Hardware and Sound ->Sound). <> This is more than enough to enjoy FiiO K3, and I feel content with the package for the price point. https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/64555551-ec3c-4279-ae44-248fdfcf6c4b. If you ever need to make sure you’re purchasing your audio gear from the right people, you can totally rely on FiiO, as they’re known for making the repair / exchange process hassle-free, if the need is ever to arise for those. Hello, and welcome to Audiophile-Heaven! That’s not huge but keep in mind the K3 is not designed for use with hard to drive headphones. You can purchase your FiiO K3 DAC/AMP from www.amazon.com here: https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Computer-Balanced/dp/B07KR3RF4H/. Otherwise, as a desktop device, it is fairly small, it looks good on a desk, doesn’t take up much space, although if anything is a little disadvantage, it is a little small and lightweight, which means that a thicker / harder cable may lift if off the table. x����K�@�{ ���Cgg�����C}���x5ւME���n��K|K�@N����0�8{�Oͺ��q�����}��X��~�{��k+�Ͷk���;=���uY�K&4꧲`��0�`��BC�]Yl�ׯ�XU��ZU0��RB�Ij0���� Otherwise, as a desktop device, it is fairly small, it looks good on a desk, doesn’t take up much space, although if anything is a little disadvantage, it is a little small and lightweight, which means that a thicker / harder cable may lift if off the table. The firmware is flawless, and I have always been saying this, FiiO makes flawless DAC/AMPs in every way possible, FiiO Q5 being another good example. The cable included in the package is enough to connect K3 to most laptops and computers, so no issues there either. Both device have a volume wheel. Andy Kelly: I use studio headphones with my PC (currently, Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pros) and I use the compact FiiO K3 USB amp to drive them. Installed everything according official instructions few times, so all needed components are installed. There is also an USB type C cable and two pairs of anti-slip pads/feet, a quick start guide and a warranty card. endobj Boost your computer's sound with … The sound is generally very neutral, slightly bright, good speed, with a good instrument separation and soundstage. Now, if you’re looking for a really tiny mini-DAP, then M0 is really an amazing choice, and it has a lot of abilities that K3 doesn’t, but if you’re looking for a desktop DAC/AMP that can play your hi-res files, has digital outputs, has a Balanced output, and even a Line-Out, you should totally check out K3 from FiiO. The Volume Wheel is large enough, and it has light around it, so you won’t miss it, and you should be able to control if fairly well. It also glows green for hi-res files. 11 0 obj FiiO K3 + FiiO F9Pro – This pairing is really sweet sounding, clean and clear, with a good amount of impact and a good treble extension. K3 pairs well with IEMs, and has enough power for most portable headphones, but it isn’t made for really hard-to-drive headphones. But at the moment you cant play K3 DSD natively with foobar or any other way as fiio states. Being priced at 110 USD, it offers one of the largest number of usage scenarios, having optical, coaxial and even line outs, and a 3.5mm Single Ended Headphone Output, and a 2.5mm Balanced Headphone Output. Forums. FiiO K3 vs. E10K. The first thing you notice is that the beam is much smaller physically, and intended for a portable usage, but it also comes with more cables. The package could have used Optical cables, any 3.5mm to 2XRCA or 3.5mm to 3.5mm line out cables, or a coaxial cables, so if you plan to connect K3 to any other DAC or AMP, you will need to have those interconnects as well. At the back, you can find a Line Out, a Switch between USB Audio 1.0 / 2.0, USB Type-C Input, COAX Output, and an optical Output. multi-function USB DAC for PC-HiFi. The Signature of K3 is a very clean and clear one, very neutral, without any kind of flavour added to the sound. %���� <> <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> endobj FiiO K3 + FiiO FH5 – FH5 does a great job at being a thick and lush IEM, with an emphasis on the upper midrange and lower treble, K3’s very neutral signature actually making FH5 a bit less warm in the bass, which is great for them, and K3’s energetic top end also makes FH5 more airy and better extended. Love the USB-C connection, the new 2.5mm balanced out, the portability, and the sound is clear. FiiO K3 is a fully metallic device, with a rounded housing, and with a large volume wheel on the front. Just connect the K3 to your computer via USB to instantly upgrade to high-fidelity sound, and enjoy your music the way it was meant to be heard. Thanks a lot for your review, it was one of the main reasons I purchased it! FiiO is really well-known within the audiophile community for always offering very affordable, yet very high-quality products, and K3 is no exception, FiiO being one of the most supportive, friendly and helpful companies out there. Technical Specifications. Pairing  The K3 only needs 500mAh to power up, so you can just connect it to a hub and it will power up once you turn the knob. Equipment Forums. We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. K3 