If you’ve ever fancied buying a digital audio player so you can listen to audiophile-quality music on the move but were put off by the prices of brands like Astell&Kern, this new player from FiiO could be the answer.
The prodigious audio brand has announced the global launch of the M21, a powerful and portable digital audio player that’s Android-based. Combining flagship hardware elements, rugged design and retro aesthetics, the M21 puts high-resolution audio within reach of many.
Sporting a compact 4.7‑inch HD IPS screen, the M21 has a sleek and palm-sized interface with plenty of functionality. It’s powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset and runs Android 13 for a quick and responsive performance running both native and streaming apps. The M21 comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage which can be expanded to 2 TB by adding a microSD card.
Quad DAC Architecture
At the heart of the M21 are no fewer than four Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, arranged in a matrix configuration. FiiO says this architecture minimizes crosstalk and noise. Meanwhile, two-stage amplification circuits provide voltage then current gain to create a clean and dynamic sonic profile.
The M21 introduces “desktop mode” which is a first for FiiO’s entry-level Android players. When connected via its secondary Type‑C power-in port to an external power supply, the M21 bypasses its onboard battery to deliver up to 21 Vpp peak voltage and 950mW per channel into 32Ω loads. FiiO claims that’s comparable to high-end desktop DAC/amps.
In portable mode, the player’s output remains powerful with a 15-hour battery life for a single-ended 3.5mm and 11.5 hours for balanced 4.4mm listening. The Desktop Mode also means the M21 can be used as the streaming component of a high-end hi-fi system. The M21 also uses the updated FiiO Control app which provides full control from a smartphone alongside settings and advanced PEQ filters.
FiiO offers a retro cassette-tape-style protective case for the M21 which is available to buy separately. It comes complete with vintage UI and tactile buttons to go completely old school.
Pricing and Availability:
The FiiO M21 digital player is available to buy now and priced at $329 / £279 / €329.
Tech Specs:
- DAC architecture: 4 x Cirrus Logic CS43198.
- Amplifier: Dual-stage voltage + current.
- Outputs: 3.5 mm single-ended; 4.4 mm balanced; SPDIF coaxial; USB audio.
- Processor & OS: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), Android 13.
- RAM / Storage: 4GB / 64GB + microSD (2 TB max).
- Display: 4.7‑inch IPS HD touchscreen.
- Battery: 4,000 mAh / 20W PD charging.
- Battery life: 15 hours Single Ended / 11.5 hours Balanced.
- Desktop mode: 21 Vpp, 950mW @ 32Ω.
- Bluetooth: Version 5.0.
- Audio codecs: LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, SBC.
- Dimensions: 68 x 121 x 17mm.
- Weight: 193g.
- Materials: Aluminum body, AG-frosted glass back.
