i have the m17 since nearly two weeks and want to share some impressions. this year i was less active buying new gear, mainly because i’m very satisfied with the gear i own.
main reason for buy this dap was the beefy output stage and my preference for ess dacs beside that i like r2r dacs often a bit more. overall, i think that the last 2-3 years the difference of the totl dacs chips are not as big as before. the sony dmp-z1 that i own is a good example that the implementation of the entire system is the key for a great sounding device more than the chips in it.
the m17 is for me is an addition to the idea of the dmp-z1, a portable dap that can drive most headphones or iem i own. i soon realized that the sony was not the dap that i use in my holidays in a hotel, it’s too expensive to let it rest in the hotel room, it’s to shiny. so, i used a wm-1z together with a smd dynalo for traveling the last years.
now comes the m17 and it will replace this travel setup. the dual es9038pro dacs inside are technical excellent, remarkably high resolution, the sound is not over processed (but less raw/direct sounding as good r2r dacs), not as warm as the older ess totl chips but a tad on the warmer side (between neutral-warm leaning to the neutral side). most of the shelf dac imo have the tendency to be over processed, this gets a lot better with the new generation of dac chips lately but is often the main difference to a fpga (chord), r2r or similar (dcs) solution. It’s great to hear that this has changed.
for the older generation here
, the denafrips terminator was one of the first dac i owned that sounded similar/like the revox reel to reel tape recorder we had at home and that i used many years. even if the m17 is not on that level the sound flows natural without sounding to artificial, has an enjoyable character. gear that i own/ed that jumps over this cliff denafrips terminator/yggdrasil/wm-z1/qutest/hugo2/cayin n6ii r1. the focus here it not the technical performance but natural sounding.
the amp side of m17 was a surprise for me. having build a lot of class a amps for loudspeakers and headphones this thx chips solution reminds me a lot of the only non-class a amp i use, a purifi 1et400a class d amp in rotation with a pass sony v-fet and pass f6 for my loudspeakers. These thx aaa-788x modules sound extreme linear, great speedy bass control without overpowering, neutral mids and extended highs. Being linear in the highs bad recordings can sound a tad too hot, for my preference but perfect for well recorded music. the amp of dmp-z1 for comparison shares more similarities with the pass f6, a pass tuned class a amp with some warm overtones but also technical linear and not too tube sounding (as the f5 or v-vet).
the power output is high enough to drive most headphones, only the susvara shows the limit. was no surprise for me, the ony two amps i own that shows what the susvara can delivery is the susy dynahi or the inpol pathos, even the single ended cfa2 delivers not that kind of control that is needed.
i use most of the time headphone modus, the jump to the extended headphone modus is not big (similar effect driving a amp with higher rails, impression of more speed and push). also, even the impression is quite fresh i think the switching power supply ads a bit of uneasiness to the sound. but can’t evaluate that in the moment, no regulated 12v psu around.
the m17 has no problem driving the abyss diana phi, even a bit more control then the dmp-z1 on battery, driving the sony with a regulated psu the control over the headphone is similar, then the difference is more the linear thx amps vs the sony that has an easier presentation. the paring with the diana is particularly good, the character is more in the direction of a reference system (but not brut) then the audiophile dream team like the pairing with the dmp-z1.
when you use the verite open with the m17 due the character of the zmf it has more of this dmp-z1/diana phi character that i like very much. even so these two headphones are a superb pairing, depends on you taste or changing needs. sound wise in the middle of the two are the focal stellia, the small bass boost makes this pairing more fun orientated.
the focal utopia was one headphone that i sold after a while. a sad thing because it was the most neutral/linear dynamic headphone i owned. pairing the m17 would not be my thing, the sound would be a reference monitor system, more for analyze the soundtrack then letting the music enjoy your life. imo a very neutral headphone or even bright headphone would not be my dream team with this dap.
so is the m17 a dmp-z1 killer? no it’s not and that’s no shame for a quarter of the price. resolution of the two players is very similar. a weaker point of the m17 is his soundstage, the soundstage has a good width, for me a tiny bit to small (snotty
) but the deep oft the stage is limited, the same with the high of the soundstage. that is nothing you miss when you listen only to this player but its noticeable when cycle true different set ups. It is a bit the same when you sit in the first raw at the opera (which i most often do because i want to see the orchestra), you have a wide, bit curved soundstage but less deep and high information. but you need to be realistic, the gear i own/ed that have this perfect 3d stage is always expensive, imo chord with their fpga tec delivers these parameters excellent for the price. the dmp-z1 is here the only one in all device i know that delivers here the full package.
a minor weakness is the player part, like network streamers (auralic, aurender etc) some delivers a smoother flow of the music than others. the sony dmp-z1 is outstanding because playing from the sd card it’s a dream, the music flows easy like a river, switching to the usb and the river as more ripples. It’s really hard and often expensive finding a network streamer that has this quality like the sony. the m17 has some ripples but a lot better than most under 500usd streamers, similar to the cayin n6ii if not a bit better. in future i like to test the dac input, could be the nail to bring it to top level data feeding.
if you look for a dap that drives most your headphones the m17 is for the price very good, the few weak points are nothing that bother you when you listen to your music. For the price it’s a very solid offer. no dap for commuting but perfect for weekend trip or holidays, in the office.
brief note to the heat, player is hot (under 50c) but during burn in it shuts down only once, so you can’t do anything wrong. player need a good time to burn in, sounds a bit bright first, it’s one of the players that change are bigger vs first liste. mine has now over 100h,
player is well build, good screen (not excellent), a lot for the money, stand is…. a stand and no docking station, a bit strange. power consumption playing redbook on low 4watt, on headphone 12watt). fast gui, ubs audio player pro works fine, tidal also, roon only 48khz android std. only tested obravo ra c and it is a fine match.
