FiiO x Jade Audio JM21

[Safeinthemountains]

Good news ! I cannot recall where I read it, but someone stated that the charging was sometimes taking 20s or more to start, so I tried once more. After factory reset on 1.0.6 and leaving the Jm21 plugged onto a QC charger for some time, now it is charging again, at least...
Let's see if it is consistent, from now on...

 

[Lamby90]

Good for you! Before returning it, I even tried leaving it charging for a couple of hours to see if it would charge, but it didn’t go up even 1%...

 

[Safeinthemountains]

Good for you! Before returning it, I even tried leaving it charging for a couple of hours to see if it would charge, but it didn’t go up even 1%...

As I read various testimonies here, it seems that the Jm21 is plagued by some charging issues... As I have too many DAPs, it is probably a sign that I should get rid of this one...

 

[Jerish]

Congrats and no two players using Android is not too much.... I am presently at 4 and also have this on its way to me.

Good luck. Hopefully you will get it soon

 

[JimiMack]

Good luck. Hopefully you will get it soon

Thanks, but I have already returned it. Not bad, just did not live up to my expectations.

 

[Yajirobe]

I read about a problem with battery drain, for example, from Super* Review. Does this only happen when Wi-Fi is active in standby mode? Or has the problem been resolved via a firmware update?

Does anyone happen to have the MITER case for the fiio jm21 and could show some photos of all sides? I would be very grateful. The official promotional photos don't show the top-heavy upper front of the leather case. I'm afraid the DAP might simply fall out of the leather case if pulled out of the pocket, for example.

 

[Vitor Valeri]

I read about a problem with battery drain, for example, from Super* Review. Does this only happen when Wi-Fi is active in standby mode? Or has the problem been resolved via a firmware update?

This has been fixed now. What was draining the battery quickly was having Wi-Fi enabled while the DAP was not being used. Now Wi-Fi is automatically disabled after some time of inactivity.

Also, I have to mention that the noise he mentioned does not occur.

 

[Safeinthemountains]

This has been fixed now. What was draining the battery quickly was having Wi-Fi enabled while the DAP was not being used. Now Wi-Fi is automatically disabled after some time of inactivity.

Also, I have to mention that the noise he mentioned does not occur.

It is only recently that I realized that when I'm using a streaming app, and I wake-up the DAP from a paused mode, it takes a bit of time with several "no internet connection" messages before one can play the current track again...

But it is true that idle battery drain has drastically improved... now on par with all other android DAPs

 

[Vitor Valeri]

It is only recently that I realized that when I'm using a streaming app, and I wake-up the DAP from a paused mode, it takes a bit of time with several "no internet connection" messages before one can play the current track again...

But it is true that idle battery drain has drastically improved... now on par with all other android DAPs

I didn't notice this, as I mostly listen to music downloaded from streaming apps (Apple Music to be precise). Later I will test this behavior using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP), where I access Tidal and Qobuz.

 

[theMUKe]

Regarding the charging issue:

In my case a complete discharge was necessary and afterwards it worked. Now I can also charge while the player is powered on.

 

[Yajirobe]

According to the CS43198 datasheet, there is no use of a class A/B preamp in the analog section of the chip. What is used is a specified "h" class preamp created by Cirrus Logic called "Two-Mode Class H Technology".

Example: In a class A/B amplifier the voltage is fixed at 5V while in a class H amplifier with Cirrus Logic's Two-Mode technology works at a 2.5V voltage for "smoother" sounds and alternates to 5V when hit peaks or strong vocals.

In Cirrus Logic's TWO-Mode class H Amplifier, the system changes intelligently and quickly between these two modes, as the signal needs, reducing total energy consumption without causing audible distortions, and heating less.

I don't think we have actual solid proof of that, just educated speculation, but it seems like Class H operation may actually result in audible distortions (as per the link I provided earlier, though that's not the only source on this I've encountered, just the one I have at hand and is also very illustrative).

What I can say is that I don't hear any clips in the sound. I tested it with the music mentioned in the link you shared, as well as listening to several classical songs, which tend to have this same effect since there are many moments of silence.

In addition, a friend of mine took measurements on this and said that there is a small inconsistency in crosstalk, but it is less noticeable on the 4.4mm balanced output. Please turn on subtitles and translation into your native language to watch the video below.

Is this more of a theoretical disadvantage, or is it supposed to be audible?