is staying securely inside a sponge like material that will protect from accidental drops. Largely plug-and-play, once plugged into my PC, the DAC is almost immediately ready for action. Can’t wait to see your take on FiiO BTA30, George! If anything, I love this pairing, and since you also have Balanced cables in the package of F9Pro, you should totally consider giving K3’s Balanced output a go. 7 0 obj Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in FiiO K3 find their next music companion. K3 pairs well with IEMs, and has enough power for most portable headphones, but it isn’t made for really hard-to-drive headphones. FIIO K3 SUMMARY. Comparisons Buy FiiO K3 DSD256 | 384K/32Bit USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier for Home and Computer(3.5mm Single Ended/2.5mm Balanced/Coaxial and Optical Digital Outs)…: Amps - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Value and Conclusion Portable / Desktop Usage  The sound stage is even more precise, gone is the massive yet strange presentation that could occur with the first gen FiiO … Starting with the package, the SoundKey comes with more accessories, better overall package, although it only has a 3.5mm Single Ended output, where K3 has both a Balanced, Single Ended, and two Digital outputs, and even a Line Out output. If you’re looking for a portable little DAC/AMP that is very tiny, yet very powerful, with a warmer sound, wide soundstage, and a happy overall tonality, the Beam makes an excellent choice, while if you’re looking for a more mature device made mostly for desktop usage, with a more neutral sound, without a color or a tuning of its own, and with a clear window to your music, K3 makes an excellent choice. Nothing too fancy, just everything you need to start your music listening. K3 is much harder to use portably though. FiiO is really well-known within the audiophile community for always offering very affordable, yet very high-quality products, and K3 is no exception, FiiO being one of the most supportive, friendly and helpful companies out there. You can use the Fiio K3 to convert the digital audio from usb to optical or coaxial (both digital) that are at the back of the device. This means that it is also very transparent, making it an excellent little DAC/AMP to pair with most headphones, if you want to hear that headphone or IEM the way it was meant to sound. DAP/Smartphone USB. So this flaw is quite unacceptable. Everything sounds better through the Fiio … 6 0 obj It is quite clear which is the more versatile device. The Bass Boost works well if you have a brighter headphone and you want to thicken it up, or warm up its sound. The Volume Wheel is large enough, and it has light around it, so you won’t miss it, and you should be able to control if fairly well. If you have a dime to spare (donate), it would make my day much brighter, as it would help me improve things around the website and increase the frequency of my posts. The Q1, on the other hand, is ideally designed for on the go use with your mobile device. The FiiO K3 can be plugged to almost any player, as longs as it supports USB Audio Out… allegedly. It has no internal battery, so it will need to be powered from your computer. The soundstage is fairly good as well, and since we’re talking about a 100 USD device, I think the most straightforward device to compare it to is Audirect Beam, which has a wider soundstage, but less depth, FiiO K3 feeling more rounded and deeper. If you connect both the 3.5mm and the 2.5mm headphone outputs, then only the 2.5mm headphone output will keep working. In comparison, K3 is more neutral, more honest, more clean, more transparent, has better treble extension, and much more driving power. It was the first time receiving a product from a company where I thought, “Technology is truly advancing at an almost alarming rate.” Times are much different now. To make 3, I’ll add in Shanling M0, which although is a DAP (Digital Audio Player), is priced pretty close to K3. Key Specs. Just a good crisp and transparent sound, with a good linearity all over the place, natural speed and natural textures all over the place, and enough power for most IEMs and portable headphones, including some harder-to-drive gems. FiiO K3 is actually designed to be used as a Desktop Device, but it works very well as a portable as well, provided your smartphone / source can give it enough power. https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/p/what-to-lookl.html This being said, K3 is much much much more versatile, and even has a bass boost, and feels more neutral and even less colored than  SoundKey. I think FiiO really made those two for each other, that’s how well they work together. FiiO K3 is a new product from FiiO, a small DAC/AMP to replace their older, yet extremely successful FiiO E10K DAC/AMP. I did strap it to my Xiaomi Mi Max 3, and it does draw some power, but Mi Max 3 is a monster of a smartphone, with a huge battery, and it made K3’s portable usage quite fun. On Fiio's website, the K3 is shown exclusively with Macs in a desktop use scenario!! Power amplifier AD8397: serves as the current amplifier, with great control of low frequencies and smooth drive ability. First things first, let’s get the packaging out of the way: FiiO K3 is a very healthily-priced IEM, at 100 USD, so the package isn’t expected to be too fancy, but it does include a USB cable, Rubber stickers, 4 of them, 2 pairs, and a USB Type-C cable. Once installed, the FiiO K3 supportss audio stream up to 32bit / 384kHz and DSD256 which is pretty rare even now. That's current status. x��Zmo�6� �A%�L��HI��yiz�u��m�����VV#�m����73�lQ�u����g8|��P�_���SQ���O�.