- FIIO M21 HI-RES Audio Player costs £ 279 / $ 329 (around AU $ 583)
- Quad-DAC configuration and two-step reinforcement
- Desktop mode for optimized output to hi-fi systems
The arrival of a new affordable audio player from FIIO is guaranteed to get our attention: As we reviewed JM21 -Bearing music player we were blown up by its sound and its value for money. And now there is a new player who is more powerful without being much more expensive.
Where the JM21 is a double-DAC device, the new FIIOE M21 is a Quad-DAC player. And the double of the DACs does not mean twice as much price: where JM21 was launched at $ 199 / £ 179, M21 is $ 329 / £ 279.
FIOI M21 Portable Audio Player: Key Specifications and Features
The M21 is a slim-looking thing with a large 4.7-inch IPS touch screen on the front, a glass back and an octa-core snapdragon 680 inside it. The unit runs Android 13 and comes with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage with 52 GB of it available for use and you can add up to 2 TB via microSD. Bluetooth is 5.0 (SBC, AAC, APTX, APTX HD, LDAC and LHDC).
The DACs are four Cirrus -Logik CS4319s arranged to minimize crossings and noise. The two-stage reinforcement provides tension first and present seconds, as FIIO says creates a clean and dynamic sonic profile.
An important new feature is M21, a first to FIIO’s entry level androids. It allows you to connect to a USB-C supply and bypass the battery and deliver up to 21VPP tip tension and 950mW per day. Channel for 32 Ohm. Desktop mode also allows you to use M21 as a hi-resstreamer for a wider hi-fi system.
Battery life in portable mode is 15 hours over 3.5 mm output and 11.5 hours with the balanced 4.4 mm output. And there is an optional retro case that looks like a cassette tape-it’s the larger metal colored box that the M21 sits on the main photo at the top.
There is no doubt that this is going to sound amazing – and I suspect it will probably do better with higher quantities than JM21, which gets a little shouting when you pull things up too loud. And to £ 279 / $ 329 M21 still undermines many rival hi-res sound units — not at least Fiio’s own M23, another player we love.
Between it and fake-Cassette Cas, E thinks Fiio comes with a winning formula here. The player is available now.
