Overview

The FiiO KA15 is a portable USB DAC/amp positioned between the KA13 and KA17. Released in 2024, it uses dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs and is the first in FiiO’s dongle lineup to feature a 0.96-inch IPS color screen. It supports up to 768kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD256, provides 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced outputs, a 10-band parametric EQ (PEQ), and a shared 3.5mm SPDIF (coax) output. It offers app control and even a web PEQ utility, plus UAC 1.0 mode for game consoles. [1][2]

Scientific Validity

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Manufacturer parameters indicate THD+N < 0.0004% (-4 dB, 32Ω, balanced), SNR ≥ 123 dB A-weighted (balanced), and noise floor of <1.7 µV (SE) / <3.2 µV (balanced). Crosstalk is specified at ≥74 dB (SE) and ≥113 dB (balanced) at 1 kHz/32Ω. Max balanced output is 560 mW + 560 mW @ 32Ω in desktop mode. Frequency response deviation remains within ≤0.1 dB across the audible band. These values comfortably exceed transparency thresholds typical for portable DAC/amps; however, independent lab measurements are still limited. [1]

What the numbers mean (briefly):
SNR at ~123 dB and THD+N below 0.001% place the KA15 in the “transparent” zone for linearity and noise; the low-µV noise floor is appropriate for sensitive IEMs, and the 560 mW/32Ω balanced power is ample for many full-size dynamics/planars. [1]

Technology Level

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The KA15 combines proven chips (dual CS43198) with thoughtful features rather than bleeding-edge architecture. Notable engineering work includes dynamic power adjustment with real-time voltage/current monitoring, an ultra-low-power sleep mode, on-device color UI, and a full 10-band PEQ controllable via app or web. It also supports UAC 1.0 for Switch/PS5 connectivity. These are modern, practical features, though not fundamentally new signal-processing innovations. [2]

Cost-Performance

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Market price (United States): 99.99 USD at the time of review (Amazon US). [3]

To assign CP, we search for the cheapest product that is equal or better in both features and measured performance. As of August 14, 2025, we did not find a cheaper dongle that matches or exceeds the KA15’s combination of:

• ≥560 mW (balanced, 32Ω),
• on-device color display,
• built-in 10-band PEQ, and
• SPDIF output.

Therefore, CP = 1.0.

For context (not equal comparators):

• iBasso DC04PRO lists 280 mW @ 32Ω (balanced) with SNR 131 dBA / THD+N 0.00013%, but no on-device PEQ/color screen/SPDIF; typical price 119 USD (official). [4][5]
• SMSL D10 is much cheaper (≈ 69.99 USD) and claims 500 mW @ 32Ω, but it also lacks PEQ, color screen, and SPDIF. [6]

Because no cheaper equal or better alternative exists, KA15 is currently the best value at its capability level.

Reliability & Support

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FiiO provides one-month replacement and one-year free maintenance warranty coverage (terms may vary by region). FiiO publishes parameters, offers Control app + web PEQ, and maintains active support pages/forums. The aluminum build and simple dongle form factor suggest average long-term durability for the category; comprehensive multi-year reliability data is not yet available given the product’s recency. [6][2]

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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FiiO’s choices emphasize measurable transparency (low THD+N, high SNR), user-adjustable frequency response via PEQ, adequate power for real-world loads, and practical usability (screen, UAC 1.0 mode). The feature set maps directly to audible outcomes (fit to headphone response, sufficient current delivery), avoiding marketing-centric claims.

Advice

If you want a dongle that both measures cleanly and lets you tune your sound on the device with a color UI, the KA15 is easy to recommend—especially at 99.99 USD. If you don’t need on-device PEQ/SPDIF and prioritize ultra-low noise figures at lower power, the DC04PRO is a fine alternative; if you only need high power at the lowest price and can forgo the advanced features, budget units like the SMSL D10 exist—but neither matches the KA15’s overall capability/feature set. [3][4][5][6]

References

[1] FiiO — KA15 Parameters (full specs: output power, SNR, THD+N, noise floor, crosstalk, frequency response, SPDIF), https://www.fiio.com/KA15_parameters .
[2] FiiO — KA15 is Officially Released! (first color screen in its class; 10-band PEQ; dynamic power adjustment; UAC 1.0 support), https://fiio.com/newsinfo/957512.html .
[3] Amazon US — FiiO KA15 listing and price, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHGC7FRQ .
[4] iBasso — DC04PRO official product page and price, https://ibasso.com/product/dc04pro/ .
[5] B&H — DC04PRO specs incl. SNR/THD figures and 280 mW @ 32Ω (balanced), https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1884953-REG/ibasso_dc04pro_grn_dc04_pro_hi_res_balanced.html .
[6] SMSL D10 pricing/specs (for context only; not an equal comparator): Apos/Linsoul/Amazon examples — https://apos.audio/products/smsl-d10-portable-dac-amp , https://www.linsoul.com/products/smsl-d10 , https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-D10-Headphone-Amplifier-Smartphones/dp/B0DBLDZ3X9 .
[7] FiiO — Warranty Terms (1-month replacement / 1-year maintenance), https://www.fiio.com/serviceinsurance .

(2025.8.14)