��j\?\^��x�c�t��ty����@��^//�`��//C�ȣ�NJ�1y_�1c�w"ȭ���" gy6%���&����/7?����b��j3��kd�E\�2��4əv��. endobj It also glows green for hi-res files. PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality are all revealed by those songs. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by FiiO or anyone else. <> The USB input is 3.5mm on both K3 and the Beam. K3 has enough power for both IEMs, and some good headphones, so you can consider it doing its job fairly well as a desktop device. The bass is very deep, and K3 doesn’t seem to struggle at all to deliver a deep and punchy bass, even though it is not the most powerful DAC/AMP on the market, having enough speed to be natural, and enough depth as well. The midrange has a good amount of detail, and for 100 USD, it also has a good instrument separation. Fiio K3 DSD256 | 384K/32Bit USB-C DAC. Introduction <> This review reflects my personal experience with FiiO K3. It isn’t gaudy nor grainy, but it isn’t smooth nor rolled off. Even despite my complaining every time a DAC hits the market (and for good reason), it truly is a good time to be alive. If you ever need to make sure you’re purchasing your audio gear from the right people, you can totally rely on FiiO, as they’re known for making the repair / exchange process hassle-free, if the need is ever to arise for those. Being priced at 100 USD, FiiO K3 has very few direct competitors, but Audirect Beam is a good one, also Cyrus Soundkey being quite similar in terms of pricing. ―. K3 seems to be isolated extremely well from USB Noise, even better than some much more expensive DAC/AMPs, which means that you don’t need to worry about connecting it to a performant high-end PC which can be quite noisy as far as its USB noise goes. endobj I’d like to thank FiiO for providing the sample for the review. The FiiO K3 has an output power of 220mW at 16Ω or 120mW at 32Ω from the 3.5 mm output and 320mW at 16Ω or 200mW at32Ω. 5 0 obj The package could have used Optical cables, any 3.5mm to 2XRCA or 3.5mm to 3.5mm line out cables, or a coaxial cables, so if you plan to connect K3 to any other DAC or AMP, you will need to have those interconnects as well. With USB Driver-free mode: No need to install any drive once you select the "driver-free" mode. I will be sharing insights and comparisons of audio products with you. Sound Quality Basically, a really natural treble presentation. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by FiiO or anyone else. FiiO doesn’t recommend using it this way, but if you must do it, you should know that it works this way as well. The Optical Output seems to keep working regardless of what is connected otherwise. I’ll cover pairings and matchability later on. There is a red glow around the volume wheel, when there are driver issues, and a blue glow when it is working normally, with REDBOOK FLAC files. On the front of K3, you can find the two headphone outputs, one for 2.5 mm balanced headphones, and one for 3.5mm Single Ended headphones. 1 0 obj FiiO K5 PRO gives a nice boost to your desktop setup, by having a Desktop-Class DAC, a Heavy Duty Headphone Amplifier, and a friendly price point of just 150 USD. These two DACs differ mostly in their applications. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That, of course, is a minimum after four years in the making but it could have been a simple visual revamp. First things first, let’s get the packaging out of the way: FiiO K3 is a very healthily-priced IEM, at 100 USD, so the package isn’t expected to be too fancy, but it does include a USB cable, Rubber stickers, 4 of them, 2 pairs, and a USB Type-C cable. <> For testing, I had the FiiO K3 hooked up to my Windows 10 PC via USB. K3 also has enough power to put some punch in any IEM you connect to it, and it does a sweet job even with my. They geared in many new features to K3, including a Type-C USB Port, USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, basically driverless operation for Windows, and even a bass and a gain switch, and to not finish the story too early, even a Balanced Output. Good news, the FiiO K3 is a real upgrade from the FiiO E10K. K5 Pro could support Coaxial/Optical/Line in. The voices seem to be slightly forward, and it is clearly not a laid-back device, having a good amount of texture. I left the gain on high, as it seems to make music better with virtually all of my headphones, and I left the bass boost on off for most my headphones and IEMs. .n� �nh�vyu$~7��������zQ�r҈Ck��6ij٣�y�z�2e�82v5��(�h�F��0?L ����Q��2#�Q*RٹA������˔ 2F�}�u�C��ݥ��hyl_SV�0ґ}IZ�F�m��& Ol���!��s]��!�.���p�>�˪}�]����Mդ��q#��M��7Vf�Q��دV��!�Z�.ת�f����2�r&�7��iY�˴�3�\k�1+�6i?