PEQ on the KA15 is great! It has shelves and peak filters. Fiio also now has a website interface, so you can update the KA15's firmware and change it's PEQ on any PC. Also, you can change between the three custom EQ presents on the dongle itself.
yeah, the custom EQ presets on the device itself feels like a great feature that just got glossed over in this review. Especially in today's audio scene where almost all audio gear will have pro-level measurements done and kinks in the tonality can be fixed with a built-in preset on the dongle that you can transfer to different sources.
As a complete newbie especially when it comes to DAC's, how much of a difference do they make? I want something that offers more power than my motherboard (old motherboards, lots of white noise and just bad in general) but would also just presents the IEM's as how they're supposed to sound, analog without coloring/"masking" flaws. Are the descriptions of "warm, neutral, clinical" just exaggerations to make a point for a minimal difference or is the difference substantial?
I have a black one. For the price, it's pretty impressive. It sounds really good with my HIFIMAN Arya Organic cans. Last but not least, the battery drain isn't too bad even in desktop mode.
Trying to figure out what to buy can be super confusing coming from idk what you’d call it. More standard main stream equipment? Like bt headphones standard over ears there’s lots of options but so many channels and articles and people use them. You find more resources. Trying to find a dac to use with my phone and some iems has been much more difficult at least for me. So many new/different brands a long with so many similar models from so many companies. This company alone has several several models on Amazon and at similar enough price points. So it isn’t easy to ascertain what their lineup is even supposed to be.
Nice review but the device is not available for set-up in the fiio app and white it connects using the web app, it wont let you save EQ settings. Not sure what you did to make it work for the video.
There are some teething problems w the Alpha, but I can't complain other than the fact that you need to run windows to update the firmware. I run macs no window machines. I think its cute, but I'll stick w the Alpha. Now if I had to get a new device... iBasso DC Elite while more expensive... seems to be the new dac to beat.
If I have an iPhone 13 (so not a usb c port, but instead a lightning) What would be the best way to connect my phone to the DAC so I can play Apple Music with the highest resolution, through my IEMS? Like is there a good cable to use?
The adapter it’s called a photo adaptor I think Apple you can get third party ones much cheaper online it’s a white lighting lead to a sq box the box allows a usb in and a power cord so you get a conversion from lightning to usb the usb goes to your dac amp.. Amazon have loads of them the cheaper ones are perfectly fine.. I use them for iPhone 14 to a Fiio k11 or a soundblaster g6 it works perfectly..
@@lechiffre5078 the 5k is one of the best (if not the best) bluetooth dac/amps, this one lacks the bluetooth but has more power in desktop mode. I was considering this as my main PC amp, as I already own the 5K and a BTR13 for portable use, but sometimes I want to drive my LCD2Cs with more authority than either of those can provide. And the retro casette look is amazing :) Plus I understood that this leans towards the R2R analog-ish kind of sound while the 5K is more analytical, the btr13 is somewhere in between to my ears. It's a personal choice to be honest. Need bluetooth? Keep the 5K or try the btr13 or btr15 (they're cheap so why not), if planning to use wired mostly, get this, and get rid of the worry of battery degradation
I got a question, new-ish to this audiophile thing, wondering since this thing has a screen, does it draw like more power away from the iems/headphones? idk if a phone is or would be strong enough to power both the display on this dac and the headphones/iems. or how much power does it draw to power the display
Hey Gizaudio, I had a question. I have the hifiman edition xs and I want to buy a budget DAC amp. And I am wondering which one will give me the best detailed audio and good base. The fiio ka15, moondrop dawn of if uno?
Thanks for watching! Only if you need a little more power. I think the RU7 has 400 mw out of the balanced? Which is plenty. And although I don't have the original M15 if it sounds anything like the M15i (many say it does) then I cant se any reason to buy the KA17. Again, its powerful but I doubt its going to sound any better than the M15 or the RU7 for that matter. I don't want to say it would be a downgrade but......
