[davidmolliere]

So far I have ran through 5 batteries with my M17 so far and just to share my experience so far. Before the M17, the 300max has been my go to player and I also have DX300, R01, E01, E02 and A02 with C9. I have to say as good as the 300max already is, I am very impressed with the M17 so far, the SQ changed a lot during the first 5 batteries so I do recommend new M17 owners to run it with at least 5 charges to evaluate the SQ. So I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by the SQ of the M17, to sum up it is more organic sounding than the DX300max, the upper end so far is a little less energetic and peaky with many iems, I can listen to the M17 longer than the DX300max. Is it night and day? No, but it is quite easily discernible. In terms of noise it is also perhaps a tad quieter than the DX300 max which is a very quiet player in terms of background noise. Perhaps it is the character of the ESS vs AKM DACs, power wise both are more than sufficient for any iems, and I don‘t use cans. Interface the M17 definitely is was superior to the latest mango player, more much better UI and way easier to navigate. Look is personal but I do prefer the all black look of the M17 over the “I am DIY look” of the 300max with the stainless steel + gold knobs. It is my first Fiio DAP and so far I am very impressed!

Thanks that nails it for me as well as @Currawong feedback, my order is out now the wait begin, middle of next week

 

[rumina]

the player gains quality with a good external psu, i made one some days ago, a sigma 11. to my surprise not only the extended headphone modus gains the quality of the other modes but the whole signature is slightly more refined. the transitions are a tad nicer and the music gains stability, soundstage is better defined but with the same extension of width, high and deep.

i used the player the last days most often in balanced line out modus to a nice amp and this works very nice. i think that the line out modus is even a bit better than the headphone/iem modus, has a tad more the ess house sound vs adding the thx amp modules. for me it's a impressive result for the price, it's a 1799 usd dap, not 500 usd or 5000 usd more like the named contender, a lot for the money and nice as a dac or dap.

 

[viffer]

Managed to get through to FedEx and just picked it up… about to set it up and go for a test drive

 

[zen87192]

Just decided to connect the mains supply to hear what everyone is commenting about. I have quite a few hours sound on Battery now so will be able to determine differences. Crikey.. that's a difference! Wonderful! Everything has just gone up five notches! The sound is just epic! I think I may need to unpack that Fan - (dangled) - Table Stand in readiness of the heat dissipation as I may be keeping it connected this way if this is the sound I get from being mains driven.
Absolutely Brilliant!

 

[Whitigir]

Yes, 11V is a 3Volts increases from 8V rails from battery. Now, you see the improvements, but that still isn’t quiet desktop grade yet.

At the minimum, most desktop grade is from 18V rails and as high as 60V. But at least, the M17 is compact and can be tossed into a backpack to carry with

For anyone who is making DIY PSU, may want to up the output to 16V as that raises the rails a little more. It seems that the M17 is firmware limited as the LDO is capable upto 24V

 

[viffer]

Just decided to connect the mains supply to hear what everyone is commenting about. I have quite a few hours sound on Battery now so will be able to determine differences. Crikey.. that's a difference! Wonderful! Everything has just gone up five notches! The sound is just epic! I think I may need to unpack that Fan - (dangled) - Table Stand in readiness of the heat dissipation as I may be keeping it connected this way if this is the sound I get from being mains driven.
Absolutely Brilliant!

Wow, this is quite the step up from my Q5s. Powered from DC is Nearly on par with my Novafidelity X45 pro. Very nice indeed.

 

[Tom75]

Oh my... I have to resist to the BF deal I found on M17... can't get this and Shanling M9 at the same time...

You say no harshness, do you consider 3MAX to be harsh in any way? I know I had 220MAX and sold it because for all its greatness I had issues with it in the upper mids region...

Same here.with the 220max and no issues in the higher mids with my 3max.
So, how would you guys describe the difference between 3max and M17 in terms of layering, instrument separation, etc..
Bass control seems to be good..
Thanks!