�O�|1" The cable included in the package is enough to connect K3 to most laptops and computers, so no issues there either. Pre amplifier OPA1642: serves as the voltage amplifier, with great layering and medium and high frequency extension. stream endobj K3 is much much more versatile with the inputs and outputs, but M0 can read microSD cards and has a display, which K3 doesn’t. On the other hand, The sound alone, from the 3.5mm Single Ended Output, is in favor of the SoundKey, which is also very neutral, but reminds me more of NextDrive SpectraX, SoundKey being more vivid, more dynamic, having the same soundstage width and depth as K3. K3 is much harder to use portably though. In UAC 1.0 mode, the K3 is a plug and play, 96k/24-bit DAC without the need for additional drivers. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 12 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 4>> No longer does it require your kidney to achieve great sound, wheth… Oooh, you were right about the K3! Of course, the Beam doesn’t have all the inputs and outputs of K3, and you only get one 3.5mm Single Ended Output with the Beam, while you get a 3.5mm Headphone Output, a 2.5mm Balanced Output, a 3.5mm Line Out with K3. In this article we look at the newest FiiO USB DAC . There is a red glow around the volume wheel, when there are driver issues, and a blue glow when it is working normally, with REDBOOK FLAC files. The build quality and the design is outstanding, there are no driver issues, and the build quality / aesthetics and firmware all reach a golden level for K3, a truly beautiful and hassle-free device. This makes the two direct competitors in terms of price, so let’s go. ― Reviews, Comparisons & Insight On Audio! The Signature of K3 is a very clean and clear one, very neutral, without any kind of flavour added to the sound. All in all, the desktop usage is very good, and so is the portable one, if you decide to go that way. <> endobj I left the gain on high, as it seems to make music better with virtually all of my headphones, and I left the bass boost on off for most my headphones and IEMs. Disclaimer: The Fiio K3 was sent to us for the purpose of this review.The unit doesn’t need to be returned and Fiio is a site advertiser. I did strap it to my Xiaomi Mi Max 3, and it does draw some power, but Mi Max 3 is a monster of a smartphone, with a huge battery, and it made K3’s portable usage quite fun. FiiO K3 • The Review Tour of FiiO K3 All-new Headphone Amplifier & USB-C DAC As Audiophile-Heaven reached 100 published reviews, I decided that it is time to create a hall of fame, where the best of the best can …, © Copyright 2020 Audiophile-Heaven. FiiO K3 has and still is very fun to talk about, recommend, and use, being just the right multi-tool for your desktop, for a really good price. View and Download Fiio K3 user manual online. K3 seems to be isolated extremely well from USB Noise, even better than some much more expensive DAC/AMPs, which means that you don’t need to worry about connecting it to a performant high-end PC which can be quite noisy as far as its USB noise goes. They geared in many new features to K3, including a Type-C USB Port, USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, basically driverless operation for Windows, and even a bass and a gain switch, and to not finish the story too early, even a Balanced Output. This means that it is also very transparent, making it an excellent little DAC/AMP to pair with most headphones, if you want to hear that headphone or IEM the way it was meant to sound. Your email address will not be published. 3 0 obj %PDF-1.5 There is a gain, and a bass switch as well. To be honest, I appreciate the inclusion of an Optical Output, since not all computers have an Optical Out, and it could come in really handy when trying to connect a more expensive DAC/AMP to your PC, to avoid the noise of a USB connection, if you’re not a fan of USB purifiers and such. A switch on the rear of the unit allows the user to set the player to USB 1.0 or 2.0 connection, depending on their setup. endstream If you want a smoother / warmer / deeper sound, you can always engage the Bass Boost function on K3, and you’ll surely be blown away. FiiO K3 vs Shanling M0 – Shanling M0 is a Portable Player, which can read microSD cards, can do a lot of stuff, and even use bluetooth, but it is priced fairly close to K3, having pretty much exactly the same price. The sample was provided along with FiiO’s request for an honest and unbiased review. The build quality is very good (as most of FiiO’s products are), and the feature set for such a cheap device is pretty good – both bass boost and gain are well implemented. 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fiio k3 setup

Posted by on February 21, 2021

