{"product_id":"fiio-ka17-flagship-portable-dac-headphone-amp","title":"FiiO KA17 Flagship Portable DAC and Headphone Amplifier","description":"\u003cp\u003eA portable DAC can be small without sounding like the system has been scaled down.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Flagship FiiO Dongle for More Demanding Headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome headphones and IEMs quickly show the limits of a smaller DAC. The sound may be clean, but the scale, bass control, and dynamic ease are not quite there. The setup is portable, but the music still feels like it wants a stronger source.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FiiO KA17 is the top of the dongle ladder. It keeps the portable USB format, but brings dual ESS DACs, THX AAA amplification, Desktop Mode, a dedicated power input, PEQ, and a display into a device built for more serious headphone listening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy We Chose the KA17\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe chose the FiiO KA17 because it is the model that makes the strongest case for a dongle replacing a small desktop setup. It is still easy to carry, but its architecture is closer to a compact audio component than a simple phone accessory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDual ESS ES9069Q DAC chips handle conversion, while THX AAA 78+ amplification gives the KA17 more current and output power when Desktop Mode is engaged. With enough USB power available, balanced output reaches up to 650 mW + 650 mW, which gives the KA17 the most headroom of the three dongles in this batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat the Specs Won't Tell You\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Scale From a Portable Source\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe KA17 is the model to consider when the headphones are asking for more than a basic dongle can comfortably provide. The extra power can help bass feel firmer, dynamics feel less compressed, and larger headphones feel more awake at normal listening levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCleaner Architecture in a Small Body\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe separated digital and analog board design, precision power supply layout, and THX amplification are not just spec-sheet details. They are there to keep noise, crosstalk, and distortion lower so small changes in tone, space, and texture are easier to hear.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eControl for Different Headphones and Sources\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePEQ, gain behaviour, display settings, button modes, and Desktop Mode give the KA17 more control than a basic plug-in DAC. That matters when it is being used across a phone, laptop, desk setup, and different headphone types.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eExpert Consensus\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeadfonics noted the KA17's strong feature set, rugged build, staging capability, and improved soundstage and tonal response from the newer DAC section.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeadfonia highlighted the KA17's OLED display, dual headphone outputs, and Desktop Mode power increase, calling attention to the way the extra power opens up the amplifier stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Audio Two Verdict\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe KA17 is the flagship choice when the portable source needs to feel closer to a small desktop rig. It is the best fit in this ladder for harder-to-drive headphones, better balanced cables, and listening setups where the DAC is doing more than casual phone duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor simple IEM listening, KA13 or KA15 may be enough. For a compact source that can grow with better headphones, KA17 is the one to choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich FiiO Dongle DAC Should You Choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eModel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest Fit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhy Step Up?\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKA13\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe first proper DAC for phone listening\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall, affordable, powerful, and simple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKA15\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe smarter everyday step-up\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetter DAC platform, screen, PEQ, and more control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKA17\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe flagship dongle for harder-to-drive headphones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual ESS DACs, THX amplification, and the most desktop-like power\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTech You Can Hear\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat You Hear\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhy It Happens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger headphones feel more controlled\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 650 mW + 650 mW balanced output in Desktop Mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMore open staging and cleaner tonal contrast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual ESS ES9069Q DAC chips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCleaner drive with less strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTHX AAA 78+ amplification with parallel amp architecture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetter separation between digital and analog work\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDigital-analog split board design\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMore control over headphone matching\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-band PEQ, gain behaviour, button modes, and display settings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual ESS ES9069Q DAC chips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTHX AAA 78+ headphone amplification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced output up to 650 mW + 650 mW in Desktop Mode\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced headphone outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3.5 mm SPDIF output up to 96 kHz \/ 32-bit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10-band PEQ with app or web adjustment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColours: Black, Blue, and Titanium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Choose Audio Two\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAudio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in — real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FiiO","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":49092710465788,"sku":"FIO-KA17-B","price":199.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/7597\/3809\/files\/IMG_3499.webp?v=1778719512","url":"https:\/\/audiotwo.com\/products\/fiio-ka17-flagship-portable-dac-headphone-amp","provider":"Audio Two","version":"1.0","type":"link"}