FiiO’s new Digital Audio Player (DAP) M15S comes with dual desktop-grade ES9038PRO DACs. It supports up to 384kHz/DSD256 Hi-Res audio, MQA, Roon, aptX HD, LDAC and LHDC, and features multiple Balanced outputs.
The FiiO M15S Digital Audio Player (DAP) builds upon the success of the brand’s previous award-winning portable audio devices. 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 not only caters for wireless headphones, but the M15S can also receive audio from a smartphone, PC or other device and act 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.
Trickle Down
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.
Availability And Price
The FiiO M15S is available from April. The recommended retail price is 979 GBP and 999 USD, respectively.
Technical Specification
DAC: ESS ES9038PRO (x 2) | SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 | Operating System: Android 10 | Screen: 5.5″, 1440 x 720 (18:9 Ratio) | Bluetooth Version: 5.0; receive: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, LDAC; transmit: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC | MQA Support: Yes (8 x Unfold) | Roon Ready: Yes
Format Support (Lossless): DSD64/128/256 (.iso, .dsf, .dff ), DST ISO; DXD: 352.8K/24bit, WAV up to 384kHz/32bit, AIFF up to 384kHz/32bit, FLAC up to 384kHz/32bit, ALAC: up to 384kHz/32bit, DTS up to 192kHz/24bit, APE (Fast/High/Normal) up to 384kHz/24bit, APE (Extra High) up to 192kHz/24bit, APE (Insane) up to 96kHz/24bit, WMA Lossless up to 96kHz/24bit | Format Support (Lossy): MP3, AAC, Ogg, WMA
Headphone Out: 1 x 3.5mm (Single-ended), 1 x 2.5mm (Balanced), 1 x 4.4mm (Balanced) | Line Out: 1 x 3.5mm (Single-ended), 1 x 2.5mm (Balanced), 1 x 4.4mm (Balanced) | USB: 1 x Type C USB3.0 (Charging/Data Transmission) | Recommended Headphone Impedance: 8 – 150Ω (single-ended output), 8 – 350Ω (balanced output) | Weight: 345g | Dimensions (HxWxD): 140mm x 80mm x 18.9mm | Battery: 6200mAh Capacity, up to 10.5 Hrs Usage Time, >1000Hrs Standby Time | 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