FiiO JA11 Review

In this article we review the all new entry-level dongle DAC/Amp from the Chinese brand, the FiiO JA11, priced at just $14,99 USD.

Disclaimer: The FiiO JA11 was sent to us, free of charge, by the brand in exchange for our honest opinion.

About FiiO

Established in 2007, FiiO has become a powerhouse in the audiophile realm, offering an impressive line-up of affordable and high-quality products. From IEMs, headphone amps, DACs, to DAPs, FiiO has consistently delivered top-notch devices, setting benchmarks for other brands to follow like the FiiO M23, the mighty FiiO Q7, or the everlasting E10K, which has remained on the market for over a decade.

An unceasing saga of success, propelled not only by a steady flow of high-end devices but also by the introduction of smart, budget-friendly products. Their latest series of USB DAC/Amps is a prime example—compact dongle-sized gadgets that hark back to the venerable FiiO E5 and E3, first revealed over a decade ago. An expansive range that includes the delightful FiiO KA13 the formidable FiiO KA5, the diminutive FiiO KA1 and KA2, and the lovely KA17 we had the chance to listen to a few weeks ago.

And if that line-up already seemed very complete to me, the brand still decided to release one last middle-year gift, with the FiiO JA11. An entry-level dongle priced just below the $20 USD threshold, but with features strangely close to the new FiiO KA11 (review incoming)

Enough to be the new get-go reference? That’s what we’ll discover today

About Jade Audio

Unlike the KA17 I previously reviewed, the FiiO JA11 isn’t part of the classic FiiO range – like the M15S, or Q15.

A quick resume from the brand, so we can all get the same info:

“Jade Audio” is a subsidiary brand of FiiO Electronics Technology Co., LTD. It is a stylish, technological, and youth-oriented brand aiming to provide high-quality yet cost-effective audio products with an excellent listening experience for the younger generation all around the world. The entity’s Chinese name is derived from “翡声” (Fei Sheng), meaning “the sound of Jade”. The name “Jade Audio” conveys our mission towards providing consumers with a crisp and pleasant listening experience while maintaining audio fidelity

As a matter of fact, there are now more and more Jade Audio devices such as:

• FiiO JA11 : a DAC/Amp with proprietary DSP (today’s review)
• FiiO KA1 : a DAC/Amp with a single ES9281AC Pro chip (reviewed)
• FiiO KA2 : a DAC/Amp with a dual CS43131 chip (reviewed)
• FiiO KA3 : a DAC/Amp with a single ES9038Q2M Pro chip (reviewed)
• FiiO KA5 : a DAC/Amp with a dual CS43198 chip (reviewed)
• FiiO KA13 : a DAC/Amp with a dual CS43198 chip (reviewed)
• FiiO KA17 : a DAC/AMP with a dual ES9068Q chip – not really Jade, but I’ll put it there(reviewed)
• FiiO FF3 : a new-gen earbud with a 14.2mm large dynamic driver (reviewed)
• FiiO FF5 : same but different earbud with a 14.2mm large dynamic driver (reviewed)
• FiiO Q11 : a portable DAC/AMP with a battery, replacing the Q3 (reviewed)
• FiiO JW1 : a new-gen earbud, wireless (reviewed)
• FiiO JH5 : a hybrid IEM packing 1 DD and 4BA (reviewed)

Design & Build Quality

Casing

For a sub-$20 DAC/AMP, I have to say that the FiiO JA11 largely surpassed my expectations, especially compared to the similarly price dongle Apple is selling.

Thin and neat, the new DAC ditched the rugged design of the KA5, and took the same tubular unibody case seen on the dongle bundled with the FiiO FF1, but with a premium touch. Gone is the plastic chassis, now replaced by the same aluminum-magnesium alloy usually now standard on most products of the brand, which gives the JA11 a much better resistance compared to your default dongle -sort of a mix between FiiO’s latest KA13 and ddHifi’s TC35 Pro.

