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).
If you can’t get no satisfaction from your current headphones, then you’re in luck. Technics has just partnered with The Rolling Stones on a limited‑edition version of its celebrated EAH‑AZ100 earbuds, released to coincide with Foreign Tongues, the Stones’ latest studio album. The project brings together the group’s long musical legacy and Technics’ reputation for…
Marantz has refreshed its entry-level Hi-Fi range with the launch of the Model 70 integrated amplifier and CD 70 player, successors to the award-winning PM6007 and CD6007. The new components combine the brand’s familiar warm, detailed sound with contemporary connectivity, and adopt Marantz’s latest design language – which to be honest, is gorgeous – with…
Bang & Olufsen has announced a two-year partnership with multi-platinum musician, producer, and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winning artist John Legend. Legend joins the brand as Global Brand Ambassador, bringing together one of the world’s most influential artists and a company with more than a century of craftsmanship, design, and acoustic precision to its…
The Luxe Review 
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).
Technics and The Rolling Stones partner for limited‑edition flagship EAH‑AZ100 earbuds
If you can’t get no satisfaction from your current headphones, then you’re in luck. Technics has just partnered with The Rolling Stones on a limited‑edition version of its celebrated EAH‑AZ100 earbuds, released to coincide with Foreign Tongues, the Stones’ latest studio album. The project brings together the group’s long musical legacy and Technics’ reputation for…
Marantz refreshes best-selling Hi-Fi range with stylish Model 70 amp and CD 70 player
Marantz has refreshed its entry-level Hi-Fi range with the launch of the Model 70 integrated amplifier and CD 70 player, successors to the award-winning PM6007 and CD6007. The new components combine the brand’s familiar warm, detailed sound with contemporary connectivity, and adopt Marantz’s latest design language – which to be honest, is gorgeous – with…
Bang & Olufsen lands EGOT-winner John Legend as Global Brand Ambassador
Bang & Olufsen has announced a two-year partnership with multi-platinum musician, producer, and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winning artist John Legend. Legend joins the brand as Global Brand Ambassador, bringing together one of the world’s most influential artists and a company with more than a century of craftsmanship, design, and acoustic precision to its…
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