The Bass boost is pretty clear and doesn’t introduce distortions, it is very clean, yet deep, although it also warms the overall sound, not just the bass. The midrange has a good amount of detail, and for 100 USD, it also has a good instrument separation. The FiiO K3 desktop amp is the successor of the little FiiO E10K. This places K3 really high in terms of versatility and abilities, and although it doesn’t come with all the interconnects you may need in the package, those are generally easy to find, and I can understand FiiO wanting to keep the package small, as K3 is. On the front of K3, you can find the two headphone outputs, one for 2.5 mm balanced headphones, and one for 3.5mm Single Ended headphones. There is a gain, and a bass switch as well. The packages are similar between the two, and your decision probably won’t be made based on that. a.Connecting the K3 with the computer by the USB cable came with the K3, and select the "FiiO Q series" as the default output device on your computer (Control panel ->Hardware and Sound ->Sound). <> This is more than enough to enjoy FiiO K3, and I feel content with the package for the price point. https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/64555551-ec3c-4279-ae44-248fdfcf6c4b. If you ever need to make sure you’re purchasing your audio gear from the right people, you can totally rely on FiiO, as they’re known for making the repair / exchange process hassle-free, if the need is ever to arise for those. Hello, and welcome to Audiophile-Heaven! That’s not huge but keep in mind the K3 is not designed for use with hard to drive headphones. You can purchase your FiiO K3 DAC/AMP from www.amazon.com here: https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Headphone-Amplifier-Computer-Balanced/dp/B07KR3RF4H/. Otherwise, as a desktop device, it is fairly small, it looks good on a desk, doesn’t take up much space, although if anything is a little disadvantage, it is a little small and lightweight, which means that a thicker / harder cable may lift if off the table. x����K�@�{ ���Cgg�����C}���x5ւME���n��K|K�@N����0�8{�Oͺ��q�����}��X��~�{��k+�Ͷk���;=���uY�K&4꧲`��0�`��BC�]Yl�ׯ�XU��ZU0��RB�Ij0���� Otherwise, as a desktop device, it is fairly small, it looks good on a desk, doesn’t take up much space, although if anything is a little disadvantage, it is a little small and lightweight, which means that a thicker / harder cable may lift if off the table. The firmware is flawless, and I have always been saying this, FiiO makes flawless DAC/AMPs in every way possible, FiiO Q5 being another good example. The cable included in the package is enough to connect K3 to most laptops and computers, so no issues there either. Both device have a volume wheel. Andy Kelly: I use studio headphones with my PC (currently, Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pros) and I use the compact FiiO K3 USB amp to drive them. Installed everything according official instructions few times, so all needed components are installed. There is also an USB type C cable and two pairs of anti-slip pads/feet, a quick start guide and a warranty card. endobj Boost your computer's sound with … The sound is generally very neutral, slightly bright, good speed, with a good instrument separation and soundstage. Now, if you’re looking for a really tiny mini-DAP, then M0 is really an amazing choice, and it has a lot of abilities that K3 doesn’t, but if you’re looking for a desktop DAC/AMP that can play your hi-res files, has digital outputs, has a Balanced output, and even a Line-Out, you should totally check out K3 from FiiO. The Volume Wheel is large enough, and it has light around it, so you won’t miss it, and you should be able to control if fairly well. It also glows green for hi-res files. 11 0 obj FiiO K3 + FiiO F9Pro – This pairing is really sweet sounding, clean and clear, with a good amount of impact and a good treble extension. K3 pairs well with IEMs, and has enough power for most portable headphones, but it isn’t made for really hard-to-drive headphones. But at the moment you cant play K3 DSD natively with foobar or any other way as fiio states. Being priced at 110 USD, it offers one of the largest number of usage scenarios, having optical, coaxial and even line outs, and a 3.5mm Single Ended Headphone Output, and a 2.5mm Balanced Headphone Output. Forums. FiiO K3 vs. E10K. The first thing you notice is that the beam is much smaller physically, and intended for a portable usage, but it also comes with more cables. The package could have used Optical cables, any 3.5mm to 2XRCA or 3.5mm to 3.5mm line out cables, or a coaxial cables, so if you plan to connect K3 to any other DAC or AMP, you will need to have those interconnects as well. At the back, you can find a Line Out, a Switch between USB Audio 1.0 / 2.0, USB Type-C Input, COAX Output, and an optical Output. multi-function USB DAC for PC-HiFi. The Signature of K3 is a very clean and clear one, very neutral, without any kind of flavour added to the sound. %���� <> <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> endobj FiiO K3 + FiiO FH5 – FH5 does a great job at being a thick and lush IEM, with an emphasis on the upper midrange and lower treble, K3’s very neutral signature actually making FH5 a bit less warm in the bass, which is great for them, and K3’s energetic top end also makes FH5 more airy and better extended. Love the USB-C connection, the new 2.5mm balanced out, the portability, and the sound is clear. FiiO K3 is a fully metallic device, with a rounded housing, and with a large volume wheel on the front. Just connect the K3 to your computer via USB to instantly upgrade to high-fidelity sound, and enjoy your music the way it was meant