FiiO M15S portable player: ES9038PRO 8-channel DAC, Qualcomm 660 and Android 10

FiiO M15S portable player: ES9038PRO 8-channel DAC, Qualcomm 660 and Android 10

The FiiO M15S portable player is at the same time defined by the manufacturer in the stationary class. The novelty automatically uses various power modes, protecting the 6200 mAh on-board battery in every possible way. A cooler cradle is used for cooling in the maximum power consumption mode. According to FiiO, the M15S "opens a new chapter in FiiO's high-end history, using the same technologies as the M17 portable desktop player and Q7 portable desktop amplifier."

At the same time, the name FiiO M15S brings to mind the 2020 model M15 , with which the M15S is externally, with the exception of little things like finishing the connectors, is almost identical. But instead of a DAC based on a pair of AK4499EQ chips, the M15S uses the ES9038PRO in a four-channel "differential" for each of the stereo channels.

Digital audio is processed by a proprietary 4th generation FPGA with phase-locked loop technology, complemented by two custom Japanese ND femtosecond crystal oscillators. Complex shielding with nickel-plated copper protects the analog part of the circuit from them.

The manufacturer believes that the novelty has the "computing power of a desktop computer" - with a Qualcomm 660 processor and running Android 10. The memory can be increased with a micro SD card up to 2 TB, through which firmware updates are also possible.

Naturally, the M15S supports the proprietary Pure Music mode, which neutralizes additional processing as much as possible. But in Android mode, you can use third-party applications, including those from streaming services. AirPlay provides wireless connectivity to iOS devices and is Roon Ready certified and DLNA supported. In USB DAC mode, the device acts as a DAC.

The volume on the M15S can be adjusted either with the backlit analog potentiometer knob or with the buttons - 120 levels are available. When powered by battery there is a choice of four switchable volume levels, when powered by USB there is a raised level, with output power up to 1200 mW per channel.

Bluetooth is based on the Qualcomm QCC5124 chip. In receiver mode, it works with support for SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, LDAC, and aptX Adaptive. Transmitter mode is also provided, with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC. The alternative is dual-band Wi-Fi 5G + 2.4G.

The output signal from the FiiO M15S can be obtained on an unbalanced 3.5 mm headphone output (it can also serve as a line and digital coaxial output) and on a 4.4 mm balanced output with support for a balanced line output.

In Europe, the FiiO M15S costs €1,000.