2024 was a pivotal year in the network music streamer category and our “Editors’ Choice” selections make it clear that $1,000 might be the ceiling for 99.9% of the listening public — which only makes sense when one considers that hundreds of millions of consumers around the globe use their smartphones as their primary source for music. FiiO has been rather focused on the consumer who values better sound quality but has zero desire to empty their wallet for traditional high-end components and loudspeakers. The $999 FiiO S15 finds itself in a very crowded marketplace but we suspect it might be successful at finding an audience.
The Head-Fi crowd (and a smaller percentage of mainstream consumers who have bought into the high-end IEM and headphone market) may see the value in Dongle DACs and DAPs — but we think network players have a better future because of cost and the reality that they don’t drain your smartphone’s battery.
FiiO is also focused on the younger market that has shown interest in physical media with the launch of their portable cassette player and CD player.
Their CES 2025 lineup also includes the JM21 DAP and K17 headphone amplifier which were also just introduced.
FiiO S15
The FiiO S15 is FiiO’s first full-size network streamer. The 7.8-inch touchscreen navigates the OS (Android 12) via a provided Bluetooth Remote and companion control app.
The S15 incorporates an AK4191+AK4499EX DAC combination alongside an M.2 hard drive slot and cage. The S15 is designed to be a high-end streaming centerpiece of a premium audio system, but it can be used with just about any system that could use its capabilities.
The S15 is compatible with abundant streaming services including Spotify, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer, and is also Roon Ready.
The S15 also includes custom FiiO tech such as DAPS (digital audio purification system) which is based around a custom Android audio core and a low-jitter clock coprocessor. It works at a system and application level can match sampling rates of PCM and DSD music and enables a purer feed of digital audio.
The S15 also provides abundant physical connectivity options – including RCA, XLR, HDMI, and provisions for USB flash drives, microSD cards, and external hard drives.
S15 Specifications
| DAC | AK4191+AK4499EX |
| Local playback | Up to 384kHz/32-bit, DSD256 (Native) |
| USB DAC | Up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512 (Native) |
| USB Audio | 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512 (supports DoP/D2P/Native） |
| USB Chip | XMOS XU316 |
| Digital Coaxial Input | up to 192kHz/24-bit |
| Digital Optical In | up to 96kHz/24-bit |
| Digital Coaxial Output | Supports up to 384kHz/24-bit; DSD128 (D2P/DOP) |
| Optical Output | up to 192kHz/24-bit |
| HDMI Input | up to 192kHz/24-bit |
| HDMI Output: | up to 192kHz/24-bit |
| Bluetooth Chip | Qualcomm flagship QCC5181 |
| Bluetooth Transmission | AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC |
| Bluetooth Reception（QCC5125) | SBC/AAC/aptx/aptx-LL/aptx-HD/aptx-Adaptive/LDAC |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Chip | 4GB RAM+64GB ROM |
| Display Size | 7.84 inches |
| Bluetooth Remote and Control App Options | Yes |
The Bottom Line
The standalone music streamer product category with touchscreen interfaces exploded in 2024 with entries ranging from the $329 WiiM Ultra to the $999 Bluesound NODE Icon, and the $12,000 Marantz Link 10n. Prices are all over the place (sort of like the Wild West) which makes selecting the streamer that might be right for you and your audio system that much harder.
We’re no longer sold on the usefulness of touchscreens with all of these network streamers based on the quality of the control apps being included now by Bluesound, WiiM, FiiO, Cambridge Audio, Naim, Innuos, and HiFiRose — how much time do you really spend in front of your equipment rack looking for music whilst having a smartphone or tablet in your hand?
Keeping the price at $999 makes the FiiO S15 viable in the market against some serious competition that is more affordable. The key point of differentiation for most potential buyers will be the quality of the control app and sonic performance.
The S15 could be an extremely capable player for those who also wish to utilise Bluetooth speakers in their homes that can support codecs like aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and SBC.
Pricing & Availability
The S15 is priced at $999 at Amazon (999.99 EUR/ £999 UK) and is expected to become available in late January 2025. For more information, visit: fiio.com/s15.
Related Reading
- FiiO’s BTR17 is the Incredible Shrinking Dongle DAC: Preview
- FiiO’s KA15 Dongle DAC Supports Hi-Res Playback With a Rather Unique Retro Look
- Preview: FiiO’s BTR13 Dongle DAC with Bluetooth Might Be Ideal for Gamers
- More CES 2025 Product Coverage
