I bought the M23 stainless about the same time as my M11 Plus. Both of them sound perfect. Absolutely an upgrade to my M11 Pro. For me the bypassing the battery was THE reason for buying the M23 hence I use it in car, and M11 Plus for at work, home.
I've been using the M23 for a few months and I'm really enjoying it. It's a huge improvement over my Hiby R6 2020. It pairs well with my HD650s, Aune AR5000, and Mega5-EST iem.
Used a Mojo 2 for a long time, but recently switched to a Fiio Q15 (seems to be very similar in features to this DAP, minus the DAP part and the THX amp section). I find the Q15 to be an incredible value, big battery, lots of power, 4.4 output option, bluetooth and it sounds surprisingly warm and organic. Highly recommend it.
@@nickkarach76, "...sent the Mojo2 to a friend to try, and they ended up wanting to keep it." May I be your new best friend? I was unaware that the Mojo 2's amplifier was noisy. Hopefully the new version will be more silent. USD$300 seems to be a good deal, considering I was going to buy it for the equivalent of $310 a few months ago.
I tried many daps, returned many, like the shanlings and fio m17, m15 etc… I like my astell se180 with sem4 AKM, but end up going back to my mojo2+poly, tt2+mscaler, even hooked up my mojo2 to mscaler (amazing!!) the only dap I really really love is the astell sp3000… but well we know what that one costs… I do believe you get a good deal with the M23, I am more of a person that focus on quality, even if the price performance ratio is not always perfect which isn’t a lot of the time😂. I would advice you to try the mojo2 with the mscaler you won’t believe how much better the mojo2 gets with dual bnc😉. I use it with Roon though, I understand your view on quircky poly. I had a good deal new mojo2+poly+leather case for 899
I can take or leave the Poly (I have one - second hand less than 250 USD & that's the max it's worth). I've owned all kind of daps & portable dac/amps including super high end ones such as the $4000 Astell & Kern SP3000... NOTHING compares to the Mojo 2 for sound. I use it with a Sony ZX707 90% as a music transport with the Mojo 2 & that's still a smaller size combined than a TOTL amp such as the aforementioned SP3000. The DAP is of course interchangeable, but I want a premium experience all round (hence I didn't but a cheaper, slower Sony... plus I can use solo on occasion with a pair of easy to drive IEMs such as Thieaudio Hype 4& Sony) Plus a service is better than any of these Chinese brands. I won't compromise on sound & I think the Mojo 2 is so, so far ahead of anything else that exists.
You can also double-tap the volume button and then change the volume in the bar display in the display with your finger. Very cool. I can also have many different EQ user presets. In addition, FIIO announced an upgrade to Android 12 later this year.
want to make the M23 even more versatile.. mate it up with two of the Fosi V3 mono amps and the Hifiman Adapter.... you will be surprised just how that setup makes a planar sing... Tungsten and Susvara have never sounded so good for so cheap... don't be afraid of the power... you can use the volume control from the M23 all the way up to around 80 and its just about perfect for amazing dynamic listening. ...
love the sound of my K9 AKM with it's AK4191EQ + AK4499EX DAC and THX788+ Amp. i mainly use it's DAC only in combination with my TA20+, but when i don't do longer listening sessions where it's worth to turn on tubes, the THX788+ does it's job too :) Fiio is really coming out with some bang for the buck products lately.
I run a Hidizs AP80 Pro-X with a Mojo 2 and really happy with it. I've wanted to try a poly (no one here locally has one for me to test with) I might look at the M23 as the AP80's screen is just too small for my old eyes. I was looking at the Hiby range too. Decisions decisions 😄
I decided to go with the Hiby R4 because its a bit smaller in my Pocket and it is way less expensiv. I know the Fiio Sounds a bit better but its not so much as the Price gos up!!!!
