FiiO M25 VERITA Portable High Resolution Music Player

The FiiO M25 VERITA is a palm-sized player with a desktop-grade sound system. An AKM AK4191 feeds two AK4499EX DACs, one per channel, in a fully differential design; up to 1,700mW per channel balanced drives demanding headphones; and a Qualcomm QCS6490 runs Android with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, Wi-Fi and LDAC Bluetooth. Its twin, the M25 R2R, has FiiO’s own R2R DAC instead.

Flagship AKM conversion

AKM’s AK4191 handles the digital processing and two AK4499EX chips do the conversion, one for each channel, which keeps the channels apart for better separation and dynamics. AKM’s separated digital and analogue layout with “DWA routing” gives, FiiO says, a blacker background and finer detail, warm without losing finesse. AKM sound options, with DRE dynamic range enhancement, and three levels of second-harmonic adjustment let you tune the presentation, and a 31-band parametric EQ with AutoEQ works across the system.

Desktop power in your hand

Four gain levels run from sensitive in-ear monitors to Over-Ear Mode: connect a fast charger to either USB-C port and the balanced output rises to 1,700mW per channel into 32Ω (7.4Vrms). FiiO’s patented Desktop Mode runs the player from external power and bypasses the battery, so it can play at full power for long sessions without wearing the battery. The sixth-generation DAPS system, the same large FPGA as the M27 with two custom femtosecond clocks, keeps jitter very low, and a zoned, multi-stage power supply with KEMET and AVX tantalum capacitors, ruby film capacitors and low-noise film resistors keeps the background black.

Compact, with a retro side

The 5.5-inch 1080 × 2160 screen sits in a faceted, “diamond-cut” CNC aluminium body that fits in one hand. FiiO says that against the M15S it has 41% more power and is 27g lighter, 0.9mm thinner and 4mm narrower. A Qualcomm QCS6490 with 8GB of RAM keeps Android and streaming apps quick, and a retro interface adds Pod and cassette modes. The M25 is also a USB DAC for a computer, phone or tablet (XMOS XU316, 768kHz/32-bit and native DSD512), an AirPlay receiver and a Bluetooth receiver.

Good to know

• Over-Ear Mode needs a fast charger (QC 3.0/4.0 or PD) connected to either USB-C port.
• The 3.5mm socket is shared by the headphone, line and coaxial outputs; the 4.4mm socket by the balanced headphone and line outputs.
• Two USB-C ports: USB 3.0 for data and charging, and POWER IN for charging or Desktop Mode.
• In the box: M25 with leather case and screen protector fitted, USB cable, warranty card and quick start guide.
• Prefer the classic R2R sound? See the M25 R2R. For FiiO’s flagship player, see the M27, and for the retro look, the FiiO RETROBOX speaker.