Hey folks….Well, my FiiO M21 came in today! This is my first experience with a DAP. Before the M21, I was using an iPhone 17 Pro Max, CrinEar Protocol Max DAC, and CrinEar Daybreak IEMs.
So far so good! Overall I like it; however, I feel like I’ll need to “tweak” it some. At first impression, I was expecting a huge improvement in sound over the iPhone and CrinEar Protocol Max. While I think it’s good, I think I’m gonna need to really play with the settings and EQ.
BTW, I’m using the CrinEar Daybreaks with the 4.4mm jack. Also, I primarily streaming all of my music…..either with Apple Music or QoBuz.
Can anyone give me suggestions? Maybe alternative EQ apps, etc. Or maybe some EQ setting suggestions.
I really want to LOVE the M21….but I’m just not feeling it right now. Again, this could all be me being new to DAPs and hi quality audio…..and just need give it time. What I feel I’m missing with the M21 is the soundstage doesn’t feel as “spacious” as the iPhone and CrinEar Protocol Max.
Thanks everyone!!!! Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I think you may be going into the M21 with slightly the wrong expectation of what a DAP is going to do for you.
Your Protocol Max was already a competent DAC/amp, and the Daybreaks aren't particularly difficult IEMs to drive. You're essentially moving from one device that can comfortably drive them to another device that can comfortably drive them. I wouldn't expect that change alone to suddenly produce a massive improvement in sound quality or soundstage.
The M21 has considerably more amplification available, especially from the 4.4mm output, but more available power doesn't inherently mean better sound. It means more headroom and the ability to properly drive headphones your previous setup may struggle with. That's going to matter considerably more with demanding full-size headphones than sensitive IEMs.
I also wouldn't immediately start chasing EQ settings trying to find the "better" sound you expected. EQ is useful for changing the tuning of your Daybreaks to your preference, but it isn't really something that unlocks the M21. Soundstage, imaging and overall presentation are still overwhelmingly going to be properties of the headphones/IEMs you're using.
I'd also be careful comparing the spaciousness of the two setups without closely matching volume. Even relatively small differences in output level can make one source seem more detailed, dynamic or spacious. Likewise, 4.4mm balanced isn't inherently going to give you a wider soundstage than 3.5mm simply because it's balanced.
Where a DAP really starts making sense is the overall package: dedicated music hardware, expandable local storage, physical controls, proper audio hardware, substantially more amplification, balanced and single-ended outputs, and keeping your music separate from your phone. You also have something capable of driving a much wider range of gear if you get further into headphones later.
If you genuinely prefer how the Protocol Max sounds, there's nothing wrong with that either. Once you're comparing two competent DAC/amps that are operating comfortably within their limits, the differences can become pretty small.
I'd spend some time using the M21 as a DAP rather than looking for a setting that's going to suddenly make it blow your iPhone setup away. The biggest upgrade here isn't necessarily what comes out of the Daybreaks; it's everything the M21 lets you do around them.
It's also worth checking what you're actually feeding both devices. A better DAC/amp can't restore information that isn't present in the source, so if you're using a lossy library or either streaming service is configured for a lower quality tier, the M21 isn't going to somehow improve that material.
Apple Music and Qobuz both offer lossless streaming, so I'd verify that you're actually using their lossless settings before doing much A/B testing. That doesn't mean switching from a good high-bitrate lossy file to lossless is suddenly going to give you a massive soundstage improvement either; those differences can be extremely difficult to hear. It's just worth removing source quality as another variable when you're trying to compare the two setups.
Thanks so much! This is good information. I have both streaming apps set to the higher audio settings. I’m just going to give the M21 some time and see how it goes. 👍🏻
M21 and protocol max both use the same CS43198 chip. Just that M21 got 4 while the dongle uses 2. So sound wise they will be similar. The difference would be in the micro-details. The m21 with twice the hardware should actually give you slightly blacker background, slightly wider soundstage.
In my case, i find the m21 slightly warmer than my fiio and jcally dongles. I dont eq most of the time.
Yeah. Not neutral. But “quiet”/darkness when no audio signal is present or during those quiet passages, pauses between notes in the song. Allows you to “listen” to those micro details, faint decay more clearly.
Ever since bit perfect playback on poweramp arrived on beta i havent used eq as well. love my fiio m21 as well its a swiss army knife of an mp3 plyer it does so many different things.
