The FiiO K1 is a small entry-level dongle DAC/Amp design that works at the end of most OTG Android and iOS Apple devices. It is priced at $39.99.
Disclaimer: The FiiO K1 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank FiiO for this opportunity.
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FiiO has been doing a commendable job in updating its DAC & amp line-up to suit a wide variety of user tastes and preferences across all price ranges. Their recent offering, the FiiO K1, is an example of just that which stays true to their original mantra of affordable entry-level offerings.
At a price of $39.99, one could consider it to be the gateway to an audiophile sound and a good one at that. The well-built small device comes complete with a micro-USB going in and headphone output going out. At just 11g, the very small device justifies FiiO’s ultra-portability claim weighing in less than the DragonFly Audio USB and other similarly-priced competitors.
Packaging
Like the Q1 before it, the K1 comes in a standard box that is half transparent and half red (owing to the accessory box). Unlike the Q1, this packaging appears more professional and consistent with FiiO as a polished brand.
It is minimalist and displays all the necessary information without being ostentatious or fussy. Hence, it would not look out of place at an electronic store – much to FiiO’s advantage. The K1 comes complete with a mini USB cable and an instruction manual.
Design
The FiiO K1 is a miniature all-in-one solution in a titanium color shell. Beneath the surface is a transparent removable clip for neat storage and on the go use. The dimensions of the device are 50 x 20.5 x 9 (mm) with the weight coming in at a modest 11g.
At the top of the device is a 3.5 mm headphone out with a small blue LED to indicate power. At the bottom, there is a micro-USB port to connect to peripheral electronic devices with USB functionality. Unlike the Q1, there is no bass boost option, nor is there a volume control. Instead, the volume can be controlled on a desktop or laptop via the speakers (USB) modality.
Internals
The FiioO K1 utilises the same Texas Instrument PCM5012 DAC chip used in their Q1 model and their previous high-end E17K device (supporting up to 24bit/96kHz). There is a TPA61332A driver and a Savitech’s SA9023A USB receiver to decode USB audio. Not only this but this small device packs a punch with a high output power of up to 75mW.
Sound quality
Tonality
The K1 presents with good detailing and transients with some sparkle in the higher frequencies. Instrument separation and imaging is rather good and is definitely a strong point of this small device.
Compared to an on-board sound device, the bass picks up more body and texture with moderately decent extension. The midrange itself also increases in body with a smoother and more organic tonality than previously noted.
The upper midrange and lower treble are slightly accentuated giving this region of the spectrum some bite and pace. Overall, compared to my standard soundcard, there is a noticeable improvement especially with less sensitive IEMs and headphones.
Matchability
Like the Q1, the K1 presents a detailed and clear sound that is able to drive relatively power-hungry headphones (recommended up to 100 Ohms). However, with sensitive IEMs I have found that the K1 does not present music against a pitch-black background. Rather, there is a faint hissing sound that makes tracks have a very slight underlying fuzziness. IEMs like the DUNU Titan 3s (tested at 16 ohms) was a prime example of this type of noise.
Slightly higher impedance earphones such as the Rock-it Sounds R-50s (at 32 ohms) had a much more reduced amount of background noise. This may detract attention from the audiophile purists who have an extensive collection of sensitive IEMs they plan to pair the K1 with. Perhaps the use of a low-gain switch could have reduced this noise floor rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach.
Headphones such as the HiFiMAN HE-400S avoided this problem altogether with tracks being presented against a darker background. I must say I am impressed with this pairing and what this little device is capable of. Instrument separation is decent with good soundstage proportions in the dimensions of width and height.
There is sufficient headroom in the HE-400S when driven by the K1 and for that reason, the K1 could definitely be used as a desktop amp/DAC combo. More power-hungry devices, however, would require an alternate means of obtaining the best out of them.
Comparisons
In comparison to Audioquest’s DragonFly v1.2, the K1 falls short in the areas of resolution and contrasting. However, the K1 feels easier on the ears as a result of the more honest and reference-approach that the DragonFly strives for. The Topping NX1 amp, on the other hand, a more fair comparison to the K1, falls short in the area of soundstage dimension. Treble on the NX1 appears more forthright and consequently harsher than the K1’s moderately extended top-end frequency range.
With regards to the sound signature, the K1 is similar to the Q1 with the former having a slightly wider sonic image. The K1 is a touch brighter which becomes even more apparent when the bass option is turned on in the Q1. The Q1, however, is slightly more organic with a better low-end presence. Therefore, the K1 proves to be a decent competitor for its modest $39 price.
When pitted against the X7 (rather unfairly), the K1 loses out in layering and detail that makes the former experience much more involving. Rather admirably though, the K1 can compete in the soundstage with the X7’s default IEM module. For the price then, the K1 does a very good job of retaining modest levels of detail amongst a good sonic stage.
Our Verdict
Overall then, the thumb-sized K1 proves to be a decent hitter and entry product in the world of audiophilia. The device is well-built and very convenient with plug and play usability meaning that no drivers are required for installation. The small form factor and lightweight design make the device ultra-portable and aid in this convenience factor.
However, I was not able to get the USB OTG functionality to work with my Samsung Galaxy S5 which restricted the use of this device to just a desktop experience. The sound is similar to the FiiO Q1 with good detailing and sonic dimensions. I would definitely recommend it to those on a tight budget. Some recommendations of improvement though, would be to include a volume toggle and gain switch to truly make this an all-in-one device without requiring the interaction of an OS interface.
FiiO K1 Technical Specifications
- Ultra-portable DAC and headphone amplifier
- Decode audio over USB
- TI PCM5102 DAC with support for 24-Bit/96KHz
- USB powered
