In this article we review the FiiO KA11, another all new entry-level dongle DAC/Amp from the brand. The Jade Audio KA11 is priced at just $29,99 USD.
Disclaimer: The FiiO KA11 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 pushed even further this year, with the introduction of two new entry-level dongle :
– The FiiO JA11, which we reviewed a few weeks ago and appeared as “a solid improvement over your basic dongle”, even if not ground-breaking.
– The FiiO KA11, still entry-level but packed with much more power and advertised as a real portable DAC/Amp thanks to the CS43131 chip and improved circuitry.
Enough to be the best audiophile entry-point? That’s what we’ll check out today.
About Jade Audio
Unlike the KA17 I previously reviewed, and like the JA11, the FiiO KA11 isn’t part of the classic FiiO range but belongs in the Jade Audio bracket.
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 (reviewed)
- FiiO KA11 : a DAC/Amp with a single CS43131 chip (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
Once again, the brand surpassed my expectations and gave us a really neat device with the FiiO KA11, right in line with the rest of the catalog. Think JA11, but elongated.
Thin and sturdy, the new DAC ditched the rugged design of the KA5, and took the same tubular unibody case seen on the JA11, but half-wrapped in another chassis as if the KA11 was just an evolved Pokemon of the prior one. Gone is the plastic chassis, now replaced by the same aluminum-magnesium alloy now standard on most products of the brand, giving the KA11 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 KA11 is 44.5 mm long (without the cable), 9.7 mm wide, 10.5mm thick, and just 8.5g heavy, making it supremely portable. Again, even if those measurements do not include then non detachable USB-C cable, the DAC remains a bliss 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 KA11 is absolutely flawless in this regard. « Sunrise silver » or « midnight black » 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 two step body and smooth tubular end point. 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 – something you get with higher tier FiiO’s device – 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 KA11.
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 KA11 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 KA11, allowing you to handle that aspect directly from the device. A feature that I’m a bit sad to miss but, not a deal breaker considering the price – again. I was not surprised not to find that feature. What’s surprising me though, is the lack customizable PEQ. A feature that was found on the lesser model, allowing you to set custom PEQ curves with the help of FiiO’s Control app – if you’re an Android user only though.
In exchange, you win digital filters controls – a classic on Cirrus Logic chips – and RGB lightning, for those that may have the use. 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. Advertised as a long-lasting wire, the cable was tested through 5000 plug/unplug, weight-bearing and swings. Not sure it’s gonna last a lifetime, but during my months of use it never failed.
Last but not least, 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 KA11 doesn’t come with an extensive bundle. In the box you’ll find…. the FiiO KA11. And that’s all!
Specifications
Cirrus-Logic CS43131 with 32bit / DSD decoding
Once more, FiiO chose to rely on Cirrus-Logic DAC, the aforementioned CS43131 more precisely, found in plentiful of devices nowadays, unlike the small DSP integrated on the JA11, much like the FiiO KA13 and Shanling UA1 Plus – two dongle DAC that we also reviewed.
A very popular chip, issued from the MasterHiFi series and advertised as a “low power audio DAC with a high-fidelity headphone amplifier to provide a superior system-level audio performance”. And, history has proven that Cirrus really knows cirrus knows a thing or two about it, improving year after year, for the last decade.
As usual, this chip is more of an SOC than a simple DAC, embedding all kinds of features like advanced 32-bit oversampled multi-bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology, or an Integrated GND-centered, now completed with an USB Bridge 94312L from Savitech and a SGM8262 Op-Amp for the power amp.
On the go, the FiiO KA11 can output up to 240mW per ears, a massive improvement compared to the small JA11. More than enough on a daily basis, and sometimes enough to power up an sensitive planar. But, it’s when paired with the Meze 99 Classics, that you should already head an improvement compared to your basic dongle.
The big plus remains the ability to decode PCM signal up to 32bit/384kHz and even DSD256 files on the go. Top that with super low distortion (<0.0006%@32ohms) (<0.00038%@300ohms), noise floor (<1.7uV) and very good signal to noise ratio (>125dB).
Let’s put that to the test!
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
