[FiiO]

Got mine today, I should check all these gapless issues you guys are mentioning, but so far I'm really happy with the DM13.

A question for the FiiO workers over here: are you going to release a leather case for the DM13 in the same way you did for the CP13?

Dear friend,

Hi, we have the plan of releasing a leather case for the DM13. But it may still take some time since we want to bring a more practical and textured leather case for the DM13.

Best regards

 

[FiiO Willson]

Hello My Friends，
Can any of you please help me to test if the Gapless function has improved.

If you are interested and have a USB flash drive with TypeC port in FAT32 format, please send me a private message and I'll send you the firmware!

 

[jirams]

I just received my black, Bluetooth enabled DM13. Took less than two weeks to arrive. This is the hardware I have used with the DM13:

Ananda headphones, plugged to the front 4.4 balanced out.
Sony WH1000XM4 headphones, Bluetooth.
Hifiman EF500 via the optical out on the back of the DM13.
Cambridge Audio's DACMagic 200M via the optical out on the back of the DM13.

For the sake of comparison, I also had on hand my old AIWA XP-SP90 portable CD player and my old Sony Discman DNE509. These are the two units I have used for listening to CDs on the go, at the office, on bed, etc. I also listen to Tidal streams and my years old PLEX Media server ripped FLAC files (using my cell phone, iPad, computers), but just as with vinyl records, I enjoy alternating music streaming with playing physical music.

Here are my own impressions/opinions after some listening sessions:

Sound.
I love it! I won't be using the AIWA nor the Sony portable players, since the DM13 DAC is miles better than the DACs on those portable units. The details and instruments separation is good. Long listening sessions do not tire my ears. This DM13 makes me want to go through all my CD collection because is so enjoyable.
The DM13's sound level from the headphone balanced port is able to drive my Ananda headphones with ease. On the AIWA and Sony units I had to turn the volume way up for CDs made before the compression/loudness wars; but with the DM13 I get better sound with less volume selection. CDs made after the mid 90's play at good level below the DM13's mid-point.
Not much to say about using the DM13 as a CD transport. It just works as it should. Due to its size and mobility, it is better for me to use it as a CD transport instead of using my Sony UBP-X800. It's just more convenient. I do not notice any sound difference using the DM13 as a transport compared to the UBP-X800.
Gapless playback, yes, works on some CDs, it does not work with others. I do hope FiiO fixes this with a future firmware.
Bluetooth sound does not appeal to me because the only wireless headphones I have, the Sony WH1000XM4s, only take SBC codec from the DM13. Sigh. Perhaps I'll get some other wireless headphones with aptx to take full advantage of the DM13.

Operation.
I read some comments about the DM13's motor being noisy when spinning discs. That is not the case in my experience.
The feel of the front top buttons is very tactile. They have a nice click feedback.
I read the manual and then the FAQ page from FiiO for the DM13 and had no issues operating the CD player. I switch with ease the output modes. No trouble playing, pausing, stopping the CDs since I quickly got used to the buttons and have already memorized them just by using the unit a couple of times.

Build.
Does not feel plasticky --it's not. It's got a good heft, more than the AIWA or the Sony Discman. It does not look nor feel cheap.

Conclusion.
I love the DM13. For my uses and tastes, it is almost perfect. Almost. The gapless playback is the only feature that makes me find it lacking. BUT, to my own purposes, all of the other features and benefits outweigh the gapless playback issue. It would be grand if FiiO is able to fix the issue.

As a matter of fact, I am planning on buying another once other colors are available and give it to one of my children as a birthday present.

Nice to read some positive comments about the DM13. I should receive mine today. It's Out for Delivery. ;o)

 

[Safeinthemountains]

I just received my black, Bluetooth enabled DM13. Took less than two weeks to arrive. This is the hardware I have used with the DM13:

Ananda headphones, plugged to the front 4.4 balanced out.
Sony WH1000XM4 headphones, Bluetooth.
Hifiman EF500 via the optical out on the back of the DM13.
Cambridge Audio's DACMagic 200M via the optical out on the back of the DM13.

For the sake of comparison, I also had on hand my old AIWA XP-SP90 portable CD player and my old Sony Discman DNE509. These are the two units I have used for listening to CDs on the go, at the office, on bed, etc. I also listen to Tidal streams and my years old PLEX Media server ripped FLAC files (using my cell phone, iPad, computers), but just as with vinyl records, I enjoy alternating music streaming with playing physical music.