Is this also the case if, for example, you use the Fiio JM21 "as a transport"? For example, via DLNA/UPNP, or via USB or coax to an external headphone amplifier/DAC?

Because I'm considering whether to buy the Fiio JM21 or Hiby R4, or something in a similar price range with similar dimensions and display size. But as far as I've looked so far, there doesn't seem to be anything comparable with similar specs in the price range.

The Fiio JM21 seems to be the best fit for me, precisely because it's a bit more portable. And because of its (supposedly?) Class AB or H amplifier, it supposedly simply won't be as hotheaded as, say, the Hiby R4? Regarding the Hiby R4, I read that if you use it with a 4.4 balanced jack and push it accordingly, it would heat up to 42 degrees Celsius (Andy Audiovault review on YouTube). But how hot does the Fiio MJ21 actually get when you push it with a 4.4 balanced jack?

I'm also interested in whether the Fiio JM21 or the Hiby R4 has the more powerful amp, and which delivers better audio quality in the DAC department?

 

[Jerish]

Thanks, but I have already returned it. Not bad, just did not live up to my expectations.

Alright!!

 

[XTF1]

Regarding the charging issue:

In my case a complete discharge was necessary and afterwards it worked. Now I can also charge while the player is powered on.

Interesting…. This may indicate a HW “bug” with the charging system (the BMS chip itself, or how it is implemented, or its FW issue): a complete discharge usually triggers a different initial charging mode—battery “trickle” mode—, possibly resetting everything…

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Is this more of a theoretical disadvantage, or is it supposed to be audible?

Is this also the case if, for example, you use the Fiio JM21 "as a transport"? For example, via DLNA/UPNP, or via USB or coax to an external headphone amplifier/DAC?

Because I'm considering whether to buy the Fiio JM21 or Hiby R4, or something in a similar price range with similar dimensions and display size. But as far as I've looked so far, there doesn't seem to be anything comparable with similar specs in the price range.

The Fiio JM21 seems to be the best fit for me, precisely because it's a bit more portable. And because of its (supposedly?) Class AB or H amplifier, it supposedly simply won't be as hotheaded as, say, the Hiby R4? Regarding the Hiby R4, I read that if you use it with a 4.4 balanced jack and push it accordingly, it would heat up to 42 degrees Celsius (Andy Audiovault review on YouTube). But how hot does the Fiio MJ21 actually get when you push it with a 4.4 balanced jack?

I'm also interested in whether the Fiio JM21 or the Hiby R4 has the more powerful amp, and which delivers better audio quality in the DAC department?

The JM21 does not get hot in 4.4mm. Sure, it might get hotter than stock, but it's not something that perceptible. Not like say, using the Clarinet or the XD05T, which get REALLY HOT to the touch upon use.

I read about a problem with battery drain, for example, from Super* Review. Does this only happen when Wi-Fi is active in standby mode? Or has the problem been resolved via a firmware update?

Does anyone happen to have the MITER case for the fiio jm21 and could show some photos of all sides? I would be very grateful. The official promotional photos don't show the top-heavy upper front of the leather case. I'm afraid the DAP might simply fall out of the leather case if pulled out of the pocket, for example.

I just sold mine last week to help fray the cost of the M21, and because of that, it became redundant to own, so I have only a couple pics of the Miter case, but combined with a couple stock photos, you can get an idea of how it looks. It's a good case, but I don't like the placement and thinness of the strap up top. It doesn't fit very tight, and also gets in the way of top swiping down to get quick access to the settings board.

 

[Safeinthemountains]

Regarding the charging issue:

In my case a complete discharge was necessary and afterwards it worked. Now I can also charge while the player is powered on.

OK, but this shouldn't happen, In my case I had to reinstall all my apps, WiFi networks (including the one of my working place that is quite tricky due to a certificate) , log on to the streaming services (Deezer, Tidal, Bandcamp,SoundCloud...) set my favorite radios again...
I hope it won't happen anymore...

I realised also none of my other DAPs (Hiby and Shanling) have the need for such Wifi management...
When a dap is connected to my phone as a hotspot on the go, they are always connected, even on standby, and the WiFi is not draining the battery like crazy...
Shutting down WiFi is working,but it should only be a temporary workaround. Other brands/models don't need to do it this way,so why the JM21 would be different?

And still, the battery drain in normal use ils like snow under the sun, it drops more than 10% per hour... using wifi I reckon... so it is less than 9-10 hours, unbalanced, 50/100 high gain on full size Focal headphones...