FiiO M21, Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, FiiO Android portable music player is available!

[logboy]

received my M21 yesterday. nice looking machine, not light or hefty. purchase through aliexpress and sent via elsewhere in europe, avoided charges. *cough*

arrived with 55% battery charge, so tried using the cable supplied, and finding it unreliable at a plug socket and more successful with a different cable via a MacBook. the labelling on the machine is simpler than the spec explanation of the two usb-c ports on it. there, one says data / charging and the other charging / power supply. my plan is to mostly use it's desktop mode, usb-c to a block with multiple ports that received power from a plug socket; with different power on each iirc. experience so far is i can trigger the device stating charging (but not doing any) with a white battery icon, then with an orange icon (also not doing any) and once managed to get both (when on the MacBook for power) by using the charging / power supply usb-c socket. there appears to be a known recent issue with devices not triggering charging, but can't see it on the M21 but the cheaper JM21 that also came out not that long ago. i don't know know how reliable this device will be in desktop mode, and wondering if i will have to buy a different usb-c box with plug to get higher wattage output (65w on one socket, i think) down a usb-c cable.

anyone any pointers? thanks again.

https://www.fiio.com/m21

 

[fidelityOne0]

According to a survey we did in China, a lot of consumers bought M21 just for Cassette case. It looks really exciting, doesn't it?

Is this case available yet? I ordered 2 from different seller on AliEX and had to cancel both due to "discontinued color" and plain and simple scam because they don't have the product on hand. That said My M21 is coming today so I'm pretty psyched about it. Love my JM21. When will this case be available on Amazon US.

Thanks

 

[Waqar]

I admire fiio for their patience

 

[Vitor Valeri]

FiiO employee Liu Gong revealed today (May 28) on Chinese social media what’s coming in the upcoming firmware update for the FiiO M21.

"We’ve carefully recorded all of your feedback and suggestions and are adjusting our firmware update plans accordingly. Below is the update roadmap for the next two versions:

---

Version 1.0.1 Update Preview (Expected Early June Release)

• Added remote control feature
• Added quick access to cassette mode (via multifunction button/pull-down menu/home screen shortcut)
• Added multifunction button to bring up the pull-down menu
• Added multiple preset wallpapers
• Added auto-detection toggle for cassette shell
• Added system USB output volume adjustable/fixed maximum output options
• Fixed issue where some PD chargers couldn’t trigger "Big Ear" mode
• Fixed issue where desktop folders couldn’t be renamed
• Fixed issue where side buttons triggered third-party apps in UAC mode
• Fixed issue with some car Bluetooth systems failing to connect
• Fixed occasional pitch-shifting issue with Bluetooth transmission
• Fixed issue where lock screen cover art wasn’t fully displayed
• Fixed issue where playback/pause buttons still worked after screen was off and HOLD switch was activated"

Version 1.0.2 Expected Update Plan (Planned for July Release)

• New cassette mode theme
• New optimized battery charging feature
• New lock screen time display style
• New button orientation adjustment after screen rotation

 

[GeorgeF89]

Is this case available yet? I ordered 2 from different seller on AliEX and had to cancel both due to "discontinued color" and plain and simple scam because they don't have the product on hand. That said My M21 is coming today so I'm pretty psyched about it. Love my JM21. When will this case be available on Amazon US.

Thanks

What is the name of the store you used? I ordered the case and the DAP today.

 

[GerGa]

I see there are optional leather cases, but does every M21 come with the silicone case? The silicone is what I would use.

 

[BS5711]

Having an opinion is one thing, constantly trying to deconstruct someone else's opinion is another. That's why I said you should do a study. If you simply gave your opinion on what the topic is about if you propose (FiiO M21) or at least about your experience with some DAP compared to FiiO M21, great. But that's not what you're doing.

That is kind of how opinions on internet forums work. You and others disagree with me and are shooting down my thoughts just as much as I am shooting down theirs, otherwise they would not be differing opinions and no discussion on that particular matter.

