On this article we evaluate the FiiO DM13, the primary disc participant from the model, priced at simply $149 USD.
Disclaimer: The FiiO DM13 was despatched to us, freed from cost, by the model in change for our trustworthy opinion.
Established in 2007, FiiO has develop into a powerhouse within the audiophile realm, providing a formidable line-up of inexpensive and high-quality merchandise. From IEMs, headphone amps, DACs, to DAPs, FiiO has persistently delivered top-notch gadgets, setting benchmarks for different manufacturers to observe just like the FiiO M23, the mighty FiiO Q7, or the eternal E10K, which has remained available on the market for over a decade.
An unceasing saga of success, propelled not solely by a gentle circulation of high-end gadgets but additionally by the introduction of good, budget-friendly merchandise. Their newest collection of USB DAC/Amps is a primary instance—compact dongle-sized devices that hark again to the venerable FiiO E5 and E3, first revealed over a decade in the past. An expansive vary that features the pleasant FiiO KA13, the formidable FiiO KA17, and the stunning KA15 we had the possibility to hear to a couple months in the past.
And if that line-up already appeared very full to me, the model pushed even additional this yr, with merchandise seemingly out of FiiO’s standard bracket :
- the FiiO KB3, a mechanical keyboard embedding its personal DAC/Amp
- the FiiO SP3 / SP3 BT, a set of desktop lively audio system
- the FiiO SR11, a compact desktop streamer designed to finish the KA11
- and even the FiiO ESTICK, a mini energy financial institution made particularly for the FiiO KA17, so you might use the desktop mode on the go
However, these had been simply the tip of the iceberg, and the model determined to go even additional, with… a classic line-up! Sure, you learn that proper, essentially the most well-known chi-fi model (if nonetheless thought-about chi-fi) developed their very own line of retro gadgets.
What sort of product do you say?
- the FiiO CP13 first, a cassette participant for these lacking the Walkman period – a tool unusually in style, just like the Wearerewind Okay-7 participant
- the FiiO TT13, an computerized turntable, browsing on the spectacular hype pattern initiated a couple of years in the past by the vinyl – a tool we reviewed a couple of months in the past now
- and final however not least, the FiiO DM13, a conveyable stereo CD Participant for these lacking the CD Period, filled with many good options corresponding to a ripper choice, balanced outputs and a battery for portability – like the unique CD participant
Excellent news, that is the one we’re reviewing at present!
FiiO DM13 – Design & Construct High quality
Casing
Designed to match their new vary aesthetics, for the FiiO DM13 the model didn’t assume too far and easily took the K11 field, switched the 6.35mm output for a 4.4mm one, prolonged the display screen and stored every little thing else. A conveyable uptake of the SR11 and K11 design that seems like a relic to the previous, mimicking the previous Walkman, however perfecting the antic design in each method.
A sensible choice for my part, seeing how in style the FiiO K11 has develop into, plus the truth that you possibly can simply pile up the DM13 over the K11 to create your personal, inexpensive, all-in-one desktop station. You get the same old, neat CNC’ed, anodized silver aluminum case, with the identical mini-mac-mini design for a minimal footprint, very good tempered glass on prime (in my model at the least) and a pleasant digital display screen upfront, permitting you to examine what’s taking part in and different playback choices.
As standard with the model, construct high quality is flawless, with no gaps and premium supplies in all places your eye can see, and your hand can contact – my favourite function being the prolonged I/O, which comes very useful as we’ll see in a while.
Measurement-wise, the FiiO DM13 is barely smaller than the earlier SR11 (144 x 137 x 27 mm) and barely heavier with 450g on the size, primarily as a result of built-in battery. Nonetheless, these dimensions ought to mean you can match the participant on each work desk, or any bag if you happen to had been to hold it in your every day commute.
Prime that with flush buttons plus a surprisingly crisp display screen and, for the value, you’d be onerous pressed to seek out something pretty much as good.
How concerning the structure then ?
