[FiiO M17] Dual ES9038PRO, dual THXAAA-788+, dual power supplies, 9200mAh battery, 2 volume control modes

[stersa]

this is an IMPRESIVE DEVICE…
I recomend also with NEUTRON App..

best regards

Sisco

 

[gazzington]

Which Ifi power elite do you people use with the m17. 5,12,15 or 24volts?

 

[ruthieandjohn]

FiiO M17? or Chord Hugo2&2Go?

I am looking for a transportable streaming-capable player, that has a 1/4” output jack (don’t like adapters). My search has narrowed to either the FiiOM17 or the Chord Hugo2 plus the 2Go streamer. Cost is not a factor.

M17 advantages:

• Full MQA unfolding (1st and 2nd stage)
• Integrated user interface (don’t need a separate phone or tablet to control music transport)
• Slightly smaller - could fit into pocket
• Possibly better return policy (from Amazon, no questions asked)

Chord Hugo2 & 2Go advantages:

• Better sound quality (near as I can tell with my Hugo 1, Chord playing an MQA file with only 1st stage decoding sounds a bit better than my iBasso DX170 playing the same file with full 2-stage MQA decoding)

Am I missing anything? Even though the advantages to the M17 are more numerous, I find I still lean toward the Chord. I felt I was burned by the FiiO X5iii, my first experience with a FiiO streaming DAP, in that it was slow, buggy, didn’t run Tidal, etc., etc. But I have heard things about a temperamental WiFi connectivity on the Chord 2Go, as well as a buggy control user interface running its GoFigure app on an iPhone to tell it what and how to play.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[gazzington]

FiiO M17? or Chord Hugo2&2Go?

I am looking for a transportable streaming-capable player, that has a 1/4” output jack (don’t like adapters). My search has narrowed to either the FiiOM17 or the Chord Hugo2 plus the 2Go streamer. Cost is not a factor.

M17 advantages:

• Full MQA unfolding (1st and 2nd stage)
• Integrated user interface (don’t need a separate phone or tablet to control music transport)
• Slightly smaller - could fit into pocket
• Possibly better return policy (from Amazon, no questions asked)

Chord Hugo2 & 2Go advantages:

• Better sound quality (near as I can tell with my Hugo 1, Chord playing an MQA file with only 1st stage decoding sounds a bit better than my iBasso DX170 playing the same file with full 2-stage MQA decoding)

Am I missing anything? Even though the advantages to the M17 are more numerous, I find I still lean toward the Chord. I felt I was burned by the FiiO X5iii, my first experience with a FiiO streaming DAP, in that it was slow, buggy, didn’t run Tidal, etc., etc. But I have heard things about a temperamental WiFi connectivity on the Chord 2Go, as well as a buggy control user interface running its GoFigure app on an iPhone to tell it what and how to play.

Thanks for any advice!

I have the hugo2 and am thinking of getting the m17 again. The hugo 2 is probably more resolving but yet in miss the exciting sound the m17 gave

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Which Ifi power elite do you people use with the m17. 5,12,15 or 24volts?

Match exactly as rated for the M17, which is 12v/3A.

Please see here* and here (bonus info on battery and DC modes here ).

*"The M17 needs a 12V/3A DC power supply with a 5.5x2.1 DC port."

Therefore, choose the iFi iPower Elite 12v/4A variant, specs and product info here.

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Just to update, purchased the Shargeek Storm2 with two discount codes
The Storm2 was already discounted from $229.00 to $209.00 (£190.136 to £173.53). Then added free shipping and an extra 15% off on top, a saving of $50.35 (£41.80 approx)!
Total cost = $177.65 (£147.50).
Though I might get hit with UK HMRC custom charges, at least the discount absorbs that.

This is cheaper than the iFi iPower Elite, and I can upgrade the FiiO M17 power now than wait for the FiiO PL50.

I'll post more in due course, but, also, my wallet ()

 

[gazzington]

Just to update, purchased the Shargeek Storm2 with two discount codes
The Storm2 was already discounted from $229.00 to $209.00 (£190.136 to £173.53). Then added free shipping and an extra 15% off on top, a saving of $50.35 (£41.80 approx)!
Total cost = $177.65 (£147.50).
Though I might get hit with UK HMRC custom charges, at least the discount absorbs that.

