FiiOJadeAudio KA1 Headphone Amps Amplifier Tiny USB DAC High Resolution 3.5mm Lossless for Smartphones/PC/Laptops/Players(Type C, Black)

I have a vintage hi-fi that I want to use with Spotify, and I have a PC with a cheap sound card that I want to use with headphones. In both cases, it's child's play.I plugged the headphones into the KA1 and then plugged the KA1 into the PC. Linux recognised it immediately. KDE's sound widget offered it to me as a new audio device. I clicked on it and Spotify played through it straight away. It could hardly be easier.Downstairs in the lounge, I plugged the hi-fi into the KA1 via a phono-to-3.5mm cable, plugged the KA1 into an old Android phone, and ran Spotify, which played through the KA1 immediately.So what's the sound quality like? Even with Spotify, which uses lossy compression, the KA1 is a striking improvement over the PC's sound card or the phone's built-in DAC. I had no idea these old Bose QuietComfort 25s could sound so good. I hear musical details I'd never noticed before. Extended bass is effortless and yet well controlled. Treble is clear but never harsh. Now I want to buy some better cans to do the KA1 justice. :-) Through the hi-fi, the sound is detailed, open and spacious.The KA1 runs slightly warm -- a little below blood temperature. It won't be a problem on a laptop, but it might eat up battery power on a phone. If possible, you might want to think about a powered USB hub.

Product is small and very portable. It's a bit fragile but for 40£ I'm not complaining. For first time HiFi users it will be a huge step up from integrated DAC of computer or mobile.

The sound I get from the DAC is fine and I use it to play music from my iMac. A couple of minor glitches though. Firstly if you are just starting to play music it takes about 5 seconds to recognise sound coming out so you get some dead time. Also there are the occasional pop and click which I wouldn't expect (and have seen in other reviews). Overall not bad, but not perfect for sure.

I bought this because my expensive XPS laptop I bought for mostly music production has awful software which ruins the headphone port sound (thanks Dell)... But am I glad they screwed it up... This Dac is tiny and has superb sound .. Asio Drivers worked first time with no fuss. It's as good as my Focusrite audio interface phones output. Great value for money.

Small and easy to use , improves sound and volume well worth the money

The sound quality is really good compared to the Amazon basic ones, it's subtle but I can hear things that little bit clearer with the same headphones.My reasons for knocking off a few stars is because I hate how the wire between the USB-C connector and the actual DAC is awful. I hate how flimsy it is, and if I were to accidentally drop my phone using this, it could break first go. Really, just put it all into one neat little stick even though I know they won't because it's likely how they make money.The other reason is because every morning when I put it in my phone, it makes a crackling sound and takes a few unplug then replugs to get it working again. The picture attached is the Fiio DAC next to a cheap USB C DAC. The cheap one is wiggly, but it's a fabric style of wire and feel more sturdier than the Fiio wire made of 4 thin wires twisted around in an attempt to make it look better even though this will be the weak link first. Just give me a USB-C DAC where its just the stick and no awful wire that can break!

First, it has been used, it came without plastic film like in the official Fiio unboxing videos and there was dust and stuff inside the box. Second and most important it's not working at all - I tried with Windows, Mac and Android, plugged with 2 different pairs of headphones, playing Spotify, YT music, Amazon music, volume to the max on the USB device, etc. I see a USB device plugged, but Filo apps on each platform do not recognise it and there is no sound coming out. Same setups sound fine without the device.

Plug and Play! Very good, at a great price.