![]() ![]() I have been enjoying my time with KA3 polished and highly resolving dynamics. Not an easy thing to achieve, so I will give credit to FiiO and Jade Audio for keeping it naturally balanced sounding on KA3 tuning. To me it means KA3 is geared to please those appreciating their music smooth, resolving and crisp, without any element of fatigue especially for those dreading the notorious ESS Sabre Pinna glare. This interpretation of timbral and tonality presentation can mean differently for different listener. I would place KA3 alongside Shanling UA2 and Audioquest Cobalt on the same segment for tonal approach (another two with ES9038Q2M). For example, KA3 has better sense of organic warmth when compared to Hidizs S9 Pro or E1DA 9038D, both of which are ES9038Q2M as well. Tonal balance hovers closer to being analogue with slight hint of organic warmth – warm for a normally bright sounding ESS DAC. KA3 is a very well tuned ESS based Dongle. Being able to adjust the filters is something I find very useful and with FiiO providing proper app for it, makes the whole experience even better. Hidizs S9 Pro, Audioquest Cobalt and REIYIN DA-Plus runs on fixed filters with no user configurable options provided. Not all ES9038Q2M provide access to this. This is similar to what can be found on Shanling UA2 and E1DA 9038D – a built in feature of ES9038Q2M which allows user to adjust the effective filters. They influence the temperament of timbre handling. These filters, they don’t actually alter the sound. I use Apodizing Fast for matching with natively warmer sounding partners and Slow Roll-off with natively bright sounding IEMs/HPs. Sound Impressionsīefore I proceed any further, it’s worth to mention that the entirety of my impressions are done on Apodizing Fast Roll-off or Slow Roll-off filters. But definitely less heat than Hidizs S9 Pro or A&K PEE51. With prolonged usage, the aluminum body of KA3 will emit mild heat which I find quite common among many Dongles. But this is still better than CEntrance DACport HD which only managed 3.5 hours. KA3 fell short 30 minutes from matching the mileage clocked by Cayin RU6 and iBasso DC05 of which both scored 6 hours. ![]() Which also provide the means to adjust the desired Hi/Lo Gain, Channel Balance, Device Volume and Lowpass Filters.Įndurance wise, KA3 scored 5 hours 30 minutes from 100% to 1% on my Sony Xperia X Compact (AndrmAH Battery, Airplane Mode), running UAPP bitperfect mode in High Gain with TRN VX Pro. But it does offer options for fine tuning of volume on Android via FiiO Control App. KA3 does not have any hardware volume adjuster. Blue for ≤48kHz PCM, Yellow for>48kHz PCM and Green for DSD The other prominent physical feature of KA3 is the single indicator for source resolution. Not forgetting the USB cable that came in twist braid setup which I find equally beautiful, finished in gunmetal hue. ![]() Solid, firm and spartan exterior with just a hint of elegance with two end caps both end anodized in flat gold. The construction suggests that KA3 is built to last. CNC machined aluminum body with flat black powdercoat. A very versatile DAC chip that can be found among some of the best performing #donglemadness counterparts. Look at it from one side and it is FiiO KA3, flip it over and it became Jade Audio.Īs with what is quite common nowadays, FiiO/Jade opted to use the proven and tested ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC. A partnership effort between FiiO and Jade Audio. FiiO entered the ever growing Dongles scene with this neat and solid looking device. LISTENING EQUIPMENT USED IMPARTED HUGE INFLUENCE TO SOUND IMPRESSIONS & RATINGįiiO KA3. ![]() iFi ZEN DAC V2 + ZEN CAN Stack (15.1 Vrms).Sony Xperia X Compact (UAPP USB Exclusive Mode, Bitperfect).LG V50 ThinQ (UAPP USB Exclusive Mode, Bitperfect).Windows 10, Foobar 2000 (Native USB Drivers).Shure KSE1500 (Single Electrostatic 200V, KSA1200 Energizer).TIN HiFi T3+ (Single DD, 32 Ohm, 105db Sensitivity).TRN VX Pro (8 BA + 1DD Hybrid, 22 Ohm, 106db Sensitivity).Etymotic ER4SR (Single BA, 45 Ohm, 96db Sensitivity).Beyerdynamic DT880 (Dynamic Drivers, 600 Ohm, 96db Sensitivity).FOSTEX T40RP MK3 (Magnetic Planar, 50 Ohm, 91db Sensitivity). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |