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
March 28, 2023
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 performs well as 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 Qualcomm 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 | 5.5″1440 x 720 (18:9 Ratio) |
| 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) | DSD: DSD64/128/256 (.iso, .dsf, .dff ), DST ISODXD: 352.8K/24bitWAV: Up to 384kHz/32bitAIFF: Up to 384kHz/32bitFLAC: Up to 384kHz/32bitApple Lossless (ALAC): Up to 384kHz/32bitDTS: Up to 192kHz/24bitAPE (Fast/High/Normal): Up to 384kHz/24bitAPE (Extra High): Up to 192kHz/24bitAPE (Insane): Up to 96kHz/24bitWMA 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) |
| RecommendedHeadphone Impedance | 8 ~ 150Ω (single-ended output)8 ~ 350Ω (balanced output) |
| Weight | 345g |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 140mm x 80mm x 18.9mm |
| Battery | 6200mAh CapacityUp to 10.5Hrs Usage Time>1000Hrs Standby Time |
| In The Box | 1 x FiiO M15S1 x DK3S Desktop Stand1 x Leather Case1 x USB Type C Cable1 x USB Type C (Female) to USB Type B (Male) Adaptor1 x Quick Start Guide |
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