FiiO KA15 Portable USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier
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FiiO KA15 Portable USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier
Overview
Most USB-C dongle DACs stop at driving a single pair of headphones off a phone battery, leaving anyone who also wants more power at a desk stuck buying a second, larger unit.
The FiiO KA15 is a portable USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier built around dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips and dual SGM8262 op-amps, with both a 3.5mm single-ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output. A physical desktop-mode switch raises the balanced output to up to 560mW+560mW into 32Ω when plugged into a higher-current USB source, while a 0.96-inch full-color IPS display shows volume, format, and battery-free operating status at a glance.
It decodes PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD64/128/256, and supports UAC1.0 mode for direct use with a Nintendo Switch or PS5. A 10-band parametric EQ is adjustable through the FiiO Control app on Android, with settings shareable and saved on-device.
Simcoe Audio Video Insight
The desktop-mode switch is worth understanding before first use: in its default mode the KA15 runs at lower power draw for everyday phone use, while flipping to desktop mode unlocks its full balanced output but expects a source that can supply more current, such as a computer's USB port rather than a phone on battery power. Running desktop mode from a weak USB source can affect stability, so it's best reserved for a laptop, PC, or powered USB hub.
More Info
Why the FiiO KA15 Stands Out
Dual CS43198 DAC Chips
Uses Cirrus Logic's CS43198 DAC, one per channel, for a fully differential dual-DAC signal path rather than a single shared chip.
0.96-Inch Full-Color Display
A true color IPS screen shows volume, sample rate, and EQ status directly on the device, rather than relying on a status light alone.
Desktop Mode for Higher Balanced Output
A physical switch raises balanced 4.4mm output up to 560mW+560mW into 32Ω when connected to a higher-current USB source, on top of its standard mobile-friendly output.
10-Band Parametric EQ
Adjustable through the FiiO Control app on Android, with EQ curves saved on-device for use without the app connected.
Gaming Console Compatible
Supports UAC1.0 mode for direct compatibility with the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, in addition to phones, tablets, and computers.
Buyer's Guide
Who It's For
- The Desk-and-Commute Listener: wants one dongle that handles everyday phone listening and steps up to higher balanced output at a desk.
- The EQ Tuner: wants on-device parametric EQ control without digging through a phone app every time.
- The Console Gamer: wants a compact USB DAC/amp that works directly with a Switch or PS5 alongside phone and computer use.
How It Compares
The KA15 sits alongside FiiO's KA13 and KA17 in the same dongle DAC/amp family, but takes its own approach to the DAC chip: FiiO's own product pages list dual CS43131 chips in the KA13 and dual ES9069Q chips in the KA17, while the KA15 uses dual CS43198 chips. The KA15's 0.96-inch full-color display is also larger than the KA13's simple indicator ring, giving it more on-device information at a glance.
FiiO KA15 Portable USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Model | FiiO KA15 |
| Type | Portable USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier |
| DAC Chips | Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 |
| Amplifier Chips | Dual SGM8262 op-amps |
| Audio | |
| Output Power (3.5mm SE, 16Ω) | ≥290mW+290mW |
| Output Power (3.5mm SE, 32Ω) | ≥180mW+180mW |
| Output Power (4.4mm BAL, 16Ω, Desktop Mode) | ≥510mW+510mW |
| Output Power (4.4mm BAL, 32Ω, Desktop Mode) | ≥560mW+560mW |
| Output Impedance | <0.8Ω (SE) / <1.2Ω (BAL) |
| THD+N | <0.00045% (SE, 0dB, 32Ω) / <0.0004% (BAL, -4dB, 32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥122dB (SE, 32Ω, A-weighted) / ≥123dB (BAL, 32Ω, A-weighted) |
| Crosstalk | ≥74dB (SE, 1kHz, 32Ω) / ≥113dB (BAL, 1kHz, 32Ω) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz–20kHz (narrow band) / 20Hz–50kHz (wide band), ≤0.1dB attenuation |
| Adaptive Impedance Range | 16–150Ω (SE) / 16–300Ω (BAL) |
| Supported Formats | PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit; native DSD64/128/256; Hi-Res Audio certified |
| Connectivity and Features | |
| Input | USB Type-C (detachable cable) |
| Outputs | 3.5mm (single-ended headphone / shared SPDIF-coaxial out), 4.4mm balanced headphone |
| Display | 0.96-inch full-color IPS screen |
| Controls | Physical volume and track-skip buttons; physical desktop-mode switch; 60-step or 120-step volume adjustment |
| EQ | 10-band parametric EQ via FiiO Control app (Android) |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, macOS; UAC1.0 mode for Nintendo Switch and PS5 |
| Firmware | Upgradeable via USB |
| Physical Specifications | |
| Dimensions | Approximately 52 x 25 x 11mm |
| Weight | Approximately 21g |
| Materials | All-metal CNC-machined body |
| Power | Bus-powered from connected USB host (no internal battery) |
| Colour Available | Black |