
🤘🏼
Hi Andy,
Would you recommend the KA13 or the Dawn Pro if I plan to use it with the following: Crinacle Zero Red, Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci, Hisenior Mega5EST and the Sennheiser HD650?
KA13 would be better since you have HD650, just make sure you run it on 4.4mm BAL side
@@donglemadness And if I just want to drive the IEMs would you still recommend me to pay $20 extra for the KA13?
@@sachithyoda no i had both if u just want iems or 80ohm or less regular sensitive headphones bellow 100ohm and regular sensitive dbs than dawn pro is better option also its smaller weight a bit less and does not get as hot in temperature as KA13 but it can not drive over ears that are less sensitive i would say anything more than DT770 Pro 80ohm would not have enough headroom specially if u use preamps and EQs. So if u will be using sensitive headphones or iems and wanna save few bucks go for MoonDrop no problem
@@tollph3314 Thanks a lot! I went ahead and bought the KA13.
Hi. How does it compare to VE Megatron? which of them is more powerful? nice review
Thanks. VE Megatron is still more powerful outright on VRMS and mW (630 mW)
Hello Andy. Do you think the fiio ka13 would be suitable for my needs? You see, my current dac, a Jcally ap7 sounds too "digital" for me, it kinda cuts out the bass and raises the treble quite a bit (I think...).
While the jcally ap7 does provide a much cleaner sound, I still find myself enjoying more the sound coming straight out of a laptop or my phone without it. I was wondering if that would be the case for this dac as well. I have a Qkz x Hbb, Tangzu Wan'er and Kz Castor bass, I use the Kz the most. Your response will be much appreciated.
Yes, different DAC/Dongle does offer different sound temperament and timbre. If you find AP7 a bit bright/edgy for your taste, then you should look into getting something like EarFun UA100 or EPZ TP30, cost a bit more than AP7 but they would likely suit your needs
@@donglemadness Thanks Andy, apart from those two, do you think that the Fiio ka13 would be a good choice too? as long as it doesn't add excessive brightness, I'm good with it. I saw a Fiio ka13 on shopee going cheaper than the EPZ T30.
too many dongle to consider at any price point 😅 btw have you tried topping dx1?
Yes I lost track of how many released already. No I haven't ried DX1
Between KA13 and BTR15, which one do you recommend for 300 ohm HD-660s2?
Since I like BTR15 more than KA13, I will recommend BTR15 for your HD660s, just make sure you run it on 4.4mm BAL
Nice shirt
🤘
Hi Andy I want to ask between Fiio Ka13 and Ibasso DC06 Pro which one is most suitable for planar IEM 😁 I'm confused because Ibasso is currently on promotion
KA13 is a known performer so yes. DC06Pro, can't say for now, just received it. Will need to test then I can how
@@donglemadness OK, thanks, I'll ask again in the next review 🤣🤣
Will you review Fiio KA17 when it's coming out?
Yes, I intend to :D
Ya salio fiio ka17 en Aliexpress
Do you think this would be enough to drive the Beyerdynamic DT 880 600 ohm?
Yes, if you run from 4.4mm BAL and in High Gain, also make sure to run on USB Exclusive mode
Andy you didn t recommend to me Shanling UA3 for Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro x /48 Ohm/. I would ask you if you would recommend this DAC Fiio KA 13. 1.8 Ohm ???? so low. I use 3.5mm so 170 mW is not as big.
That's true, UA3 would be a bit too bright sounding for DT 900 Pro X. KA13 however is not as bright and will pair well with it
@@donglemadness Great. thank you so much.
Hi Andy. My KA13 is running the v0.12 firmware but it only has a 50 steps volume control in the Fiio Control app. What firmware version did you use?
in the fiio control app the volume level is 50 steps. in Andy's review he uses a PC 😁
@@adieliem Ah okay. I thought by 100 he means the steps in the KA13. Thank you Bro 👍
I should have clarified, the 100 steps was referring to when I used it on PC volume, sorry for the confusion!
Does it work with smartphones like Samsung A35 or is just for more powered sources like PC, laptops etc?
