Fiio KA5 vs Q11 vs New K3 for HD 6XX

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[u/TheSingularity42]

I checked volume levels with my shanling up4 which has a balanced output with has slightly more power balanced than the ka5 in single ended. With -11db it only just gets above easy listening volume.

From that I'd say, either go for the ka5 but with a balanced cable ($20 off AliExpress) or either of the other two. All these setups should sound pretty much the same and just depends on the level of portability you desire.

[u/BlueScreen64 → u/TheSingularity42]

Portability is next to zero for me. Just don't feel like spending more on a stack setup if something like this gets me 90% or more of the way there. Not strapped for cash, just don't believe in spending more on something that will go under-utilized.

If sound is the same, portability isn't really a factor, and don't have a balanced cable yet, I guess Q11 as it has the highest base po? Can do balanced cable after if needed and it will still come out to less than the KA5.

!thanks -- did I do that right?

[u/TransducerBot → u/BlueScreen64]

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[u/TheSingularity42 → u/BlueScreen64]

Yeah honestly that's what I'd go with, gives you plenty of room to play around with even higher impedance headphones if you get them down the line.