FiiO
FiiO K11
$142.99Cheaper
Best Dac Amps · head-to-head
FiiO K11 vs iFi Zen DAC 3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. FiiO K11 is cheaper at $142.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
iFi Audio
iFi Zen DAC 3
$229
Which is better: the FiiO K11 or iFi Zen DAC 3?
The iFi Zen DAC 3 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The FiiO K11 is the cheaper at $142.99. Get the iFi Zen DAC 3 for the stronger spec sheet, the FiiO K11 to spend less.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | FiiO K11 | iFi Zen DAC 3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $142.99 | $229 |
| Brand | FiiO | iFi Audio |
| Released | — | — |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | CS43198 | Burr-Brown True Native |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 384 | 768 |
| Max dsd | DSD256 | DSD512 |
| Max power mw | 1400 | 300 |
| Snr (dB) | 123 | 113 |
| Thdn percent | 0.00035 | 0.005 |
| Balanced output | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm | 6.35mm/4.4mm |
| Digital inputs | USB-C/optical/coaxial | USB-C |
| Weight grams | 407 | 456 |
Sources — FiiO K11: fiio.com (verified 2026-07-11). iFi Zen DAC 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the FiiO K11 and iFi Zen DAC 3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Dac chip: FiiO K11 CS43198 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 Burr-Brown True Native
- Max pcm (kHz): FiiO K11 384 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 768
- Max dsd: FiiO K11 DSD256 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 DSD512
- Max power mw: FiiO K11 1400 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 300
- Snr (dB): FiiO K11 123 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 113
- Thdn percent: FiiO K11 0.00035 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 0.005
- Digital inputs: FiiO K11 USB-C/optical/coaxial vs iFi Zen DAC 3 USB-C
- Weight grams: FiiO K11 407 vs iFi Zen DAC 3 456
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
FiiO K11
Positive but single-sourced: among whitelisted testers, only SoundGuys published a hands-on review of the exact standard K11 (What Hi-Fi and TechRadar covered only the R2R variant or other FiiO DACs). SoundGuys praised the clean, detailed output, plentiful I/O and compact size, but flagged a clunky menu, over-bright default LED and too-light chassis. No lab measurements taken. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Clean, detailed output with no noticeable coloration; Plentiful I/O (optical/coax/USB in; 6.4mm + 4.4mm outputs run simultaneously; line out); Compact, desktop-friendly size with Mac-like aesthetics.
Flagged: Clunky, unintuitive menu; changing gain is a 4-step operation; Default LED is too bright blue and awkward to turn off; Too light; feet lack grip so the unit slides when plugging in headphones; external power brick.
iFi Zen DAC 3
Two whitelisted testers (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi) reviewed the exact iFi Zen DAC 3. Both praise its refined, detailed and spacious sound, flexible connectivity and the USB-B to USB-C upgrade. TechRadar is enthusiastic and rates it near-flawless value; What Hi-Fi is noticeably cooler, finding the sound smooth but lacking verve and punch and not a clear step up over the V2. Neither outlet published lab measurements. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Refined, detailed and spacious sound presentation; Flexible connectivity: 4.4mm balanced + RCA outputs, USB-C, fixed/variable output; Solid build and finish.
Flagged: Sound lacks verve, punch and rhythmic drive on energetic tracks; Needs good headphones and hi-res files to shine; disappointing with compressed audio; Not a clear step up over the previous generation, now in broad price parity with AudioQuest's DragonFly Cobalt.