Yes of course dongles like this are actually designed for pairing with phones either Android or Apple
@@donglemadness I'm afraid this is not so obvious. Shanlin UA4 does not work with a Samsung Galaxy A35. Maybe you should consider to make a few tests like this on your next reviews 🤙
Which is better, BTR3K or KA13? Generally for Simgot EA500LM, EA1000 and some full sized headphones such as Takstar 82 Pro etc.?
I haven't tried BTR3K so I don't know how it compares to KA13, but for EA500LM and EA1000, both will synergize really well with KA13, you probably need to run on Low Gain especially for the highly sensitive EA1000
@@donglemadness thanks 🙏
Help me choose for beyerdynamic dt 240 pro at 34 ohm which is better, it will sound more detailed fiio ka 13 or topping dx 1 or smsl su-1?
I haven't tried DX1 or SU-1 so I can't compare them with KA13, but if you want details, KA13 have great details
i'm planning to buy it as a Dac for my IE600 iems ,is it good or might be overkill for iems ?
Don't worry, will not be overkill since KA13 is gentle even for highly efficient IEMs
@@donglemadness ty for the quick reply !!!
hi. would it be dangerous to my IEM to use with this? my IE 600 doesn't need an amp, i'm looking for a dongle dac to provide a sound quality boost, currently got the apple dongle/m1 macbook air aux port.
Anything that makes sound will always have an amp, either integrated or modular. The difference is how strong or how not strong they are. KA13 is far superior than Apple dongle even for easy to drive IEMs, and don't worry, for as long as you keep the listening levels well within reasonable threshold, it will not be dangerous to the IEM or you
Hi! I bought KA13 for around $50 ... Would you say a got a great deal? Compare to buying a dawn pro for similar price
That is a steal deal if you ask me :D great find!
@@donglemadness omg, i was really having a hard time... For $50 .. dawn pro or ka13.. this gives me confidence i chose rhe right deal !
@@donglemadness thank you so much!
i paid 100$ for mine, u lucky@@janssensantos4231
I have a samsung galaxy s24 ultra and a pair of beats studio pro headphones. Is this likely to improve the sound quality of the headphones?
I have no idea how scalable Beats Studio Pro, never tried it, so it is hard to imagine how it would benefit from an external DAC
@@donglemadness ok thanks anyway
I want to buy this, but watching your chart, Moondrop Dawn Pro seems better, Moondrop has less power i think its 250 300 mW? and the KA13 has 550mW so... why do you think moondrop is better? right now Moondrop is only 700-800 pesos and the KA13 is $1,100 pesos... you think moondrop is superior because of the price?
The differences are marginal really, they are both great sounding dongles. I personally feel DAWN Pro is a bit more airy and open sounding
@@donglemadness Hey Andy thank you su much, and the little dots, the little holes in it, do you think that is bad for the dust inside ? Do you think that the KA13 has 2 or times the Dawn Pro, but do you think the difference of the power matters too much? for it moondrop is $15 dlls cheaper. But that little holes worries me a little...
The reality is, DAWN Pro is already very powerful as far as I am concerned based on my sensitivity to sound
@@donglemadness I have been three days watching your videos to make a decisión watching conparissons. I'm more into ka13 because of the power and moondrop has me a little bit worried about the little holes, and i saw a review In Amazon that the volume bottons broke ;( Also i like a Lot good detail, niice bass control, Big soundstage.
Hello, what would you suggest out of KA 13, iBasso DC03 pro and moondrop dawn pro?
If you use 3.5mm only, DC03Pro is a clear choice. But if you have 4.4mm BAL jacks, then I am more inclined to say KA13 or DAWN Pro, both equally good and rated equally in #donglemadness
Thank you, sir
Hi, I'm a newbie. When I connect my 7Hz Salnotes Zero IEM to my phone, I have to set the volume to full for better listening. I know the KA13 is powerful, but will using it damage my IEM? Is it overkill or good enough to increase the volume? Also, will the dual DAC in this model improve sound quality compared to the Fiio Jade Audio KA11? Please reply.
