Review

Although I use the iBasso DX320 daily as my mp3 player of choice, if I were to switch to another, it would be the Fiio M17. For me, the sound quality is so good on both. Everything else comes down to personal preference; I have always been an iBasso user, so I stick with them. In a practical sense, both are elite and, in my opinion, the two best DAP’s you can buy in 2025.

What impresses me most about the M17 is how Fiio managed to cram so much desktop componentry into such a small package. The ES9038PRO DAC is found on full-size desktops and Hifi components, but the house (in collab with THX) amp also packs a punch.

Codec support is all there, including MQA 8 and DSD 512, which we like to see as many audiophiles will pair integrate this player into their full HiFi system.

Now, the issue here is this a DAP, well, yes, of course, but if I had one, I would see myself using it more as a transportable solution, taking advantage of its power system. While the componentry is good, it’s not as portable as the DX320.

The battery life is bad, especially when used in balanced setups. I found 6 hours was more realistic in my testing, so you must ensure you have the patience to charge it, as it takes over four hours from dead to full.

The Fiio M17 is an exercise in lunacy, a way to see how far we can push the hobby, and Fiio has certainly pushed this one, as for every bit, it’s crazy, but it’s equally brilliant.