Here are my own impressions/opinions after some listening sessions:

Sound.
I love it! I won't be using the AIWA nor the Sony portable players, since the DM13 DAC is miles better than the DACs on those portable units. The details and instruments separation is good. Long listening sessions do not tire my ears. This DM13 makes me want to go through all my CD collection because is so enjoyable.
The DM13's sound level from the headphone balanced port is able to drive my Ananda headphones with ease. On the AIWA and Sony units I had to turn the volume way up for CDs made before the compression/loudness wars; but with the DM13 I get better sound with less volume selection. CDs made after the mid 90's play at good level below the DM13's mid-point.
Not much to say about using the DM13 as a CD transport. It just works as it should. Due to its size and mobility, it is better for me to use it as a CD transport instead of using my Sony UBP-X800. It's just more convenient. I do not notice any sound difference using the DM13 as a transport compared to the UBP-X800.
Gapless playback, yes, works on some CDs, it does not work with others. I do hope FiiO fixes this with a future firmware.
Bluetooth sound does not appeal to me because the only wireless headphones I have, the Sony WH1000XM4s, only take SBC codec from the DM13. Sigh. Perhaps I'll get some other wireless headphones with aptx to take full advantage of the DM13.

Operation.
I read some comments about the DM13's motor being noisy when spinning discs. That is not the case in my experience.
The feel of the front top buttons is very tactile. They have a nice click feedback.
I read the manual and then the FAQ page from FiiO for the DM13 and had no issues operating the CD player. I switch with ease the output modes. No trouble playing, pausing, stopping the CDs since I quickly got used to the buttons and have already memorized them just by using the unit a couple of times.

Build.
Does not feel plasticky --it's not. It's got a good heft, more than the AIWA or the Sony Discman. It does not look nor feel cheap.

Conclusion.
I love the DM13. For my uses and tastes, it is almost perfect. Almost. The gapless playback is the only feature that makes me find it lacking. BUT, to my own purposes, all of the other features and benefits outweigh the gapless playback issue. It would be grand if FiiO is able to fix the issue.

As a matter of fact, I am planning on buying another once other colors are available and give it to one of my children as a birthday present.

Good to hear some positive comments at least. It seems that everybody is really happy with the sound quality of Fiio products in general.
It seems that Fiio is good on the hardware side soundwise, but not so much on the control/software. I'm really happy with mi FH3/FH7 iems, but i sold the UTWS5 V2 because sometimes the behaviour was random, it wasn't connecting properly, or shutting down from time to time...
(I also realized earhooks or tws earbuds are not for my use : commuting by bike, i drop it every now and then )
Where did you buy your unit ? are you able to tell what is the FW version ?

 

[Safeinthemountains]

Nice to read some positive comments about the DM13. I should receive mine today. It's Out for Delivery. ;o)

Would like to have your feedback as well, if possible
Where did you order it from ?

 

[garrinchaskillz]

has anyone used the fiio EU site to order direct? https://fiio.eu/ it says the dm13 is available for pre order on the website, but I assume that is not correct

 

[UnLagunas]

Hello My Friends，
Can any of you please help me to test if the Gapless function has improved.

If you are interested and have a USB flash drive with TypeC port in FAT32 format, please send me a private message and I'll send you the firmware!

Good to hear some positive comments at least. It seems that everybody is really happy with the sound quality of Fiio products in general.
It seems that Fiio is good on the hardware side soundwise, but not so much on the control/software. I'm really happy with mi FH3/FH7 iems, but i sold the UTWS5 V2 because sometimes the behaviour was random, it wasn't connecting properly, or shutting down from time to time...
(I also realized earhooks or tws earbuds are not for my use : commuting by bike, i drop it every now and then )
Where did you buy your unit ? are you able to tell what is the FW version ?

I bought my DM13 at the official FiiO storefront in AliExpress. The shipped firmware version was version 21.

 

[Safeinthemountains]

has anyone used the fiio EU site to order direct? https://fiio.eu/ it says the dm13 is available for pre order on the website, but I assume that is not correct

Didn't use it, but some time ago there were some statement about the availability of different versions and dates. This is gone now, but there is still the "pre order" mention. I find it confusing. Maybe the best is to contact them and ask what is available, and what is for pre-order ?

 

[Safeinthemountains]

I bought my DM13 at the official FiiO storefront in AliExpress. The shipped firmware version was version 21.

Thanks for the input, so it seems it is the highest/latest firmware version...

 

[ermwhat]

Thanks for the input, so it seems it is the highest/latest firmware version...

A few posts above is an invite to test v22.

Even if it doesn't fix the issue completely, I'm impressed that the team have got code out to us so quickly. I'll be installing it later to see what difference it makes.

 

[Safeinthemountains]

A few posts above is an invite to test v22.

Even if it doesn't fix the issue completely, I'm impressed that the team have got code out to us so quickly. I'll be installing it later to see what difference it makes.

Ah, OK...
(so I was partly right by saying that 21 was the last "official" FW version to date...)
So you're about to test this new FW, but you don't know yet if it solves the operation/gapless problems ? Did I understand well ?

