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FiiO M25 R2R Portable High Resolution Music Player

FiiO M25 R2R Portable High Resolution Music Player

FiiO M25 R2R Portable High Resolution Music Player

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FiiO M25 R2R Portable Hi-Res music player with FiiO R2R PRO DAC

Qualcomm QCS6490 processor and XMOS XU316 USB chip.
8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
5.5-inch Full HD display (1080 × 2160 pixels).
PCM playback up to 768 kHz/32-bit and native DSD512.
Balanced amplification up to 1,700 mW + 1,700 mW at 32 Ω.
Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC, aptX Adaptive and LHDC; Roon Ready compatibility.
Five operating modes and a 6,500 mAh battery.

FiiO M25 R2R: High-Resolution Portable Music Player with R2R PRO DAC and Qualcomm QCS6490

The FiiO M25 R2R is a high-performance digital audio player (DAP) combining FiiO's advanced R2R PRO DAC architecture, a powerful Qualcomm QCS6490 processor and high-output headphone amplification, delivering a premium portable listening experience.

Developed as the successor to the acclaimed FiiO M15S, the M25 R2R introduces a new generation of digital processing and audio conversion technologies, with particular emphasis on natural tonality, musical detail and refined sound reproduction.

Its precision resistor-ladder DAC offers an alternative to conventional delta-sigma conversion, delivering a warm, fluid and expressive sound signature, with particular attention to vocal richness and instrumental textures.

Available in black and silver finishes, the M25 R2R also features a Full HD touchscreen, extensive storage capacity, advanced Bluetooth connectivity and Roon Ready support, making it a versatile solution for both portable headphone listening and integration into home Hi-Fi systems.

FiiO R2R PRO DAC: Precision Resistor-Ladder Conversion

At the heart of the M25 R2R is FiiO's proprietary R2R PRO digital-to-analogue conversion architecture.

Unlike conventional delta-sigma DACs, this technology uses a network of precision resistors to reconstruct analogue audio signals from digital information.

FiiO has optimised this architecture to combine accurate conversion with natural tonal reproduction, excellent resolution and expressive musical detail.

The result is a refined sound presentation that highlights instrumental textures, vocal nuances and the subtle characteristics of high-quality recordings.

Warm, Natural and Expressive Sound

The FiiO M25 R2R is designed for listeners who appreciate a smooth, engaging and musically rich presentation.

Its sound tuning emphasises natural vocal body, harmonic richness and balanced reproduction of the finest musical details.

Instruments are reproduced with convincing texture and definition, while the player's resolving capabilities help reveal even the subtlest differences between recordings.

This approach makes the M25 R2R particularly appealing for extended listening sessions and for enthusiasts who value musicality alongside technical precision.

Qualcomm QCS6490 Processor and Responsive Performance

The M25 R2R incorporates a powerful Qualcomm QCS6490 processor, designed to provide fast navigation, responsive operation and efficient music library management.

Combined with generous system memory, it ensures smooth interaction with the user interface and compatible music applications.

Its internal storage can be expanded using a microSD card, allowing users to maintain extensive collections of high-resolution music for offline listening.

This makes the player suitable for both streaming enthusiasts and listeners who prefer locally stored music.

High-Resolution PCM and Native DSD Playback

The FiiO M25 R2R supports high-resolution PCM and native DSD audio formats, allowing it to reproduce demanding digital music files with excellent precision.

Its advanced USB audio architecture also enables the player to operate as an external USB DAC for compatible computers and other digital sources.

A coaxial digital output provides additional flexibility when connecting the player to compatible external DACs and home audio systems.

These capabilities make the M25 R2R much more than a portable music player, allowing it to serve as a versatile digital audio component.

Powerful Headphone Amplification

The M25 R2R features a high-performance amplification section designed to drive a wide variety of headphones, from sensitive portable models to more demanding audiophile designs.

Its dedicated Big Ear mode provides increased output capability, offering substantial power reserves for headphones requiring greater voltage or current delivery.

Balanced and single-ended outputs, together with selectable gain settings, allow the player to adapt to different headphone requirements.

