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MUSIC PLAYER · CIRRUS LOGIC CS43198 × 2

FiiO JM21

A music player with two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, a 3.5 mm and a 4.4 mm balanced output. Weight 156 g.

Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ω≥700mW4.4 mm balanced
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE<1Ω3.5 mm; 4.4 mm <1.5 Ω
SNR≥129dBA-weighted
PRICE$229.19Lowest price at The HiFi Cat
OUTPUTS3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
DAC CHIPCirrus Logic CS43198 × 2
PARAMETRIC EQNot statedFiiO lists none
CONTOURNot supported

Numbers are the manufacturer's stated figures unless marked as measured.

Outputs and power

4.4 mm balanced
605mWat 16 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥605 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
700mWat 32 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥700 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
80mWat 300 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥80 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
Output impedance <1.5 Ω
3.5 mm
360mWat 16 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥360 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
245mWat 32 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥245 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
30mWat 300 Ω per channel
fiio.com: ≥30 mW, THD+N <1%, high gain
Output impedance <1 Ω
SNR≥124 dB (3.5 mm), ≥129 dB
THD+N<0.0012% (3.5 mm), <0.0006%
Crosstalk≥70 dB (3.5 mm), ≥110 dB (4.4 mm balanced)

Not stated: supply voltage.

Is it enough for your headphones?

FiiO rates the JM21 at ≥700 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output. Below is how much of that is left to spare for each kind of headphones when you listen loud, with peaks at 110 dB. A figure marked est. is worked out from that rating.

Sensitive IEMsMulti-driver sets that hiss on strong sources
needs 0.6 mW≥605 mW at 16 Ω+30 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mW≥700 mW at 32 Ω+23 dB
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mW≥700 mW at 32 Ω+16 dB
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mW≥80 mW at 300 Ω+6 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mW≥700 mW at 32 Ω+11 dB
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 381 mW at 60 Ω+2 dB

Where to buy

Some shop links are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission. Your price and the order stay the same.

The HiFi Cat · read 11 Nov 2026$229.19Apos Audio · retail price, checked 16 Oct 2026$259.99HiFiGo · read 11 Nov 2026$269.99Apos Audio · sold out, read 11 Nov 2026$259.99

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From FiiO's fiio.com unless marked
InputUSB-C (charging, USB DAC mode), microSD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 receive
FormatsPCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit local; 768 kHz/32-bit USB audio, DSD256 native local; DSD512 USB
DAC chipCirrus Logic CS43198 × 2
VolumePhysical volume buttons
Parametric EQNo data from the manufacturer. Not supported in Contour.
Size120.7 x 68 x 13 mm
Weight156 g

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
200 mW500 mW1 W2 W$200$300$500scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+23 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99QX11FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99QX13iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso Nunchaku: 525 mW at 32 Ω, $299NunchakuMOONDROP MOONRIVER3: 250 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249Muse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99FiiO K13 R2R: 2.4 W at 32 Ω, $319.99FiiO JM21200 mW500 mW1 W2 W100 mW$200$300$500scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+23 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99MOONRIVER 2:TIFiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99QX11FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99QX13iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC04 UltraiBasso Nunchaku: 525 mW at 32 Ω, $299NunchakuMOONDROP MOONRIVER3: 250 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99MOONRIVER3Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249GO barMuse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99M3 UltraFiiO K13 R2R: 2.4 W at 32 Ω, $319.99FiiO JM21
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Devices with the same DAC chip

CS43198 · 16 devices use it
JCALLYJM98MAX≈195 mW0.65 ΩYes8 bandsSGM8262$34.99≈195 mW · 0.65 Ω · $34.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands · Amp SGM8262
MOONDROPWorks with ContourDAWN PRO 262 mWEstimated0.219 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour8 bands$59.99est. 62 mW · 0.219 Ω · $59.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands
NiceHCKPureAural210 mWYes10 bandsSGM8262$59.99210 mW · $59.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp SGM8262
TRUTHEARSHIO$69.99$69.99
CrinEarWorks with ContourProtocol Max300 mWEstimated<0.3 ΩWorks with Contour10 bandsDual SG Micro SGM8262-2$76.49est. 300 mW · <0.3 Ω · $76.49PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp Dual SG Micro SGM8262-2
JCALLYGalaxy SONATA≈560 mW0.65 ΩDual SGM8262$79.99≈560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $79.99Amp Dual SGM8262
FiiOWorks with ContourKA15≥560 mW0.65 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour10 bands$99.99≥560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $99.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands
iBassoDC04 Ultra980 mWYes10 bands$119980 mW · $119PEQ Yes, 10 bands
FiiOKA5≥265 mW<0.3 ΩNo8261 × 2$119.99≥265 mW · <0.3 Ω · $119.99PEQ No · Amp 8261 × 2
MOONDROPMOONRIVER 2:TI280 mW$219.99280 mW · $219.99
MOONDROPMOONRIVER3250 mWEstimatedYes$219.99est. 250 mW · $219.99PEQ Yes
iBassoNunchaku525 mW$299525 mW · $299

All 16 in the finder