FiiO K3chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many owners describe the K3's output as clean, musical, and free of hiss or noise, with noticeable improvements in detail and soundstage over onboard audio and other budget DACs like the E10K.

@39eneXR

I've been thinking about buying the Fiio BTR5 but then I saw this Fiio K3s, and out of curiosity I wanted to compare them. The pricepoint is almost the same, so it was kinda odd that the BTR5 was going to be better with a battery inside and the same price point.\n\nWell, after a lot of research, I discovered that the E10K USB C has the same chip than the BTR5, and just like this review says, the E10K is inferior to the K3s.\n\nI went to amazon, ordered it, and now it's here with me.\n\nIt sounds amazing.\n\nMy main goal with the BTR5 was to have it wired to my PC all the time I use it and to use it on my phone when I wasn't on my PC, just to listen to music for a while on the couch of my house. \n\nI already own a pair of bluetooth cans so my goal with the BTR5 was to use it at home all the time. \n\nWhen I found out that the K3s has a better sound quality, I did the jump on the idea, I did the change. \nAnd I don't regret it, the improvement in audio quality is worth it. \n\nWith this said, if you don't want the bluetooth capabilities of the BTR5 and you don't mind a little higher battery drain (which means that you just use it when you listen to music), go and get the K3s!\n\nI hope this is useful to you all, see you next time!launch

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October 21, 2021

@petermoeller5901

Even the E10k is a nice upgrade from the built-in sound of a PC or laptop. In my experience, there will be more definition in the bass, nuances are easier to pick up and generally there is a better separation between instruments and what people call, better soundstage. If the built-in sound has obvious flaws, upgrading to a DAC like the K3 or E10k is a no-brainer. If you own good or high-impedance headphones, this can make sense. But overall, between good onboard and a DAC like this, you get improvements in the nuances. The quality of the musician, the song and the engineering make always a much bigger difference.launch

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December 8, 2020

@julenrojo4624

A piece of advice, I use it with my HD600 300 ohms and works wonderfully with Android if you use the FiiO music player that properly controls it. Believe me, the difference is huge.launch

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January 19, 2020

@AbalMarius

I am using this dac already a month. I like it a lot. With foobar 2000 i couldn't make it play native dsd, only with conversion to pcm. But with jriver media center i was able to make it play dsd till 256 native mode. It was very easy. Set output to dsd and received bit perfect dsd native. That is amazing quality with this dac. Don't know why foobar isn't working with dsd or this is foobar fault, as fiio said that it should work according their online instructions. But for me it didn't. Anyway, i could recommend it to anyone wanting to have one of the best dacs for money right now. Fiio made a really good sounding quality product.launch

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January 15, 2019

Users report it successfully powers HD600, HD650, DT770/990, HE400i, and IEMs, delivering a big improvement in sound over stock outputs.

@jasmeetbedi9040

For one thing, I know this can drive the HiFiman HE400i, my main cans. But can it drive it well w.r.t to overall sound signature and quality? \nI have two options as I am getting the k3 for USD 50 or else I can go for ifi hip dac but that costs double at USD 100. Which one should I go for if price is also a concern but not at the cost of qualitylaunch

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October 15, 2021

@RambleStorm

After living with it for 6 months : my short review : sounds clean ; amp is a bit anemic on single ended , dont know about balanced(would stay away from it if you have demanding headphones mine are sensitive enough so no issue but i can get very close to max on high gain on HD 599s) and there is an issue on win 10 & usb 2.0 where you have to manualy turn it off and on again when starting your pc / waking up from sleep (not sure if everyone has it , I have it , many other users have it as can be seen on they'r forums)if anyone know of fix let me know with a reply.Worth considering, there isn't much of choice of good/decent&well built(which the fiio is , very nicely built) dac/amps at the price where I live.launch

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May 16, 2020

@julenrojo4624

A piece of advice, I use it with my HD600 300 ohms and works wonderfully with Android if you use the FiiO music player that properly controls it. Believe me, the difference is huge.launch

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January 19, 2020

@zendorea

+Z Reviews I have a K3 as my daily driver for hi-fi music and gaming. I use the balanced out to some hd650s. where should i go from here? Split DAC from AMP im guessing but i dont know what direction. =(launch

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August 4, 2019

Reviewers highlight how small and nicely constructed the unit is for a full-featured DAC/amp, making it easy to fit on a desk or travel with a laptop.

@MrBenherrmann

Just got around to getting the K3 ('cause I have so many DAC's, it's ridiculous). Absolutely love the audio output and mannnn, talk about small!!!!\nOnly issue I have is that every time I put my Win 10 PC to sleep, and then bring it back out of sleep, the K3 is nowhere to be found. I have to turn off the K3 (via the volume knob), and then turn it back on again for my PC to recognize it again. Tried everything - but turning it off and on again is how I deal with this. And FiiO support - sigh, don't even go there. Remember, you're dealing with China. I've sent support several emails now and it's two weeks later, still no answer on how to deal with the K3 drop off issue (when PC comes out of sleep mode). But all in all, the K3 rocks sound-wise.launch

