FiiO KA5 USB DAC Headphone Amp with 3.5mm and 4.4mm Outputs

It was smaller than I expected, but the screen is easy to read and easy to understand, and the cable can be unplugged in case it breaks, on my phone, an iPhone 14 pro max, the official Apple dongles sounded worse than this, and the cable for the old dongle was very weak and id go through them once every two months or so, but the cable for the KA5 has a braided sheath, and it adds an extra layer of protection for the cable, and the DAC feels ver durable in the hand, the glass is recessed for protection, within the metal body, and the controls are easy to use, and all the cables you need are in the box, listening to it, it makes it so you can play music loud, and hear the distinction of different objects in a song, the bass gets punchier, the guitars get more clear and distinct, the voices in a song feel like they fit with the song, and not one single instrument feels like its overpowering, and it just seems like they just got more distinct and clear-er, in my final notes, ive gotta say, its a very good device

(FiiO KA5)This was purchased so that my KA1 dongle could be dedicated to my car's analog AUX in.I had been very pleased with and impressed by the sound quality from the KA1 (though the occasional full scale pops many KA1s seem prone to are a bit annoying), so I figured it was worth trying an upgrade to FiiOs best version of this type product for my continued phone/IEM listening.All aspects of sound reproduction are improved over the KA1: detail, smoothness in treble, bass control, imaging, ambience recovery... all are very noticeably better sounding through either output (balanced is another incremental improvement for IEMs that support that connector).The KA5 also has plenty of power, easily driving all IEMS and even my full sized AKG open back cans to satisfying levels, though I wish the AKGs could support balanced input, as I'm certain they would perform better that way.The detachable cable is a nice touch, allowing both ease of use with more sources and replacement if required, as are the volume control and settings accessibility without having to use the FiiO control app (though the notoriously glitchy app works perfectly with this component).The slightly larger size compared to most other dongles is definitely noticeable, but if you're committed enough to be using wired headphones, the small increase in size is probably something you can handle, especially given the return you'll be getting in sound quality improvement over more basic devices.Definitely a DAC/amp with audiophile aspirations and one that delivers an amazing amount of musical enjoyment for $130!(all listening was via Samsung s20, using only FLAC files, headphones used include FiiO FH3 and FH5S, Moondrop Chu, Klipsch Image S4 and AKG Q701)

Love it. Thr oled screen is very helpful. Provide great sound quality. Buttons are great too. Very small and light.Update:Tried with my iphone x, sometime it pause for a few seconds without me doing anything, but it didnt happen to my laptop and android tablet, and music sometime cannot control with the buttons, not sure whats wrong, maybe its the cable or itself, but it makes me feel uncomfortable since this is mainly for portable purpose, I cannot use it only for my laptop.

Even without using a media player that supports exclusive mode, it beats other compact DACs like the Meizu Hi-fi Pro. I guess the cirrus chips and per channel amps are actually capable of quality audio reproduction.It's not a significant drain on my phone's battery life, works with my PC, and offers configuration via app or on the device itself.It'd be nice if it could be clipped onto or magnetically attached to me, but at least it is quite small.Complaints aside, the sound quality with my BA IEMs easily makes up for any flaw.

Let me start off by saying I am an audiophile file. I don’t listen to MP3s, I don’t even listen to CDs. I listen to needledrops taken from vinyl and high resolution sources. Like all audio products, it takes to break in to achieve optimal sound quality. I am using a 2012 Apple MacBook Pro, optimizes for Audio and using Sennheiser CX 686 IEM that I use with my old Fiio X5 Dap when I work out. I use Audirvana as my media player. The Sq is excellent, very musical and neutral with great balance and PRAT. Knowing the quality that Fiio is known for I took a chance getting this and I so glad I did. I plan to use this with an Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ NOISE filter which I am waiting for its arrival. I use Sennheiser HD650 Cans and this unit sopped to out out 2VRMS. I Pan to use this you out to good speakers for my computer withe the FMJ instead of the 3.5 MM analog out,

I like FiiO products. Always have.I have a few dongles and a couple of portable DAC/AMPs but I wanted something I could take with me and use on my computer, phone, and tablet. I love this one comes with a screen and a host of settings. The volume control is a little weird as what I think should be the volume increase is the volume decrease. Go figure.It comes with what you see in the pic which I found to be perfect for what I need it for.The sound is typical FiiO sound. Very well-balanced. Can be a little bassy on some tracks. Nice separation of instruments. The sound stage is good. Nothing to write home about but good. Bass/Sub-Bass is good. Depth of the sound is very good (Fleetwood Mac - Tusk/Kingdome Come - 17). The vocals are well done. Treble is there but by no means piercing. It's a solid device. I like what I hear and that's all that counts.I am deducing two stars ONLY because this was an open box. I paid for a NEW product but, it worked and I have not had any issues with it. Still a little upset about that but, I don't want to have to re-box it, find a return center, and go through all that hassle. It works. Be careful with this seller.