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FiiO FD3 In-Ear Monitors + New K3 Desktop DAC/Amp

VSG

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We have a two-in-one from FiiO as we look at the recently launched FD3 in-ear monitors and New K3 desktop USB DAC/amplifier. The FD3 uses a single dynamic driver for each channel and has a lot of trickle-down tech from the more expensive FD5. The New K3 updates the DAC with higher SNR and lower distortion, too.

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System Name Bragging Rights
Processor Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard It has no markings but it's green
Cooling No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory 2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s) Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage 32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s) 10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case Veddha T2
Audio Device(s) Apparently, yes
Power Supply Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.
You made me look up how old FiiO is with your "well over a decade" comment. I bought my FiiO E7 headphone DAC to drive a pair of Sennheiser HD580s about 2010 or so; Good no-nonsense DAC.

Interesting to read that the K3 doesn't play well with EQ as my E7 (on the ASIO driver) is doing a stellar job after room calibration that ranges from -4.5dB to +3dB.
 

VSG

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You made me look up how old FiiO is with your "well over a decade" comment. I bought my FiiO E7 headphone DAC to drive a pair of Sennheiser HD580s about 2010 or so; Good no-nonsense DAC.

Interesting to read that the K3 doesn't play well with EQ as my E7 (on the ASIO driver) is doing a stellar job after room calibration that ranges from -4.5dB to +3dB.
Perhaps there was some misunderstanding here, I meant the FD3 IEMs don't take EQ that well. The K3 is just a DAC/Amp and even has a deliberate bass boost switch :D
 

Alarchemn

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Dec 17, 2022
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I want to thank you for the review, it's quite good. Based on your experience, is there anything better than this DAC/AMP for the same price or maybe a little more?
 
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VSG

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