No it will not, for as long as you don't blast it 100% all the time, at which you will damage your IEMs and your ears. KA13 has the power, you just need to be mindful to set the volume at proper levels before you attach your IEMs. I don't have JA11 to compare
@@donglemadness Thank you for reply. What about comparing dual DAC with any other single DAC models? Can we feel the quality difference or just a marketing gimmick?
Yes, different DAC will offer different level of experience and sound quality, not a gimmick
Helloo sirr...im using KZ ZSX, KA 13 or Moondrop pro do you prerfer? Thanks before
ZSX is already very efficient IEM, it will probably will not benefit from the extra power of KA13, so you can consider Moondrop DAWN Pro, and even DAWN Pro is already very powerful. Both KA13 and DAWN Pro are on equal terms with sound quality
@@donglemadness ahh I see.. I have buy moondrop pro and exactly like you say the sound is amazing, and like u say is too over power for KZ ZSX.And if I want to upgrade my iem what do you suggest for under $80?
Best regards
Better in performance than Moondrop Dawn Pro?
Not really as both are rated equally on #donglemadness
Between Q11 and KA13 what you think I should get? I nred somethinh powefful for the Artti T10 Planar IEM.
Thanks!
Both has the power you need, as I have tested both with something even more demanding than Artti T10 - for as long as you run them on 4.4mm BAL side. You only need to decide now, if you want something small and compact or something a bit more suited for non stationary usage
@@donglemadness someone told me on FB Chifi group community that Q11 is more suitable for headphones so I should get ka13, now I don't know what to do 🤷I don't mind the size, what I like about Q11 is the battery and it has 650mW max power output,100mW more than ka13 if I'm not mistaken. I prefer a warmer sound but not too much
@@S1RBR4N I gonna be repeating what I have said before, both are more than enough for your Artti T10, unless you are convinced that T10 is more demanding than Sennheiser HD600 300 Ohm, 91dB Fostex T40 RP Mk3 or HiFiMan Sundara then it is a different story. Most dongles nowadays are exceedingly powerful and in fact overkill for some IEMs especially when used with 4.4mm BAL. Power specs does not tell the whole story, the actual implementation of it matters more, take HIBY FC6 for example, it has lowly mW at 160 but it does not stop it from sounding the best of the best among all dongles that offer much higher mW rating, food for thoughts
@@donglemadness Nice. Thank you so much for your reply! I get it know🙏
Hi there, sorry to bother, but how the Fosi Audio DS1 and the Lotoo Paw S1 compares with the Fiio KA13?
DS1 is brighter sounding compared to KA13 and S1 is smoother and more analog sounding versus KA13. But outright max power KA13 is superior
@@donglemadness Thank you a lot, they seem to complement each other
Hi what do you think about the topping dx1 vs fiio ka13? Which of the 2 can drive the hd600 and he400se? On pc only?
I haven't tried DX1 so I can't speak for it. But KA13 has the power and juice to do what you want for HE400SE and HD600. Both are easy and not as demanding as when compared to Fostex T40RP MK3 that I use most of the time, and I am so very familiar with all three headphones
@@donglemadness ka13 or cda m1p if need to drive he400 and iem?
@@StevenGohThuanYung I personally prefer the sound signature of M1P, both has lots of power for HE400SE regardless
Few reviews are saying this FiiO KA13 gets very hot when using with a hungry fone, as HE400SE on balance for exemple. One Brazilian reviewer said that he was really worry about it, he thought it would explode hehehe.
Any one has something to say regarding to this situation on getting extremely hot with high demanding fones?
I’m thinking about getting it, but don’t want to get a future problem.
Thanks.
It could also be depending on which FW is running on that device. Some firmware especially the older ones does exhibit some accumulated heat
@@donglemadness Nice, thank for the feedback.
So the FiiO KA13 is FW upgradable officially by FiiO, correct?
Thanks again.
@@Varellax That is correct. FiiO always make a point that their products can be upgraded with FW
Hello. My Fiio KA13 has a noise issue, do you know the solution?