 

[viffer]

Ok, so… first annoying thing.
When opening USB Pro and when changing between internal (SD card) Library and Qobuz there is a loud crackling noise. This only happens with USB pro so, it mat get patched. Qobuz proprietary app and fiio music app are fine.
*Edit*
I think this is the internal DAC initialising / changing modes as the crackling noise is there when rebooting and, pausing-resuming playback. Probably the M17 firmware powering down the DAC’s when not in use to manage heat.
Also, the screen is a fingerprint magnet.
Other than that (so far), this M17 is very impressive when in DC mode (will run on batteries at some point and update), good instruments separation, great sound stage, cristal clear highs and controlled low frequencies. So far at about 70% volume (enhanced over ear mode) and having run now for about 2 and a half-ish hours, I find no need for the fan cooling stand. The Q5s run hotter at that volume.

 

[zen87192]

Can anyone recommend a Linear Power Supply for the M17 please? Perhaps with a link to the product as as well? I'm not familiar with the quality of LPS units and am looking on Aliexpress to start with unless someone says otherwise. Not looking to spend a fortune but would like a reliable and accurate one as can be. Thanks all!

 

[Whitigir]

Can anyone recommend a Linear Power Supply for the M17 please? Perhaps with a link to the product as as well? I'm not familiar with the quality of LPS units and am looking on Aliexpress to start with unless someone says otherwise. Not looking to spend a fortune but would like a reliable and accurate one as can be. Thanks all!

Your best bet is to go with those from AliExpress. The most important thing to look for is residues noises, the lower is the better. I know HDplex is great, a little chunky but is totally great. Sigma 11 is only DIY or commissioned built, and it isn’t cheap. There are China copies and possibly can be found from AliExpress

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Curious about new dac amp that should be based on M17

 

[alota]

Your best bet is to go with those from AliExpress. The most important thing to look for is residues noises, the lower is the better. I know HDplex is great, a little chunky but is totally great. Sigma 11 is only DIY or commissioned built, and it isn’t cheap. There are China copies and possibly can be found from AliExpress

Sigma 11 you mean from AMB?

 

[Uebelkraehe]

At least it is not this. 16 days and only label has been created and no movement:

DPD? Sincere condolences...

 

[Whitigir]

Sigma 11 you mean from AMB?

Yes, I would recommend it if you can DIY. It has all the discrete components and excellent design

 

[zen87192]

Whilst listening to the M17 via 12v I was perusing the Aliexpress website for Linear Power Supplies and found these. All at 12v and a couple of them go up to 3.5A.
what does everyone think?
Which model LPS do you think may be suitable?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002844315651.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.33622b80wP0JGt&algo_pvid=e6445794-440b-415c-80b0-4ba6127d8929&algo_exp_id=e6445794-440b-415c-80b0-4ba6127d8929-27&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000022432518824"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003022642259.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=ac8557b9-cc88-4bfc-9ee8-9e02ca024b17&algo_exp_id=ac8557b9-cc88-4bfc-9ee8-9e02ca024b17-8&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000023282311638"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000918049305.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=ac8557b9-cc88-4bfc-9ee8-9e02ca024b17&algo_exp_id=ac8557b9-cc88-4bfc-9ee8-9e02ca024b17-11&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000010929785832"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001105217163.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=6ab79514-a5a1-42db-b5f7-311339205c47&algo_exp_id=6ab79514-a5a1-42db-b5f7-311339205c47-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"10000014425429441"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002287706260.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=6ab79514-a5a1-42db-b5f7-311339205c47&algo_exp_id=6ab79514-a5a1-42db-b5f7-311339205c47-8&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000019922212036"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003044668837.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=2dfbc2f0-5359-4831-ae8c-2781ccad5cb7&algo_exp_id=2dfbc2f0-5359-4831-ae8c-2781ccad5cb7-8&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000023425307143"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003488161160.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=537c8544-70ee-479f-99fd-c7ed3db06a3b&algo_exp_id=537c8544-70ee-479f-99fd-c7ed3db06a3b-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000026019619224"}

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003488161160.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1967e3d9eIMdwL&algo_pvid=537c8544-70ee-479f-99fd-c7ed3db06a3b&algo_exp_id=537c8544-70ee-479f-99fd-c7ed3db06a3b-3&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000026019619224"}

Thank you for chiming in with your thoughts.