Very thorough and informative review, Real! For latest dongles, output power nowadays seems to be no issue but tuning for synergy. I guess it should be mildy warm if not using desktop mode. Hopefully we could see more your dongle reviews in the future!
I've got the FiiO Q11, amazing how it can push 300 Ohm over-ear headphones to more volume than I can take (IEMs are a breeze to drive for this thing), for what it costs that is. Thanks for the review man.
Thanks for watching - yeah i thought the dongle wont be able to handle the 300 ohm gear and while it doesn't push it to its fullest extent it still does a great job
I juuuuust bought the dawn and after just 2 hours of listening to it, google told me the existence of this product. And there's no return policy on my country if the shit ain't broken. Still sound great for r70x though.
Experiment: if you plug your HD650s directly into your phone, what suggests they are underpowered to you? Only the volume? By comparison, what’s the change when you power them via 4.4 normal and then 4.4 desktop? Again, only volume or do you notice any other differences? I ask because I can power my HD650s from an iPhone with proprietary lightning to 3.5 adapter and it’s plenty loud enough. So, I’m curious if the KA13 might make any other differences. (Great video!)
Excellent review and comparison! How does it stack up compared to the Fosi K5 PRO desktop mini amp/dac? Is it the same thing? Technically the Fosi has the same output power, but only reproduces a maximum of 24bit/96khz. However, the Fosi has bass and treble equalization buttons.
Perhaps the only thing I don't like about it is that the firmware update software is Windows only. Quite annoying, considering it supports so many platforms. Many people (like me) may not even have a Windows PC, so you need to visit friends or family for updates. It's a new device, so this is important. Other than that, it's very nice. Neutral, transparent sound and plenty of power. And at least on the unbalanced output, the battery drain on my phone is noticeable, but not bad either on 48 Ohm headphones.
Ka13 is much better. Ka5 is more expensive and vocal is less recessed due to lack of power giving the elusion of being slightly more spacious, but its not. I have both, if you play them back to back, Ka13 trounces Ka5 in every category. Ka13 has warmer and fuller vocal, deeper punchier bass and treble stays the same as Ka5. It's also every bit as clean. Ka5 sounds exactly like the more powerful and expensive desktop K7 that everybody loves. So this means the Ka5 is an awesome unit, but the Ka13 is evern better than both eventhough the K7 overpowers it.
the difference you heard between ka13 and dawn 4.4 on monarch mk3 is also happening with other iems you own or was it one happy synergy beween ka13 and monarchmk3 ? thanks
I've tried it with a couple of IEMs but somehow just stuck with the MMk3 with the KA13, i think it's a combination of the KA13, with MMK3, with Cadmus 8W and it all just gelled, at least for me personally
Hi @reallynotareview. Great video. I bought the Hifiman HE400SE today (it's on the way) and have a tight budget for a DAC/Amp. Would the KA13 sufficiently power my HE400SE? I wont need it blasting at full volume, but can go to 70/80 % at normal volume levels when I am in the mood. Please let me know if you think these will be fine for the HE400SE. Thanks!
Hi there, I have the HE400SE and it seems to power it fine. I mean the KA13 was powering a 300 ohm headphone (HD650) so the HE400SE would be no problem
The KA1 should be sufficient to do the job, however if you're looking to expand your collection in the future then the KA13 would be a little more "futureproof" with its functions and features
I'm bit confused, is this FiiO KA13 can give enough power to my Aful Magicone witch is ( 38ohms and Sensitivity of 103dB/mW ). Please can you help, I am going to order this one today.
I'm worried because my non detach without type c to c for dongle doesn't exist on most dongles and it will spoil after months of use, signal problem always turn off and turn on when I touch it either phone problem or both I don't know, I am scared please advise! 😢
be careful with this device when you are planning to run it with your Apple devices. the volume rocker is not working with latest versions of MacOS and iOS. further more the FIIO Control App is also not working with this device. think twice ;-) in addition to that the entire firmware update process can only be done with a windows system. the entire update process is just a bad joke because of the user interface and the really poor instructions. all in all: nice hardware, pretty bad software. as such not completly managable. i will not buy any more FIIO Products.
Blame apple for making 3rd party companies jump through hoops just to support their hardware. Look around, this is a big problem for 3rd party companies when making anything, not just audio products.
Just ordered! Thanks for the good video!
Very thorough and informative review, Real! For latest dongles, output power nowadays seems to be no issue but tuning for synergy.
I guess it should be mildy warm if not using desktop mode.
Hopefully we could see more your dongle reviews in the future!
Thank you! I hope I'll be able to do more in the future as well
If I knew you were brewing up a dongle review, I'd send over the Shanling dongle line ups for a battle
Ngl would love to see that
Next video perhaps? 😏
I've got the FiiO Q11, amazing how it can push 300 Ohm over-ear headphones to more volume than I can take (IEMs are a breeze to drive for this thing), for what it costs that is. Thanks for the review man.
Thanks for watching - yeah i thought the dongle wont be able to handle the 300 ohm gear and while it doesn't push it to its fullest extent it still does a great job
Which is better between Q11 and ka13? (In terms of audio quality) And which one is more convenient to use with planar iem and maybe he400se?
@@rnarexperiencebro
@@S1RBR4N
Ka13 hands down!!!
I juuuuust bought the dawn and after just 2 hours of listening to it, google told me the existence of this product. And there's no return policy on my country if the shit ain't broken.
