FiiO's new portable CD player has hi-res Bluetooth and doubles as a DAC

FiiO's latest portable CD player is a real step on from its predecessor. Because the DM15 R2R not only has way more features, it has a cool transparent look too, so you can see the compact disc spinning as it plays.

But those features are the real selling point. It plays CDs, naturally, but it can also act as a DAC and headphone amplifier for your smartphone or laptop-based listening, while Bluetooth streaming is on the menu. It can even rip CDs.

It has more headphone amplification power than the older DM13 model, too. Single-ended outputs now deliver 310mW + 310mW, while its balanced outputs rise to 1150mW + 1150mW. That gives it more capacity to drive more demanding headphones.

Inside is FiiO's custom R2R DAC, which is a fully differential, four-channel 24-bit resistor-array converter built from 192 precision thin-film resistors (48 per channel).

The hi-res DAC supports hi-res files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256, while the Bluetooth transmitter (powered by a Qualcomm QCC3095 chip) supports aptX, aptX HD and SBC as well as aptX Adaptive. It can beam audio wirelessly from both CD and USB inputs.

Three bass modes and eight EQ presets give you 24 sound profiles, including a 'Retro' one for what FiiO calls "a rich, classic analog flavour". While listening to a disc, you can rip tracks in WAV format to PC or Mac.

The battery lasts seven hours, or you can plug it into the mains using USB-C. There is also a USB-C input and a combined optical/coaxial digital input.

The mechanical controls and traditional volume knob continue the throwback feel, and the FiiO DM15 R2R comes in four finishes: Silver, Red, Black and White (the latter two will be released in late December). Price? It's yours for £250 / $249 (around AU$500).

MORE:

Best CD players: budget to premium options tested by experts

Read our Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 review

I spent a week with FiiO’s retro cassette deck and Discman to test their modern-day merits