FiiO KA17 USB DAC/Amp Review
A USB DAC and headphone amp listed from $149.99 in Black or Blue. Its pictures name two ES9069Q DAC chips, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs and a second USB-C port for external power, which suits listeners who want a balanced output from a USB source.
Our verdict
A fit for listeners who want a USB DAC and amp with both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output, pictured power figures at 32Ω and 300Ω and a separate power input, from $149.99. Look elsewhere if you want the specifications written out as text rather than read from pictures. The highest power needs desktop mode with enough USB input, and every spec figure here is the store's own.
- Best for
- Listeners who want a USB DAC and headphone amp with both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs.
- Skip if
- You want the specifications written out as text rather than read from pictures.
Why 3.3/5: Held back by a page that gives no specification list as text, by a text so short that most of its claims sit in pictures rather than text, by the store's own terms that contradict each other, and because no independent test was checked for this review: every spec figure is the store's own.
FiiO's KA17 is a USB DAC and headphone amplifier that HiFiGO lists from $149.99, in Black or Blue, with a description made of 19 pictures and no text. Those pictures name two ES9069Q DAC chips, an XMOS XU316 USB chip, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, and maximum supported formats of asynchronous 768kHz/32bit and DSD512. A desktop mode switch and a second USB-C port labelled POWER IN are also pictured. Every spec figure in this review comes from those pictures.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says (text and pictures) |
|---|---|
| USB chip | XMOS XU316 |
| DAC | Two ES9069Q |
| Op amp | Two OPA1662 |
| Headphone amp | Fully balanced THX AAA 78+ |
| Max supported formats | Asynchronous 768kHz/32bit, DSD512, MQA full decoding |
| Headphone outputs | Single-ended 3.5mm+balanced 4.4mm |
| Output power, 32Ω, desktop mode | At least 270mW+270mW single-ended; at least 650mW+650mW balanced; THD+N below 1% |
| Output power, 32Ω, non-desktop mode | At least 140mW+140mW single-ended; at least 300mW+300mW balanced; THD+N below 1% |
| Output power, 300Ω, desktop mode | At least 30mW+30mW single-ended; at least 90mW+90mW balanced; THD+N below 1% |
| Signal to noise ratio | At least 126dB (A-weighted) |
| THD+N | Below 0.0004% (1kHz/32kΩ) |
| SPDIF out | Via the 3.5mm headphone jack; 96kHz/32bit |
| Dimensions | About 64.0x27.7x12.7mm |
| Weight | About 33.5g |
Options and pricing
Four options are listed, all orderable when the page was read: Black and Blue at $149.99 each, and KA17 Black+LT2 Lightning Cable and KA17 Blue+LT2 Lightning Cable at $150.99 each. The two bundle names add an LT2 Lightning cable to the KA17, and the pictures read give no detail on that cable. The box list in picture 18 names a leatherette case, a dual Type-C to OTG short data cable, a USB Type A-C adapter, two USB dustproof plug covers and a quick start guide.
How it compares
The FiiO QX11 ES9069Q*2 Portable DAC & Headphones AMP is $159.99 against $149.99 here, and its name also lists two ES9069Q chips. The E1DA 9038D6K USB Headphone Amp 3.5mm Jack Unbalanced Output DAC+HPA is $135 and its name states a 3.5mm unbalanced output, where the KA17's pictures add a 4.4mm balanced one. The KA17 suits buyers who want a balanced output and an external power port; the E1DA suits a 3.5mm-only setup on a lower budget.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
FiiO's own notice "A letter to FiiO fans" (undated) lists HiFiGo among sellers it has not authorized and recommends buying FiiO products from local agents. FiiO says it still services genuine products bought from such sellers if the buyer emails [email protected], but the buyer pays the freight and duties if a unit must go back to China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Two ES9069Q DAC chips and an XMOS XU316 USB chip are named in the basic specifications picture (picture 17)
- Both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output are pictured
- Output power is pictured at both 32Ω and 300Ω, single-ended and balanced, with desktop and non-desktop figures at 32Ω
- A second USB-C port labelled POWER IN is pictured for an external power supply
- The box list in picture 18 names a leatherette case, an OTG data cable and a USB Type A-C adapter
Worth noting
- The page text gives no specification list as text, so every spec figure sits in pictures, and eight of the 19 pictures could not be read for this review
- The highest power figures need desktop mode with sufficient USB power supply input, and the pictures read give no figure for how much input that is
- Picture 17 gives 300Ω figures for desktop mode only, and none for 300Ω without it
Questions before you buy
What output power does the KA17 list?
Picture 17 gives six minimum figures, each with THD+N below 1%. At 32Ω in desktop mode: at least 270mW+270mW single-ended and at least 650mW+650mW balanced. At 32Ω in non-desktop mode: at least 140mW+140mW single-ended and at least 300mW+300mW balanced. At 300Ω in desktop mode: at least 30mW+30mW single-ended and at least 90mW+90mW balanced.
What is desktop mode on the KA17?
A desktop mode switch is among the parts in picture 16. Picture 03 says that with sufficient USB power supply input and desktop mode enabled, the KA17's four THX headphone amps work together in parallel. Picture 17 lists higher power in desktop mode than in non-desktop mode at 32Ω. The pictures read give no figure for how much USB input counts as sufficient.
Which sample rates and formats does the KA17 list?
Picture 17 lists maximum supported formats of asynchronous 768kHz/32bit, DSD512 and MQA full decoding, plus a driver-free mode that picture 15 calls UAC1.0. Picture 15 also says the 3.5mm jack supports SPDIF output at 96kHz/32bit, and picture 05 says PEQ works in formats up to PCM 192kHz/24bit and is currently not supported in UAC1.0 mode.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the maker
- FiiO: A letter to FiiO fans (seller notice)Undated FiiO notice listing HiFiGo among unauthorized third-party sellers; FiiO still services genuine unitsRead October 28, 2026
From the store
- FiiO KA17 Dual ES9069Q USB DAC Audio HiFi Portable Headphone AMP product page: specs, options and priceSpecs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- CONFLICT: picture 17 lists the colors as black and blue, while a footnote on picture 14 says the blue version's release date will be announced later; the page lists Blue as orderable at $149.99.
- Desktop-mode power depends on 'sufficient USB power supply input' (picture 03), and the pictures read give no figure for that input. Eight pictures (feature banners) could not be read, so any figure that appears only on them is unknown.
- Claims in the pictures, such as 'more realistic and natural sound' and circuits 'comparable to DAPs' (picture 01), temperature and DC output monitoring (picture 13) and fourth-gen HyperStream (picture 04), are not checked here.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
- FiiO's undated seller notice lists HiFiGo as an unauthorized seller; FiiO says it still services genuine units, with freight and duties paid by the buyer.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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