FiiO M21 Digital Audio Player (Titanium Gold)

The M21 redefines the entry-level class with its flagship lineage. The compact screen and class-defying performance are massive step forward. The M21 is aiming to be a benchmark for an entirely new generation of digital audio players!

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 has superior performance with less power consumption than the SoCs used by players in the same class. It provides a smooth experience with Android 13.

The four DAC chips allow for an eight-channel fully differential output design, fully unleashing the potential of headphones with class-defying dynamics performance and high anti-interference capabilities. The headphone amplifier section adopts a two-stage circuit design: the first stage is responsible for voltage amplification, while the second stage handles current expansion – all ensuring purer sound with rich detail.

Desktop mode makes an appearance on an entry-level FiiO player for the first time. When desktop mode is enabled, the M21 is completely powered by an external power supply. The built-in battery is neither charged nor discharged, allowing you to use the player safely on the desktop without degrading its battery.

The fully aluminium alloy body with an AG frosted glass back offers a delicate textured and comfortable grip. The screen features a delicate texture and comfortable grip. The screen features an oleophobic coating that significantly reduces fingerprints and smudges, making for smoother touch operation.

There are separate power supply paths for the digital and analogue circuits, which effectively reduce crosstalk between the two. The result is more precise digital processing, purer analogue output, and enhanced driving power. The analogue circuit is further subdivided into multiple independent power supplies for components such as the DAC and headphone amplifier. This clean and robust power delivery enhances the dynamic range and leads to greater reproduction of details in the audio – for a more refined and natural sound.

In the 21’s audio circuit are high-precision thin-film resistors and low-temperature-drift capacitors that ensure refined and stable sound quality, specifically the greater consistency between the left and right channels and across all frequency ranges. Additionally, fine circuits such as the DAC and headphone amplifier are equipped with over 10 low-impedance, high-capacity tantalum capacitors. These provide abundant energy reserves and a robust power supply for more powerful, dynamic sound.

FiiO developed a custom crystal oscillator specifically for the M21, which has been carefully selected to meet femtosecond-level standards in order to ensure consistency and stability in its output. With a high-precision, low-jitter unidentified clock source, it accurately matches PCM and DSD audio at various sampling rates, ensuring precise reproduction of digital audio signals.