Same goes for the body-size. End to end, the JA11 is 95 mm long, 9 mm wide, 12.7mm thick, and just 5g heavy, making it supremely portable. Measurements that include the USB-C cable, non detachable, making the DAC easy to carry in a jean’s pocket, a jacket, or simply stuck to your phone if you’re ok with QI-wireless charging.

Really nice!

Build Quality

Like every product recently released by the brand, the FiiO JA11 is absolutely flawless in this regard. Clear grey anodized aluminum-magnesium, super sturdy 3.5mm output, screw-less design, and an amazingly satisfying double-layer braided fabric outer sheath that look and feel amazing to touch.

In hand, the result is even more impressive, thanks to that slick body and smooth tubular body. You could definitely drop it, or step on it, and it shall come out unscathed (I don’t recommend any of that of course). It lacks multifunction buttons and volume controls, but for the price… that’s just me nit-picking.

All in all, a very solid piece of work that inspires confidence and really gives a good impression.

Comfort and Specifications

Daily use

On a daily basis, it’s hard to get something simpler than the JA11.

Just plug it into your phone, tablet, computer, insert your headphone jack, and you’re good to go. There were no issues with my iPhone 13 Pro Max + TC28i + JA11. Same with my MacBook and computer: each time, the FiiO JA11 was immediately recognized by the source, and music came out almost instantly. On Windows, I had to wait a minute, until the OS got the right driver but after that, it worked flawlessly.

Unlike the KA17 and HiBy FC4, there are no volume controls on the JA11, allowing you to handle that aspect directly from the device. A feature that I’m a bit sad to miss but, that’s not a deal breaker and considering the price – again – I’m not surprised not to find that feature.

What’s surprising me though, is the customizable PEQ. A feature that could be found on higher model from the brand, allowing you to set custom PEQ curves with the help of  FiiO’s Control app – if you’re an Android user only though. You can even switch between UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0 to ensure perfect compatibility with all of your sources (aka gaming consoles, computer, etc…)

On the go, it’s a pleasant device to use that allowed me to test various headphones, even when I forgot my adapters. To my surprise, unlike the KA5, the 3.5mm output doesn’t double as a SPDIF one, so no digital out!

Bundle and Accessories

Inside the box

Obviously, at a price this low, the FiiO JA11 doesn’t come with an extensive bundle. In the box you’ll find:

• the FiiO JA11

And… that’s all!

Additional accessories

As DAC/Amp, there are many accessories that you could add to your JH5:

• a good pair of headphones or IEM (check or guides)
• a good source like a modern smartphone or an entry-level DAP
• a Lightning to USB-C adapter if you have an iPhone older than the 15

Specifications

Proprietary DSP with 32bit / DSD decoding

Unlike the KA11 (the bigger sibling), the FiiO JA11 doesn’t come with your usual DAC from Cirrus-Logic, Sabre or AKM. Instead, the brand designed its own integrated chip, delivering less power obviously, but draining even less power too.

On the go, the JA11 can output up to 30mW per ears, with around 25mA of power consumption – a value so low that you can virtually power the DAC, with almost any source. Sure you won’t be powering up Hifiman’s latest planar, but paired with the Meze 99 Classics, that should already be an improvement compared to your basic dongle.

The big plus remains the ability to decode PCM signal up to 32bit/384kHz and even DSD128 files on the go. Top that with low distortion (<0.004%@32ohms) (<0.003%@300ohms), noise floor (1.7uV) and good signal to noise ratio (>115dB).

Let’s put that to the test!

Technical specs

• Type: USB DAC
• Model: FiiO JA11
• Chipset: integrated chip
• Frequency range: 20Hz – 20 000Hz
• Compatibility: PCM up to 32bit/384kHz – DSD up to DSD128
• SNR: 123dB (3.5 mm) / 126dB (4.4 mm)
• THD (normal): < 0.004% (32 ohms) / < 0.003% (300 ohms)
• Output power: 30mW + 30mW
• SNR: 115dB
• Size: 95mm x 8mm
• Weight: 5g
• Socket: USB-C
• Price: $14,99

The article continues on Page two, after the click here, or after the jump

Page 1: About the brand, design and build quality

Page 2: Sound performance, associations