What is the current version on your unit ? 21 or lower ?
Yep, I'm also positively surprised by the reactivity of Fiio's support in that case, let's see how things are improving

 

[UnLagunas]

Good to hear some positive comments at least. It seems that everybody is really happy with the sound quality of Fiio products in general.
It seems that Fiio is good on the hardware side soundwise, but not so much on the control/software. I'm really happy with mi FH3/FH7 iems, but i sold the UTWS5 V2 because sometimes the behaviour was random, it wasn't connecting properly, or shutting down from time to time...
(I also realized earhooks or tws earbuds are not for my use : commuting by bike, i drop it every now and then )
Where did you buy your unit ? are you able to tell what is the FW version ?

I posted to this forum because I wanted no nonsense info about this audio hardware.
For instance:
On youtube there are two very recent videos about the DM13 with misleading comments. One complains about the DM13 not showing the track names of the currently playing CD on its screen. Well, only a few audio CDs are CD-Text encoded, which allows for storing track names and other meta info on the CD itself... but most audio CDs are not CD-Text! So a CD player would have to be internet enable to be able to pull the track meta data from on-line services for non CD-Text discs.
Another very recent youtube video states that the USB ports on the back will let you use the DM13 as a computer external drive, which is not true. On the same video the poster mentions he has not been able to get audio output to his computer using the back USB ports on the DM13 (which is not the purpose for those ports!), and then he is befuddled by the fact that his DM13 shut down after he enabled Desktop Mode... when the specs/manual/online docs state that Desktop Mode means the DM13 will not use battery power but instead will be powered by the USB port on its back.

 

[Safeinthemountains]

I posted to this forum because I wanted no nonsense info about this audio hardware.
For instance:
On youtube there are two very recent videos about the DM13 with misleading comments. One complains about the DM13 not showing the track names of the currently playing CD on its screen. Well, only a few audio CDs are CD-Text encoded, which allows for storing track names and other meta info on the CD itself... but most audio CDs are not CD-Text! So a CD player would have to be internet enable to be able to pull the track meta data from on-line services for non CD-Text discs.
Another very recent youtube video states that the USB ports on the back will let you use the DM13 as a computer external drive, which is not true. On the same video the poster mentions he has not been able to get audio output to his computer using the back USB ports on the DM13 (which is not the purpose for those ports!), and then he is befuddled by the fact that his DM13 shut down after he enabled Desktop Mode... when the specs/manual/online docs state that Desktop Mode means the DM13 will not use battery power but instead will be powered by the USB port on its back.

Yeah, I just saw the second review, and I was surprised that this guy didn't take the time to read the manual or the details on Fiio's website about the use of DMODE switch and "USB rec" connector.

But also, he states that the sound quality is AMAZING, but it seems he only listened via BT with his QC35 headphones if I understand well his review What ???
Fistly, he does not know that the digital path up to the BT module doesn't affect much the sound (maybe a bad BT codec implementation can degrade the SQ of course)

Second, he uses Bose QC35, that was praised as really good NC headphones at the time, but I had the QC25, and whereas the NC part was performing well, I wouldn't talk about Hi-Fi speaking of theses headphones... While used with or whithout NC, the frequency response is different but terrible in both modes. Despite being very very light and comfortable, I finally sold it...

So thank you for the "no nonsense" info on this unit
What is strange is that you didn't experience any of the glitches some others did, like the weird behaviour of << and >> buttons or play/pause, the skips in the middle of a track... Just the gapless that is not consistent.

 

[jirams]

Have received my DM13 and have gone through the instructions and have been listening to PF The Division Bell and some Beethoven symphonies COE Harnoncourt.

This is exactly the device I have been looking for for years. I have collected around 1800 CDs since buying the first Philips CD player in 1970s. I needed a small unit as I have mobility and other problems brought on by advanced age.

I applaud Fiio for yet another superb product. This is a very significant success.

Well done Fiio.

 

[UnLagunas]

Yeah, I just saw the second review, and I was surprised that this guy didn't take the time to read the manual or the details on Fiio's website about the use of DMODE switch and "USB rec" connector.

But also, he states that the sound quality is AMAZING, but it seems he only listened via BT with his QC35 headphones if I understand well his review What ???
Fistly, he does not know that the digital path up to the BT module doesn't affect much the sound (maybe a bad BT codec implementation can degrade the SQ of course)

Second, he uses Bose QC35, that was praised as really good NC headphones at the time, but I had the QC25, and whereas the NC part was performing well, I wouldn't talk about Hi-Fi speaking of theses headphones... While used with or whithout NC, the frequency response is different but terrible in both modes. Despite being very very light and comfortable, I finally sold it...

So thank you for the "no nonsense" info on this unit
What is strange is that you didn't experience any of the glitches some others did, like the weird behaviour of << and >> buttons or play/pause, the skips in the middle of a track... Just the gapless that is not consistent.

No, I have not experienced the glitches you mentioned --so far!!! Then again, I am very careful with my physical music media. All of my CDs are not scratched and I store them properly after use. Perhaps the DM13 is sensitive to the condition of the discs, but I am not able to witness it since my media is mint or near mint.
What weird behaviour do you refer to when you mention the unit's buttons?