FiiO launches the M15S Hi-Res Portable Digital Audio Player
Featuring dual desktop-grade ES9038PRO DACs, Support for up to 384kHz/DSD256 Hi-Res audio, MQA, Roon, aptX HD, LDAC and LHDC, and multiple Balanced outputs for £979/$999
The M15S Digital Audio Player (DAP) builds upon the success of previous award-winning portable audio equipment from FiiO. Featuring desktop-grade ES9038PRO DAC chips in a dual configuration, one for both the left and right channel, with each using four D/A converters to ensure extremely high-quality decoding. The M15S supports playback of audio files up to, and including, 384kHz/DSD256, and also supports files encoded using MQA, from either TIDAL or files in your own music library.
Alongside physical 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm/4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, and both single-ended/balanced line-outs, the M15S is able to both transmit and receive Hi-Res audio thanks to aptX HD Bluetooth, LDAC, and LHDC wireless connectivity. This two-way connectivity means not only are wireless headphones catered for, but the M15S can also receive audio from a smartphone, PC or other device and be used as a Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier.
Further wireless audio options are also available. The M15S features support for a host of other Bluetooth standards (inc: aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, AAC & SBC), whilst its onboard 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi allows for Apple AirPlay, DLNA streaming and Roon Ready connectivity.
By adopting the dual power-supply option found on FiiO's flagship M17 DAP, the M15S is performs well as a both a portable and desktop device. When in the dedicated desktop mode, and in USB fast-charging, the M15S operates without using the internal battery and is able to output 21% more power as a result.
This assists in ensuring a wide range of headphones/IEMs are catered for, with the M15S being easily manually adjusted to output five levels of gain. When using internal battery power, 'low'/'medium'/'high'/'over-ear' gain levels can be selected. While using external USB power, in desktop mode, the additional 'enhanced over-ear' gain level is available, delivering an impressive 1200mW per channel.
Equipped with the powerful Qualcom Snapdragon 660 processor — the same as found aboard the flagship M17 — the M15S runs on the Android 10 operating system and features a global SRC bypass, meaning music streaming apps such as TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Deezer etc. can be installed to allow listening in full lossless quality.
The M15S offers a 10.5 hour battery life, 5.5" multi-touch HD display, and onboard storage of 64GB. For those wanting to carry more of their music files around with them, M15S also features a micro SD card slot with support for up to 2TB cards.
The FiiO M15S is available from April, for £979 / $999.
Review samples are available now.
For more information on other FiiO products, please click here.
SPECIFICATION
DAC | ESS ES9038PRO (x 2) |
SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Screen |
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Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
Bluetooth (Receive) | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, LDAC |
Bluetooth (Transmit) | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC |
MQA Support | Yes (8 x Unfold) |
Roon Ready | Yes |
Format Support (Lossless) |
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Format Support (Lossy) | MP3, AAC, Ogg, WMA |
Headphone Out |
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Line Out |
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USB | 1 x Type C USB3.0 (Charging/Data Transmission) |
Recommended Headphone Impedance |
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Weight | 345g |
Dimensions (HxWxD) | 140mm x 80mm x 18.9mm |
Battery |
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In The Box | 1 x FiiO M15S 1 x DK3S Desktop Stand 1 x Leather Case 1 x USB Type C Cable 1 x USB Type C (Female) to USB Type B (Male) Adaptor 1 x Quick Start Guide |
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