FiiO DM15 CD Player with Dual AKM AK4493S DAC

The FiiO DM15 is a portable stereo CD player that brings the organic, analogue sound of a portable CD player together with a wealth of modern features. Built on FiiO’s experience with the DM13 and refined from its users’ feedback, it is slimmer, about an inch thick, and has five cores at its heart. Two AKM AK4493S DACs give a warm, natural sound; the balanced output reaches 1,100mW per channel; and the DM15 is also a hi-res USB DAC, an aptX Lossless Bluetooth transmitter and a USB/CD digital transport, with CD ripping, 24 sound presets and a remote control.

Five cores, comprehensively upgraded

Inside the compact chassis are five core sections: the CD servo, the USB DAC, the decoding module and the Bluetooth module, all managed and coordinated by a microcontroller (MCU). FiiO says this “core” evolution lifts the DM15 above the rest of its category.

Dual AKM AK4493S DACs

Two of AKM’s classic AK4493S DAC chips, with VELVET SOUND technology, deliver low distortion and a wide dynamic range, for a warm, natural sound with rich, lingering resonance and a crystal-clear soundstage: an authentic, textured sound. Two SGM8262 amplifier chips drive the headphone outputs.

A custom CD mechanism

The DM13’s disc reading was greatly improved through firmware over its first year, and the DM15 builds on that with a further customised mechanism and laser pickup. A self-rebounding steel-ball disc alignment design makes discs smoother to insert and remove and less likely to scratch. It plays CDs, data CDs with FLAC, WAV, WMA and MP3 files, and the CD layer of hybrid SACDs. An ESP (electronic shock protection) switch keeps playback stable on the move or on a desk; it doesn’t improve disc reading itself. FiiO notes that no portable mechanism can read every disc perfectly, that it will keep improving disc reading through firmware, and that minor skipping with some high-capacity CDs is normal.

An all-purpose powerhouse

The DM15 combines a portable CD player, a hi-fi USB DAC, a USB/CD Bluetooth transmitter and a USB/CD digital transport in one unit:

• USB DAC: plays up to PCM 384kHz/32-bit and native DSD256 from a computer, phone or tablet, with a driver-free mode for devices that need it. With a phone, player or tablet, connect it first and then plug in USB power, so it is recognised properly.
• Bluetooth transmitter: Qualcomm’s QCC3086 (Bluetooth 5.4) sends CDs or USB audio to wireless headphones and speakers with aptX Lossless for CD-quality lossless sound, plus aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX and SBC. Set the codec on the receiving device first; DSD files can’t be sent over Bluetooth.
• Digital transport: coaxial (up to 192kHz/24-bit) and optical (up to 96kHz/24-bit) outputs feed an external DAC or hi-fi system.
• Line outputs: 3.5mm (2Vrms) and 4.4mm balanced (4Vrms) in desktop mode, for an amplifier or active speakers. A PRE OUT “LO only” setting gives a fixed maximum level and disables the headphone outputs.

Powerful 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs

The 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs suit everything from sensitive earphones to demanding full-size headphones (FiiO recommends 8Ω to 350Ω). In desktop mode the balanced output delivers 1,100mW + 1,100mW into 32Ω and the 3.5mm output 295mW + 295mW; on battery, 780mW and 205mW.

24 sound presets

Three BASS settings (off, 1 and 2) combine with eight built-in EQ presets for 24 sound presets, including a specially tuned RETRO preset with a rich, analogue, classic flavour. BASS and EQ change the output level, so adjust the volume as needed.

Rip CDs while you listen

Save your favourite CDs in WAV format to external storage as they play, and share them with friends. Ripping works with standard audio CDs (CDDA) and FAT32-formatted storage; FiiO recommends a USB-C flash drive of 32GB or less for ripping and firmware updates.

Portable and desktop modes

A specially selected 4,700mAh, 3.85V pure cobalt high-voltage lithium battery gives about 6 hours of CD playback or about 9 hours as a USB DAC, and charges in about 2 hours with a PD3.0 charger (QC3.0 and PD2.0 work too). FiiO’s patented desktop mode (patent ZL202321946664.8) runs the DM15 from external power and bypasses the battery, even at full output, greatly cutting charge cycles to extend its life. If the battery has run flat, it charges automatically to protect itself, even in desktop mode. A sleep timer is built in.

Vintage controls, a clear display and a remote

Mechanical buttons, switches and a volume knob give tactile control, and you can set the knob’s button as a play/pause shortcut. The 0.96-inch display, with a retro-styled interface, shows the battery level, mode, EQ, sample rate and Bluetooth connections. The included infrared remote control operates the DM15 from across the room.

A transparent window and an aluminium body

The all-aluminium alloy chassis has a luxurious feel, and the transparent lid and front panel are tempered glass for durability and scratch resistance. Choose electrophoretic white, silver, black or red.

Good to know

• For R2R sound in the same design, see the FiiO DM15 R2R.
• In the box: DM15, remote control, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3.5mm coaxial adapter cable, quick start guide and warranty card.