Disclaimer: FiiO sent me M6 to review here and at YouTube. M6 is impressively compact, plays back DSD, and has numerous sound-enhancements at its Android fingertips. More interestingly, it supports AirPlay, a pretty fluid UI, and more. It goes for 179$ USD. You can find out all about it here: FiiO M6: Embracing a wireless future.
Relevant links
RMAA: SONY ZX300 24-BIT
RMAA: COWON PLENUE J 24-BIT
RMAA: ASTELL&KERN AK70 MKII 24-BIT
RMAA: SONY NW-WM1Z 24-BIT
RMAA: GLOVEAUDIO A1 24-BIT
RMAA: HIFIMAN MEGAMINI 24-BIT
RMAA: ONKYO DP-S1 RUBATO 24-BIT
RMAA: ASTELL & KERN AK70 KAI (RYUZOH MOD) 24-BIT
RMAA: ASTELL&KERN AK70 24-BIT
RMAA: THE BIT AUDIO OPUS#1 24-BIT
RMAA: SHOZY ALIEN GOLD 24-BIT
RMAA: COWON PLENUE D 24-BIT
It’s fair to not expect much from such a comparatively diminutive DAP. And, while the M6 has a decent EQ and filter modes, it doesn’t test as well as an iPhone. It gets a bit louder, and hisses a bit more than an iPhone SE. But it also drives earphones and headphones better at normal to loud listening levels, shows little load stress, and keeps a charge for at least 12 hours. It’s a good player with some cool features, especially in the wireless realm.
Its UI is almost as responsive as a smartphone, though its EQ screen is hit and miss. There’s enough power for every portable headphone out there, and more than enough to reach comfortable, but not loud, listening levels with 300Ω headphones. What’s truly to die for is nuanced, finely gradated stereo texture and detail. Love it.
I can’t wait to put my full thoughts to a full commentary. For that, I’ll see you in January.
Output device: FiiO M6
ADC: Lynx Studio HILO LT-TB
Source: 2017 iPad Pro 12,9” / NextDrive Spectra X
Cables: 1,5m Hosa Pro 3,5mm stereo to dual 3-pin XLR (around 8$)
NL - no load
SM2 - Earsonics SM2
ES7 - Audio Technica ES7
DT880 - Beyerdynamic DT880/600
24-bit single ended @+18dBu - all targets
24-bit single ended @+18dBu - NL summary
End words
Impressively compact, with impressive sound, and impressive battery life, the overall M6 experience is good. It is the first of a new generation of full-functioned players to really turn my head. Does it sound as good as Onkyo’s DP-S1? No, but it’s a hell of an upgrade from the M3, and the tricks it has up its sleeves are worth a try.