I wish so much that Chord modernized and upgraded its Poly - Mojo2 combination with a screen and better I/O ports placement! So all its wonderful features are being visible and used much easily and intuitively compared to its current design. I also dream of a great quality dedicated DAP with decent smartphone functionality and powerful battery, so I could do what I do with a phone - DAC combination. I love being presented with exiting new music on the fly, some steaming services doing very well these days, versus listening to what I already know and have recorded. And do it ON THE GO: in a car, during a walk in a park, etc.
Yes. There are arguments in both directions. I think a more stable connectivity would be enough for me to really love the Poly. A dedicated app would be an extra bonus rather than relying on Bubble UPnP which is more complicated than necessary (i.e. more options to work through)
I am a FiiO owner and love their house sound. Seems though that they might be using lesser quality batteries then you would find in an Apple or Samsung phone, and that after some time they can suffer from swelling. I've always found FiiO support to be quite responsive to messages and even FB group posts, so I wouldn't worry about it, but it's still a thing.
That's a concern. Last thing you want on a device like this is a bulging battery! Let's hope they've updated their quality control on batteries with this new generation.
@@PassionforSound this is a reply from FiiO to a FB post this past Tuesday: “The problem of battery swelling is difficult to detect in the early stage using our existing detection equipment. It is caused by a small amount of impurities in the battery that cause the battery to swell. No lithium polymer battery can avoid such problems. We have now added high temperature testing to expose the problem earlier. Although the problem cannot be absolutely solved, the incidence of such problems can be minimized. When the battery swells, please stop using the product and contact us.”
I'm so happy that you reviewing the m23. How would you compare the m23 and the XD05 Pro in terms of sound quality i narrow my search to these two devices. I don't care much about portability. Thanks
I haven't tried them side-by-side and probably won't have a chance to in the near future, but I'd say the M23 is probably a little more resolving and textured. The XD-05 Pro is a richer and warmer sound. Both are a little smoother rather than analytical, but the M23 less so
I am expecting my M23 to arrive today. I am coming from an LG v30 and V60 and also a fiio m11. I hope there is a noticeable improvement compared to my fiio m11 which is like 5yo. I am also planning to get the DC ELITE DONGLE which has amazing feedbacks! I hope you can compare the mojo 2 and the DC elite :)
I don’t understand why you need the poly… I plug my mojo 2 directly to my IPhone and it sounds great (it is attach with a magnetic ring and a very short L wire making a very compact kit). Then at home, I feed it with a real streamer and enjoy the wonderful DAC quality.
I have a Mojo 2 and a Poly but I also have an iPhone 1TB 15 Pro on which I’ve downloaded a lot of Hi-Res music. I use Onkyo HF App on the iPhone and you can select DSD output in the settings if you choose. Short USB C cable and away you go. I leave the Poly in a drawer most of the time.
The Poly gives you 100% wireless use (other than the headphone or lineout connection) which is very convenient when you don't want your phone tethered to a DAC. It also sounds better than the wired sources I've tried (but by a very tiny margin)
I've got both the M23 and the DX260. I strongly prefer the iBasso for its ergonomics: it's lighter, more compact and pocketable and the controls are more intuitive for blind operation. It's not yet burned in, but so far I think the iBasso has a more textured and crisp sound compared to the smoother Fiio. However, the M23 wins on features, especially the Roon-ready mode, which actually works well.
I haven't heard the new iBasso gear, but I liked the performance of older models. The M23 won me over with the combination of sound, price AND features (like Roon Ready)
Having a Hiby R6 MKIII I'm still happy to get a Mojo2 for simple desktop duties. I think the R6 is less versitle in desktop features than this M23 and certainly less accomplished than the Mojo in the sound dept. Running the SMSL D1 and Burson is a bit much for basic desktop duties and some music listening. It's less much less in the UK than most places (£395), but the Poly is a pricey addition taking it to (£750'ish) and less usable than a dedicated DAP. The world of DAP's is certainly getting interesting, and the likes of Fiio, Hiby etc makes me completely dismiss the likes of A&K and UK/EU Sony (crippled volume)
Excellent and timely review Lachlan. I have the Mojo2 and was considering picking up the Poly. I began about 5 days ago researching the M23. I do have the HiBy RS6 (Darwin Architecture) and the new R4 already. (I know too much gear.) For about the same amount of money would the Poly be the better pickup than the M23?