Thanks so much for checking out the review! Equal performance to the Alpha imo. I probably should have clarified: I don't think it has an analogue presentation, but it leans more that direction. Warm would have been a better term. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
At least for me..yes, Above all, because it heats up less, although I have never used planars and will never use so much power in my IEMs, and I also love the design
🤬🤬🤬 i watcvhed 5 minutes of this cr*p and i still was not able to understand what main functions this tool is made for. and i have a technical background. Woul it really hurt you to say in one short sentence at the beginning what your video is about so that we can decide quickly if we are discovering something that helps us, of if we ought to pass to the next topic ! 🤬🤬🤬
Most watching a review on a dac amp thingo should know what it does? You can watch a video or just google it, you dont have to explain what headphones are for every time you make a headphone review :/
@zqri look I have been a sound engineer 40 years ago, I have a master degree in computing, and I have been all my life near from the tech. So of course, I cannot know everything about everything, but my general culture should be large enough to understand people speaking about tech, should they be willing to be understood by a large panel of people. By the way this explains why I am watching videos that are not exactly in my domain of competence. To extend my general knowledge. Now, I don't retract anything. This guy is speaking like Chinese to me, meaning the he is only interested to communicate with people expert with his domain. I still find it a bit sad to hear a review of an equipment without at least one sentence explaining what the equipment is meant for.
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, I haven't had the BTR7 for a while so I cant do a side by side comparison. But from I remember it had a little more of a dynamic presentation compared with this. The KA15 is a little more laid back to me. Actually I think my brother still has it but unfortunately he lives a couple of thousand miles away! I think I will be seeing him for Thanksgiving though. Anyway, I hope that helps thanks again for watching!
The fact that it displays current and voltage output in real time is really cool. Big differentiating feature in my opinion.
Man the cassette like look of the KA15 is all that gets me excited. Good review dave.
Thanks for watching!
Big fan of fiio's new products!! Thanks for the review!!
Thank you for watching!
PEQ on the KA15 is great! It has shelves and peak filters. Fiio also now has a website interface, so you can update the KA15's firmware and change it's PEQ on any PC. Also, you can change between the three custom EQ presents on the dongle itself.
yeah, the custom EQ presets on the device itself feels like a great feature that just got glossed over in this review. Especially in today's audio scene where almost all audio gear will have pro-level measurements done and kinks in the tonality can be fixed with a built-in preset on the dongle that you can transfer to different sources.
Do you know if it can save more than 3 custom EQ presets?
@@aaronwong6355 It's currently limited to three customs EQs. Hopefully they change that in future firmware updates.
thanks for watching!
As a complete newbie especially when it comes to DAC's, how much of a difference do they make? I want something that offers more power than my motherboard (old motherboards, lots of white noise and just bad in general) but would also just presents the IEM's as how they're supposed to sound, analog without coloring/"masking" flaws. Are the descriptions of "warm, neutral, clinical" just exaggerations to make a point for a minimal difference or is the difference substantial?
Nice review as always dave
I have a black one. For the price, it's pretty impressive. It sounds really good with my HIFIMAN Arya Organic cans. Last but not least, the battery drain isn't too bad even in desktop mode.
what do you mean battery drain?
The additional amount of battery usage while the DAC is connected.
I wonder how does it compare with Fiio Ka17?
me too
Trying to figure out what to buy can be super confusing coming from idk what you’d call it. More standard main stream equipment? Like bt headphones standard over ears there’s lots of options but so many channels and articles and people use them. You find more resources.
Trying to find a dac to use with my phone and some iems has been much more difficult at least for me. So many new/different brands a long with so many similar models from so many companies. This company alone has several several models on Amazon and at similar enough price points. So it isn’t easy to ascertain what their lineup is even supposed to be.
FIIO KA15 look nice, but your house... OMG your house is fantastic!
Nice review but the device is not available for set-up in the fiio app and white it connects using the web app, it wont let you save EQ settings. Not sure what you did to make it work for the video.
Hey Dave, do you have a tier list?
And I just got the ONIX XI1 not a while back then I saw this. Welp, looks like I'll put it on my Wishlist. Really like the design of this one.
