Marcelo critiques the FiiO M33 R2R, a brand new Android 13 DAP that includes a 24-bit R2R DAC, 8GB of RAM, and as much as 1.1W of balanced output energy. It’s at the moment priced at $649.99.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I need to thank FiiO for his or her assist.
You may click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This publish follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO M33 R2R Evaluation
Abstract
What I take pleasure in most in regards to the Android 13 M33 R2R DAP is its analog-like sound signature, which is heat, pure, and freed from digital glare. The inclusion of a world EQ and FiiO EQ brings the M33 R2R sound high quality to the subsequent stage.
Professionals
Analog but clear and detailed sounding.
Pure clean sound with out digital glare.
Utilizing the FiiO EQ takes the sound to the subsequent stage.
Cons
A little bit heat sounding for my style.
FiiO is among the hottest and oldest manufacturers nonetheless working at present, and I’ve owned, heard, and reviewed a number of of their merchandise, together with the FiiO SNOWSKY Melody, FiiO JT3, and JT7 headphones.
At this time, I get to overview the brand new FiiO M33 R2R DAP, which sells for $649.99 and is FiiO’s first R2R-based DAP.
The M33 R2R makes use of a discrete resistor array for R2R conversion, slightly than delta-sigma chipsets, that are utilized by greater than 99% of DAPs at present.
Though R2R digital audio converters are uncommon in DAPs, extra manufacturers have begun utilizing them, they usually have turn into more and more widespread and wanted lately.
At first, DAPs with R2R digital audio converters had been only a few, together with the HiBy RS8 DAP, which was loaned to me and reviewed two years in the past. Due to technological advances, DAPs with R2R converters are lastly turning into extra reasonably priced.
I used to be impressed by the massive soundstage and presentation scale of the HiBy RS8. Will the brand new FiiO M33 R2R give me an identical soundstage dimension and presentation scale?
Or extra importantly, how will it evaluate to different price-relative DAPs, together with the Shanling M3 Plus and the ONIX XM2? Discover out within the overview under.
Options
The M33 R2R encompasses a Snapdragon 680 processor and runs Android 13. The Snapdragon 680 processor ought to have sufficient processing headroom for extra music and streaming apps, in addition to the FiiO music participant app.
I’m so delighted that the M33 R2R options a big 128 GB of inner storage and eight GB of reminiscence. This implies you possibly can retailer loads of music on the M33 R2R even with no Micro SD card. It is a huge plus in my view.
One other notable function is the usage of a flagship-level proprietary digital audio purification system with high-capacity FPGA and twin femtosecond crystal oscillators.
These are the identical ones used of their flagship DAP, the M27, as FiiO acknowledged. It is a huge improve in comparison with M33 R2R’s predecessor, the M23.
FiiO additionally miniaturized the M33 R2R’s design and used a 5.5-inch display with a 1920 × 1080 decision. This makes the M33 R2R smaller and lighter than the older-generation DAP, the M21, regardless of having extra capabilities and options.
To forestall frustration brought on by audio delays when utilizing an exterior DAC, FiiO makes use of tan unbiased XMOS XU316 USB interface chip. XU316 is a well-liked, high-performance USB chip used primarily in high-end audio units.
It helps DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32-bit, making it an ordinary in high-end USB DACs and audio interfaces.
The M33 R2R encompasses a bidirectional Bluetooth audio connection that helps SBC and LDAC codecs for transmission and SBC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC codecs for reception.
A function price mentioning is the 10-band parametric EQ, which helps auto EQ. M33 R2R’s Auto EQ mechanically matches curves for FiiO IEMs and headphones.
DAC
The M33 R2R is FiiO’s first R2R-based DAP, that includes a ladder DAC structure in a compact, Android-based machine.
This permits one to benefit from the lush, heat sound of R2R DACs not solely with the native music participant but in addition with third-party music gamers, video streamers, and video games.
Not like delta-sigma DACs, that are built-in into IC chips and utilized in greater than 97 % (I estimate) of DAPs accessible as of this writing, the M33 R2R DAC makes use of a completely differential 24-bit discrete-precision resistor array along with management chips.
This makes the M33 R2R’s DAC part costlier to fabricate than that of different DAPs with delta-sigma DAC chips.
Amplification
The M33 R2R’s inner amplification borrows from FiiO’s higher-end designs, utilizing Texas Devices OPAMPs in a multi-stage format.
FiiO’s objective is consistency throughout acquire levels and decrease noise below load, which interprets into secure output for each delicate in-ear screens and harder-to-drive full-size headphones, whether or not you might be listening on the go or at a desk.
To my understanding, they use multistage amplification to decrease the output impedance, improve the damping issue, and enhance the amplifier’s grip on the drivers.
This might lead to a tighter, cleaner, extra authoritative bass, reducing the possibility of impedance skew, and making the perceived frequency response flatter and extra constant.
After the DAC part, the sign is obtained by Texas Devices OPA1637 OP-AMPs for current-to-voltage conversion, then routed to the Texas Devices OPA1662 for filtering.
At this level, the sign is nearly prepared for amplification and passes by means of the NJW1195, a 4-channel digital quantity controller manufactured by Nisshinbo Micro Gadgets (previously New Japan Radio/NJR).
The headphone amplifier part is dealt with by 4 dual-channel items, every utilizing two op-amp circuits in parallel for the 4 channels required for balanced stereo amplification. The sign is absolutely balanced from the R2R DAC to the amplifier outputs.