to be heard. Thanks a lot for your review, it was one of the main reasons I purchased it! FiiO is really well-known within the audiophile community for always offering very affordable, yet very high-quality products, and K3 is no exception, FiiO being one of the most supportive, friendly and helpful companies out there. Technical Specifications. Pairing  The K3 only needs 500mAh to power up, so you can just connect it to a hub and it will power up once you turn the knob. Equipment Forums. We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. K3 is staying securely inside a sponge like material that will protect from accidental drops. Largely plug-and-play, once plugged into my PC, the DAC is almost immediately ready for action. Can’t wait to see your take on FiiO BTA30, George! If anything, I love this pairing, and since you also have Balanced cables in the package of F9Pro, you should totally consider giving K3’s Balanced output a go. 7 0 obj Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in FiiO K3 find their next music companion. K3 pairs well with IEMs, and has enough power for most portable headphones, but it isn’t made for really hard-to-drive headphones. FIIO K3 SUMMARY. Comparisons Buy FiiO K3 DSD256 | 384K/32Bit USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier for Home and Computer(3.5mm Single Ended/2.5mm Balanced/Coaxial and Optical Digital Outs)…: Amps - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Value and Conclusion Portable / Desktop Usage  The sound stage is even more precise, gone is the massive yet strange presentation that could occur with the first gen FiiO … Starting with the package, the SoundKey comes with more accessories, better overall package, although it only has a 3.5mm Single Ended output, where K3 has both a Balanced, Single Ended, and two Digital outputs, and even a Line Out output. If you’re looking for a portable little DAC/AMP that is very tiny, yet very powerful, with a warmer sound, wide soundstage, and a happy overall tonality, the Beam makes an excellent choice, while if you’re looking for a more mature device made mostly for desktop usage, with a more neutral sound, without a color or a tuning of its own, and with a clear window to your music, K3 makes an excellent choice. Nothing too fancy, just everything you need to start your music listening. K3 is much harder to use portably though. FiiO is really well-known within the audiophile community for always offering very affordable, yet very high-quality products, and K3 is no exception, FiiO being one of the most supportive, friendly and helpful companies out there. You can use the Fiio K3 to convert the digital audio from usb to optical or coaxial (both digital) that are at the back of the device. This means that it is also very transparent, making it an excellent little DAC/AMP to pair with most headphones, if you want to hear that headphone or IEM the way it was meant to sound. DAP/Smartphone USB. So this flaw is quite unacceptable. Everything sounds better through the Fiio … 6 0 obj It is quite clear which is the more versatile device. The Bass Boost works well if you have a brighter headphone and you want to thicken it up, or warm up its sound. The Volume Wheel is large enough, and it has light around it, so you won’t miss it, and you should be able to control if fairly well. If you have a dime to spare (donate), it would make my day much brighter, as it would help me improve things around the website and increase the frequency of my posts. The Q1, on the other hand, is ideally designed for on the go use with your mobile device. The FiiO K3 can be plugged to almost any player, as longs as it supports USB Audio Out… allegedly. It has no internal battery, so it will need to be powered from your computer. The soundstage is fairly good as well, and since we’re talking about a 100 USD device, I think the most straightforward device to compare it to is Audirect Beam, which has a wider soundstage, but less depth, FiiO K3 feeling more rounded and deeper. If you connect both the 3.5mm and the 2.5mm headphone outputs, then only the 2.5mm headphone output will keep working. In comparison, K3 is more neutral, more honest, more clean, more transparent, has better treble extension, and much more driving power. It was the first time receiving a product from a company where I thought, “Technology is truly advancing at an almost alarming rate.” Times are much different now. To make 3, I’ll add in Shanling M0, which although is a DAP (Digital Audio Player), is priced pretty close to K3. Key Specs. Just a good crisp and transparent sound, with a good linearity all over the place, natural speed and natural textures all over the place, and enough power for most IEMs and portable headphones, including some harder-to-drive gems. FiiO K3 is actually designed to be used as a Desktop Device, but it works very well as a portable as well, provided your smartphone / source can give it enough power. https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/p/what-to-lookl.html This being said, K3 is much much much more versatile, and even has a bass boost, and feels more neutral and even less colored than  SoundKey. I think FiiO really made those