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December 4, 2020

@RambleStorm

After living with it for 6 months : my short review : sounds clean ; amp is a bit anemic on single ended , dont know about balanced(would stay away from it if you have demanding headphones mine are sensitive enough so no issue but i can get very close to max on high gain on HD 599s) and there is an issue on win 10 & usb 2.0 where you have to manualy turn it off and on again when starting your pc / waking up from sleep (not sure if everyone has it , I have it , many other users have it as can be seen on they'r forums)if anyone know of fix let me know with a reply.Worth considering, there isn't much of choice of good/decent&well built(which the fiio is , very nicely built) dac/amps at the price where I live.launch

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May 16, 2020

@MakaiTechReviews

I actually use way bigger external DAC, but this small device impressed me so much. What do you guys think about the K3?launch

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December 12, 2018

Owners appreciate the USB, optical, coaxial, and line-out options that let it work as a USB-to-SPDIF converter or external sound card across many setups.

@woodpieces

Hi, I'm pretty new to the world of audio equipment. I was wondering if someone could confirm whether it is possible to plug in some PC speakers that use a 3.5mm jack into \"Line Out\" - to use the K3 as an external sound card. My PC has been having some audio issues. Thanks!launch

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January 28, 2022

@simonh9806

Thank you for this review. But don't you think it is just a bit misleading to describe this as a portable DAC/amp? If Fiio had this in mind, wouldn't they add an internal battery as they have on their actual portable DACs and amps? This one would of course drain the battery on your phone. Which means their are lots of better options if the intent is portable use from Fiio.\n\nI own the original K3 and I think it's great, specially since you can convert usb to optical/coaxial. But for portable use I would choose the Ifi Hip DAC every day of the week.launch

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January 14, 2022

@39eneXR

I've been thinking about buying the Fiio BTR5 but then I saw this Fiio K3s, and out of curiosity I wanted to compare them. The pricepoint is almost the same, so it was kinda odd that the BTR5 was going to be better with a battery inside and the same price point.\n\nWell, after a lot of research, I discovered that the E10K USB C has the same chip than the BTR5, and just like this review says, the E10K is inferior to the K3s.\n\nI went to amazon, ordered it, and now it's here with me.\n\nIt sounds amazing.\n\nMy main goal with the BTR5 was to have it wired to my PC all the time I use it and to use it on my phone when I wasn't on my PC, just to listen to music for a while on the couch of my house. \n\nI already own a pair of bluetooth cans so my goal with the BTR5 was to use it at home all the time. \n\nWhen I found out that the K3s has a better sound quality, I did the jump on the idea, I did the change. \nAnd I don't regret it, the improvement in audio quality is worth it. \n\nWith this said, if you don't want the bluetooth capabilities of the BTR5 and you don't mind a little higher battery drain (which means that you just use it when you listen to music), go and get the K3s!\n\nI hope this is useful to you all, see you next time!launch

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October 21, 2021

Several buyers felt it offered excellent sound quality for its low price, with one saying it saved them from buying a pricier ifi Nano iDSD.

@Brunx-pe2pc

Just ordered the new k3 with the ES9038Q2M for 108USD. can't wait for it to arrive and I hope it will rise to it's promises to say so. I was between the new k10 and the new k3 and I got the k3 Thank you for the reviews.launch

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December 18, 2021

@blipoop1

I'm a new subscriber. I've been researching dac/amp combos for a few days and there's so much conflicting opinions because a lot of youtubers (other channels) seem to sell out so they can get review samples and give everything they get a glowing review. The forums are full of audiophiles who are comparing the likes of the K3 to their $1000+ setups so of course they think it's not that good. What I love about this channel is that while you've recognised it's limitations as a sub $100 piece of hardware and not just a glowing review you've also given it a review from a 'real user' perspective, highlighting where it's best utilised.launch

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April 14, 2020

@kenparras

You just sold me on this! Thank you so much you just saved me so much money I was about to buy the ifi nano idsdlaunch

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January 6, 2019

The 2.5mm balanced output is noted as significantly more powerful than the single-ended 3.5mm jack, giving extra headroom for demanding cans.

@s8grave

2.5 mm is balanced output actually, it is more powerful than single ended 3.5 mm, 320mW(16Ω) vs 220mW(16Ω). It is not just \"smaller jacked headphones\". Good piece of hardware.launch

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January 16, 2019

@SagnikDasgupta

Hey Z, From fiio's spec sheet, the K3 has 220mW at 16 Ohm, compared to 112 mW at 16 Ohm fr the Q1 m2. So, is the K3 more powerful?launch

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January 2, 2019

At least one user reports using the K3 for years, or having used it long-term without issue, indicating it holds up well over time.

@mobilepsycho

I've had this for about 4 years now connected to my laptop, Kanto YU speakers, and use it with my various IEMs and headphones. Cleans up and optimizes the sound nicely. It sounds more <complete>. FiiO has come along impressively over the past 10 years or more. Great products.launch

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December 24, 2025

@arovi007

good review bro i love your video, i was using this Fiio DAC 2 years already it mind be the best for me, when i buy a new iem or headset dont need to care about anything just plugin and enjoy ( by the way i have a question, do you customize any software or anything with this dac or just simply plug in and use like me )launch

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August 21, 2024