Any suggestion for a better usb c c cable to switch the original one (in the box) to connect to the smartphone?
Does the Alpha sound more analogue/warmer than the KA15 or is it imperceivable difference?
Onix Alpha or KA15 for listening to vocal music?
Can you explain or show how you save custom eq setting through the app. Cause I can’t get my ka15 to save any of my custom EQ at all
design alone has me sold
The KA15 has PEQ while the Alpha Xi1 does not, other than that they are very similar it seems.
There are some teething problems w the Alpha, but I can't complain other than the fact that you need to run windows to update the firmware. I run macs no window machines. I think its cute, but I'll stick w the Alpha. Now if I had to get a new device... iBasso DC Elite while more expensive... seems to be the new dac to beat.
The DC elite is awesome! Thanks for watching!
If I have an iPhone 13 (so not a usb c port, but instead a lightning) What would be the best way to connect my phone to the DAC so I can play Apple Music with the highest resolution, through my IEMS? Like is there a good cable to use?
The adapter it’s called a photo adaptor I think Apple you can get third party ones much cheaper online it’s a white lighting lead to a sq box the box allows a usb in and a power cord so you get a conversion from lightning to usb the usb goes to your dac amp.. Amazon have loads of them the cheaper ones are perfectly fine.. I use them for iPhone 14 to a Fiio k11 or a soundblaster g6 it works perfectly..
Camera adaptor
Thanks for the reply, I will have to check out the power chord.
Do you know if it will lower the resolution of the music though?
I love mine! It was a great purchase! :D
awesome video! i wanted to ask what speakers are on your desk? also, what is that machine on top of the headphone amp that says streaming?
How different are these dongles in sound quality from say a LG V20 or a LG V60 that has its own dac amp.
thank goodness. i saw the FH19 there. And the Aful P5÷2. Two iems I am going to get. yeah Dave. well done❤
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I love the music introduction, what are the name of the song, I assume it's jazz but i don't know how looking the song.
The same dap and amplifiers are in the fiio jm21. So their sound will be very similar
ibasso dc07 pro?
I have got Fiio Ka3 It is worth changing it?
does this have a bass boost or low end boost?
Does all of these sound better than Fiio KA17 ?
KA15 has 10 band PEQ and Onix doesn't have any such. Does this tilt your recommendation a little bit may be?
I'm using ka17. But the ka15 design is so attractive. Would it be stupid to resell ka17 and buy ka15?
Dang guess it's time to upgrade from my ka13 to the ka15 😅
Great video as always... what a cool device - do I need one if I have the Moonriver 2? I STILL want the KA15 though!!!
Thanks for watching!
No, unless you get headphones with high impidance
I have the qudelix 5k, is it worth taking this one? which one is better?
I was just wondering the same thing.
@@lechiffre5078 the 5k is one of the best (if not the best) bluetooth dac/amps, this one lacks the bluetooth but has more power in desktop mode. I was considering this as my main PC amp, as I already own the 5K and a BTR13 for portable use, but sometimes I want to drive my LCD2Cs with more authority than either of those can provide. And the retro casette look is amazing :) Plus I understood that this leans towards the R2R analog-ish kind of sound while the 5K is more analytical, the btr13 is somewhere in between to my ears. It's a personal choice to be honest. Need bluetooth? Keep the 5K or try the btr13 or btr15 (they're cheap so why not), if planning to use wired mostly, get this, and get rid of the worry of battery degradation
Also curious
This one is more powerful and might perform a bit better objectively, but the qudelix has better PEQ and of course bluetooth
Great review 👍🏻
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Thinking about getting a ka15 just for my portapros.
I got a question, new-ish to this audiophile thing, wondering since this thing has a screen, does it draw like more power away from the iems/headphones? idk if a phone is or would be strong enough to power both the display on this dac and the headphones/iems. or how much power does it draw to power the display
I was thinking about to buy this but I chose the Ibasso DC07 pro instead.
how does it sound
David, thank you for another wonderful dongle DAC-amp review! 👌
Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱
Always great to see you here! Thanks for the encouraging words as usual and thanks for watching!