This flexibility makes the M25 R2R an appealing choice for enthusiasts who use multiple headphones with different electrical characteristics.

Full HD Touchscreen and Premium Portable Design

The M25 R2R features a fully laminated Full HD touchscreen, providing sharp album artwork, clearly legible menus and comfortable navigation through music libraries.

The combination of powerful processing and an intuitive display ensures a smooth and enjoyable user experience.

Despite its advanced audio circuitry and powerful amplification, the player maintains a portable form factor suitable for everyday use.

The black and silver finishes complete its premium appearance.

Five Operating Modes for Maximum Versatility

The FiiO M25 R2R offers five dedicated operating modes designed to accommodate different listening preferences and system configurations.

Android Mode: Access compatible music applications and streaming services.
Pure Music Mode: Enjoy a dedicated environment focused on music playback.
AirPlay Mode: Receive audio from compatible Apple devices.
USB DAC Mode: Use the player as an external digital-to-analogue converter.
Bluetooth Receiver Mode: Receive wireless audio from compatible devices.

These modes allow the M25 R2R to function as a standalone player, wireless audio receiver or component within a home Hi-Fi system.

Advanced Bluetooth Connectivity

The M25 R2R supports bidirectional Bluetooth connectivity, allowing both wireless audio transmission and reception.

When transmitting audio, it supports a wide range of codecs, including LDAC, LHDC and aptX Adaptive, enabling high-quality wireless playback with compatible headphones and speakers.

Bluetooth receiver functionality allows the player to receive audio from smartphones and other compatible sources.

This versatility combines audiophile-grade wired listening with the convenience of modern wireless audio technologies.

Roon Ready Integration for Home Hi-Fi

Roon Ready compatibility allows the FiiO M25 R2R to integrate into a compatible Roon-based music system.

This feature makes it particularly attractive for users who manage extensive digital music libraries and want a unified listening experience across multiple devices.

Thanks to its DAC architecture and versatile connectivity, the M25 R2R can serve both as a portable headphone player and as a digital source within a more comprehensive home audio system.

High-Capacity Battery for Portable Listening

The M25 R2R incorporates a high-capacity rechargeable battery designed to power its advanced processing platform and sophisticated amplification circuitry.

This allows independent operation without requiring a permanent external power connection.

The combination of portability, processing performance and advanced audio engineering makes this player particularly appealing to demanding listeners who want high-fidelity sound wherever they go.

Key Features

Premium high-resolution digital audio player.
Proprietary FiiO R2R PRO resistor-ladder DAC architecture.
Natural, warm and highly detailed sound reproduction.
Powerful Qualcomm processing platform.
XMOS USB audio interface.
High-resolution PCM and native DSD playback.
Powerful balanced and single-ended headphone amplification.
Dedicated Big Ear mode for demanding headphones.
Selectable gain settings to accommodate different headphone requirements.
Fully laminated Full HD touchscreen.
Expandable storage for extensive music libraries.
Five dedicated operating modes.
USB DAC functionality for compatible digital sources.
Coaxial digital output for external audio equipment.
Bidirectional Bluetooth connectivity with advanced audio codecs.
Roon Ready compatibility.
High-capacity rechargeable battery.
Available in black and silver finishes.

Technical Specifications

General

Brand: FiiO.
Model: M25 R2R.
Type: High-resolution digital audio player (DAP).
DAC architecture: FiiO R2R PRO.
Processor: Qualcomm QCS6490.
USB audio chip: XMOS XU316.
RAM: 8 GB.
Internal storage: 128 GB.
User-accessible storage: Approximately 112 GB.
Storage expansion: TF/microSD card, theoretical maximum capacity of 2 TB.
Display: 5.5-inch fully laminated touchscreen.
Display resolution: 1080 × 2160 pixels.
Battery capacity: 6,500 mAh.
Dimensions (H × W × D): 139.8 × 76 × 18 mm.
Weight: Approximately 318 g.
Available colours: Black and silver.