You would need to refer to a user manual a lot to set up and tune Mojo2 to your liking before you remember how to do this. It's badly needed to be upgraded/redesigned to have a screen with a descent GUI.
I would avoid the Poly, sorry. I used mine for a couple weeks, found the interface really problematic, with lots of dropouts, too. Having used both, I side with Lachlan on this one: the M23 is what you will use FAR more, and enjoy, even though the sound is marginally poorer, the superior interface, ergonomics, and convenience more than make up for it.
Unless you really want to avoid an extra cable, I'd get the M23 and run it solo or USB connection to the Mojo 2 for maximum sound quality. The Poly is a hassle that can take me 3-4 minutes to get my music going sometimes with connectivity issues. The M23 is ready to go in seconds and doesn't require extra apps (like Bubble UPnP).
Interesting piece. Could you run a headphone out into to Two RCA though an Amplifier into your home speakers? (Since it has everything else built in...)
My M17 overheats constantly, especially during the past two days, as I'm breaking-in new earphones. Even whilst it is charging with a standard power supply (5w), it gets rather warm.
@@ReverendDr.Thomas yeah, that’s why i sold it. I’m waiting for their next flagship DAP Fiio M27, might come out later this year, if it stays cool enough then i’ll buy it
But the mojo2+poly does sound better. I had the m23 for two weeks, returned it again. Even my older astel se180+sem4 sounds better. But I’m fair for the money the m23 is a good deal
I'm currently deciding between the m23 and the dx180. I listen to music on Apple Music, but which one would you recommend? I value the texture of the vocals.
Hi Lachlan, thanks for this review! I'm in NZ, you have the US/Canada/UK covered for purchases, are you able to recommend somewhere to purchase this from in our part of the world?
Two questions: 1.) How quick is the CPU and the Android interface? 2.) How does the M23 handle ground loops when connected to a desktop computer? I have a Fiio X7 Mk II, like the sound but I haven't used it in a number of years because the Android interface is laggy as hell and there's this annoying ground loop hum when I use it with my desktop PC through USB.
M23 owner here: interface is pretty fluid and snappy for me. Not quite on the level of my Pixel 5, but close enough, and more than adequate for what I use it for: mostly as a Roon remote/endpoint. Sorry, cannot speak to any ground loops.
Update: when running on desktop mode from my Isotek Polaris power filter strip, I do get a ground loop. Funny thing is, that only happens on the Polaris: when running from an external battery, other wall sockets, and even PCs, I get no issues at all. Dunno; reckon it's a YMMV.
Hi, Connecting a phone to a DAC and playing WAV file vs connecting a quality streamer to a DAC, on paper there's shouldn't be a different in sound quality! That's correct? Reviewer reply: It depends on what you are streaming. If you stream lossless format and you get bitperfect transmission, then yes it will be equal to lossless WAV on local storage. Thank you
I don't understand the point here. This video is talking about two completely different devices doing the digital to analog conversion and amplification. The file sources have no bearing on this.
Sorry, it sounded like you were making a statement based on what another reviewer said. Theoretically a phone connected to a DAC should deliver equivalent sound to a streamer, but at some level, the streamers are able to produce better sound quality by minimising noise that's passed downstream to the DAC and or better manage jitter and any digital-to-digital conversion being done. You'd be getting up to the $700-800 USD range before that would be noticeable, I think.
