• TRI TK-3 packs dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips, supporting 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 decoding
• Built-in Qualcomm QCC Bluetooth 5.4 chip — supports LDAC, LHDC, aptX-Lossless, and other hi-res codecs
• 5000mAh battery delivers up to 19.5 hours of playback, with bypass charging support
• 💰 HK street price: HK$2,890 | Reference: USD $399
📝 TRI TK-3 Returns: Desktop-Grade Decoding in the Palm of Your Hand
The TRI TK-3 portable DAC/amp — from KBEAR’s sister brand TRI — is officially back. As the successor to the TK-2, the TK-3 is built around dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips, delivering 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 decoding with a 130dB dynamic range. That’s a serious amount of silicon for this price bracket.
What caught Kaia’s eye isn’t just the spec sheet — it’s the triple-input design with a built-in Bluetooth receiver. USB, coaxial SPDIF, and Bluetooth give you three ways to feed the TK-3, meaning it’s not just a USB DAC — it’s a fully self-contained Bluetooth headphone amp too. Under the hood, a Qualcomm QCC Bluetooth 5.4 chip handles LDAC, LHDC, aptX-Lossless, and aptX-Adaptive — a codec lineup that puts it firmly in the upper tier of portable DAC/amps.
📋 Core Features
Design highlights: The TK-3 employs a femtosecond crystal oscillator to clock the DAC stage, reducing jitter for lower noise floor and more precise detail retrieval. The ADC-controlled precision volume knob replaces a traditional analogue potentiometer, maintaining channel balance across the entire range. A dedicated Bass switch lets you toggle between a low-end boost or a pure bypass path with one flick.
Power delivery: With up to 1200mW into 32Ω and a maximum output voltage of 10V, the TK-3 drives anything from sensitive in-ear monitors to full-size planar headphones across a 6–600Ω impedance range. That’s more grunt than most portable DAC/amps anywhere near this price.
Kaia’s take: The TK-3 knows what it is. This isn’t a pocket dongle — it’s a desktop-grade DAC/amp with portable capability. At 220g and 6.8 × 11 × 1.9 cm, it’s too chunky for a jeans pocket but perfectly at home in a backpack. The 5000mAh battery means hours of desktop listening without tethering to a charger, and bypass charging is a genuinely thoughtful touch. If you want a single device that pulls double duty — desktop muscle with the freedom to grab-and-go — the TK-3’s triple-input + Bluetooth combo is a genuinely unique proposition.
📋 Specifications
| Product Name | TRI TK-3 |
| Type | Multi-function portable DAC/amp (USB / Bluetooth / coaxial triple input) |
| DAC Chip | Dual ESS ES9039Q2M |
| Decoding Support | PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512 |
| Dynamic Range | 130dB |
| THD+N | ≈0.0008% (1kHz, A-weighted) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | -120dB |
| Max Output Power | 1200mW (L+R, 32Ω) / 10V |
| Headphone Impedance Support | 6Ω – 600Ω |
| Output Connectors | 3.5mm single-ended + 4.4mm balanced |
| Input Connectors | USB-C ×2 / Coaxial SPDIF / Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, LHDC, aptX-Lossless, aptX-Adaptive, aptX-HD, aptX-LL, AAC, SBC, LC3 |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz – 50kHz |
| Battery | 5000mAh (up to ~19.5 hrs / IEM, single-ended) |
| Charging | 18W USB fast charging + bypass charging |
| Volume Control | ADC precision knob + Bass switch |
| Dimensions | Approx. 6.8 × 11 × 1.9 cm |
| Weight | Approx. 220g |
| Suggested Retail Price | HK$2,890 (HK authorised retailers) | Reference: USD $399 |
🏁 Market Positioning
At HK$2,890 (HK authorised retail), the TK-3 delivers a feature set that’s hard to find anywhere near this price: dual ES9039Q2M decoding + Bluetooth reception + 5000mAh battery + triple inputs. The FiiO KA13 (around HK$620) plays in a different league entirely — it’s a compact USB DAC dongle with nowhere near the power or feature set. The FiiO M23 (around HK$5,499) is a full-fat DAP, competing on a different axis. The TK-3’s core value lies in its dual-mode identity: desktop decoding + portable Bluetooth — a niche that doesn’t have many direct rivals.
Availability: HK authorised retailers carry the TK-3 at HK$2,890 with interest-free instalment plans. International buyers can order through Linsoul or KeepHiFi.
🔗 More Info
🛒 Product page: Linsoul — TRI TK-3
🇭🇰 HK retailers: Authorised HK Dealer — TRI TK-3 (HK$2,890)
📋 Head-Fi discussion: Head-Fi — TRI TK3 AMP/DACs is Back
❓ FAQ
🔹 What’s the benefit of dual ES9039Q2M DAC chips?
Dual DAC chips provide better channel separation and dynamic range. Each channel gets its own dedicated decoding path, delivering noticeably superior sound quality to single-DAC solutions.
🔹 Which Bluetooth codecs does the TK-3 support?
The TK-3 supports a comprehensive codec suite: LDAC, LHDC, aptX-Lossless, aptX-Adaptive, aptX-HD, aptX-LL, AAC, SBC, and LC3 — covering virtually every high-resolution wireless format on the market.
🔹 How long does the 5000mAh battery last?
Battery life varies by use case. In IEM single-ended USB DAC mode you can expect up to 19.5 hours. Bluetooth mode with high-resolution codecs typically yields around 12–15 hours, depending on output load and volume.
🔹 Where can I buy the TK-3 in Hong Kong?
The TK-3 is available through HK authorised retailers at HK$2,890 with interest-free instalment options. International buyers can order from Linsoul or KeepHiFi with direct shipping to Hong Kong. We recommend comparing prices and shipping costs across platforms before purchasing.
🔹 How does it compare to the FiiO KA17?
The TK-3 and KA17 play in different categories. The TK-3 is a Bluetooth DAC/amp all-in-one with a massive battery — built to serve as both a desktop and portable unit. The KA17 is a USB DAC dongle focused purely on wired decoding. The TK-3’s advantages are wireless freedom, far longer battery life, and significantly higher output power for demanding headphones.
