{"product_id":"fiio-ka15-portable-dac-amp","title":"FiiO KA15 Portable USB-C DAC and Headphone Amplifier","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eSimcoe Audio Video Insight\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eMore Info\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhy the FiiO KA15 Stands Out\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"more-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDual CS43198 DAC Chips\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUses Cirrus Logic's CS43198 DAC, one per channel, for a fully differential dual-DAC signal path rather than a single shared chip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"more-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.96-Inch Full-Color Display\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA true color IPS screen shows volume, sample rate, and EQ status directly on the device, rather than relying on a status light alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"more-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesktop Mode for Higher Balanced Output\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"more-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10-Band Parametric EQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdjustable through the FiiO Control app on Android, with EQ curves saved on-device for use without the app connected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"more-info-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGaming Console Compatible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupports UAC1.0 mode for direct compatibility with the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, in addition to phones, tablets, and computers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBuyer's Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Desk-and-Commute Listener\u003c\/strong\u003e: wants one dongle that handles everyday phone listening and steps up to higher balanced output at a desk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe EQ Tuner\u003c\/strong\u003e: wants on-device parametric EQ control without digging through a phone app every time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Console Gamer\u003c\/strong\u003e: wants a compact USB DAC\/amp that works directly with a Switch or PS5 alongside phone and computer use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow It Compares\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FiiO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48387854401757,"sku":"LM-UTMO-FCRG","price":169.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0331\/1930\/5859\/files\/fiio-ka-15-portable-headphone-amplifier-black-front-side.png?v=1787077942","url":"https:\/\/www.simcoeav.ca\/products\/fiio-ka15-portable-dac-amp","provider":"Simcoe Audio Video","version":"1.0","type":"link"}