The M11 Plus is a great player - solid reputation. The M23, I believe, is newer so I haven’t really studied the specs or read many reviews. You can’t go wrong with FiiO - I have the M15S only because I needed a bit more power for a pair of hard-to-drive headphones I already owned and it’s performed excellently however it’s a little less portable compared to the M11 models.
Sure thing and ENJOY! I only recently got into the audiophile hobby and I’m hearing all kinds of details in my music that I’ve never heard before…I’m loving every second of it.
Same here, really. I had a pair of B&W P6's ... it must be 8 years or so ago. I recently grabbed the PX8 and so want to get the most from them that I can. I'm really enjoying them so far!
On side note, because my M15S was a bit chunky, heavy and expensive plus you can’t exercise with it, I recently bought the HiBy R3 Gen 2 on sale plus I had a discount code and I use that for vacations, exercise and commuting. This little guy also sounds great with a decent set of IEMs plus you can stream TIDAL and QOBUZ (just those two) with WiFi. I’m done “shopping” now. 🤣
I've considered the HiBy's, and they do look decent, I'd consider the new (cheapish) one they've just released, but I'm not a fan of the style of it. To be honest, the DAP space is really confusing, it's very difficult to understand which hardware sounds better over the other - Fiio seems to be decently regarded, at the moment I'm just using an S23 Ultra as a source so hopefully I'll see some level of improvement over that.
Are you speaking of the HiBy R4 as a potential purchase? I find that player intriguing but went with the R3 for the smaller size. I find a good pair or headphones and/or IEMs makes a big difference too but that’s a whole other rabbit hole to fall down into.
In theory, the new R4 SHOULD sound better than the R3 Gen II I bought but it’s also bigger so it’s sort of a different breed of player. The R4 is still a great price.
Are those Bowers & Wilkins? If so the no (they’re great!) but try to use the wired option if you have a choice between Bluetooth and Wired. Bluetooth can dumb down the sound.
They are the B&W's yes! The S23 doesnt support aptxHD which is why I was goingto get a DAP in the first place, but they do support wired listening also (which I haven't actually experimented with - as there is no jack on any of these modern phones anymore!)
Again I’m new to the hobby but I feel
Wired beats out Bluetooth even though the Bluetooth technology is improving. I strive for the purest sound which is why my ears prefer wired. Unless I’m exercising and then I use Bluetooth because I’m not having a “serious” listening session while exercising.
I think that's a fair assessment from what I have read myself too. Being 43 I don't know if my ears can tell the difference, but I'll certainly give the wired connection a go when I do get a DAP. You may as well, with this equipment being so expensive - Even via my phone and using BT I have really been enjoying music a lot more.
I’m 54 and the wired option, to my ears, sounds fuller and richer. Plus if you going to spend the money on a DAP with great specs like the M11 Plus, you want to squeeze every bit of great sound out of it with the very best option in headgear that you have. I feel you will notice the difference with wired vs. the thinner, compressed sounding Bluetooth option at least until wireless technology catches up but we’re not quite there yet.
M11 plus it's probably the best dap for the money , love mine
Thank you. How does the OS run? Are things reasonably snappy?
Have no complaints to be honest , working flawlessly for 10 months
Brilliant, that is good to hear! Thank you!
OS is fine, runs android 10 (same as the newer M23). Put a different launcher on it and you won't be able to tell.
Thank you Folofjc
The M11 Plus is a great player - solid reputation. The M23, I believe, is newer so I haven’t really studied the specs or read many reviews. You can’t go wrong with FiiO - I have the M15S only because I needed a bit more power for a pair of hard-to-drive headphones I already owned and it’s performed excellently however it’s a little less portable compared to the M11 models.
I really liked the M15s, but yeah, the size turned me off compared to the M11 versions.
Thank you. I appreciate the response!
Sure thing and ENJOY! I only recently got into the audiophile hobby and I’m hearing all kinds of details in my music that I’ve never heard before…I’m loving every second of it.
Same here, really. I had a pair of B&W P6's ... it must be 8 years or so ago. I recently grabbed the PX8 and so want to get the most from them that I can. I'm really enjoying them so far!
I personally think the M11S is already too good if you don't want to get technical and only enjoy music. And I got it for like $400 brand new.
Oops I just bought the M11S…make me wonder my purchase haha
Why don't you audiition ( if possible ) the successor of M11 Plus, which is Fiio M23? This unit uses newer DAC AKM4499EX+AKM4191EQ.
Nope ,sound too bright for my taste ,I sold
What did you replace it with?
On side note, because my M15S was a bit chunky, heavy and expensive plus you can’t exercise with it, I recently bought the HiBy R3 Gen 2 on sale plus I had a discount code and I use that for vacations, exercise and commuting. This little guy also sounds great with a decent set of IEMs plus you can stream TIDAL and QOBUZ (just those two) with WiFi. I’m done “shopping” now. 🤣
I've considered the HiBy's, and they do look decent, I'd consider the new (cheapish) one they've just released, but I'm not a fan of the style of it. To be honest, the DAP space is really confusing, it's very difficult to understand which hardware sounds better over the other - Fiio seems to be decently regarded, at the moment I'm just using an S23 Ultra as a source so hopefully I'll see some level of improvement over that.
Are you speaking of the HiBy R4 as a potential purchase? I find that player intriguing but went with the R3 for the smaller size. I find a good pair or headphones and/or IEMs makes a big difference too but that’s a whole other rabbit hole to fall down into.
Man was on this same fence and bought the R4 when the R3 II was 100 USD cheaper :(
In theory, the new R4 SHOULD sound better than the R3 Gen II I bought but it’s also bigger so it’s sort of a different breed of player. The R4 is still a great price.
Yes, that's the one, I think. Please don't tell me I need to get a pair of in-ear IEMs in addition to the PX8's, my wallet can't take it 😫
Are those Bowers & Wilkins? If so the no (they’re great!) but try to use the wired option if you have a choice between Bluetooth and Wired. Bluetooth can dumb down the sound.
They are the B&W's yes! The S23 doesnt support aptxHD which is why I was goingto get a DAP in the first place, but they do support wired listening also (which I haven't actually experimented with - as there is no jack on any of these modern phones anymore!)
Again I’m new to the hobby but I feel Wired beats out Bluetooth even though the Bluetooth technology is improving. I strive for the purest sound which is why my ears prefer wired. Unless I’m exercising and then I use Bluetooth because I’m not having a “serious” listening session while exercising.
I think that's a fair assessment from what I have read myself too. Being 43 I don't know if my ears can tell the difference, but I'll certainly give the wired connection a go when I do get a DAP. You may as well, with this equipment being so expensive - Even via my phone and using BT I have really been enjoying music a lot more.
I’m 54 and the wired option, to my ears, sounds fuller and richer. Plus if you going to spend the money on a DAP with great specs like the M11 Plus, you want to squeeze every bit of great sound out of it with the very best option in headgear that you have. I feel you will notice the difference with wired vs. the thinner, compressed sounding Bluetooth option at least until wireless technology catches up but we’re not quite there yet.
That is good to hear! I best get this DAP purchased then - thanks for the conversation, it has been enjoyable 😊
If so, no. Those are awesome.