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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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)
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).
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)
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
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?
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.
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...)
Great review are you able to offer a comparison between this one and the fiio M23? Also maybe hiby r6 iii and any other contenders at the same price point please. Found your iem challenge very useful and have ordered the mp145s
Hi Chris, I'm glad you're finding my reviews useful. Unfortunately, I haven't tried the Hiby R6 iii other than a brief audition at a show so I can't compare them properly. Also, I think you made a typo in your comment because this review WAS for the M23. 🙂
Sadly, another I haven't tried. Sorry! What I can say is that it's very hard to match the AK4499 for sound quality, especially in terms of soundstage quality and depth.
Thank you and one final question if I may. I watched your IEM challenge and as a result of both your review and several others I chose the mp145s. Out of the ones you did the challenge with would you say the MP 145 is the best match for this M23 or is there another one at a similar price point that I should also consider. I do already have the MP 145 and have as yet only heard them through my iPad with apple music and was very impressed but I am still within my Amazon time scale for returning them and exchanging them for an alternative. I guess it's very personal and maybe if I have found something I like the sound of I should stick with them but I'm always open to considering other models. I have the 3.5 mm chord with mine would I be better off or find any improvement by also purchasing a 4.4 mm chord I really do not understand the difference between balanced and non balanced also. #noobie
@chrisbee9164 I don't feel like the M23 needs any particular IEM to be at its best so I'd stick with the MP145 and enjoy it. As for 4.4mm vs 3.5mm cables, I can't recall with the M23 if there's much difference. I don't think there is, but the 4.4mm might be a tiny bit better on separation and soundstaging.
I have a phone LGV60 and I use headphones Sennheiser HD598 it sounds really good. Thats why Im thinking is it worth it to buy Fiio M23 will it sound better- a lot better? I have no idea. My phone with headphones mentioned above sound really good and I dont know how to compare maybe someone can help
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.
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 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 :)
Hi I listen to music from my phone LG V60 with headphones Sennheiser HD598 can You please tell me is fiio23 much better than LgV60? Is it worth buying? Or stay with my phone LGV60
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.
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)
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
My current setup is the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 Ti with an iPhone . Can anyone tell me objectively whether or not the Fiio M23 DAP is much better than my current set up ? …. & Also does the Fiio M23 achieve Hi-res Lossless wireless , if so how does it do this ?? because they don’t mention the use of Qualcomm’s latest chip.
The M23 is significantly better than dongles on the level of the Moonriver 2 Ti. Anytime you've got independent power and the greater amount of space for better circuits, you'll generally get better sound. As for lossless wireless, I'm not sure about that. It's definitely got the hi res codecs like LDAC and aptX HD, but I don't know about lossless Bluetooth.
@@PassionforSound If that's true then I agree. I just ordered and I might keep because it's more portable than the FiiO M17. I also now have the KANN ULTRA. I'll either keep the KANN ULTRA or keep the FiiO M23. I've also just ordered the FiiO FA19 IEMs. Will test the FiiO FA19 between all three DACs mentioned.
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
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.
I have a phone LGV60 and I use Sennheiser HD598 it sounds really good. Thats why Im thinking is it worth it to buy Fiio will it sound better a lot better? I have no idea. My phone with headphones mentioned above sound really good
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!
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.
@@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.
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.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
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.
I feel that way too. I wasn't thrilled by the Shanling DAPs, but the M23 gets much closer to the Mojo 2 sound.
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.
Does anyone know if the stainless sounds better than the standard version?
@darrencotter8206 Hi Darren, absolutely no difference in sound quality. The only differences are the looks, the weight, and the price.
I did the same zero regrets
@@darrencotter8206 Yes, because it comes with a nice resonant leather case. jk...
M11s owner here. So happy with it. They make good stuff.
small but mighty
M11pro, for many years now without problems
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.
Why the switch?
I was seriously conidering the Q15 but found a secondhand M17 at a great price, so I couldn't resist.
@@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.
This is what I get for searching AMZ for DAPs. I have to get one now 😂
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.
Oh I'm buying one man. That's awesome. Thanks lad.
I'm buying TWO men.
THREE men for me. What are we talking about again?
