CanJam SoCal 2023 is happening at the end of the month and we’ve noticed that very few manufacturers plan on announcing new products at the show based on the lack of communication so far this month. If new things are coming — we would know about it already. Has the market become soft for DACs, Dongle DACs, DAPs, and IEMs? We wouldn’t go that far but it would appear that manufacturers have a lot of “old” inventory to move before they introduce new products and that consumers are looking for products that are affordable right now.
We have been harping on this message for the past 4 or 5 months. Affordability is huge right now. Even for the Head-Fi community. If you look at the sales data, high-end headphone manufacturers only represent 1% of the market when it comes to sales. Apple is still more than 20% of the earbuds market.
But does the recent release of the iPhone 15 create an opportunity with the decision to only offer a USB Type-C connector? We hate having to use adapters with our older iPhones and the move to USB Type-C should have occurred years ago.
How that implementation plays out with the current generation of Dongle DACs remains to be seen but the new FiiO KA13 looks rather intriguing. Especially at the price. $80 USD is a steal.
The new KA13 Portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier and K11 Desktop Headphone DAC/Amplifier build upon the success of an award-winning range of portable audio equipment from FiiO, including the recently launched FT3 headphones, the M15S Digital Audio Player, and R7 Music Streamer.
The FiiO KA13 is a compact yet powerful portable USB Headphone DAC/Amplifier. Utilising dual CS43131 32-bit DACs and 8262 Op-Amps, it delivers full support for 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256 Hi-Res audio files.
Despite the KA13’s portable size (a mere 56.3 x 22 x 10.5mm), to deliver maximum flexibility, FiiO’s engineers have managed to incorporate both single-ended (3.5 mm) and balanced (4.4 mm) headphone outputs into slender frame. The 3.5mm output also supports SPDIF output. Apple iPhone 15 owners can now use the USB Type-C input for superior sound quality.
The FiiO KA13 offers an excellent solution for a wide range of sources, including Android, iOS, PCs and more. Alongside the KA13 delivering a powerful sound whilst on the go with mobile sources, it also features a ‘Desktop Mode’ which can be manually selected to increase the power output to an impressive 550mW.
Available in black and silver, the KA13’s sleek metallic chassis features an ambient light window which changes colour to easily show the quality of the audio file being played: PCM ≤48kHz will display light blue, PCM >48kHz will display yellow, whilst DSD displays green.
The KA13 works with the FiiO Control media app for Android and iOS allowing settings such as Gain, Filter, SPDIF Output, Ambient Lights to be easily adjusted according to preference.
Key Features:
- DAC Chip: CS43131
- Op-Amp Chip: SGM8262
- Hi-Res Support: Up to 384kHz / 32-Bit & DSD256
- USB Connector: Type-C (USB 2.0)
- Ambient Light Window
- Dimensions: 56.3 x 22 x 10.5 mm
- Weight: 18.5g (excluding cable)
- Output Power (Single-ended): 170mW + 170mW
- Output Power (Balanced): 550mW + 550mW
- USB-C to USB-C Cable Included: Yes
- USB-C to Lightning Cable Included: Yes
- USB-C to USB-A Adaptor Included: Yes
Price & Availability
The FiiO KA13 will be available for $79.99 at Amazon (£69, €74).
For more information: fiio.com/ka13
Related reading: Cayin RU7 Dongle DAC Review
ORT
September 23, 2023 at 11:50 pm
This looks very nice! I recently bought a FiiO KA5 USB DAC and after a couple of weeks, gave it to my son who enjoys it very much.
I still have the C to Lightning connector. I prefer the Lightning as it has a reassuring “CLICK” when I connect it to a cable in my car or truck. Of course the new Kenwood in my ‘stang is said to do wireless CarPlay via BlooToofs but I have yet to try that out.
Why?
I have no problem being tethered to quality. Another reason I chose the FiiO KA5 USB DAC and would have no problem buying a KA13. Quality.
That and no mention of the unmentionable…aka – MQA.
ORT
Michel C
October 5, 2023 at 7:09 pm
I recommend the very similar Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro which is in the same price range. Fabulous compact dongle and very enjoyable together eith a pair of Fiio FH11 IEM’s.