Only on the BTR15 they put an outdated black & white screen 😮💨 but it sounds great.
Can you post about your background music.
T'was a good, useful review. Thanks 👍
I'm glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!
Hey Gizaudio, I had a question. I have the hifiman edition xs and I want to buy a budget DAC amp. And I am wondering which one will give me the best detailed audio and good base.
The fiio ka15, moondrop dawn of if uno?
a bit more focus on tonality differences would be great in your videos
This or FOSI AUDIO DS2?
love FiiO❤
I own Questyle M15, Cayin RU7 and xDuoo Link 2 Bal. Would Fiio Ka17 be a good side-grade or is it pointless to buy ?
Thanks for watching! Only if you need a little more power. I think the RU7 has 400 mw out of the balanced? Which is plenty. And although I don't have the original M15 if it sounds anything like the M15i (many say it does) then I cant se any reason to buy the KA17. Again, its powerful but I doubt its going to sound any better than the M15 or the RU7 for that matter. I don't want to say it would be a downgrade but......
I saw the red button and thought oh cool it records. Nope it's a menu button . Bummer. Looks awesome though. :)
My mobo produces shit audio... Really informative, am considering this product to solve my issue
It eats the alpha??? Analog?
Thanks so much for checking out the review! Equal performance to the Alpha imo. I probably should have clarified: I don't think it has an analogue presentation, but it leans more that direction. Warm would have been a better term. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
@@Gizaudio have you updated your Alpha to the latest firmware?
Fantastic review Dave, I was just checking Axel's review on the KA15 as well. I think I will end up buying one just for these crazy good looks.
Fiio BT11 ASAP please! 😁🙏
Hopefully I can get my hands on it! Thanks for watching!
How they work's on gaming?
Like all fiio fantastic but I’d get the k11 over this… k11 Fiio ft3 jt1s epos h3 all sound amazing. Balanced output is super powerful and clean
@@audie-cashstack-uk4881 thanks 🔥
Moondrop dawn pro vs KA15?
K11 plug in gets one Dac this gets 2 I find that weird
One has PEQ one doesn’t. That is the deciding factor.
take a look at TANGZU YU XUAN JI
this vs btr15
better than ka17?
At least for me..yes, Above all, because it heats up less, although I have never used planars and will never use so much power in my IEMs, and I also love the design
I beat you
Thanks for watching!
It has identical hardware to the ka13. I think it's the same with a screen and an extra button.
No, the real question is not how it sounds. They all sound the same
🤬🤬🤬 i watcvhed 5 minutes of this cr*p and i still was not able to understand what main functions this tool is made for. and i have a technical background. Woul it really hurt you to say in one short sentence at the beginning what your video is about so that we can decide quickly if we are discovering something that helps us, of if we ought to pass to the next topic ! 🤬🤬🤬
Most watching a review on a dac amp thingo should know what it does? You can watch a video or just google it, you dont have to explain what headphones are for every time you make a headphone review :/
@zqri look I have been a sound engineer 40 years ago, I have a master degree in computing, and I have been all my life near from the tech.
So of course, I cannot know everything about everything, but my general culture should be large enough to understand people speaking about tech, should they be willing to be understood by a large panel of people.
By the way this explains why I am watching videos that are not exactly in my domain of competence. To extend my general knowledge.
Now, I don't retract anything. This guy is speaking like Chinese to me, meaning the he is only interested to communicate with people expert with his domain.
I still find it a bit sad to hear a review of an equipment without at least one sentence explaining what the equipment is meant for.
Man so hard to just choose one 🥲
Allow me to ask... What is your opinion if compared with fiio btr7?
Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, I haven't had the BTR7 for a while so I cant do a side by side comparison. But from I remember it had a little more of a dynamic presentation compared with this. The KA15 is a little more laid back to me. Actually I think my brother still has it but unfortunately he lives a couple of thousand miles away! I think I will be seeing him for Thanksgiving though. Anyway, I hope that helps thanks again for watching!