I would not know why, the issue could be unique and I would recommend to contact FiiO support if this is persistent
Between Moondrop Dawn pro & Fiio Btr15 which is better
BTR15 without a doubt
@@donglemadness thanks
I am so sorry for asking this, Is it enough to power 650 ? Does the lowend comes alive and Upper treble gets a boost ???
More than enough. To clarify something, a neutral DAC does not boost sound or color it, KA13 is a neutral DAC, to do what you want you need to play with EQ or just get a strong V sounding headphones like Beyerdynamic DT880, if offer sparkly highs as well as dense lows
@@donglemadness Offcourse, but 650/600 are different beasts altogether. The 300ohm marking on them is kind of misleading. They resist way more than that in both upper & lower the frequency you go. Even with something like Topping L30 they sound dead. They need a very high voltage swing to operate. Tube amps are something at mid-fi level that can operate to its full potential.
That's why I ask for a 650 perspective. You pair it up with Bottlehead Crack they sound like different headphones altogether, pair it with something like Fiio K7 they are dead.
Due to its driver resonance frequency, AMPs act like EQ without messing with THD.
@@arghadeepmisra7865 For the level of articulation you seek, then I don't think any dongles can do that 100% other than DACport HD and FC6, the richness of sound texture. Best to keep it with true desktop stuffs like Burson Audio Playmate 2 or VE Prime DAC + R2BFE stack
@@donglemadness Thanks A Lot 💎
Which one is better Qudelix 5k or FiiO KA13?
I have no idea yet, once I have 5K then perhaps I can say something about it
Does desktop mode only work with the balanced output?
Works for both
I have an iPhone 13. I read iPhone is not powerful enough to run the KA13 and the power rating of the KA13 will not be able to be used. Is this true?
I personally have stopped using iPhones since 2020, it is mostly weak for many powerful dongles, so there's truth in this
New subscriber here, loving your channel!
I ordered the K13 before you answered. Trying to run: Sen 650, Beyer 990 250 ohm, Hifiman Ananda. Will the K13 power these through iPhone or have I wasted my $$? Other question, will this dongle make a difference with my very efficient Philips X2HR, 30 ohms/100dB or is the Apple Dongle the same quality of sound for efficient headphones? I don't use IEM's. Appreciate your response!@@donglemadness
@@WWeiss-nv5vz hey did it end up working with your iPhone 13? I have the same phone, and also read that the KA13 doesn't work with iPhones which would be a shame
Working great! One of the best audio purchases I have made!@@Biesteh
can you review the aune yuki and qudelix 5k?
Yuki is on order. Qudelix 5K not so sure yet
Hello Andy.
Truthear Shio is at sale of $58.
Should I get it or save more and get this Fiio KA13 at $75 instead?
Can't go wrong with any one of them, get the one easiest on your pocket
Sorry to bother you again, but can you recommend a dongle that has more power like the KA13 and with the same sound characteristics?
Before I suggest anything, I assume that you already have KA13, what are you driving and how are you using your KA13? PC? Android? iPhone? do you use USB exclusive mode. I need to know all that because the reality is, tons of dongles now are very powerful especially 4 Vrms rated dongles and they all passed my tests with Sennheiser HD650, Sennheiser HD600, HiFiMan Sundara, Fostex T40 RP MK3 with good authority to drive all of them with proper headroom and dynamics. Once I understand your situation and what you are looking for, perhaps I can recommend something that will work for you.
@@donglemadness Actually I have a Fosi Audio DS1 and a Lotoo S1, but I need more power to use some headphones and earbuds with 150-300 ohm. I use the dongle in the PC and android. I used a Tempotec BHD Pro, but the high gain mode was missed, even though it had reasonable power.
@@brendonqueiroz3703 And you find DS1 not powerful for your 300 Ohm earbuds? Did you run 4.4mm BAL on your DS1? DS1 is rated 220 mW at 4.4mm BAL and if you find that not powerful then I can say no dongles would be able to meet your needs, I may recommend that you get something like FiiO Q15 instead or at least Venture Electronics Megatron or even iFi Diablo. I understand the perception of individuals differ from one person to another and while I find something like 100 mW HIBY FC6 can easily drive Sennheiser HD600 300 Ohm with good authority, I cannot assume you would have similar sonic sensitivity to mine. The best way now for you is to avoid dongles altogether and go for the bigger DAC/Amps
@@donglemadness it's powerful, but in this case I'm looking for dongles with power but with different sound that I already have. But anyway, I will look for the options that you gave, thank you!