This is cheaper than the iFi iPower Elite, and I can upgrade the FiiO M17 power now than wait for the FiiO PL50.

I'll post more in due course, but, also, my wallet ()

That’s a good price though. Are the discount codes available?

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Took these pics last week, but here's my current desktop audio setup using the official power supply
This is my personal end-game, and after many years (since 2016) of unable to action my old plans for a serious home headphone system within a reasonable budget, I finally did it!
I must thank FiiO for helping people like me attain serious high-end gear at affordable prices, with the least number of gear. Via the M17, I have a high-resolution streamer and local source, high-end DAC, and high-end headphone amp/preamp.
With the FiiO M17, I can create gear around it, and with the longevity of the battery not being unnecessarily charged (bypassed) if using DC power, I can see this being a foundational system for many years!
I can only hope that my today's purchase of the Shargeek Storm2 further enhances this setup, and when I am ready I will consider an aftermarket cable for my T+A Solitaire T headphones too (and maybe the Meze Audio 109 Pro's too ).

---

Headphone Audio Gear:

• T+A Solitaire T (white/silver), using supplied 2.5mm TRRS to 4.4mm TRRS balanced cable. All digital and wireless circuitry turned off
• FiiO M17 via DC- Enhanced Overear Mode
• FiiO DK3 stand and fan (set to lowest operational fan speed 1)
• SanDisk Extreme 1Tb MicroSD XC card

---

Other Gear:

• Asus Zenbook 14x UX5401ZAS (12th Gen i7)
• Logitech MX Master 3s
• Analogue Pocket

---

 

[TheOneInYellow]

That’s a good price though. Are the discount codes available?

Yep!

Use the following codes on the official Shargeek website:

1. 15% off:
   NY13
   
   
2. Shipping (free):
   FREE

You can also use another code for £30 off (GEEK10), however, that code is not as strong as the NY13 code; if you try both, only the NY13 will be accepted as it is the better deal.
Then add FREE for free shipping!

You're welcome

 

[gazzington]

Yep!

Use the following codes:

1. 15% off:
   NY13
   
   
2. Shipping (free):
   FREE

Your set up is awesome and thanks for the codes

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Your set up is awesome and thanks for the codes

...np, and ty

 

[gc335]

Dear friend,

If you mean the PL50, it is 5.5x2.1.

Best regards

I'm looking for an extension for the DC cable on my PL50. Is there a limit to cable length or anything else that I should be aware of? I don't know if I needed to limit the length of the cable due to resistance or some other issue. Thanks!

 

[Ben86]

So, there will be no difference in Sound Quality using "FiiO PL50" linear power supply vs. "Shargeek Storm2" / "Omnicharge Omni20+" powerbank over DC Enhanced Mode?

 

[FiiO]

I'm looking for an extension for the DC cable on my PL50. Is there a limit to cable length or anything else that I should be aware of? I don't know if I needed to limit the length of the cable due to resistance or some other issue. Thanks!

Dear friend,

The cable length of the DC cable dows not have limitation.
Please choose aviation GX16-2 core plug for connecting the PL50 end. And the core should be not smaller than 1 square (about 17AWG).
For your reference:
The PL50 female plug: the polariry negative (-) for barrel and positive (+) for centre

Best regards

 

[viffer]

So, there will be no difference in Sound Quality using "FiiO PL50" linear power supply vs. "Shargeek Storm2" / "Omnicharge Omni20+" powerbank over DC Enhanced Mode?

I use the Omnicharge 20+ on week+ long trips because I take my 300Ω headphones with me, and a quality power blank is more convenient than taking the standard PSU.
To my ears, upgraded PSU’s are not worth the price vs sound improvement, as this is minimal/placebo effect. IMHO, Investing in headphones/IEM’s is a better option, as those have an actual discernible impact in sound quality/profile.
PS:
I choose the Omnicharge 20 because it has the specifications I need, one of them being wireless charging option. I can place the fan stand on top of it and, it drives both the M17 via DC and the fan with the usb output, all in a compact form factor.