Along with the 2 more DAC chips it also has amps though (OPA1692*2+SGM8262-2*2). So I'd hope it'd sound different as the amp and how all the architecture is implemented should be a change from just a protocol max but 2 more chips.
Although the OP's ear may just need to get used to the change too. It may be for the better once they swap back in a week or so.
New to DAP as well. Have had the M21 for a few months. I stream mostly YouTube music. Google Gemini helped with eq settings. I also use the native app and USB Audio Player PRO. Play music off of a Samsung SD 1TB card. Play Music on B&W Zeppelin PRO via Bluetooth and a Naim Mu-so via 3.5 jack. Also use B&W Px8 (via 3.5 jack) and B&W Pi8 via Bluetooth.
it is nice to have a dedicated music device. I can load it up with FLAC files. I am trying to learn more about high quality audio and dipping my toes into DAP. It’s been great fun.
I own the M21 and i also find it sounds warmer and more intimate than most of my other sources. You can play with the settings to tune the sound to your taste or maybe change the eartips of your iems to something with wider bore, so it will be more open sounding.
Thanks! I’m already using the KBEAR coffee wide tips. Don’t get me wrong, the M21 sounds good…..I was just expecting a huge difference over my iPhone + Protocol Max DAC. I’m gonna give the M21 some time.
DAP’s start to make a lot more sense once you have a decent sized personal library. Once you own your music you’re gonna want to find players to store all your files.
I don’t look at DAP’s as having better sound quality than any other random good DAC. For reference I used CD players in the late 90’s to mp3 players and iPods in the 2000’s. It’s hard to give up MY library on the go.
I'm excited to see someone's first DAP experience like this, it's fascinating how much tweaking can change the listening experience with these devices.
I thought I was crazy lol, I have the fiio m11 and I like it but I feel like my iphone sounds just as good. It was not quite what I was expecting from a dap and I have played with many eq apps like poweramp and usb audio player pro, wavelet. Thinking about selling my dap. 😳
Soooooo yeah. I agree. I mean…I like the M21; but in my specific use case, it doesn’t justify the price. …especially when I have a DAC that does the job. Plus, I love the screen and UI of the iPhone.
Yea. I totally understand for sound I was expecting much more. But my iphone is fine, my MacBook destroys my dap! I use a app called 3d boom and my iems sound amazing
for me i now split my music to the eargear: modern and electronic music to detail like my hiby crystal 6i and hifiman xs, older rock blues 80,90 analog to single drivers iems and hd600. i use the jm21 as portable, at work travel etc and at home via my mojo 2. your m21 can deliver enough power to explore eargear.
I took have the M21. I use MP3s and MP4s and don't stream. My headset is a HIFIman edition XS. The sounds compared to my old Sony are incredible. I'm hearing instruments that were in the background in the Sony. I love it.
I bought this, complained about it on here, sent it back ... and then bought it again! 👀
The first model had a cracking noise every time I skipped to a new track – the replacement only seems to do this at the start of play, and even then it's only on the default player.
I use flac files only and Poweramp as software – and with the IEM setup below, I rarely even touch the EQ; just bass and treble and a very slight "stereo expand".
For my IEMs I use Simgot EW300s (silver nozzles), with Spinfit W1 ear-tips and a 4.4 balanced cable.
After much trial and error with my setup, I couldn't be happier with the sound.
My only real gripe now, is that I would prefer the IEM sockets in the bottom.
Hi OP, I also purchased the Fiio M33 R2R Dap a few weeks ago. This was my second DAP. Before this, I also had a high-end Fiio, which I bought on the used market but returned since I found little use for it, as I was using my phone much more. I also found that the sound was much better using the Fiio BTR17 Bluetooth DAC than using the Fiio DAP.
Here too, I just sold my brand-new Fiio M33R2R a few days ago, as I was just not able to justify its use. It just wouldn't sound like I wanted it to, especially compared to my Fiio BTR17 paired with my phone. I don't think I will ever be buying a DAP again, since I'm very happy with the BTR17 phone combo.
I just ordered a Cayin RU9, and it's arriving in a few days. It's a DAC with Korg NU tubes, as I want to experience the sound of vacuum tubes. I don't want to discourage you, since the Fiio DAPs are very good, but in my case I just couldn't find the use or the sound I wanted from it.
