[cleg]

The M0 offers twice the power for half the price. Nough said

if only higher power meant higher quality of sound… life would be so easy…

anyway, I have strong doubt about "twice power", so I'll wait for correct measurements, because figures, stated by manufacturers are often meaningless or given without context. like "we have frequency response from 5 Hz to 100500 Hz! with 50 dB roll-off at the end, but anyway" or "our DAP can produce 2 watts of power for 32 ohm load! distortion will be more then 10% and by saying 2 watts we meant 1 watt per channel, but anyway…"

In this case Fiio releasing another incomplete DAP which is all they seem able to do would be the definition of insanity

I can offer you another definition: calling player incomplete, without even trying it
Anyway, even if you'll try it, it won't change much, as you're super biased already, so M7 won't receive fair treatment

You've selected M0? Great, it's a nice small glamourish DAP. But it's definitely not even close to being flawless (I'm testing it right now), it's just a matter of which flaws you're OK to live with

 

[wildebassman]

I am listening to my music on a SAMSUNG A8 via the Fiio A5, the Samsung also has the same exynos dac as the M7, could this mean they sound likewise?

Cheers,

Dennis

 

[seanwee]

I am listening to my music on a SAMSUNG A8 via the Fiio A5, the Samsung also has the same exynos dac as the M7, could this mean they sound likewise?

Cheers,

Dennis

I think you are a little confused there.

The M7 uses an exynos processor, not DAC. The DAC used in the M7 is an Ess 9018Q2C so no, they will not sound the same.

 

[wildebassman]

I think you are a little confused there.

The M7 uses an exynos processor, not DAC. The DAC used in the M7 is an Ess 9018Q2C so no, they will not sound the same.

You are right..confused...

 

[sklaus28]

Tried this player yesterday. Its quite good. Nice screen, good build quality, great UI, neutral to warmish sound. Made me wonder what Fiio will bring as X7ii successor.

 

[cleg]

Made me wonder what Fiio will bring as X7ii successor.

well, we can bet on it
but time frame and improvements are still mystery

most probably they'll update their more affordable models first

 

[inertianinja]

I just posted a review of the M7: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/fiio-m7-digital-audio-player

Essentially at $200 I think this is a good entry-level DAP, I recommend it.

I have the Sony A35 (volume cap removed), X3mkIII, and X7mkII. Some thoughts from a usability standpoint:
- Compared to the Sony, the UI and controls on the M7 are better, as is Fiio Music and obviously the USB-C port.
- Compared the X3MkIII, i think the android-based interface is worlds ahead of the X3; though the X3 has some more of the audiophile features, i think new users will like the M7 much more.
- Compared to the X7, well, not really a fair comparison since they're in different leagues

I like the direction Fiio is going here.

 

[Vocalanaesthesia]

I just posted a review of the M7: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/fiio-m7-digital-audio-player

Essentially at $200 I think this is a good entry-level DAP, I recommend it.

I have the Sony A35 (volume cap removed), X3mkIII, and X7mkII. Some thoughts from a usability standpoint:
- Compared to the Sony, the UI and controls on the M7 are better, as is Fiio Music and obviously the USB-C port.
- Compared the X3MkIII, i think the android-based interface is worlds ahead of the X3; though the X3 has some more of the audiophile features, i think new users will like the M7 much more.
- Compared to the X7, well, not really a fair comparison since they're in different leagues

I like the direction Fiio is going here.

I concur. I got one in red. Looks classy to say the least. Will have to listen to more tracks to definitely comment on the sound, but the equalizer settings are very effective. They were commenting somewhere about an m9 though I have not seen any concrete evidence of such a model.

 

[inertianinja]

I concur. I got one in red. Looks classy to say the least. Will have to listen to more tracks to definitely comment on the sound, but the equalizer settings are very effective. They were commenting somewhere about an m9 though I have not seen any concrete evidence of such a model.

I generally don't bother with EQ settings in my reviews...there's plenty of ways to influence the sound, but in reviewing a device, really the only thing that matters to me is that the core device works as it should. EQ is nice to have but I think not worth space in the (relatively) short reviews i write (for general audiences).

If Fiio comes out with an M9 at some point, I'd definitely want to try it. As owner of the X3mk2, then reviewed X3MkIII and X7Mk2, and now the M7 - I have to say I like the direction that Fiio is going. Definitely more mature bit by bit. They already sound good, but as to everything else I assume we'll reach a time when "retina" displays will be cheap and commonplace enough to be included in even budget DAPs like this.

 

[Vocalanaesthesia]

I generally don't bother with EQ settings in my reviews...there's plenty of ways to influence the sound, but in reviewing a device, really the only thing that matters to me is that the core device works as it should. EQ is nice to have but I think not worth space in the (relatively) short reviews i write (for general audiences).

If Fiio comes out with an M9 at some point, I'd definitely want to try it. As owner of the X3mk2, then reviewed X3MkIII and X7Mk2, and now the M7 - I have to say I like the direction that Fiio is going. Definitely more mature bit by bit. They already sound good, but as to everything else I assume we'll reach a time when "retina" displays will be cheap and commonplace enough to be included in even budget DAPs like this.

The display in m7 is pretty decent. I mentioned the EQ because implementation in many devices are flawed. Looks like a solid device. My headphones, Fiio F9 Pro does not seem to be doing it much justice. My cheap soundmagic e10c seemed evwr so slighlty better. Have not tried the Bluetooth headset yet. But to scan 5600 tracks on an exFAT formatted 128gb card with around 3500 lossy (320mbps MP3s), 15 DSD tracks and remaining FLAC tracks took around 4 mins. Quite fast.

