Compact Portable DAC and Amplifier

ES9281AC PRO DAC | RGB status indicator | Full support for a variety of devices MQA rendering support | Supports 32bit/384kHz lossless audio | Supports DSD256

Compact stature
Massive potential

What can be accomplished in a tiny space of 40x15x8mm? In the KA1, there is not only a high-quality DAC, but there is also premium audio amplification to match, both carefully tuned by engineers to truly and faithfully reproduce your music the way it was meant to be heard. The KA1 invites you to listen to it among other portable DAC and amps.

Made with a robust “heart”, for maximum effect

Employed in the KA1 is the ES9281AC PRO chip from ESS, which combines USB audio interface, DAC, and amplifier into one package. When combined with the multi-layered HDI gold-plated PCB it is on, the result is lower crosstalk, higher efficiency through lower power consumption, and ultimately high quality pure sound.

High-end decoding
Immensely capable

With support up to 32bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, you will surely be able to hear even the finest details within your music!

*DoP mode supports up to DSD128, Native mode supports up to DSD256

Also supports MQA

The KA1 has been officially certified by MQA to be truly capable of MQA rendering!

*The KA1 includes MQA Renderer technology, which can connect to an MQA Core signal (from TIDAL streaming service, FiiO Music App or any other MQA enabled music services or media players) and complete the final unfold of an MQA file.

Charmingly colorful, RGB status indicator

The RGB status indicator not only features captivating looks, but also conveniently displays the current audio format and sampling rate.

blue- 48kHz or below sampling rate
yellow- Greater than 48kHz sampling rate
green- DSD tracks
purple- MQA rendering

Versatility with multi-platform support

Android/iOS/Windows/Mac compatible
Smartphone/portable player/tablet/computer supported
Portable/commuting/office/home/gaming uses all supported

General specifications
Name/Model	KA1	color	Classic Black/Dark Night Green
hardware	DAC: ES9281AC PRO	FiiO Control	is not supported.
weight	About 10g	size	fuselage: about 40mm x 15mm x 8mm Line length: 70mm
Audio input interface	Type-C Cable or Lightning	Headset output interface	3.5mm socket
firmware upgrade	The system firmware can be upgraded through USB	sample rate indication	blue: below 48kHz yellow: above 48kHz Green: DSD Purple: MQA
channel balance	<0.05dB(32Ω/THD+N<1%)	impedance adaptation	16 to 300 Ω
The highest supported sampling rate	384KHz/32bit	Support DSD	DSD64/128/256
power supply parameters
power supply		battery capacity
Audio parameters
Headset Output Part Performance Parameters (3.5mm)
output power	43mW (16Ω,THD+N<1%)	output amplitude	1.2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%)
	45mW (32Ω,THD+N<1%)	channel separation	≥ 73dB(1Khz,32 Ω load)
	13mW (300Ω,THD+N<1%)	channel separation	≥ 73dB(1Khz,32 Ω load)
	6.8mW(600Ω,THD+N<1%)	output impedance	<1.5 Ω (load 32 Ω)
frequency response	20Hz to 20KHz, the curve amplitude varies by 0.1dB.	signal-to-noise ratio	≥ 114dB(32 Ω A)
frequency response	20Hz to 50KHz, the curve amplitude varies by 0.3dB.	distortion plus bottom noise	<0.0005%(32 Ω A)
bottom noise	<2.4uV(A calculation)	distortion plus bottom noise	<0.00018%(600 Ω A)

Comparison

Model	KA1	KA2	KA3
color	Classic Black/Dark Night Green	Classic Black	Classic Black
DAC	ES9281AC PRO	CT7601+CS43131*2	CT7601 + ES9038Q2M + RT6863D * 2
FiiO Control	is not supported.	support	support
weight	About 10g	About 12.3g	Approximately 17.5g
size	fuselage: about 40mm x 15mm x 8mm Line length: 70mm	fuselage: about 40mm x 15mm x 12mm. Line length: 70mm	About 56.3mm x 20.2mm x 12mm
Headset Input Interface	Type-C Cable or Lightning	Type-C Cable or Lightning	Type-C lines
Headset output interface	3.5mm single end	4.4mm balance	3.5mm Single End (PO)+4.4mm Balance (BAL)
Sample Rate Indicator	blue: 48kHz and below yellow: above 48kHz Green: DSD magenta: MQA	blue: 48kHz and below yellow: above 48kHz Green: DSD	blue: 48kHz and below yellow: above 48kHz Green: DSD
Decoding specifications	PCM: 384KHz/32bit DSD: Dop 64/128 Native 64/128/256 MQA:16x	PCM: 384KHz/32bit DSD: Dop 64/128/256 Native 64/128/256	PCM: 768KHz/32bit DSD: Dop 64/128/256 Native 64/128/256/512
output amplitude	PO:1.2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%)	BAL:1.2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%)	PO: 2V(32Ω/THD+N<1%) BAL:2.7V(32Ω/THD+N<1%)
output power	45mW@32Ω(PO)	153mW@32Ω(PO)	130mW@32Ω(PO) 235mW@32Ω(BAL)
distortion + bottom noise	<0.0005%(32 Ω A)	<0.00036%(32 Ω) <0.00024%(32 Ω A)	<0.0008%(PO 32Ω) <0.0010% (BAL 32Ω)
signal-to-noise ratio	≥ 114dB(32 Ω A)	≥ 125dB(32 Ω A) ≥ 131dB(600 Ω A)	≥ 122dB (PO32 Ω A) ≥ 119dB(BAL 32 Ω A)
power consumption	50mA (standby) 60mA( 40mV)	65mA (standby) 70mA( 40mV)	120mA (standby) 130mA(PO 40mV) 130mA(BAL 40mV)

FiiO KA1 USB Amp/DAC (Open Box)

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