A slide swap on the appropriate aspect of the M33 R2R toggles between charging and desktop modes; the latter permits the M33 R2R to extend energy and acquire by drawing extra energy from a USB-C supply whereas plugged in.
The M33 R2R has three acquire settings by default: low, medium, and excessive. A brilliant-high-gain mode is enabled if you swap to desktop mode.
The M33 R2R’s most energy output is 1100mW + 1100mW into 32Ω on its 4.4 mm balanced output jack, and 470mW + 470mW into 32Ω into its 3.5 mm single-ended output jack.
Design
The M33 R2R is fairly compact and lightweight for its stage of efficiency and options, particularly in comparison with older FiiO DAPs with decrease efficiency and fewer options.
I hope different manufacturers comply with this and make DAPs smaller and lighter whereas incorporating newer improvements and extra options.
The chassis is product of strong aluminum alloy, sandwiched between a 5.5-inch full-HD touchscreen and a tempered glass again, printed with logos and textual content. I just like the strains on each the left and the appropriate aspect. The corners and edges are subtly chamfered, making for a refined really feel.
My overview pattern got here in black, however the M33 R2R can be accessible in blue and titanium gold. The end seems to be anodized.
The M33 R2R is a mid-sized DAP with dimensions of roughly. 138.2 x 71.5 x 17 mm, and reasonable in weight, roughly 258g.
In my view, it hits the candy spot for Android-based DAPs: neither too small, too huge, nor too heavy to convey alongside on lengthy journeys. The scale permits for a display that makes controlling the Android working system simple.
The M33 R2R 5.5-inch contact display has glorious brightness, colour, distinction, and viewing angles. The colour accuracy and refresh price are good.
I estimate the display refresh price is 60 Hz, however I’d love a 120 Hz refresh price like on my telephones; nevertheless, 60 Hz is appropriate and the present norm for Android DAPs.
I/O
Each the M33 R2R 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm output jacks are positioned on high, which is my favourite location for them.
This lets me put the participant on my tummy whereas mendacity in mattress or sitting on a settee, with out the cable getting in the way in which. Each output jacks can be utilized as both a line-out for an exterior music system or the standard headphones output, individually.
Based on FiiO, the road outs are devoted circuits and will not be shared with the headphone out amplifier, for purer R2R sound when linked to exterior amplification or a system.
The three.5 mm jack additionally serves as a digital SPDIF output for connecting to a desktop or full-sized DAC with a devoted cable accessible individually.
On the backside are the reminiscence card slot, which accepts MicroSD playing cards, a USB-C port on the middle for audio and file switch, and one other USB-C port on the appropriate aspect labeled energy in for charging and energy enter in desktop mode.
Controls
At first, I discovered it awkward that the M33 R2R energy and display on/off buttons are positioned on high, as I need to change hand place to achieve them to show the display on or off whereas listening to music.
I found that the button on the left, below the quantity management, might be programmed to show the display on and off, and carry out many different capabilities.
There are three buttons on the appropriate: the play/pause button and the skip-forward and skip-backward buttons.
There’s a slide swap under these buttons that lets the USB-C port act as both a charging port or a power-in port for desktop mode. The down place is the charging mode, and the up place is the desktop mode.
Battery Life
The M33 R2R encompasses a 4400mAh battery that delivers as much as 13.5 hours of playback at balanced output and 15.5 hours at single-ended output in line with their product web page.
Nevertheless, the M33 R2R spec sheet states the battery life is 12.5 hours. I discussed each battery life rankings, since I don’t know which is extra correct, in order that you realize.
When charging, the M33 R2R encompasses a 25W low-temperature cost pump know-how that prioritizes velocity whereas holding warmth below management, serving to protect long-term battery well being. It takes about 1.5 hours to totally cost, in line with FiiO.
Throughout the burn-in interval, I additionally noticed the battery life and charging time to make higher use of the time.
I bought from 90 % to 80 % battery with 1 hour of use with an IEM on a 4.4 mm balanced connection, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off. I used PowerAmp music participant at my regular listening quantity, which is reasonably loud.
That stated, I estimate that I’d get 10 hours or much less of battery life. I speculate that if I take advantage of the FiiO music app at a decrease quantity, I can obtain the battery life acknowledged within the spec sheet.
Whereas charging with my 65W PD charger, I went from 23 % to 93 % in 1 hour, which suggests it takes lower than 1.5 hours to cost from 0 to one hundred pc. This additionally means the M33 R2R prices quicker, or at the very least meets the claimed charging time by FiiO.
Packaging & Equipment
The M33 R2R got here in a medium-sized white field measuring 190 x 120 x 65 mm, with a easy, clear design that includes solely the M33 R2R photograph on the entrance and textual content across the edges.
The field opens simply, and I had a nice unboxing expertise. The field opens with a magnetically held door.
The gadgets contained in the packaging are divided and guarded by EVA foam and cardboard. It comes with the leather-based case and the tempered glass display protector already put in on the M33 R2R.
The package deal additionally included the manuals and a USB-A-to-USB-C cable.
Protecting Case
The protecting leather-like case is included with the M33 R2R, as it’s already put in once I unboxed it, so it’s not a separate buy. The circumstances match the colour of the M33 R2R unit: black, blue, or titanium gold.
Click on on web page 2 under for my software program impressions.
Click on on web page 3 under for my sound impressions and advisable pairings.