 

[inertianinja]

The display in m7 is pretty decent. I mentioned the EQ because implementation in many devices are flawed. Looks like a solid device. My headphones, Fiio F9 Pro does not seem to be doing it much justice. My cheap soundmagic e10c seemed evwr so slighlty better. Have not tried the Bluetooth headset yet. But to scan 5600 tracks on an exFAT formatted 128gb card with around 3500 lossy (320mbps MP3s), 15 DSD tracks and remaining FLAC tracks took around 4 mins. Quite fast.

I noticed that there was discussion in this thread about how long the device took to scan tracks. In my use case, at least, it's just not something I find myself caring too much about. Sure, faster is better, but for that first scan, I just leave it plugged in and come back later. I'm not doing a full re-scan each time I turn it on - are others doing so?

 

[Vocalanaesthesia]

I noticed that there was discussion in this thread about how long the device took to scan tracks. In my use case, at least, it's just not something I find myself caring too much about. Sure, faster is better, but for that first scan, I just leave it plugged in and come back later. I'm not doing a full re-scan each time I turn it on - are others doing so?

Nope. Only when I add new tracks. Which is more frequent as I am just adding music to the card. But subsequent scans have been quick.

 

[fish1050]

if only higher power meant higher quality of sound… life would be so easy…

anyway, I have strong doubt about "twice power", so I'll wait for correct measurements, because figures, stated by manufacturers are often meaningless or given without context. like "we have frequency response from 5 Hz to 100500 Hz! with 50 dB roll-off at the end, but anyway" or "our DAP can produce 2 watts of power for 32 ohm load! distortion will be more then 10% and by saying 2 watts we meant 1 watt per channel, but anyway…"

People who have compared the A45 to the M0 say it definitely has more power than the A45 and the M7 is about the same power wise as the A45. Even if it isn't twice the power it will still be more and still cost half the price and as long as it drives my headphones that is all I need. If I have to strap an amp to the M7 to get more power then it becomes even less portable. You certainly can't get any more portable than the M0

I can offer you another definition: calling player incomplete, without even trying it
Anyway, even if you'll try it, it won't change much, as you're super biased already, so M7 won't receive fair treatment

You've selected M0? Great, it's a nice small glamourish DAP. But it's definitely not even close to being flawless (I'm testing it right now), it's just a matter of which flaws you're OK to live with

From what I have read in this thread the M7 is also far from flawless at this point. The M0 was released after the M7 so give Shanling a chance to iron out the bugs, god knows Fiio needs alot of time to take care of theirs.

Do you have the latest firmware version 2.1 in the M0? If you don't then it isn't a fair comparison as I am sure your M7 has the latest firmware. Costing twice as much I would fully expect the M7 to be superior in some ways to the M0 but as long as the M0 holds its own where it counts it is still a better buy and far more portable. Two things the M7 will never be.

I don't have to hear it to see what features are missing like USB DAC which the much cheaper M0 has. The overview and specs from Fiio tell me all I need to know about the features the M7 has without hearing it and the youtube videos show me the UI functionality.
While I haven't heard it reviewers say the M7 sounds like the Cayin N3 which I have heard many times so I should have a good idea what to expect sound wise. I have bought Fiio DAP's and I have been disappointed every time and returned them every time because of bugs and endless firmware updates. The M7 may finally break that cycle but I don't want to spend $270 CDN to find out.

At this point the M0 is getting far more favorable reviews than the M7. So it isn't just me touting the M0 over the M7, lots of other people are to if you are willing to look past this forum.

I don't begrudge you your M7 I hope you enjoy it for a very long time. It just isn't for me as I want to retire my bulky A17/Q1 stack and the M0 is super portable and offers everything I want feature wise for a fantastic price and it has more than enough power to drive my headphones. Everything else is just static.

 

[cleg]

rom what I have read in this thread the M7 is also far from flawless at this point

there is popular russian joke, I'll try to translate it.
— Oh, I don't like Pavarotti, he totally can't sing
— Have you heard him?
— No, but my neighbor sang me his songs

That's the same case, don't judge anything without trying. But anyway, as I've said before, you're already biased, and you'll never convince you was wrong

Do you have the latest firmware version 2.1 in the M0?

of course I do. but I have no idea, how firmware can fix poor usability (1.5" screen is a menace) and average sound

Two things the M7 will never be.

big screen and hardware buttons, two things M0 will never be.
and battery life. and many other things too

The overview and specs from Fiio tell me all I need to know about the features the M7 has without hearing it and the youtube videos show me the UI functionality.

it's like making conclusions about sex by watching porn, instead of real sex, but anyway, even without any videos you can understand that 1.5" screen is much worse in terms of usability then 3.2", it makes a huge difference.

anyway, as I've said before, M0 is nice, but at least try to be objective: don't make false assumptions about the gear you didn't try. and don't try to bring you subjective opinion as an only objective truth. at the end, M0 is as far from perfect as M7 is, or even more

 

[wildebassman]

I am wondering, really interested in the M7, I have the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 32 ohm headphones. I am pretty certain that the M7 cannot drive them to my desired volume, The Shanling M3S, a dap with a lot more power couldn't either. Luckily I have the Fiio A5 amp but I have one question regarding the line out on the M7, the specs say it's 1,2 Volt, is this enough to get a powerful output from the A5?

Cheers,

Dennis.