The new M15S, from portable audio specialist FiiO, doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. It can be used as a pocketable Digital Audio Player or desktop Hi-Fi device. If you’ve been looking to update your home Hi-Fi, without sacrificing performance, this desirable DAP could be the way to go.
It’s certainly versatile and well specified. The M15S supports playback of audio files up to 384kHz/DSD256, and is MQA compliant, whether playing tracks from TIDAL or a local music library. Doing the heavy lifting are ES9038PRO DAC chips, in a left/right configuration, each using four D/A converters.
The player has a 5.5-inch multi-touch HD display, and onboard storage of 64GB. For those needing more space, the M15S has a micro SD card slot with support for up to 2TB cards.
Connections include 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm/4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, and both single-ended/balanced line-outs.
Here’s the cute bit: the M15S can transmit and receive audio across Bluetooth (aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC), LDAC, and LHDC. This two-way connectivity means the M15S can receive music from a smartphone, PC or other device, and be used as a Bluetooth DAC/amplifier, while pairing with high quality Bluetooth headphones.
The M15S can transmit and receive audio across Bluetooth which means the M15S can receive music from a smartphone, PC or other device, and be used as a Bluetooth DAC/amplifier…
It also has dual band (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wi-Fi support, for Apple AirPlay, DLNA streaming and Roon Ready connectivity.
When in the dedicated desktop mode, the M15S operates without using the internal battery and is said to output 21 per cent more power as a result. This should ensure a wide range of headphones/IEMs are catered for; manual adjustments allow users to fine tune with five levels of gain.
When out and about, battery life is rated at 10.5 hours. The player utilises a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, and runs Android 10. A global SRC bypass allows streaming apps like TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, and Deezer to be installed and run full lossless.
Available from April, the FiiO M15S is priced at £979 ($999).
Cambridge Audio is back on the turntable bandwagon with Spira, a stylish deck that combines straightforward vinyl playback, with Bluetooth connectivity and upgrade potential. Available in five colours, it’s aimed at vinyl newcomers building their first Hi-Fi system and established fans looking for a designer upgrade, and arrives ready to play, with a pre-fitted Audio-Technica…
There’s a musical Happening at Haycock Manor Hotel and everyone is invited. Premium audio distributor Absolute Sounds is hosting The Happening at the venue in Wansford, Cambridgeshire, on October 17 – 18, and it promises to be quite a show. High-end audio demonstrations will take place alongside live music, specialist talks and experiences centred on…
JBL is hoping to shake up the whole-home Wi-Fi audio market with JBL Cove, a three-speaker system designed to make multi-room listening intuitive and expandable. Built around JBL’s own wireless platform and the JBL One app, the inaugural range comprises the compact Cove M1, portable Cove P1 and flagship Cove X1. Each speaker can operate…
The new M15S, from portable audio specialist FiiO, doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. It can be used as a pocketable Digital Audio Player or desktop Hi-Fi device. If you’ve been looking to update your home Hi-Fi, without sacrificing performance, this desirable DAP could be the way to go.
It’s certainly versatile and well specified. The M15S supports playback of audio files up to 384kHz/DSD256, and is MQA compliant, whether playing tracks from TIDAL or a local music library. Doing the heavy lifting are ES9038PRO DAC chips, in a left/right configuration, each using four D/A converters.
The player has a 5.5-inch multi-touch HD display, and onboard storage of 64GB. For those needing more space, the M15S has a micro SD card slot with support for up to 2TB cards.
Connections include 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm/4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, and both single-ended/balanced line-outs.
Here’s the cute bit: the M15S can transmit and receive audio across Bluetooth (aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC), LDAC, and LHDC. This two-way connectivity means the M15S can receive music from a smartphone, PC or other device, and be used as a Bluetooth DAC/amplifier, while pairing with high quality Bluetooth headphones.
It also has dual band (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wi-Fi support, for Apple AirPlay, DLNA streaming and Roon Ready connectivity.
When in the dedicated desktop mode, the M15S operates without using the internal battery and is said to output 21 per cent more power as a result. This should ensure a wide range of headphones/IEMs are catered for; manual adjustments allow users to fine tune with five levels of gain.
When out and about, battery life is rated at 10.5 hours. The player utilises a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, and runs Android 10. A global SRC bypass allows streaming apps like TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, and Deezer to be installed and run full lossless.
Available from April, the FiiO M15S is priced at £979 ($999).
Colourful Cambridge Audio Spira Bluetooth turntable wants to win over vinyl newbies
Cambridge Audio is back on the turntable bandwagon with Spira, a stylish deck that combines straightforward vinyl playback, with Bluetooth connectivity and upgrade potential. Available in five colours, it’s aimed at vinyl newcomers building their first Hi-Fi system and established fans looking for a designer upgrade, and arrives ready to play, with a pre-fitted Audio-Technica…
The art of high-end audio: What to expect at Absolute Sounds Haycock Manor musical Happening
There’s a musical Happening at Haycock Manor Hotel and everyone is invited. Premium audio distributor Absolute Sounds is hosting The Happening at the venue in Wansford, Cambridgeshire, on October 17 – 18, and it promises to be quite a show. High-end audio demonstrations will take place alongside live music, specialist talks and experiences centred on…
First listen: Versatile JBL Cove wireless speakers take whole-home audio beyond the living room
JBL is hoping to shake up the whole-home Wi-Fi audio market with JBL Cove, a three-speaker system designed to make multi-room listening intuitive and expandable. Built around JBL’s own wireless platform and the JBL One app, the inaugural range comprises the compact Cove M1, portable Cove P1 and flagship Cove X1. Each speaker can operate…
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