Desktop mode, Taking it to the next level
The desktop mode has been continually refined with the release of various products, such as the portable yet desktop-grade M17, Q7, M15S, Q15 and KA13. And now the perfected desktop mode has found its way to the KA17.
The FIIO KA17 features a special desktop mode, activated using the dedicated D.Mode switch. Enable the desktop mode, and the KA17 will automatically adjust the DAC, amplifier power supply, and amplifier power output to fully unleash their potential with greater power output.
Parallel output, Big boost in power
With sufficient USB power supply input and desktop mode enabled, the KA17’s four THX headphone amps work together in parallel for greater current and overall power output. The result is up to 270mW+270mW power output for single-ended out, and up to 650mW+650mW power output for balanced out.
Dual flagship ES9069Q DACs - Two cores power four ways
The KA17 employs two of the new ESS ES9069Q flagship DACs, powered by fourth-gen 32-bit HyperStream technology. These chips feature even higher performance, lower power consumption, and less digital noise than previous generations for an absolutely pristine and pure audio background.
Ten-level highly precise PEQ - An ace up its sleeve
The XMOS XU316 chip allowed FIIO engineers to develop a highly precise adjustable PEQ*, with 10 customizable frequency bands. FIIO’s self-developed PEQ algorithm and interface allow you to fine-tune the frequency, gain, and bandwidth of each PEQ band, letting you dial in the sound exactly the way you want it.
*PEQ adjustment is supported in formats up to PCM 192kHz/24bit.
*PEQ is currently not supported in UAC1.0 mode.
Outstanding performance - Audiophile-grade 16-core XMOS XU316
Handling USB duties in the KA17 is the 16-core XMOS XU316, rarely found in audio dongles. This chip features lower latency, more stable signal transmission, and better compatibility than typically used USB control chip. And when paired with dual crystal oscillators, the KA17 is more than capable of handling various digital audio sources with various sampling rates.
All-new THX AAA 78+ headphone amp design - Compact and elegant
The THX AAA 78 headphone amp proved itself in the mid-to-high-end M11 Pro and M11 Plus players. Now, the even newer and upgraded THX AA 78+ features in the KA17.
Inside the KA17 are THX AAA 78+ headphone amplifiers, with 8 op-amps working in parallel in a 4-channel fully balanced configuration, allowing for not only greater power output but also more detailed and realistic sound.
Comparable to DAPs - Multistage HiFi audio circuit
FIIO engineers were cleverly able to adapt the audio circuit designs of mid to high-end digital audio players to the compact KA17. With its high-precision handling of digital audio signals, thanks to the dual crystal oscillator clocks and high-performance DAC converted to analogue signals output by a robust analogue section consisting of LPF voltage amplification, BUF current expansion and headphone amps working together in parallel, you can be sure that the KA17 can reproduce the detail and dynamics in your music as well as a serious digital audio player.
Separate digital and analogue boards, Like yin and yang
The digital and analogue portions of the audio circuit lie on totally separate circuit boards in the KA17, each board equipped with a shielding cover for total isolation. This ensures that the digital and analogue portions of the audio circuit do not interfere with each other, enabling accurate processing of audio signals.
3-stage 10-rail power supply design
Inside the KA17 is a 3-stage 3-main rails power supply design. The three main stages of the power supply consist of first-stage filtering + overvoltage protection, second-stage DC-DC boost conversion, and third-stage LDO voltage stabilization. This filtering of electricity applies to each of the three main power supply rails, one each for the digital, digital-to-analogue conversion, and analogue signal parts of the audio circuit. To top it all off, the power supply circuit is divided into ten smaller rails. The power supply found in the KA17 features many of the same principles as those found in desktop headphone amplifiers, ensuring a robust foundation for the KA17’s excellent sound.
One simple screen - Intuitive dot-matrix display control
The KA17 employs a 0.91-inch dot matrix display that can indicate different functions intuitively. Also, coupling with the physical buttons easily allows you to customize various settings such as screen orientation, filters and display sleep timer.
Independent Type-C power supply
The KA17 features two USB Type-C ports. One is the typical port used to connect to other devices such as phones, tablets and computers. The orange port on the side is designed for use with an external power supply. When an external power supply is connected to this port, the KA17 can achieve higher power output and better performance without consuming the battery of your phone or other connected device.
Multiple protection systems
Built into the KA17 are temperature and DC output monitoring systems that ensure both the unit itself and connected headphones won’t be damaged under abnormal conditions. You can also set a maximum volume level to prevent accidental hearing damage to your ears from excessively loud audio.