two for each other, that’s how well they work together. FiiO K3 is a new product from FiiO, a small DAC/AMP to replace their older, yet extremely successful FiiO E10K DAC/AMP. I did strap it to my Xiaomi Mi Max 3, and it does draw some power, but Mi Max 3 is a monster of a smartphone, with a huge battery, and it made K3’s portable usage quite fun. On Fiio's website, the K3 is shown exclusively with Macs in a desktop use scenario!! Power amplifier AD8397: serves as the current amplifier, with great control of low frequencies and smooth drive ability. First things first, let’s get the packaging out of the way: FiiO K3 is a very healthily-priced IEM, at 100 USD, so the package isn’t expected to be too fancy, but it does include a USB cable, Rubber stickers, 4 of them, 2 pairs, and a USB Type-C cable. Once installed, the FiiO K3 supportss audio stream up to 32bit / 384kHz and DSD256 which is pretty rare even now. That's current status. x��Zmo�6� �A%�L��HI��yiz�u��m�����VV#�m����73�lQ�u����g8|��P�_���SQ���O�.��j\?\^��x�c�t��ty����@��^//�`��//C�ȣ�NJ�1y_�1c�w"ȭ���" gy6%���&����/7?����b��j3��kd�E\�2��4əv��. endobj It also glows green for hi-res files. PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality are all revealed by those songs. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by FiiO or anyone else. <> The USB input is 3.5mm on both K3 and the Beam. K3 has enough power for both IEMs, and some good headphones, so you can consider it doing its job fairly well as a desktop device. The bass is very deep, and K3 doesn’t seem to struggle at all to deliver a deep and punchy bass, even though it is not the most powerful DAC/AMP on the market, having enough speed to be natural, and enough depth as well. The midrange has a good amount of detail, and for 100 USD, it also has a good instrument separation. Fiio K3 DSD256 | 384K/32Bit USB-C DAC. Introduction <> This review reflects my personal experience with FiiO K3. It isn’t gaudy nor grainy, but it isn’t smooth nor rolled off. Even despite my complaining every time a DAC hits the market (and for good reason), it truly is a good time to be alive. If you ever need to make sure you’re purchasing your audio gear from the right people, you can totally rely on FiiO, as they’re known for making the repair / exchange process hassle-free, if the need is ever to arise for those. Being priced at 100 USD, FiiO K3 has very few direct competitors, but Audirect Beam is a good one, also Cyrus Soundkey being quite similar in terms of pricing. ―. K3 seems to be isolated extremely well from USB Noise, even better than some much more expensive DAC/AMPs, which means that you don’t need to worry about connecting it to a performant high-end PC which can be quite noisy as far as its USB noise goes. endobj I’d like to thank FiiO for providing the sample for the review. The FiiO K3 has an output power of 220mW at 16Ω or 120mW at 32Ω from the 3.5 mm output and 320mW at 16Ω or 200mW at32Ω. 5 0 obj The package could have used Optical cables, any 3.5mm to 2XRCA or 3.5mm to 3.5mm line out cables, or a coaxial cables, so if you plan to connect K3 to any other DAC or AMP, you will need to have those interconnects as well. With USB Driver-free mode: No need to install any drive once you select the "driver-free" mode. I will be sharing insights and comparisons of audio products with you. Sound Quality Basically, a really natural treble presentation. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by FiiO or anyone else. FiiO doesn’t recommend using it this way, but if you must do it, you should know that it works this way as well. The Optical Output seems to keep working regardless of what is connected otherwise. I’ll cover pairings and matchability later on. There is a red glow around the volume wheel, when there are driver issues, and a blue glow when it is working normally, with REDBOOK FLAC files. On the front of K3, you can find the two headphone outputs, one for 2.5 mm balanced headphones, and one for 3.5mm Single Ended headphones. 1 0 obj FiiO K5 PRO gives a nice boost to your desktop setup, by having a Desktop-Class DAC, a Heavy Duty Headphone Amplifier, and a friendly price point of just 150 USD. These two DACs differ mostly in their applications. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That, of course, is a minimum after four years in the making but it could have been a simple visual revamp. First things first, let’s get the packaging out of the way: FiiO K3 is a very healthily-priced IEM, at 100 USD, so the package isn’t expected to be too fancy, but it does include a USB cable, Rubber stickers, 4 of them, 2 pairs, and a USB Type-C cable. <> For testing, I had the FiiO K3 hooked up to my Windows 10 PC via USB. K3 also has enough power to put some punch in any IEM you connect to it, and it does a sweet job even with my. They geared in many new features to K3, including a Type-C USB Port, USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, basically driverless operation for Windows, and even a bass and a gain switch, and to not finish the story too early, even a Balanced Output. Good news, the FiiO K3 is a real upgrade from the FiiO E10K. K5 Pro could support Coaxial/Optical/Line in. The voices seem to be slightly forward, and it is clearly not a laid-back device, having a good amount of texture. I left the gain on high, as it seems to make music better with virtually all of my headphones, and I left the bass boost on off for most my headphones and IEMs. .n� �nh�vyu$~7��������zQ�r҈Ck��6ij٣�y�z�2e�82v5��(�h�F��0?L ����Q��2#�Q*RٹA������˔ 2F�}�u�C��ݥ��hyl_SV�0ґ}IZ�F�m��& Ol���!