Audio Formats and Resolution

Local playback: PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit and native DSD512.
USB DAC mode: PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit and native DSD512.
USB audio: PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit; DSD512 via DoP, D2P or native processing.
Coaxial digital output: PCM up to 384 kHz/24-bit and DSD128 via DoP.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth version: 5.2.
Receiver codecs: SBC, LDAC.
Transmitter codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LHDC.

Headphone Output Power

Balanced output, Big Ear mode, 32 Ω: ≥1,700 mW + 1,700 mW (THD+N below 1%, 7.4 Vrms).
Balanced output, Big Ear mode, 300 Ω: ≥220 mW + 220 mW (THD+N below 1%, 8.1 Vrms).
Balanced output, high gain, 32 Ω: ≥1,000 mW + 1,000 mW (THD+N below 1%, 5.7 Vrms).
Single-ended output, Big Ear mode, 32 Ω: ≥500 mW + 500 mW (THD+N below 1%, 4 Vrms).
Single-ended output, high gain, 32 Ω: ≥315 mW + 315 mW (THD+N below 1%, 3.1 Vrms).

R2R PRO Audio Performance — High Gain

Frequency response: 20 Hz–45 kHz, attenuation below 3 dB.
Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥120 dB (A-weighted).
Noise floor: Below 5.8 µV (A-weighted).
THD+N: 0.005% in PCM (1 kHz/-5 dB, 32 Ω).

Operating Modes

Android Mode.
Pure Music Mode.
AirPlay Mode.
USB DAC Mode.
Bluetooth Receiver Mode.

What's in the Box

FiiO M25 R2R digital audio player.
Factory-installed screen protector.
Protective case.
USB cable.
Service card.
Quick start guide.

FiiO: High-Resolution Music, for Everyone

FiiO was founded in 2007 in Guangzhou, China. The idea behind the company was simple and, at the time, almost provocative: quality sound should not be confined to listening rooms, but should be able to follow people on the train, at the office, or on their desk. The name says it all. “Fi” comes from fidelity, while “iO” are the one and zero of the digital world. The motto, “Born for Music,” has remained the same ever since.

The first products were small portable headphone amplifiers, devices costing just a few dozen euros that did one thing and did it well. From there, FiiO built, piece by piece, one of the most comprehensive catalogs in personal audio. Today, it is one of the largest companies in the industry, with in-house design and manufacturing, while retaining the philosophy of its beginnings: every product should offer something more than its price would lead you to expect.

Sound First

There is a common thread running through the entire catalog, from the smallest dongle to the tube amplifier: it all starts with sound. This is not a marketing statement, but a technical choice that can be seen in the company’s design decisions. FiiO develops its firmware and amplification architectures in-house and, in its latest models, even its digital-to-analog conversion, using discrete-resistor R2R DACs. Where it uses third-party components, it selects those that many competitors reserve for higher price ranges. Then every product is fine-tuned by ear, not just on paper.

The result is a recognizable sonic signature: clean, balanced, free from artificial emphasis, with a constant focus on natural timbre. This is why a brand born for a young, portable audience is now taken seriously even by audiophiles with years of experience with high-end systems. Price and size may vary from one product to another. The attention to sound does not.

Hi-Fi in Your Pocket: Players, DACs and Portable Amplifiers

This is the territory where FiiO built its reputation, and it remains the heart of the catalog.

The high-resolution music players cover every need. The range starts with the compact JM21, designed for those who want a genuine dedicated player without spending a great deal, and extends to the M Series models with Android, all the way to the flagship M27, which brings the power and sophistication of desktop electronics to a portable device. With the M33 R2R, discrete-resistor conversion, traditionally associated with more sought-after desktop DACs, makes its first appearance in a pocket-sized player.

For those who prefer listening from a smartphone, there are the plug-in DACs of the KA Series and the Bluetooth receivers of the BTR Series. They are small, affordable, and turn any phone into a hi-fi source, with balanced outputs and enough power to drive demanding headphones. The Q Series models and the QX13 add a battery, a screen, and a desktop mode, for those who want a single device to use both on the road and at home.