All conversation doesn’t have to be banter about warm sound signatures and burn in or fan boy praise.

I provided information about the M21 and my personal observations having bothered to do controlled listening comparison of gear like the M21 (my M11 Plus) and stated that I thought others were right to question the idea that the M21 had a very obvious “warm” sound.

I did so because I think it is disingenuous to tell people things that they may use to make purchasing decisions as if they were definitive facts about something that has a strong psychological connection that is being completely ignored.

That is what started this little debate. I stated my case, you have now stated yours so I think we are done.

 

[Angel77lopez]

The gold M21 is on sale now on Amazon USA... $330. Too bad I need the blue one. I guess I Wil wait.

https://amzn.to/453IFyx

 

[moonlee7777]

I'm just curious, is the tape case actually released? Haven't seen anyone post about their own yet.

 

[seekadds]

This could potentially be the one DAP to rule them all for me!

Few questions though:
Is there a system-wide crossfeed function?
How many bands does the PEQ support?
How many user profiles can be saved for the PEQ?
Is there NOS mode available?

Currently I have an m11+ESS and a Hiby R4. This could replace both potentially.

 

[FiiO-Yellow]

It looks pretty gimmicky to me, but what do I know? Also... The buttons should be on the side where the tape is exposed on the cassette. The animation is upside down.

I agree it looks gimicky, but sometimes emotional value is important.

 

[FiiO-Yellow]

Exactly, the image is wrong. I didn't pay attention to the pictures, and I can't buy this case in real life - there are no titanium-colored cases with instant shipping on AliExpress, all sellers write that they are out of stock, wait, friend. Fiio, you yourself produce a classic cassette player, you could have looked at how it is made, I understand that only old-timers will understand what the problem is, but old-timers will be happy to buy this case as nostalgia. You need to be more precise in the details.

I am sorry. Yes it is out of stock now. In fact this cassette case is very popular. It looks like a simple function, but the production process is complex. The good news is that we are upgrading our production capacity. I'm sure we'll re-stock it soon.

 

[FiiO-Yellow]

Hello, since the release of the pics of M21 I asked myself many times : why having two USB ports AND a switch for a single function ???
For me, it could be that, when you want to use Dmode you simply plug the USB-C cable into the dedicated socket, and the battery is not charged.
OR, you use one single USB-C port and the switch sets the function...

Why is it so complicated ?


Back in the 90's I had Sony walkmans with both tapehead on the side of the buttons or on the opposite side
See my WM-EX50:
Note that at that time, the trend in both walkmans and discmans was to hide the media, so the device was like a "black box" rather than a physical media player
Nowadays people like me tend to look towards players (like the white skylight DM13) where one can SEE the media spinning

Hi, the power in usb slot is also related to Super High Gain mode.
How to enable the Super High Gain mode on the M21?
1.Make sure the POWER in port is connected to a fast charging adapter that supports PD3.0 or PD2.0.
2.Pull down the menu and select Super high gain in Gain option. Or select the Super high gain option from Settings - Audio - Gain.
Note:
When fast charging is plugged in POWER in port and the Desktop Mode is ON, a prompt will appear asking whether to enable the Super High Gain Mode.
https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/1045494.html

 

[FiiO-Yellow]

This could potentially be the one DAP to rule them all for me!

Few questions though:
Is there a system-wide crossfeed function?
How many bands does the PEQ support?
How many user profiles can be saved for the PEQ?
Is there NOS mode available?

Currently I have an m11+ESS and a Hiby R4. This could replace both potentially.

Hi, you mean crossfade function?
M21 supports 10 bands PEQ
In theory, no limited user profiles
no NOS mode.

 

[WianFiiO]

Just a quick question - Is there a timeline for when the M21 will hit official US retailers (Amazon, B&H, etc.)?

Hi, it will come to US before the middle of next month.