Throw out your desktop audio gear. This portable does it ALL! FiiO M23 review

A review of the FiiO M23 and why I think it's the best digital audio player (DAP) you can buy in terms of value, size and performance.

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00:00 Introduction
00:45 Price & specs
03:55 Features
07:15 Sound quality
09:25 All to DSD mode
10:27 3.5mm vs 4.4mm output
11:45 Wrap-up

#audiophile #audioreview #dap

[umtbozkr]

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.

[stevelimey]

I purchased a Shanling M6 Ultra DAP. Listened to it a handful of times. Purchased a chord Mojo 2 + Poly and I can listen to that unit for hours.

[henricopit]

M11s owner here. So happy with it. They make good stuff.

[quette]

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.

[sameh]

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.

[nickkarach]

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.

[dixter]

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. ...

[STRDVD]

Oh I'm buying one man. That's awesome. Thanks lad.

[jorisconte]

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.

[CraigArnolduk]

Ha, very timely review thank you. I have been hovering over the "buy" button on these all day. :)

[christiharris]

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?

[OzSteve]

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 😄

[RosemarySoriano-nv]

Wow, interesting! Thank you so much.❤

[chrisburke]

Gave a like and subscription because you answered the real question "does it drive the modhouse tungsten"

[RenePolster]

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!!!!

[darrencotter]

Great review as always, but not sure about the constant comparison to the Mojo. A DAP at a similar price would have been more insightful.

[trubadyr]

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.

[taidee]

Noice, thank you Lachlan, this is a nice device and quite capable.

[jaroslavfricek]

Thank you Lachlan, yes great but now there is now ibasso 180 and also Iam looking at ibasso 260… these 2 would be great comparison✌️🙋‍♂️❤️

[danab]

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.