Fiio DM15 Review (Portable CD Player)

[BadAppleSpy]

The problem with the FiiO R2R is the resistor tolerance. No high-precision resistors, no compensation circuitry or algorithms, and even no audio quality control. Therefore, the parameters of each unit are different, and the left and right channels are also different. Such a poor design cannot possibly claim high fidelity. Oh, that's the reason they can make affordable/budget R2R products. Of course, their users don't care about this.

 

[NTTY]

Your reviews are at the point where the frequency and quality are very high that I am tempted to start a gofundme to get you an AP to make it official.

If the company would like to send me one, I’d be happy to measure and review it

Nicer would be that they authorize me to keep it for a while

 

[Tovarich007]

Thanks a lot for this in depth review. I was tempted to buy this cheap and nice portable Cd player with a lot of other features.
I'll not buy it.
I think it would have been better without R2R, this old tech needs a lot of care and good matched resistors with low tolerance to perform. obviously, it's not the case.
And moreover, Fiio, like a lot of chinese companies, releases too many products in a short time to keep a good quality control. Maybe there are some important variations from an exemplary to another.

So, for now I keep my old rugged Rega first generation CD player as a transport digitally connected by coax connectors to my old Topping DAC. Certainly not the best transport but it's super reliable and it works rather fine. And I bought it second hand super cheap.
Of course, it's not portable, it's heavy, and no headphone, bluetooth nor ripping.
I've read that Fiio has the intention to release another vesrion with a 1bit DAC laater in 2026. Get rid of such a complex R2R architecture for such a tiny cheap product seems more efficient and cost effective. I'll see then, if this intention is realized.

 

[TurtlePaul]

I can’t wait for Fiio to release a $100 DM11 that outperforms this.

 

[VientoB]

I can’t wait for Fiio to release a $100 DM11 that outperforms this.

Obviously not with an R2R

 

[aagstn]

We're definitely in the age of a downfall of CD player, just like late 90s were for the cassette. Up to the point the playback hardware doesn't even meet the spec of the format itself.

There are still good CD players being made. Japanese companies like Yamaha can still make a good one that isn't crazy expensive. Sony and Panasonic still make good Blu-ray players that can play a CD properly. Denon ones are good, but I don't even know what that counts for now since they are technically a subsidiary of Samsung. Chinese companies are just all over the place. They churn out a ton of different products and quality can be great or garbage from the same manufacturer and sometimes for the same exact product.

 

[Rick63]

There are definitely some great CD players/transports still being made.

SMSL PL200T Review (CD Transport)

Hello Everyone, This is a review and details measurements of the SMSL PL200T CD Player and Transport. It was kindly sent to me by Aoshidaudio.com. SMSL PL200T - Presentation I already reviewed the SMSL PL200 which is nearly the same, having an internal DAC on top. This is the transport...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Obviously it's not portable if that's what one is looking for.

I bought one after @NTTY reviewed it and I'm absolutely in love it! From the objective and subjective performance, speedy operation, build quality, top loading mechanism, smaller form factor, and coolness factor, it's everything I could want to spin my beloved CD collection in. I've had too many disc spinners in my time to count with some costing more than 3 times it's price, and it's easily my all-time favorite.

 

[PristineSound]

Nicer would be that they authorize me to keep it for a while

And by a while, we mean 15-20 years

 

[TurtlePaul]

Obviously not with an R2R

Yes, if I were them, I would strip the DM13 down to a single CS43131 and remove the output buffers, resulting in no balanced output and lower output power. Then I would remove the coax and optical digital combo-output, remove the bluetooth, remove the second USB-C (for the CD ripping function) and make the bottom half of the case from plastic with no transparent window in the top. That should result in a still very good but cheaper to manufacture disc player.

 

[NTTY]

And by a while, we mean 15-20 years

I concur

 

[Kagemusha]

I will still keep my 90's yamaha CD player.

 

[VientoB]

I will still keep my 90's yamaha CD player.

And me my 90s Rotel

 

[Ismapics]

Still the DVD/Bluray player with external DAC remains the best under $120 option.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Still the DVD/Bluray player with external DAC remains the best under $120 option.

I feel like it needs to be pointed out that these Fiio are portable players. I have a Yamaha 5-disc CD-S603 in my media console but it can’t replace my DM13 for headphone listening when I am not in the living room.

 

[Georgrig]

I can’t wait for Fiio to release a $100 DM11 that outperforms this.

I mean, they said they will re-release this with a Delta-Sigma DAC soon.

I'll wait for the review of the desktop DP11. Hopefully that'll be better..

 

[TurtlePaul]

I mean, they said they will re-release this with a Delta-Sigma DAC soon.

I'll wait for the review of the desktop DP11. Hopefully that'll be better..

The DM11 is the upcoming affordable option.

Check out NTTY’s review of the DM13 for the current delta-sigma option.

I have a DM13. It is a good portable player except it has a sample rate converter between the transport and DAC and it uses the CS43131 DAC which has known issues with its class-H power rail switching.

 

[Georgrig]

The DM11 is the upcoming affordable option.

Check out NTTY’s review of the DM13 for the current delta-sigma option.

I have a DM13. It is a good portable player except it has a sample rate converter between the transport and DAC and it uses the CS43131 DAC which has known issues with its class-H power rail switching.

In addition to the DM11, they are releasing the Delta-sigma version of the DM15 and a desktop player, the DP11 soon.

 

[carsknivesbeer]

Always appreciate the work to put these together! Any plans to review a classic portable CD player or two to get a baseline? Curious to see how they actually measure and the effect of anti-skip on sound quality. Some of the classic players even had optical out.

 

[NTTY]

In addition to the DM11, they are releasing the Delta-sigma version of the DM15 and a desktop player, the DP11 soon.

A new DAC will not fix all the issues I spotted, and I guess it will be sufficient for Fiio to publish specs related to SINAD and SNR so we can check if that area, at least, has improved.

That said, I’m unfortunately not willing to finance the next one for testing. I tend to prefer putting my money, and time, where I get a chance to be positively surprised. In two occasions, Fiio failed me. But if the company or someone wants to finance or loan me the next of their device for test, I'm ok to give it a try.

 

[NTTY]

Always appreciate the work to put these together! Any plans to review a classic portable CD player or two to get a baseline? Curious to see how they actually measure and the effect of anti-skip on sound quality. Some of the classic players even had optical out.

Thanks!
Plans yes, only issue is to source one in good condition