Still sound great for r70x though.
another great content and review I just bought via Amazon and will use some iems like KZ PR1 Pro and my just newly purchase Hidizs MP145
Hope you enjoy the KA13! It's really been enjoyable for my experience
Compare with moondrop dawn pro and IBasso DC04 Pro please.
Awsome video man
Thanks!
Experiment: if you plug your HD650s directly into your phone, what suggests they are underpowered to you? Only the volume? By comparison, what’s the change when you power them via 4.4 normal and then 4.4 desktop? Again, only volume or do you notice any other differences? I ask because I can power my HD650s from an iPhone with proprietary lightning to 3.5 adapter and it’s plenty loud enough. So, I’m curious if the KA13 might make any other differences. (Great video!)
great video thanks. buying one
Excellent review and comparison!
How does it stack up compared to the Fosi K5 PRO desktop mini amp/dac? Is it the same thing?
Technically the Fosi has the same output power, but only reproduces a maximum of 24bit/96khz.
However, the Fosi has bass and treble equalization buttons.
Thank you! Unfortunately I don't have that gear to test so i can't comment unfortunately
24/96 is plenty good, way better than anyone's ears. Anything more is overkill for listening.
Perhaps the only thing I don't like about it is that the firmware update software is Windows only. Quite annoying, considering it supports so many platforms. Many people (like me) may not even have a Windows PC, so you need to visit friends or family for updates. It's a new device, so this is important.
Other than that, it's very nice. Neutral, transparent sound and plenty of power. And at least on the unbalanced output, the battery drain on my phone is noticeable, but not bad either on 48 Ohm headphones.
very nice...... please also review and compare others dongles like, ka5, dc04pro, ru6,7, m15 etc....
That's a lot of dongles to compare 😅
It should also be compared with e1da 9038sg3. But i think e1da 9038sg3 beats this one in sound quality. Who knows..
BTR7 wired fior me
Imagine what will ru7 & m15 will sound like. 😂
How does it compare with the KA5?
Ka13 is much better. Ka5 is more expensive and vocal is less recessed due to lack of power giving the elusion of being slightly more spacious, but its not. I have both, if you play them back to back, Ka13 trounces Ka5 in every category.
Ka13 has warmer and fuller vocal, deeper punchier bass and treble stays the same as Ka5. It's also every bit as clean.
Ka5 sounds exactly like the more powerful and expensive desktop K7 that everybody loves. So this means the Ka5 is an awesome unit, but the Ka13 is evern better than both eventhough the K7 overpowers it.
the difference you heard between ka13 and dawn 4.4 on monarch mk3 is also happening with other iems you own or was it one happy synergy beween ka13 and monarchmk3 ? thanks
I've tried it with a couple of IEMs but somehow just stuck with the MMk3 with the KA13, i think it's a combination of the KA13, with MMK3, with Cadmus 8W and it all just gelled, at least for me personally
Play a hifiman he400se v1 on the balanced output?
Will u experience difference with Sennheiser hd 599 with fiio ka13. Now I am using without a dac
Yes always will with a dac amp
Hi @reallynotareview. Great video. I bought the Hifiman HE400SE today (it's on the way) and have a tight budget for a DAC/Amp. Would the KA13 sufficiently power my HE400SE? I wont need it blasting at full volume, but can go to 70/80 % at normal volume levels when I am in the mood. Please let me know if you think these will be fine for the HE400SE. Thanks!
Hi there, I have the HE400SE and it seems to power it fine. I mean the KA13 was powering a 300 ohm headphone (HD650) so the HE400SE would be no problem
@@rnarexperience Thank you for responding! Will probably get this after a few days of running the HE400se (will burn in for about 80 hrs).
Which is better, Fiio KA13 or moondrop dawn pro ?
I am about to get a fiio ka1 and will be used with moondrop chu 2. Should i get that ka13 or just stick with ka1?
Yo tengo el Ka1, el Ka3 y este Ka13, y si te conviene este, pues precio y prestaciones
The KA1 should be sufficient to do the job, however if you're looking to expand your collection in the future then the KA13 would be a little more "futureproof" with its functions and features
How does it compare to the new Moondrop DAWN Pro?
Unfortunately I do not have the Dawn Pro in hand to compare
@@rnarexperienceand now?
@@rnarexperienceand now?
Is mic supported in this?
Vs Moondrop DAWN PRO
I'm bit confused, is this FiiO KA13 can give enough power to my Aful Magicone witch is ( 38ohms and Sensitivity of
103dB/mW ). Please can you help, I am going to order this one today.
Does the desktop switch only work when using the 4.4 output?
I didnt try on the 3.5mm jack but from their description it would seem that it'll only work on the 4.4 since that's the balanced output
I'm worried because my non detach without type c to c for dongle doesn't exist on most dongles and it will spoil after months of use, signal problem always turn off and turn on when I touch it either phone problem or both I don't know, I am scared please advise! 😢
be careful with this device when you are planning to run it with your Apple devices. the volume rocker is not working with latest versions of MacOS and iOS. further more the FIIO Control App is also not working with this device. think twice ;-) in addition to that the entire firmware update process can only be done with a windows system. the entire update process is just a bad joke because of the user interface and the really poor instructions. all in all: nice hardware, pretty bad software. as such not completly managable. i will not buy any more FIIO Products.
Blame apple for making 3rd party companies jump through hoops just to support their hardware. Look around, this is a big problem for 3rd party companies when making anything, not just audio products.