@@ReverendDr.Thomas LMAO. You go for it man.
@@Rsalmond83 😂😆
@@STR82DVD, what about "THAT man", instead of "it man"?
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.
That's cool about the software being upgraded!
@@PassionforSoundYes! 👌😌
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!!!!
Ha, very timely review thank you. I have been hovering over the "buy" button on these all day. :)
Glad I could help! I hope you love it if you hit the button. I think it's an excellent combination of price, performance and features.
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 😄
The Hiby gear is excellent too, but the features are a little less extensive (e.g. no Room endpoint mode, if that matters)
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 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 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.
@@trubadyr99 they don't so it'll be usable in 20 years.
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)
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).
Gave a like and subscription because you answered the real question "does it drive the modhouse tungsten"
Haha. Thank you. Yes, I was sad to return the Tungstens because I would have liked them to be my long term torture test for future reviews!
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✌️🙋♂️❤️
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)
@@merinoboyo thank you.. just what I needed ,, agreed I have the DX260 and yes you called it... was thinking about the M23, but I think I am ok.
Wow, interesting! Thank you so much.❤
My pleasure!
Noice, thank you Lachlan, this is a nice device and quite capable.
Absolutely - it's brilliant for the money :)
Does it get hot on desktop mode ? I had the M17 before and it could get uncomfortably warm after 1 hour, that's why It came with a cooling fan lol
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
The M23 doesn't get anywhere near as hot as the M17 🙂
My main DAP these days is a Hiby R6 Pro II that has similar specs as this and think it's pretty awesome.
I want to try the Hiby gear properly. I've only briefly used it at a show
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?
I don't as yet - sorry! I suspect it might pop up on Amazon eventually, but not sure in the meantime.
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.
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...)
Absolutely! The M23 has a dedicated line out mode specifically for that purpose.
Great review are you able to offer a comparison between this one and the fiio M23? Also maybe hiby r6 iii and any other contenders at the same price point please. Found your iem challenge very useful and have ordered the mp145s
Hi Chris, I'm glad you're finding my reviews useful. Unfortunately, I haven't tried the Hiby R6 iii other than a brief audition at a show so I can't compare them properly. Also, I think you made a typo in your comment because this review WAS for the M23. 🙂
@PassionforSound yes typo should have reverted to ibasso dx180. How does that compare to this m23? Thanks
Sadly, another I haven't tried. Sorry!
What I can say is that it's very hard to match the AK4499 for sound quality, especially in terms of soundstage quality and depth.
Thank you and one final question if I may. I watched your IEM challenge and as a result of both your review and several others I chose the mp145s. Out of the ones you did the challenge with would you say the MP 145 is the best match for this M23 or is there another one at a similar price point that I should also consider. I do already have the MP 145 and have as yet only heard them through my iPad with apple music and was very impressed but I am still within my Amazon time scale for returning them and exchanging them for an alternative. I guess it's very personal and maybe if I have found something I like the sound of I should stick with them but I'm always open to considering other models. I have the 3.5 mm chord with mine would I be better off or find any improvement by also purchasing a 4.4 mm chord I really do not understand the difference between balanced and non balanced also. #noobie
@chrisbee9164 I don't feel like the M23 needs any particular IEM to be at its best so I'd stick with the MP145 and enjoy it.
As for 4.4mm vs 3.5mm cables, I can't recall with the M23 if there's much difference. I don't think there is, but the 4.4mm might be a tiny bit better on separation and soundstaging.
A very interesting 🧐 unit…I’m steadily becoming a fan of Polymeric EQ for headphones 🎧
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.
I don't own a DAP anywhere near the M23 so I had to work with the portable device that it was closest to in my collection.
Thanks, excellent review
I'm glad you liked it!
excellent review as always, thank you!
♥️
I have a phone LGV60 and I use headphones Sennheiser HD598 it sounds really good. Thats why Im thinking is it worth it to buy Fiio M23 will it sound better- a lot better? I have no idea. My phone with headphones mentioned above sound really good and I dont know how to compare maybe someone can help
I have the v60 and the fiio m11s sounds better 🎉
Thanks for sharing your experiences. The LG V series phones are very good, but I never compared them with the modern DAPs.
