Discover the FiiO M33 R2R portable player with 24-bit ladder DAC, 1100 mW per channel, Android 13, Desktop Mode and 14-hour battery. Launches Q1 2026 from $600.
© FiiO
FiiO has unveiled the M33 R2R portable player, bringing the uncommon-for-mobile R2R architecture within reach of a broader audiophile crowd. The release neatly follows the brand’s recent launches, including the DM15 R2R CD player and the wooden FT13 headphones, and slots beneath the flagship M27 while carrying over some of its ideas.
At its heart is a fully differential 24-bit R2R resistor ladder, aimed at a convincingly natural, more “analog” character. Amplification is handled by a multi-stage Texas Instruments module, and total output climbs to 1100 mW per channel—enough to drive sensitive in-ears as well as full-size cans with confidence. The approach looks like a calculated step to democratize classic ladder-DAC flavor without straying into boutique pricing.
To keep the signal path clean, FiiO adds a dedicated XMOS XU316 controller and its proprietary DAPS sound-cleaning system, borrowed from the M27. The device runs on a Snapdragon 680 with Android 13, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage plus microSD support, and is operated via a 5.5-inch HD display. It’s a straightforward toolkit that favors responsiveness over frills.
The player includes a 10-band parametric equalizer with AUTO EQ, plus a dedicated Desktop Mode with increased power for use as a home source. Battery life reaches up to 14 hours, which makes the M33 R2R practical both at a desk and on the road. The Desktop Mode in particular hints at ambitions to replace a compact DAC/amp stack when needed.
The FiiO M33 R2R is slated for the first quarter of 2026 at around $600 or £449. Alongside it, the company will offer the Retro Box accessory—a speaker system with a cassette-style digital display—so the player can serve as the centerpiece of a simple home setup.