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FiiO New K3
Desktop DAC and Amplifier
Two USB AUDIO modes | Flagship-grade PCM 384k/DSD256 decoding
RGB indicator light | Dual headphone outs, dual digital audio outs
ADC volume control
Elevate your computer with powerful decoding
Just connect the new K3 to your computer via USB to instantly upgrade to high-fidelity sound, and enjoy your music the way it was meant to be heard. Equipped with an XMOS USB receiver chip, the new K3 is capable of decoding up to 384kHz/32 bit PCM and native DSD256 – the same as many DACs costing much more. The new K3's dual crystal oscillators ensure that any digital audio signals being fed into the DAC are exactly correct for further enhanced sound quality.
Great "core" improvement
The new K3 employs the flagship portable ESS DAC, the ES9038Q2M. Compared to the AK4452, the signal-to-noise ratio has increased by 14dB and distortion has reduced by 13 dB. The circuit design implementing this DAC has been optimized for a low noise floor and clean sound.
·SNR increased by 12%
·Distortion (THD+N) reduced by 12%
High-performance
low distortion op-amp
Compared to the last generation K3, FiiO has noticeably improved on various performance indicators and overall sound quality, so you can get immersed in your music even more easily.
Not obsolete with
brand new tuning
Model
New K3
K3
Output Power (THD＜1%)
PO
114mW（32Ω）
BAL
200mW（32Ω）
SNR (G=H, A-Weighted + Low Pass)
121dBr
114dBr
120dBr
112.5dBr
LO
Noise
(G=H, Low pass)
≤4μV
≤8μV
≤6μV
≤12μV
≤3μV
≤7μV
Simply reliable USB power
The new K3 adopts the modern USB Type-C input interface for a more reliable and stable connection, including that of power. However, care to ensure an uncompromised power supply doesn't stop there – the new K3 implements overvoltage protection (OVP) and a double-filter circuit to ensure power supply stability, while the digital and analog audio circuits each get their own power supply to greatly reduce crosstalk.
Low and High gains
ADC volume control
The switch for high and low gain meets your listening volume needs of delicacy and large dynamics. Plus an ADC volume control, the user is able to smoothly adjust the volume to a more accurate and finer degree, allowing the new K3 to be used with headphones of all kinds of sensitivity to really make your songs, games, and movies come to life.
Tiny round goodness in the palm of your hand
The all-aluminum black body has been painstakingly CNC-machined, anodized, and sandblasted to ensure that the new K3 feels robust yet perfectly textured for a great feel in your hands. Combined with its small size, you can easily take the new K3 wherever you need to.
Two modes for many situations
Sometimes, you may not have access to a device that can connect to the new K3 via USB Audio Class 2. In these situations, you can go to USB Audio Class 1 mode with just the flick of a switch.
* Using the 2.0 mode requires downloading and installing the FiiO USB driver
* After switching USB modes, you need to either turn the new K3 off and on, or unplug and plug in the USB cable.
In high-performance applications, you can use the 2.0 mode to enjoy up to 384kHz/DSD 256 decoding.
For certain situations, you can use the 1.0 mode to enjoy up to 96kHz/24-bit PCM audio without needing any drivers.
A distinctly cohesive tactile audiovisual experience
The volume knob, with 45° notches etched onto its surface and perfectly sized to allow easy one-finger operation, is designed to perfectly blend in with the curves of the new K3 body for a distinctive touch. Next to the volume knob is an RGB light that indicates what kind of digital audio is being input to the new K3, visually confirming what you are hearing in your music.
48kHz sampling rate and below - Blue Above 48kHz sampling rate - Yellow DSD - Green
Different connection options for different scenarios
Connect it to a desktop computer
Use the driverless 1.0 mode for business trips
Make it a digital turntable connected to an external decoder
Connect it to a speaker, using the New K3 as a DAC
Dual headphone jacks
Being optimized for indoor desktop use, the new K3 is equipped with both 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm balanced headphone jacks. Both outputs have audio jack detection, which means that when headphones are inserted into the balanced out, balanced boost automatically kicks in resulting in about a 50% output power increase compared to the single-ended out.