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.
I haven't tried the DX180 so I can't compare them - sorry
@@PassionforSound Thank you for replying
Nice info...
Suitable for mobile users...💯✔️❤️
Chord Mojo does not have interface screen, so for equivalent Fiio, it'll be the Q15 dac/amp which is A$680 compared to M23 A$1200
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
@@Cestmoi50 i'm not doubting the mojo sound... i'm just trying to say it should be the A$1600 mojo+poly vs A$680 Q15
It should be whatever products I have on hand that provide relevant comparisons for the points I'm making to describe the product I'm reviewing...
@@PassionforSound yes you're right... i'm just being bit too picky..... haha
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 think you'll hear a significant improvement if you have some nice headphones or earphones to use with it.
Hi I listen to music from my phone LG V60 with headphones Sennheiser HD598 can You please tell me is fiio23 much better than LgV60? Is it worth buying? Or stay with my phone LGV60
I don't think it will be a huge upgrade - just a small one with your headphones so you need to consider if it's worth it.
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.
I'd second those thoughts on the interface. I haven't found any ground loops issues, either.
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.
How does it compare to the m11s in sound quality I'm loving the sound with the m11s
I much prefer the M23 thanks to a slightly less edgy top end and better soundstage space from the AK4499 chip.
@@PassionforSound bur its not a huge sound difference right
@joegarcia6276 it's pretty significant to me.
Is there a way to use a mic on a headset when using it in desktop mode? Like connecting an external adc?
None that I'm aware of unless you can run the mic to a different input.
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)
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
@PassionforSound thank you I appreciate you responded.
Nice review as usual, thanks, but can something be done about the edits? I was starting to feel dizzy. :)
Glad you liked the review. I can try reducing the zoom amount on the jump cuts if that might help
Would it sound good using a Sonos move 2?
It won't make much difference to a wireless speaker
My current setup is the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 Ti with an iPhone . Can anyone tell me objectively whether or not the Fiio M23 DAP is much better than my current set up ? …. & Also does the Fiio M23 achieve Hi-res Lossless wireless , if so how does it do this ?? because they don’t mention the use of Qualcomm’s latest chip.
The M23 is significantly better than dongles on the level of the Moonriver 2 Ti. Anytime you've got independent power and the greater amount of space for better circuits, you'll generally get better sound.
As for lossless wireless, I'm not sure about that. It's definitely got the hi res codecs like LDAC and aptX HD, but I don't know about lossless Bluetooth.
FiiO M23 vs FiiO M17 which one is better or buy both. I already have FiiO M17.
I definitely prefer the M23 thanks to the better DAC chip used. I wouldn't buy both though as they're too similar.
@@PassionforSound If that's true then I agree. I just ordered and I might keep because it's more portable than the FiiO M17. I also now have the KANN ULTRA. I'll either keep the KANN ULTRA or keep the FiiO M23. I've also just ordered the FiiO FA19 IEMs. Will test the FiiO FA19 between all three DACs mentioned.
I hope you find the perfect solution and pairing. Happy listening!
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.
@@PassionforSoundThe point is:
I asked about alternatives to a DAP,
There's disadvantages / advantages to the other's setup's?
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.
@@PassionforSound Very important information. Thank you
For $700, I want it made of titanium alloy
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
Wow. Sorry to hear that!
Why do these devices have different gain modes? Why not just have it on super high all of the time.
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.
💯
Robyn Cove
Hessel Club
However, Android 10 ? IN 2024 ??
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.
Fisher Manor
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.
Eso te pasa por ser pobre!!
I have a phone LGV60 and I use Sennheiser HD598 it sounds really good. Thats why Im thinking is it worth it to buy Fiio will it sound better a lot better? I have no idea. My phone with headphones mentioned above sound really good
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!
So, it is like iPod on steroids, run by Android.
Exactly! 😁
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.
Sammy Viaduct
Mojo 2 micro usb , why not tell people about that ?
The Mojo 2 has a USB C connection in addition to micro USB.
@@johnlynch1623 how does it charge ?
This isn't a Mojo 2 review. I covered that separately.
@@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.