Specifications
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For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the other, you can just go to the next page to see how the amp performs.
AKM DAC + CSR Bluetooth Chip
For 99$, we didn’t expect a high-end DAC of course.
The FiiO M5 enjoys an AK4377 DAC from AKM, where its direct competitor, the Shanling M0 prefers an ESS Sabre DAC. If not amazing, this DAC is still issued from the Velvet Sound range where comes the AK4493 and AK4497 chips.
It supports 16/24/32bit playback and up to 768kHz PCM files or DSD256. For obvious reasons, FiiO limited the M5 to 384kHz and DSD128 decoding, which is still more than necessary in my opinion.
The Bluetooth chip is provided by Qualcomm, the CSR8675 that is found on various higher-end models, for its versatility. As we said above, it can stream high-rate codecs, like apt-X HD or LDAC, but cannot emit in the same way.
The CPU? Ingenic sourced, an X1000E with “low power consumption yet high performance”. And, for what it takes, it works really well with the FiiO M5, handling every request with ease. Even the catalog scan, didn’t take long. Always noteworthy.
CVC microphones and Steps counter
Not audiophile by any means, the FiiO M5 supports dual-microphone recording.
Yes, you can get a full, stereo recording, with the M5. If this is very niche, in my opinion, I found it pretty useful at work, as I could record my meetings and send the file back to teammates that couldn’t make it. Sound is much better than you’d expect to be, and if not professional sounding, this will be quite enough for a podcast or a quick recap.
Same strange feature, the FiiO M5 gets a step counter. The “high precision pedometer chip” can give you an accurate number of steps you’ve made in a day. And, surprisingly, it is pretty accurate. If my Apple Watch gives, obviously, more complete feedback with my heart rate and distances, this is still a very funny quirk. Every step matters, no?
Full specs
General
- Type : Digital Audio Player
- OS : FiiO OS (M5)
- CPU : Ingenix 1000E
- RAM : 64MB Gb LPDDR5
- DAC : AK4377
- Sample rate : PCM : 8Hz – 384kHz (16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128 - Outputs : 3.5mm headphone out – line out – coax out
- Input : USB-C
- Screen : 1.54″ 240×240 TFT
- Micro SD : SDHC / SDXC (single slot)
- Bluetooth reception : SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC
- Bluetooth emission : SBC/aptX/LDAC
- Duplex Bluetooth : player can emits and receive music
- Battery : 3.8V 5500mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery life : 10.5h with wired headphone, 13.5h with a Bluetooth headphone
- Charging time : around 2.5h
- Size : 45.3mmx42mmx13.97mm
- Weight : 38g
3.5 mm Headphone out
- Output power : 42mW @16ohm / 24mW @32ohm / 2.7mW @300ohm
- Frequency Response : 20Hz – 50kHz
- THD : > 0.003%
- SNR : > 118 dB
- Crosstalk : > 74 dB
- Output impedance : < 0.5 ohms (32ohms)
Time to check how it really sound now !
The article continues on Page Five, after the click here
