The hi-fi keyboard DAC is something I never imagined would exist and now I must have one

By Tom Parsons
published

Dear Santa, please bring me a FiiO KB3

FiiO KB3 keyboard DAC on desk next to pair of headphones
(Image credit: FiiO)

After 16 or so years in this industry, I was pretty sure I'd seen it all – and then the FiiO KB3 'hi-fi keyboard' popped up in my inbox and I immediately decided that I must have one.

It may look like a gaming-focused compact keyboard, what with those flashy mechanical keys, but the KB3 is as much about audio output as it is typed inputs. Connect it to your Mac or PC via USB and it can receive hi-res audio in up to 384kHz/32-bit and in formats including audiophile DSD256.

This digital audio is then converted to analogue by two 'high-performance and efficient' CS43131 DACs, amplified by two 'low-noise' amps and output to your chosen pair of headphones, which can be connected to the keyboard's integrated 3.5mm or 4.4mm balanced outputs.

FiiO KB3 keyboard DAC on desk in front of iMac

(Image credit: FiiO)

The key caps are swappable and transparent, and there are apparently multiple presets for the RGB lighting (which can also presumably be turned off entirely). FiiO has selected Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches for the keys, which are well-regarded for their reliability and longevity.

If I was the grumbling sort, I'd say that while I appreciate the fact that there's an integrated, step-less volume control, I'm not sure its flat red finish matches the rest of the keyboard's aesthetic, but I'm not so I won't. I also won't mention that it would be good to have a larger version with a full numeric keypad.

The big question, of course, is whether the FiiO KB3 actually sounds any good, and I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that yet. I'm certainly intrigued, though, and tempted to pay the £139 / $149 asking price in order to find out.

MORE:

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And here are the best headphone amps

Then you're going to want to add a pair of the best wired headphones

Tom Parsons
Tom Parsons

Tom Parsons has been writing about TV, AV and hi-fi products (not to mention plenty of other 'gadgets' and even cars) for over 15 years. He began his career as What Hi-Fi?'s Staff Writer and is now the TV and AV Editor. In between, he worked as Reviews Editor and then Deputy Editor at Stuff, and over the years has had his work featured in publications such as T3, The Telegraph and Louder. He's also appeared on BBC News, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4 and Sky Swipe. In his spare time Tom is a runner and gamer.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Sliced Bread
    Sorry guys but these articles are becoming more and more like adverts / click bait.

    You’re recommending a DAC that in your own article you’ve said you’ve never heard, yet it’s a “must have”.
    Reply
  • lovlid
    Sliced Bread said:
    Sorry guys but these articles are becoming more and more like adverts / click bait.

    You’re recommending a DAC that in your own article you’ve said you’ve never heard, yet it’s a “must have”.
    Did you not read the last paragraph?
    Reply
  • Sliced Bread
    lovlid said:
    Did you not read the last paragraph?
    Yes which is why I was confused. The title says “must have” and the end says we haven’t heard it.
    Reply
  • Sliced Bread
    I don’t want to come across as too mean as what HiFi have written some lovely pieces before including the writer of this article, but there is a growing trend of misleading click baity titles leading to disappointment. It’s putting me off the publication. I used to frequent daily but now it’s maybe once or twice a month.
    I’m sure this is a high level decision at What HiFi but it feels like an own goal. Had the title and first paragraph been more balanced I probably would have enjoyed the article. In fairness if you read between the lines the title is suggesting the concept of DAC and Keyboard, but the hyperbole makes you feel this is something more.
    This approach is across the website so I imagine this is a publication decision. Maybe market research points to increased traffic, but AV Forums doesn’t do this and appears to be thriving.
    I wish WHF would return to its previous style. Those articles felt balanced and trustworthy.
    Reply
  • daveh75
    Sliced Bread said:
    Sorry guys but these articles are becoming more and more like adverts / click bait.

    That's Future PLC for you, all their titles are now just click bait generators!
    Reply
  • Sliced Bread
    daveh75 said:
    That's Future PLC for you, all their titles are now just click bait generators!
    Yes I think you’re right. It’s a shame as these publications were wonderful.
    Reply