Line out connector
The 3.5mm line out is driven directly by the OPA1612 op-amp, to ensure as little sound quality reduction as possible. The line out output is also adjustable with maximum power output up to 2Vrms, to ensure compatibility with a wide variety of active speakers and external amplifiers.
*When using the line out, please disconnect any headphones
Coaxial and Optical digital outs
The XMOS USB receiver chip in the new K3 directly converts any USB audio input to digital signals output via the coaxial and optical connectors, allowing you to connect to speaker systems, amplifiers, or other external decoders.
*The volume knob does not control digital output volume. The New K3 can output digital audio signals up to 192kHz and DSD64 over DoP. Please adjust the settings of the device you are connecting the NEW K3 to if the device does not support the digitally output format.
Dealers selling FiiO near you
FiiO New K3 — compact, musical desktop DAC/headphone amp
The FiiO New K3 pares a warm, musical tuning into a small, well-built desktop unit that punches above its size. Reviewers at Audiophilepure and Sandu Vitalie note a lush, mid-forward signature with a controlled low end when the bass boost is left off, and a relaxed, fatigue-free presentation that favours musicality over hyper-detail.
Performance highlights include good low-end slam and clean midrange texture, laid-back transients and sensible noise performance for most headphones. Build and ergonomics are a strong suit: a CNC black aluminum case, metal volume wheel and useful I/O—2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm SE, USB-C, coax/optical—make it versatile. Ideal for listeners who want a musical, portable desktop DAC/amp that can drive many full-size headphones via its balanced output. Solid value for money at this tier.
Pros
- Premium, compact build with CNC aluminum case and a tactile metal volume wheel, feeling more expensive than its size suggests.
- Tight, well-controlled bass with good rumble and attack when the bass boost is disabled, delivering punch without muddiness.
- Versatile connectivity and a powerful 2.5mm balanced output that can drive demanding full-size headphones more effectively than the SE port.
&
Cons
- Bass boost switch can produce a boomy, dispersed low end and degrade control—best left off for most listeners.
- Single-ended 3.5mm output lacks sufficient grunt for some full-size headphones; balanced is recommended for demanding models.
- Balanced output may exhibit a faint hiss with very sensitive IEMs, which could be noticeable to some users.
- Upper treble detail rolls off above ~12 kHz and soundstage depth/imaging are modest compared with more resolving desktop gear.
Sound Quality
78/100
Dynamics are slightly restrained: the review notes a 'longer decay of the notes' and that transient response is 'on the lighter, slower side,' so it won't satisfy those seeking ultra-fast attack and slam. The amp still offers good 'rumble and slam' in the low end, but overall transients are laid-back.
Noise Floor
72/100
The reviewer reports a 'faint hiss' from the balanced output with the most sensitive IEMs while the single-ended output is 'close to zero.' That implies audible hiss for very sensitive IEMs (acceptable for most full-size headphones) and warrants a conservative score.
Headphone Compatibility
84/100
Front-panel 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm SE outputs plus a Low/High gain switch give useful flexibility; reviewer tested with Sennheiser HD660S and Quad ERA-1 and reports the amp 'kicks' them awake. Slight hiss on balanced with very sensitive IEMs reduces suitability for ultra-sensitive IEMs, but it drives a broad range of desktop headphones well.
Build Quality
90/100
Reviewer praises a 'very solid build quality' with a CNC black aluminum case and a metal volume wheel with pleasant texture, calling it 'expensive,' elegant and well put together. Construction and finish are clearly above entry-level.
Features Connectivity
90/100
Provides both 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm SE headphone outputs, USB Type-C for data/power, a USB 1.0/2.0 switch, a 1.9V RMS line-out, and Low/High gain and bass On/Off switches. Built-in DAC functionality (USB data transfer) plus multiple outputs and gain settings push it well above a minimal amp.
Value for Money
92/100
At about $110 / ~120 EUR the reviewer calls it an 'Awesome price to performance ratio,' explicitly endorsing its value in this price bracket.
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