@@brendonqueiroz3703 Aah you looking for synergy factor then. To give you some ideas, DS1 is brighter sounding when compared to KA13, DS1 focuses more on traditional clinical ESS Sabre crisp tuning and KA13 is more natural and smoother - if that is what you looking for, then KA13 has the power as it is also naturally organic compared to DS1
Do you prefer this or the q11?
Sound tuning for both are near identical, they share the same FiiO Cirrus Logic tuning after all, which one I prefer more? it boils down to features you need, no longer about the sound itself
1.8 ohm output impedance? isn't that a bit high?
Probably to dampen the output for highly sensitive IEMs especially hybrids
@@donglemadness That is not a good thing IMO
sir fiio ka13 vs fiio q11 which is better ?
Sound wise KA13 and Q11 tuned similarly, they are both Cirrus Logic and both are FiiO after all. Power for power Q11 may look slightly higher on paper, but in practice KA13 is more than a match
Is it same Dongle Madness AndyEF ??🎉❤
Eh? you mean is this me? AndyEF? lol. Yes this is AndyEF
@@donglemadness congrats best wishes.. Subscribed Stat..Brother..Love from Chennai audiophile Forums
1st
Damn man you beat me
Lol
Does it sound better than
Shanling UA 4
Please tell
If you watch the comparison section, you will see that KA17 and UA4 practically scored the same numbers for sound. They uses the exact same DAC model and also tuned similarly. From what I heard, they are practically identical sound wise
Hey Andy. May I know how do you compare KA13 and Cayin RU7? Which would you prefer ?
RU7 is one of the top 5 performers for #donglemadness so it is a superior dongle in every way compared to KA13, you can check the tier list in the video description. I personally will pick RU7 every time over KA13 if I have to choose between the two
@@donglemadness yeah I have watched your RU7 video and the rankings before watching this video. Just auditioned the KA13 yesterday and it sounds amazing already.
But I haven’t got the chance to try the RU7 yet. Do you think it is comparable to Mojo 2? I’m currently looking for ru7 for more mobile use.
Thank you very much for your review and recommendations!
Hi, Fiio ka3 or Fiio ka13? Please.
KA13 all the way, it is like a better KA3
Thanks, and sorry can I get another answer please. I need to choose betwen the Fiio Ka5 and the Ibasso Dc04 pro, I saw your video about the best dongle DACS, but I need to know, how much do you feel the difference betwen the two. I prefer Ibasso’s “analog sound” but also I love the Fiio bass, so without these points. Which sounds better? Please, I want to use my HIDIZS mp145 with the best sound I can.
@@juansebastianlombeidaurgil6009 Both KA3 and DC04Pro are neutral so they don't add Bass, Treble or Mids, no coloration.On neutral sounding DAC, what you hear is the sound characteristics of the IEM you use, if the IEM have big bass then they will sound as it is. DC04Pro is superior to KA3 in all areas
Thanks, but I was referring to the ka5 not the ka3. Are the dc04 pro still better? Please 🙏
@@juansebastianlombeidaurgil6009 Your first question was saying KA3. DC04Pro is 5 Star rated, KA5 is 4.5 Star, I think that alone should tell you which one is the superior dongle. For DC06Pro, please watch my review on it, I explained the difference with DC04Pro
Do you think it will fit Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 32 Om Headphones?
Yes it will synergize really well with DT770
Thanks for the answer .
