I received mine a few weeks ago. It's pretty darned good.
It sounds much better as an all-in-one player than my FiiO X3 v2, IMO, so I'm happy with that. I'd wager to say it sounds much better, in fact.
I also use an Android phone strapped onto an external portable DAC/Amp. That's also great, but it's much bigger and bulkier, and you have to also manage the OTG cable connecting the two units.
With this one you get great sound in a small package, but lose the ability to stream radio or other streaming music services, as you do using a phone as music device.
So both have their place.
But I'm really happy with the M5 as a standalone device.
It sounds much better as an all-in-one player than my FiiO X3 v2, IMO, so I'm happy with that. I'd wager to say it sounds much better, in fact.
I also use an Android phone strapped onto an external portable DAC/Amp. That's also great, but it's much bigger and bulkier, and you have to also manage the OTG cable connecting the two units.
With this one you get great sound in a small package, but lose the ability to stream radio or other streaming music services, as you do using a phone as music device.
So both have their place.
But I'm really happy with the M5 as a standalone device.