Lynn opinions the FiiO M21, a Walkman-inspired Android 13 DAP with a Snapdragon 680 CPU, quad CS43198 DAC, and 950mW of output energy. It’s presently priced at $329.99.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I wish to thank FiiO for his or her assist.
You possibly can click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This put up follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO M21 Overview
Abstract
The FiiO M21 is a modern trying Android 13 DAP with a retro-Walkman twist and as a pure music participant, particularly at this mid-fi worth, it gives wonderful musical capabilities it doesn’t matter what the supply music choice
Execs
Good readability within the sound signature.
The element retrieval is excellent throughout many genres.
Desktop mode avoids draining the battery life.
Cons
Extra energy can be appreciated for demanding headphones.
The instances could hinder some headphone jacks.
Persevering with with the discharge of merchandise, FiiO has put out the M21, which follows from the extremely profitable JM21, with extra options.
Since I reviewed the X5iii eight years in the past, I recognize the best way FiiO approaches DAPs. Throughout the years, the corporate has produced some wonderful DAPs in any respect ranges.
The M21 showcases lots of the newest options included with higher-end FiiO DAPs, whereas protecting the fee down.
The inclusion of a pure desktop choice supplies a way to isolate the facility wants from playback, which many already do. However not having to rely on the battery helps isolate the 2 much more.
The M21 comes with a totally balanced two-stage amplification and another methods up its sleeve that will likely be described under.
Options
FiiO stacks 4 CS43198s working in parallel, with separate left and proper constructive and adverse channels. It’s a very balanced output, which purportedly lowers noise, enhances present, and lowers the impedance and distortion.
Twin OpAmps (OPA1692) are used, one per channel for voltage achieve, adopted by two SGM8262-2 buffers for present.
Activating the desktop mode will feed it with a USB-C energy enter, and the DAP makes use of the exterior provide solely. The balanced output will give out almost a watt (950mW) per facet into 32 Ω on this method.
Desktop mode additionally offers the consumer a “Tremendous Excessive Achieve” choice for these harder-to-drive headphones, as an alternative of simply low to excessive. Excessive Achieve will give the consumer 720mW per channel. The tremendous excessive achieve solely works with a devoted quick charger utilizing a PD2.0/PD3.0 quick charging plug
Qualcomm’s now acquainted Snapdragon 680 runs the present with no trouble, and 4GB of RAM, making streaming choices simple to take.
Separate partitioning for analog and digital amplification circuitry is included, too. The trail continues to the fifth era FPGA path with twin Femtoclocks of 49.150 and 45.1584Hz frequencies.
I2S/DSD then results in the quad chips, or the LDO SPDIF or Coax outputs, which deal with 24/384KHz PCM and DSD128.
There are a complete of 10 LDOs for the present energy provide, with 5 devoted to the left and proper channels and the DAC analog energy, whereas one bypasses the DC converters from the Pi Filter on to the DAC analog energy.
The opposite 4 run from the Pi Filter on to the digital energy. This additional isolation retains crosstalk down in addition to sending extra “pure” energy the place it’s wanted.
Two-way LDAC BT, 8x MQA unfolding, and as much as 15 hours of run time spherical out the options.
Design
FiiO is thought for easy rectangular DAPs which might be neither too huge nor too small. Purposed for the value level provided, the M21 sits on the identical degree (roughly) because the HiBy R4, and virtually identically to the JM21, aside from depth.
The Titanium Gold aesthetic appears the enterprise. A curved bottom on the body makes holding the M21 simpler, whereas the backplate seems to be tough-wearing plastic. A tempered-glass movie display screen protector comes pre-mounted on the entrance. No extras are included.
The 4.4mm balanced headphone and LO/PO (identical as the three.5mm se) ports are on prime, which frankly I favor. For people who slip DAPs right into a cargo pocket, or a pocket that can have the port sticking straight up, with entry to the capabilities when pulled out.
Sure, it could be simpler to carry with the headphone ports on the underside, however performance retains the SD card and energy hookups, together with the USB-C 3.0 port for desktop use, useful.
