FiiO DM13 Portable CD Player

The FiiO DM13 is a portable CD player built like a hi-fi component, for people who want the purest wired listening. Two flagship Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs feed 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs with up to 660mW per channel, plus single-ended and balanced line outputs, coaxial and optical digital outputs and USB audio, so it works as well in a hi-fi system as on the move. The 3,750mAh battery plays for 10 hours or more, it rips CDs to USB, and FiiO’s patented desktop mode runs it from USB power at home. This standard version has no Bluetooth; for wireless headphones, choose the DM13 with Bluetooth.

Two flagship DACs and 99-step volume

Unlike most portable CD players, the DM13 uses two CS43198 DAC chips, which combine high performance with low power use. FiiO designed an output stage around them that better captures their sound, and the DACs themselves control the volume: 99 fine steps give smooth changes and clear sound at any level. Custom low-jitter crystal oscillators keep the digital clock accurate for cleaner, more stable digital output.

Small body, serious power

The 4.4mm balanced output delivers 660mW per channel into 32Ω and the 3.5mm output 180mW, enough to drive most headphones (FiiO recommends 8–150Ω single-ended and 8–350Ω balanced). Signal-to-noise reaches 124dB balanced, with distortion below 0.0025%. Separate single-ended (2.5V) and balanced (5V) line outputs connect the DM13 to active speakers or a headphone amplifier.

Stable, careful CD playback

A gentle push of the lever opens the lid, and the spacious disc compartment reduces the chance of scratches while the disc spins. A custom mechanism and laser pickup read your discs, and an ESP (electronic skip protection) switch buffers the music for stable playback on the move; FiiO points out that ESP steadies playback but doesn’t change how well discs are read. Gapless playback, favourites and loop modes (one track, random or the whole disc) came from FiiO’s user feedback. As with any portable mechanism, not every disc can be read perfectly, and occasional skips on some CD-R and CD-RW discs are normal; FiiO continues to improve reading through firmware. MP3, FLAC, WAV and WMA files burned to CD-R play too.

Rip your CDs, connect your hi-fi

Rip CDs to WAV files on a USB drive to share or play on other devices (FAT32 drives only; FiiO recommends a USB-C drive of 32GB or less). The 3.5mm line output doubles as a coaxial or optical (S/PDIF) digital output for an external DAC (a coaxial adapter is included), and USB audio out sends the digital signal to a USB DAC.

Desktop mode and a 10-hour battery

A specially selected 3,750mAh, 3.8V cobalt lithium battery gives 10 hours or more of CD playback, and charges in about 2.5 hours. At home, flick the D.MODE switch with USB power connected and FiiO’s patented desktop mode (ZL202321946664.8) runs the DM13 straight from USB without using the battery, prolonging its life. (If the battery runs down to 0%, it charges whatever the mode.)

Built to last, in five finishes

At about 137.5 × 144.7 × 28.7mm, the DM13 is smaller than most CD players. The aluminium alloy body feels solid, and the critical hinge uses precision-machined aluminium parts that FiiO tested through more than 5,000 openings. The custom 1.5-inch LCD shows volume, track number and playing time, is high-contrast and won’t burn in. The standard DM13 comes in black or silver.

Good to know

• Headphones to pair with it: the 4.4mm output suits FiiO’s FT5 planar headphones, as well as the FT3 and the FA19 in-ear monitors.
• Into retro formats? FiiO’s CP13 cassette player came first, and the DM13 continues the story.
• This standard version can’t transmit Bluetooth. To use wireless headphones or speakers, choose the DM13 with Bluetooth (aptX HD), which also comes in more colours.
• Keep it safe with FiiO’s DM13 cloth storage bag.
• For a premium version with FiiO’s R2R DAC, see the FiiO DM15 R2R.
• In the box: DM13, USB-A to USB-C charging and data cable, 3.5mm coaxial adapter, quick start guide and warranty card.