Fiio unveiled its charming KA15 DAC/amplifier at CES 2025, and now I want to have it.
It is a portable and highly efficient DAC for lossless audio, but that's not the reason why I want it.
At the CES 2025 event, Fiio unveiled the KA15, a sleek headphone DAC/amp with an eye-catching design that has captured the attention of many. This portable device, made of aluminum and available in baby blue and silver, as well as a sober midnight black, is priced at $110, although it is currently available on Amazon for $90.
From a technical standpoint, the KA15 delivers impressive performance, supporting PCM up to 32-bit and 768 kHz, as well as native DSD up to DSD256. Equipped with dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, the device also features a complementary app and a web interface for accessing a 10-band parametric equalizer. Its outputs include a balanced 4.4mm jack and an unbalanced 3.5mm jack, with a low THD of 0.0004% and a maximum power of 560 milliwatts per channel in desktop mode, making it an excellent choice for enjoying lossless and high-resolution audio.
Additionally, the KA15 is compatible with UAC 1.0, allowing for plug-and-play connectivity with gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch. The 3.5mm jack can also function as a S/PDIF output, facilitating connections with other DACs. The package includes a USB-C to USB-C cable and a protective case, adding value to the product.
However, what truly stands out about this device is its animated audio tape that spins on the 0.96-inch color LCD screen. While the display provides useful information such as sampling rates, mode, and volume level, what many users find most appealing is the visual fun it offers. Fiio is clearly tapping into a nostalgic design that resonates with its audience, as it recently also launched a portable cassette player and a CD player to satisfy the desire to revive physical audio formats.
