Started Fiio rename its line with assigning individual letters to different categories of products begins a bit confusing. Only recently I surveyed a budget portable DAC/amplifier Q1, as they released a budget model with the index K1, although — in theory — K should be stationary desktop DACS and amps, and to call K1 a stationary can. But, in General, this is not so important, because K1 was not only small and inexpensive but also a very interesting device, and now I will tell about him.
The format of the “DAC-stick” — already far not new, the development of modern circuitry allows you to place a quite good level of DAC chip-the amplifier in a very small volume, which was used by many manufacturers. The Fiio in this segment there were no developments, same E07K and Q1, despite its small size, still significantly more dimensions (primarily because of the battery). Therefore, K1 is intended to become the first product in an ultra-portable form factor.
Chipset typical Fiio, DAC PCM5102 performs a role familiar to many of the company’s products, from the player X1 to the E17K DAC. Add to it the amplifier TPA61332A and SA9023A in the role of USB interface. Of course, 9023 does not support a particularly high resolution, K1 is limited to 96 kHz and 24 bits, but for this kid no drivers are needed.
The price tag is made very affordable, the device is expected to sell for about $ 40.
Specifications
- DAC: TI PCM5102
- OS: TPA61332A
- USB interface: SA9023A
- Frequency range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
- Power output: 75 mW @ 16Ω, 35 mW @ 32Ω
- Maximum output voltage: 3,25 Vp-p
- Maximum output current: 35,93 mA
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0,01% (1 kHz)
- The ratio signal/noise ratio: ≥100 dB
- Imbalance of channels: <0.3 dB
- Channel separation: ≥70 dB
- Output impedance: ≤1Ω
- Input: MicroUSB
- Output: 3.5 mm TRS
- Power supply: from USB port
- Supported signals: up to 96 kHz/24-bit
- Dimensions: 50 mm × 20.5 mm × 8 mm
- Weight: 11.3 g
Packaging and design
This time Fiio decided to use a transparent packaging made of plastic, it allows you to immediately see K1 on all sides. Despite the simplicity, it looks good. In the box besides the device you will find a short MicroUSB cable and a manual.
K1 is fairly well built, there is not trying “to save on matches”. Housing made of aluminum with plastic caps on the ends. For K1’ve chosen titanium grey color. On the back of the device for some reason attached a clip for attaching to belt of transparent plastic. I’m not entirely sure why someone might want to attach K1 to the belt, but if desired the clip can be detached easily.
Fiio decided not to do the USB plug, instead they did a MicroUSB connector and put the supplied small cable, in my opinion, it is more convenient when working with PCs and laptops than constantly sticking out of the USB port of the device.
The K1 interface is extremely simple, easier just does not happen. With one hand USB, with another — a small led, responding to the work, and a 3.5 mm headphone Jack. Not even volume control, it is assumed that this will meet the source computer.
Unfortunately, K1 doesn’t work with most smartphones, as connected requires more power than the device host, although for continuous operation K1 it is enough power that give smartphones when connected by USB. Judging by the reviews on the forums, with some smartphones this DAC still starts and works. Fiio themselves said that perhaps in the future they will fix this issue (as I understand it, the fix will be hardware), but at the moment the K1 will work with smartphones is not guaranteed, so you have to count K1 device designed exclusively for the PC.
The sound
For the listening device was used the following headphones:
- Oppo PM-3
- Dunu DN-2000J and Titan 1
- Lear LUF-4F and LHF-AE1d
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
K1 immediately impresses with its size, it is difficult to believe that the device is about the size of an average USB flash drive can accommodate a decent-sounding toppings, however, Fiio was able to do it.
For starters — who is the device is not necessary. First of all, it will not fit any holder DAC/amps cost anywhere from $ 100. These devices will be clearly better.
Also don’t need the K1 who is important to get a really high quality sound, there costs will be more and more expensive device.
Not suitable K1 owners of expensive top-end headphones. This kid is surprisingly doing well even with srednetagelami models, but for good headphones need a device better. The opposite is true: for the cheapest headphones K1 is also not needed.
K1 is not for lovers of bass, no bass boost, and bass more than it is, it will not add. And, finally, K1 does not need people who are satisfied with the onboard sound on their computer, no wow-effect of K1, therefore, if you are not sure that you need to improve the resolution and dynamics of the sound from your PC (in this area has improved K1), we save money on the purchase.
On the one hand, it seems that the device is very niche. On the other hand, K1 is exactly what the majority of ordinary listeners who want to improve the sound of your computer. Add a good pair of headphones-the earbuds, which lasted somewhere between 40 and 80 dollars, and get a good set for everyday use. Lightweight, portable, inexpensive.
Below when describing the sound of the K1 I will do a discount on the price, consider this.
The overall sound is a K1 bit light, tending to neutrality. He has good resolution and speed. Compared to the built-in output of the MacBook Pro (I think it can be considered more or less a good solution in the world of laptops), K1 offers a more focused bass. At first it seems that it smaller, but actually it is not, decreases smeared the buzz, improving the clarity and density. MIDs have more body, they sound more detailed. Small accent at the junction of the midrange and tweeter makes the sound light and airy. HF just yarkovato, but not outrageous, the design is quite good for its price.
With better K1 is transmitted to the instruments, they sound more natural, the scene becomes wider, and the sound sources are not so crowded.
In the most sensitive headphones-the earbuds you can hear a little background noise (for example, in 16Ω Titan 3 with their sensitivity 110 dB/mW). It is heard only in silence, but during music it slightly spoils the quiet moments, blurring the “black background” and decreasing depth of the scene. However, at 32Ω models have this problem.
Nearest more expensive competitor K1 — Q1 Fiio offers a darker sound with slightly emphasized bass and at the expense of more power is better suited headphones with low sensitivity.
Compatibility
Choosing headphones for K1, it is better to avoid two extremes — too tight and too sensitive models. Out of curiosity, I connected to K1 HiFiMan HE-400S, the result is quite decent, though not comparable with serious amplifiers. Well with K1 showed himself a massive model in the face of VSonic VSD3, Ostry 6 series both modifications, the Lear LHF-AE1d. I especially liked the combination with VSonic Gr01. Genre preferences have K1 no, he more or less plays most styles, except the most complex.
As usual, a few examples
Led Zeppelin — Boogie With Stu. Very well with the K1 sounds remaster of one of the best Zeppelin albums. For lovers of exclusively correct sound there are rips from vinyls-pervoprestol and tracts priced from $ 3000 and more. But for real listening enjoyment quite enough of this little DAC, which benefits from a modernized track, passing most of the nuances.
Megadeth — A Tout le Monde. Good riff, good melody, charismatic vocalist. In General, all for which we love the creativity of fellow Mustaine in a concentrated form. Fiio K1 is pretty good, jauntily playing this track, although more brutal genres he would, perhaps, be light coloured.
Bruce Dickinson — Tears of the Dragon. For my solo stuff, Bruce — still more interesting than the Iron Maiden albums recorded without him. Of course, the “maiden” is always a “maiden”, and the albums with blaze are very interesting musically, but vocally the group lacked Dickinson, who recorded a masterpiece like “Tears of the dragon”. K1, of course, does not hold with the transfer of bass, but it effectively highlights the vocals, and this is important in this track. You know why.
Conclusions
Very good budget device for those who want to improve the sound without spending a lot of money. Such a probe is an audiophile, which help you to understand: do you really need to think about more expensive and high-end devices. It is a pity that K1 does not support smartphones (although I believe that at a certain point this support will add), but also because he is quite good in the role of road satellite traveling music lover.