Format
By way of I/O, the FiiO DM13 is just excellent, even surpassing most digital supply discovered on this worth vary when it comes to versatility. You would use it as a conveyable supply, desktop transport, digital ripper… all on the go!
Upfront you get:
- 1x 3.5mm headphone output to your single-ended headphones
- 1x 4.4mm pentaconn headphone output, for the balanced ones
On the again aspect you will have:
- 1x 4.4mm balanced line out, to pair that with a balanced amplifier
- 1x multi-use 3.5mm output that may both be used as a line-out, a coaxial out or an optical output (mini-toslink)
- 1x USB-C port, designed for use as a rec-out output related to your pc
- 1x ESP swap, an choice that may be enabled when the participant is used on the go (buffer choice) and disabled with the DM13 is used at residence or on the workplace
- 1x USB-C for the ability enter
- 1x Desktop mode swap, permitting full energy bypass when related to a pc, to avoid wasting the battery
And at last on prime, you’ll discover:
- the ability button
- a play/pause button
- earlier + subsequent monitor buttons
- quantity up + down buttons
- a operate choice button
So yeah, it presents every little thing you may ever want and the one choice that I miss could be and USB-DAC port, however this can be a CD participant at the start in order that’s comprehensible.
Now, let’s set it up!
Every day use
Each day, it’s onerous to get one thing less complicated than the FiiO DM13. When you’re new to this, this CD participant is perhaps your superb step into this world.
All it’s a must to do is open the lid, put a CD, activate the participant, plug a headphone et… voila! As soon as powered on, you’re greeted by a captivating animation – some hey textual content, displayed on the display screen – and some second after the magic occurs: music into your ears.
From there, you possibly can up/down the quantity, change monitor and even seamlessly swap between the singled-ended cellphone out and balanced one. If you wish to go additional, the operate button even offers you some options like shuffle, repeat or favourite, in case you’d prefer to put one music in perpetual studying.
On the go, I additionally tried the ESP mode and was pleasantly stunned to discovered that no matter I did, the music by no means skipped a beat – those who owned a CD participant with no jog proof choice know what I’m taking about. On my desk I disabled it, however as we’ll see in a while this evaluate, I couldn’t actually grasp any sonic distinction with or with out, so I simply stored it on.
Line out / Digital out
Like a desktop CD participant, the FiiO DM13 comes with varied analog and digital outputs, designed to suit a higher-end setup. Labelled as a three-in-one output, the jack port can serve three functions:
- line out: a basic, permitting you to plug the CD participant to an headphone amplifier, or perhaps a basic amplifier. I did strive it on my new eating room amp and it labored flawlessly.
- coaxial out: this fashion, the DM13 solely push the unaltered digital stream, for many who favor to plug their very own DAC and use the CD participant as a digital transport
- optical out: similar as earlier than, however with a toslink port for DAC that don’t assist coaxial inputs
Along with that, the participant even comes with a 4.4mm balanced line out. A intelligent choice that we get in increasingly more merchandise these days, providing you with a substitute for the bulkier XLR ports, even when skilled will carry on relying to the previous (however certain) format
Bluetooth
For these of you who’ll get the DM13 BT as an alternative of the “common” one, FiiO offers you the likelihood to plug your personal Bluetooth headphone/audio system, because of their built-in Qualcomm chip. Appropriate with all aptX format (aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD) this can mean you can pair no matter headphone you need to this CD participant, with none sonic loss.
USB REC out
Final however not least, the FiiO DM13 comes with one magical choice for CD lovers: an USB REC out.
Because of that, you get two choices:
- first, related to a pc, the participant can report your CDs on to you pc, leaving you with a full set of .wav, unaltered information, like your good previous cd participant in your desktop PC
- or, you might plug an USB key on to the USB-C energy enter of your DM13 (fat32 solely) and do the very same factor however… on the go!
Sure, that’s a really area of interest demand, however unusually sufficient I do know a couple of folks in my buddy record which may be (very) inquisitive about this feature.
The evaluate continues on Web page Two, after the press HERE or through the use of the soar under.