The decrease a part of the bottom has three gold-plated tabs, very like a digicam battery. That is utilized when connecting to the SK-M21C cassette case. When inserted into this case, the entrance panel lights up, mimicking a cassette full with tune and artist taking part in.
Sadly, the touchscreen isn’t accessible this manner, and the cassette case have to be opened up for entry.
I/O
The M21 has a 4.4mm balanced and three.5mm single-ended headphone jack on prime. The three.5 jack doubles because the LO for those who ship the music out to a different supply, corresponding to a powered speaker or a desktop amplifier.
The underside has a single SD card slot (as much as 1TB), a 3.0 USB-C within the middle, and a USB-C exterior energy choice for “desktop” use.
When related by the final methodology, the inner battery is bypassed (even charging), with energy coming from the USB-C energy port. This additionally offers the M21 a “tremendous excessive achieve” choice for harder-to-drive headphones of almost 1W of energy.
Controls
The left facet of the M21 has the everyday on/off button first, with a pleasant toggle for quantity up and down subsequent.
Under the quantity button is a multi-function button for altering a large number of capabilities, starting from deleting the tune being performed, to altering filter and EQ settings, amongst others.
Under is the desktop mode change to be used with the exterior energy choice solely. Final is a maintain button that freezes all capabilities to forestall unintentional quantity or tune modifications.
The fitting has the standard FF, play/pause, and REW buttons prime to backside. All buttons besides the maintain toggle are inset a bit, however nonetheless perform nicely with both case on, not like some DAPs I’ve tried of late.
Battery Life
FiiO claims 12.5 hours in balanced mode, however the closest I got here was 11.25 by means of three exams. Longer use could situation the battery extra. Single-ended utilization allowed as much as 14 hours, which once more could improve with longer utilization.
I’ll add that the standby time was distinctive. After leaving the M21 for per week (family duties known as), the battery learn 99% upon turning it again on.
Two different DAPs that I’ve not too long ago reviewed, the V3 Blaze and the xDuoo X5, can’t replicate that. And sure, I do know that every one ought to try this, even in standby mode, however the different two failed whereas the M21 maintained the cost.
Packaging & Equipment
The M21 comes nicely protected in a sleeve-laden field inside a gentle foam cutout. Included is a shorter USB-A to USB-C cable to be used when charging or with the exterior energy choice, a fast begin information, the guarantee card, and an inspection card.
When you get the extra case, it comes protected in plastic wrap with a foam insert, serving to to maintain its form.
The SK-M21C case is available in its field, inside a plastic tray with stick-on “ft” and an instruction card.
Common Case(s)
The 2 common instances (softer plastic and a pleather case) enable for simple entry to all needed buttons. I discovered that the plastic case functioned a bit higher, with the raised buttons getting a greater really feel to me.
That stated, the pleather case functioned a lot better than a current DAP I completed reviewing. Both case labored nicely and regarded the half, too.
SK-M21C Case
The SK-M21C case affords extra safety as nicely. Connection is through the three gold tabs on the again of the M21, which labored with out challenge.
When inserted, the clear cassette door permits the M21 touchscreen to be seen, which then lights up like a cassette inside, full with “spinning cogs.” The performance goes to the highest of the case, very like the FP13 or an previous Walkman. There isn’t a “file” button, although.
The perform buttons on prime embody a pink on/off button, play/pause, FF/REW, and quantity +/-, all of which aren’t lit.
As talked about above, although, entry to the touchscreen of the M21 doesn’t occur except you open the cassette case door.
When you exit the cassette look, you should go to the house display screen and activate the perform once more, for the reason that perform key button isn’t accessible, ought to you might have it set to “cassette” perform.
That stated, FiiO added a workaround utilizing the pink multifunction button. Brief presses activate and switch off the participant, whereas a protracted press exits or re-enters cassette mode. This manner, you possibly can entry the touchscreen with the cassette door open.
Click on on web page 2 under for my software program and sound impressions.