��s]��!�.���p�>�˪}�]����Mդ��q#��M��7Vf�Q��دV��!�Z�.ת�f����2�r&�7��iY�˴�3�\k�1+�6i?�O�|1" The cable included in the package is enough to connect K3 to most laptops and computers, so no issues there either. Pre amplifier OPA1642: serves as the voltage amplifier, with great layering and medium and high frequency extension. stream endobj K3 is much much more versatile with the inputs and outputs, but M0 can read microSD cards and has a display, which K3 doesn’t. On the other hand, The sound alone, from the 3.5mm Single Ended Output, is in favor of the SoundKey, which is also very neutral, but reminds me more of NextDrive SpectraX, SoundKey being more vivid, more dynamic, having the same soundstage width and depth as K3. K3 is much harder to use portably though. In UAC 1.0 mode, the K3 is a plug and play, 96k/24-bit DAC without the need for additional drivers. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 12 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 4>> No longer does it require your kidney to achieve great sound, wheth… Oooh, you were right about the K3! Of course, the Beam doesn’t have all the inputs and outputs of K3, and you only get one 3.5mm Single Ended Output with the Beam, while you get a 3.5mm Headphone Output, a 2.5mm Balanced Output, a 3.5mm Line Out with K3. In this article we look at the newest FiiO USB DAC . There is a red glow around the volume wheel, when there are driver issues, and a blue glow when it is working normally, with REDBOOK FLAC files. The build quality and the design is outstanding, there are no driver issues, and the build quality / aesthetics and firmware all reach a golden level for K3, a truly beautiful and hassle-free device. This makes the two direct competitors in terms of price, so let’s go. ― Reviews, Comparisons & Insight On Audio! The Signature of K3 is a very clean and clear one, very neutral, without any kind of flavour added to the sound. All in all, the desktop usage is very good, and so is the portable one, if you decide to go that way. <> endobj I left the gain on high, as it seems to make music better with virtually all of my headphones, and I left the bass boost on off for most my headphones and IEMs. Disclaimer: The Fiio K3 was sent to us for the purpose of this review.The unit doesn’t need to be returned and Fiio is a site advertiser. I did strap it to my Xiaomi Mi Max 3, and it does draw some power, but Mi Max 3 is a monster of a smartphone, with a huge battery, and it made K3’s portable usage quite fun. FiiO K3 • The Review Tour of FiiO K3 All-new Headphone Amplifier & USB-C DAC As Audiophile-Heaven reached 100 published reviews, I decided that it is time to create a hall of fame, where the best of the best can …, © Copyright 2020 Audiophile-Heaven. FiiO K3 has and still is very fun to talk about, recommend, and use, being just the right multi-tool for your desktop, for a really good price. View and Download Fiio K3 user manual online. K3 seems to be isolated extremely well from USB Noise, even better than some much more expensive DAC/AMPs, which means that you don’t need to worry about connecting it to a performant high-end PC which can be quite noisy as far as its USB noise goes. They geared in many new features to K3, including a Type-C USB Port, USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, basically driverless operation for Windows, and even a bass and a gain switch, and to not finish the story too early, even a Balanced Output. This means that it is also very transparent, making it an excellent little DAC/AMP to pair with most headphones, if you want to hear that headphone or IEM the way it was meant to sound. Your email address will not be published. 3 0 obj %PDF-1.5 There is a gain, and a bass switch as well. To be honest, I appreciate the inclusion of an Optical Output, since not all computers have an Optical Out, and it could come in really handy when trying to connect a more expensive DAC/AMP to your PC, to avoid the noise of a USB connection, if you’re not a fan of USB purifiers and such. A switch on the rear of the unit allows the user to set the player to USB 1.0 or 2.0 connection, depending on their setup. endstream If you want a smoother / warmer / deeper sound, you can always engage the Bass Boost function on K3, and you’ll surely be blown away. FiiO K3 vs Shanling M0 – Shanling M0 is a Portable Player, which can read microSD cards, can do a lot of stuff, and even use bluetooth, but it is priced fairly close to K3, having pretty much exactly the same price. The sample was provided along with FiiO’s request for an honest and unbiased review. The build quality is very good (as most of FiiO’s products are), and the feature set for such a cheap device is pretty good – both bass boost and gain are well implemented.

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