Ive had fiio m11 and 2 fiio k9 pros. Headphone socket failed on m11. Both K9 pros went back due to faults ... Avoided fiio ever since.. poor quality control
What would you suggest as a good bundle combination for M23. I am experienced hifi Listener wirh around 5k system but i am looking for headphone combo. Not sure what to expect in terms of quality my headphones experience is limited to audio Technica ATH-M50 and the new aple pro pods. Sooo what would you suggest for wow effect ;)
Do you want IEMs or headphones? What's your budget and what are your sonic preferences in terms of tonality, priorities like soundstaging/resolution, etc.?
I want the best sonic performance for about 500$. Would expect that over the headphones will deliver better sound quality over IEM. I listen primary to jazz (vocals and instruments), blues, female/male vocals. I don't like emphasis on highs, i prefer neutral to slightly warm sound.
@Alextraz good closed back headphones at that price are a bit tricky. The Modhouse Argon T60Rp is the only one that stands out to me in the approximate range. If noise isolation isn't an issue, the HiFiMan Sundara, Sivga SV023 and HD660S2 are all worth considering. In the IEM world, there are some incredible options like the Elysian Pilgrim, Kiwi Ears Orchestra and Xenns Mangird Top.
If you're using sensitive IEMs or something like that you may hear some background noise on higher gain settings, so having the ability to back the gain off will help with that.
There's already an update on the way apparently so it will likely catch-up or at least remain relevant over time. Keep in mind, it's an audio focussed player, not a smartphone.
i dont think is worth 700 dollars . what about phones with quad dac like the LG V60 it bypass the android mixer too it gives bit perfect on some apps only 150 dollars more ram better screen only one jack 3.5 . im just trying to see where is the money on a dedicated Dac?
It's about the quality of the DAC and amp stages as well as the power output it can deliver into more difficult headphones. It also offers balanced output, can act as a DAC for your computer, and can provide digital and line outputs too.
@@PassionforSound right i kinda get that so if im only using headphones that dont require too much power i would be fine with something simple? just to keep the other specs better like battery and screen
You'll find that the sound quality significantly improves with a device like this, even with sensitive headphones. It all depends on what you're prioritising.
Naa..the android audio codec only functioning while usin' the SE 3.5mm that's rare nowdays but not mine, actually it has HD audio + Super audio as my models..yup it's 5Gs with Snapdragon 7gen2 while the RAM are 20Gb plus 120Watts fast chargin' 0 to 100 just 14minutes...imagine wut it'll do with audiophiliacs Yup totally 24/7 audio binge bra..yup the screen 120Hz ha4 for gamin' or sort ha4.. compares to DAP it's like 10yrs back tech..BTW I'm usin' usbC as I hooked it to my world's best DAC CX31988 which designed for Bal used but in singles chip...Walla better then desktop system for start..I wish I could meet u to hear this..it's just endgame on the moves... that's y I keep sayin "dun be stupid 5Gs phones way better"..Peace bra!
@@supreme_alan it's so odd this bothers people so much 😂 It's one cable. They did it for good reason. A tiny price to pay for the best portable sound that exists at any price.
Being android based makes it a no go to me. Android updates will just make it a brick sooner than later. Android based audio devices from a not huge brand will never get proper android support/ updates. It's just not viable financially. It ends up being planned obsolescence really.
I can understand the concern, but FiiO have already announced an update to Android 12 for the M23 and past experience suggests that most people will be upgrading a device like this before the software makes it completely obsolete. I'd be shocked if you got any less than 7 years use from the software side of things.
@@PassionforSound i seriously doubt it will last 7 years full functioning. It's normal to announce and release updates while the product is still fresh and selling. After that it takes a lot of investment in development while not making any money. Sonething only feasable with big companys like samsung and the sort that sell a lot of equipments. A company fiio's size will be more interested in putting its effort in developing the next newer piece of gear. It's what makes finacial sense and is viable. Wiim's idea of developing their own app or having linux based software like in their new ultra seems to make more sense. Either way, if it ends up lasting only 7 years it's too little for a piece of gear like this imo.