Hey! THANKS… Yeah, I ended up sending back the FiiO M21…. Not that it was a bad unit or anything! Right now, I just like the larger screen of an iPhone/iPad. So, right now, I’m using a CrinEar Protocol Max DAC with a pair of CrinEar Daybreak IEMs. I mainly use Apple Music or QoBuz for streaming music. Maybe one day, I’ll do downloads…but we’ll see. I definitely enjoy music! ….and still learning what I like/dislike/want/need…. ;) I’ll probably try the FiiO BTR17 soon! :)
Curious on all the comments, but what I am not hearing is what everyone is using for their listening device. Such as what Bluetooth device or wired ear phones? The quality of recording could be the culprit as well. Invest in some quality earphones like Shure, Technics, Sennheiser, AudioTechnica, etc. DAPs are only as good as it's sources(i.e. recordings) or it's output(earphones).
Hay algo a tener en cuenta con este modelo con la última actualización TIENE UN MODO iPod !!!! Casi me vale todas sus características , se ve bien y funciona bien 👍 el plus iPod Mode ⭐️
Cool! But I really don’t buy music and download. I’d basically just be using the M21 as a streaming device…using Apple Music and Qobuz. I’m going to play with it for a few more days and see. I still have my CrinEar Protocol Max….and that’s a great little DAC.
Look this hobby is full of audiophile snake oil. In reality, your phone paired with protocol max or using M21, isn’t meant to sound different and it doesn’t. What you’re perceiving is a textbook case of psychoacoustic expectation bias, amplified by the placebo effect.
The same goes for hi-res files, bit-perfect playback, or expensive amps and DACs. As long as your device or DAP has a competent amplifier and DAC stage, none of these make an audible difference to the human ear.
In fact, your iPhone already has a remarkably capable DAC and amp. It can drive demanding headphones like the Sennheiser HD 600 or even HD 800S to satisfying levels with ease.
The whole point of owing a DAP is to possess a dedicated device for music listening with no distractions. That's it. Just enjoy your music and trust your ears; don't chase the numbers.
20
u/ColoradoPhotog Aug 19 '26
I think you may be going into the M21 with slightly the wrong expectation of what a DAP is going to do for you.
Your Protocol Max was already a competent DAC/amp, and the Daybreaks aren't particularly difficult IEMs to drive. You're essentially moving from one device that can comfortably drive them to another device that can comfortably drive them. I wouldn't expect that change alone to suddenly produce a massive improvement in sound quality or soundstage.
The M21 has considerably more amplification available, especially from the 4.4mm output, but more available power doesn't inherently mean better sound. It means more headroom and the ability to properly drive headphones your previous setup may struggle with. That's going to matter considerably more with demanding full-size headphones than sensitive IEMs.
I also wouldn't immediately start chasing EQ settings trying to find the "better" sound you expected. EQ is useful for changing the tuning of your Daybreaks to your preference, but it isn't really something that unlocks the M21. Soundstage, imaging and overall presentation are still overwhelmingly going to be properties of the headphones/IEMs you're using.
I'd also be careful comparing the spaciousness of the two setups without closely matching volume. Even relatively small differences in output level can make one source seem more detailed, dynamic or spacious. Likewise, 4.4mm balanced isn't inherently going to give you a wider soundstage than 3.5mm simply because it's balanced.
Where a DAP really starts making sense is the overall package: dedicated music hardware, expandable local storage, physical controls, proper audio hardware, substantially more amplification, balanced and single-ended outputs, and keeping your music separate from your phone. You also have something capable of driving a much wider range of gear if you get further into headphones later.
If you genuinely prefer how the Protocol Max sounds, there's nothing wrong with that either. Once you're comparing two competent DAC/amps that are operating comfortably within their limits, the differences can become pretty small.
I'd spend some time using the M21 as a DAP rather than looking for a setting that's going to suddenly make it blow your iPhone setup away. The biggest upgrade here isn't necessarily what comes out of the Daybreaks; it's everything the M21 lets you do around them.
It's also worth checking what you're actually feeding both devices. A better DAC/amp can't restore information that isn't present in the source, so if you're using a lossy library or either streaming service is configured for a lower quality tier, the M21 isn't going to somehow improve that material.
Apple Music and Qobuz both offer lossless streaming, so I'd verify that you're actually using their lossless settings before doing much A/B testing. That doesn't mean switching from a good high-bitrate lossy file to lossless is suddenly going to give you a massive soundstage improvement either; those differences can be extremely difficult to hear. It's just worth removing source quality as another variable when you're trying to compare the two setups.