Hi-Fi on Your Head: Headphones and Earphones

In recent years, FiiO has invested heavily in headphones, with results that have surprised even those who once considered the company solely an electronics manufacturer.

The FT Series includes open-back and closed-back headphones, using both dynamic and planar magnetic drivers, ranging from the FT1 to the FT7, with a price-to-performance ratio that has forced many established brands to reconsider their pricing. The JT Series, with the JT7 and the new JT9, brings large-surface-area planar magnetic drivers into a price range where dynamic solutions are normally the only option. The in-ear earphones, from the hybrid models in the FH and FX Series to the dynamic FD models, complete the offering for those who want the very best in mobility.

The New Frontier: Home Audio

This is the most recent chapter and, in many ways, the most interesting one. FiiO decided to bring the same philosophy to the desktop and living room, and within just a few years it has built a complete range of home audio products.

The starting point was the R7, an all-in-one system that combines a streamer, DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier in a single unit with a vertical screen. From there, the range has expanded in every direction.

The DAC/headphone amplifiers in the K Series range from the compact K11, which redefined what could reasonably be expected from an affordable desktop unit, to the flagship K15 and K17, with integrated streaming and parametric equalization. R2R versions, such as the K11 R2R and K17 R2R Pro, offer discrete-resistor conversion at prices that, until recently, would have been unthinkable for this technology.

For speaker-based systems, there are the S Series network sources, with the S15 as the reference model; the compact Level 1 integrated amplifier, with its wood-and-aluminum front panel; and the AIR AMP, which combines a streamer, DAC, and a 120-watt-per-channel power amplifier in a single chassis. Vinyl is not forgotten either: the TT13 turntable, fully automatic and equipped with a built-in phono stage, is designed for those who want to approach records without complications. The active speakers in the SP Series complete a system that can be built entirely around the same brand.

FiiO has also brought the CD back into the spotlight. The DM13 and DM15 R2R are portable players that work equally well on a desktop, with an integrated headphone amplifier and, in the case of the DM15, an in-house-developed R2R DAC.

The most significant step is the EA13, the company’s first tube amplifier, with EL34 output tubes, accompanied by the SV13 passive speakers. We listened to it extensively and were impressed by its balance, refinement, and naturalness: a sound that never becomes tiring, reproduces voices and instruments with realism, and has none of the caricatured “warm” effect one might expect from a first attempt at tube amplification. It is the clearest proof that, at FiiO, attention to sound does not depend on the product category.

Jade Audio: The Essentials, Done Right

Jade Audio is the brand through which FiiO brings its technology to more accessible products. Its Chinese name, “Fei Sheng,” means “the sound of jade”: a clear and enjoyable listening experience without sacrificing fidelity.

The formula is straightforward. Remove the extra features, retain the sonic architecture and build quality, and arrive at a price that opens the doors of hi-fi to people who have never spent more than a few dozen euros on music. The earphones in the JD and JH Series, the JA11 plug-in DAC, and the other Jade Audio products are often an listener’s first encounter with high-resolution sound. Many do not go back after that.

SNOWSKY: The Joy of Music, with a Smile

The first product was the Retro Nano, a cassette-shaped Bluetooth DAC. Then came the Echo Mini, a dedicated music player with two DACs and a balanced output, bringing back the pleasure of having a pocket-sized device designed purely for listening. The family grew quickly: the more refined Echo; the Echo Nano, weighing just over thirty grams and controlled by a rotary wheel; the Disc, with its circular screen reminiscent of a CD player; the Tiny, a smartphone DAC the size of a coin; and the Wind and Nature headphones, which are lightweight and colorful. These are affordable products aimed at people who love music before they love audio systems. But even here, sound is taken seriously.

Three Brands, One Promise

FiiO, Jade Audio, and SNOWSKY speak to different audiences: the enthusiast building their own system, the person looking for a first step into hi-fi, and those who simply want a beautiful object with which to listen to music. What brings them together is a commitment that applies to all three: to make music sound good, at every level and at every budget.

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