FiiO K13 Black HiFi DAC & ADC Interface

Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier with Dual ES9039Q2M

The FiiO K13 is a desktop DAC and headphone amplifier in a black finish, built to be the central piece of a headphone or desktop speaker setup. Two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips handle the conversion, an XMOS XU316 takes care of USB decoding up to 768 kHz / 32-bit PCM and DSD512, and an ESP32-S3 SoC runs the control functions. The amplifier stage combines two OPA1642 and two TPA6120A chips in a fully balanced layout. Note: this is the K13 with ES9039Q2M chips, not the K13 R2R model.

Inputs, Outputs and Control

The K13 works in USB DAC, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth receiving modes. The Bluetooth 5.4 receiver supports SBC and LDAC. On the front there is a 6.35 mm single-ended and a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output; at the back an XLR balanced line output and RCA single-ended line outputs feed a power amplifier or active speakers, and the coaxial port can also be used as a digital output. Three gain levels (L/M/H), adaptive impedance from 8 to 350 Ω, 8 digital filter settings, 4 SHR (second harmonic regulation) settings and a 10-band PEQ let you match the unit to anything from sensitive IEMs to full-size headphones. Volume is set by the knob or the included IR remote, and the 1.1-inch LCD shows sample rate, volume, gain and output mode. The FIIO Control app gives access to settings, PEQ and Bluetooth firmware updates.

Technical Specifications

• DAC: 2× ESS ES9039Q2M
• USB decoding: XMOS XU316, up to 768 kHz / 32-bit, DSD512
• Coaxial / optical decoding: 192 kHz / 24-bit, DSD64 / 96 kHz / 24-bit
• Balanced output (4.4 mm, high gain): 2400 mW + 2400 mW at 32 Ω, 600 mW + 600 mW at 300 Ω, SNR ≥ 120 dB
• Single-ended output (6.35 mm, high gain): 1220 mW + 1220 mW at 32 Ω, SNR ≥ 123 dB
• Line outputs: XLR 5.3 Vrms, RCA 2.6 Vrms
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (attenuation < 0.2 dB)
• Bluetooth: 5.4, SBC / LDAC
• Power supply: AC 100–240 V, or DC 12 V / ≥ 2.5 A
• Dimensions and weight: approx. 210 × 188 × 42 mm (including feet), approx. 960 g

Who the K13 Is For

The K13 suits listeners who want one desktop unit to decode music from a computer, TV, CD transport or phone and drive headphones as well as active speakers or a power amplifier. The balanced output has enough power for demanding planar and high-impedance headphones, while the low gain setting and adaptive impedance keep sensitive IEMs quiet.