In the specifications of the headphones, the maximum power is 100 mW, and in k13 170mW, will this not cause the headphones to break?@@donglemadness
@@vitalikderevlyany9149 No worries about that, the power rating is to indicate the threshold of power efficiency, the fact is, most headphones will behave even better than with more power
@@donglemadness Thanks for the detailed answer)))
I’m confused between this and iBasso DC03 Pro due to same pricing, please help 🙏
What are you driving? do you need power over 4 VRMS? do you have 4.4mm BAL IEMs or headphones? if yes then KA13 will be a better choice. But if you only have 3.5mm SE plugs, then DC03Pro is the better one, especially if you are driving stuffs that are not over 300 Ohm
@@donglemadnessThanks ❤, I want to know for now in terms of 3.5mm - which is going to be sound more natural and overall better in terms of sound quality? DC03Pro or KA13 👀 Both are costing same in India. Please help 🙏
@@lastnamearya KA13 is more neutral and natural, DC03Pro is tuned slightly colored with enhanced dynamics, vibrant and engaging sound
Can this dongle dac power 300ohm sennheiser?
More than capable
can this drive something as a hifiman edition xs or a sundara or even a 400se
Absolutely, Fostex T40RP MK3 that I use is harder to drive than both XS or HE400SE, not just you get ample loudness, you get proper headroom and sound authority as well, but then so does many other 4 VRMS dongles released recently, you will be surprised how capable they are. But of course if you talking about endgame scaling, you still need to get stuffs like Burson Audio Playmate 2 or Prime DAC + R2BFE ot K9 for over 2000 mW of power which planars are known to shine the best
@@donglemadness thank u very much for the answer, if you desktop amp is 100% how much percent of quality u think u can get with the ka13
@@gustavoteixeira1538 Compared to Burson Audio Playmate 2, I would say close to 90% in terms of quality alone. Loudness no issue
E1da 9038d или fiio ka13 в плане уровня звука с 3.5мм?
KA13 has more power even from 3.5mm
@@donglemadnessменя интересует уровень звука , а не мощность)
@@user-pr2my9sm3x I can't confirm really, my E1DA 9038D was already given away two years ago. Sorry
@@donglemadness спасибо)
Does anybody here know how this DAC compares to the HIBY FC3!?
My own experience with FC3 vs KA13, FC3 offers strong ESS Sabre brightness and crispy edged sound, KA13 in comparison is not as sharp as FC3, not as bright and more natural with sound timbre
@@donglemadness Thank you so much for such a detailed reply!
which is nice with sennheiser hd 599
I haven't tried HD599 so it's hard for me to image how it will synergize with this KA13, but being neutral as it is, I would expect HD599 to work as well as HD650 and HD600
@@donglemadness I am cuurently using seenheiser hd 599 with Asus rog laptop and i want to buy a dac amp, what will you suggest
Bro what open back headphone i can run with this? I need the mobility.
Headphones? practically anything from Sennheiser HD650, HD600, TAKSTAR HF850, FiiO FT3, HiFiMan HE400SE Stealth, Sundara, this thing is flexible
@@donglemadness im getting mixed opinion, some people said dongle dac wont properly run a planar.
@@kamrankambang7953 Of course there's polarizing view on this, but for me personally, many headphones runs perfectly fine on dongles, some even perform better than entry level desktop DAC
@@donglemadness will hd560s work with this?
@@fabianarzak1663 Absolutely
Ka5 o ka13 bro?
Almost no difference in sound tuning for both, with KA13 offering a bit more power and KA5 with more features, otherwise they are equally matched
@@donglemadness For quality/price, is the 13 worth it then?
Sunrising
Lovely wasn't it? haha
Lol they should definitely let you keep it in exchange for the review and shoutout. Pretty cheap of them
In defence of Red Ape, it was me who begged them to loan me one, they didn't ask for me to review. All the items you see that I got from Red Ape, that's me begging them to loan me for review purposes. And I will honor my part by returning the demo unit so that other buyers can test it a their shop. Red Ape did give me quite a few already some items by simply saying I don't need to return them, and that's really generous
Dco3pro vs fiio ka 13
Different tuning between those two. KA13 is more neutral and DC03Pro a bit more colored. KA13 also has double the max power at 4Vrms
@@donglemadness tanchjing space ? Under 100 dollars how does it perform?
@@gourabdeb9144 Similar to KA13
How does the KA13 compare to questyle m15?
M15 offers a bit more resolution and transparency, but with narrower staging and headroom compared to KA13
Jcally AP20 review ?
Probably next year