FiiO K5

FiiO's third generation desktop amplifier brings some new features and ditches others. The new three step gain control is a nice feature for anyone who plans on using a wide variety of headphones with this amplifier. The new amp circuit finally cuts output impedance down to below 1 Ohm compared to the 10 Ohm Z of FiiO's older models E9 and E09K. FiiO also decided to ditch the RCA pre-out which made it possible to control the volume of powered monitor speakers and replace it with a balanced 2.5mm balanced line output which only works with FiiO DAPs that support balanced audio. This means you will have to get an inline volume control or powered speakers with easily accessible volume control. The cheapest passive volume control with balanced in and output is the Nobsound Little Bear MC2 Mini

When should you get this?

You are in a country where a Schiit products aren't feasible and you want comparable set of features.

Technical Information:

Input Connections:

• Digital: The K 5 only acts as a DAC via the FiiO Dock. Compatible models are mentioned below.
• Analog: RCA

Output Connections:

• Headphone output: 6.3mm TRS
• Line output: RCA + balanced 3.5mm TRRS
• Digital output: n/a

Power Source:

Output Power

• 1700mW into 16 Ohm / 5.22Vrms
• 1500mW into 32 Ohm / 6.93Vrms
• 150mW into 300 Ohm / 6.71Vrms

Output Impedance: <1 Ohm

Note:

Compatible FiiO units that can act as a DAC when docked to the K5:

• Portable Audio Players: X1, X1II, X3III, X5II, X7, X7II
• Portable DAC/Amps: E17K