Description
1. Desktop Performance, Pocket Mobility
The Questyle M15i is the pinnacle of mobile audio engineering. Building on the award-winning legacy of the original M15, the "i" version brings enhanced Apple MFi certification and refined circuitry. By utilizing four total Current Mode Amplification circuits, the M15i provides a level of driving power and sonic transparency that was previously thought impossible for a device powered solely by a smartphone.
2. Key Features & Reference-Grade Tech
Four Current Mode Amplification Engines
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Dual-Engine Architecture: The M15i contains two patented Current Mode Amplification modules per channel (four total). This balanced approach delivers a massive soundstage, lightning-fast transient response, and virtually zero background noise.
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Pure Analog Texture: Unlike traditional op-amp designs that can sound "digital," Current Mode technology provides a warm, organic, and holographic presentation that honors the original recording.
Dual Output Options: Balanced & Single-Ended
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4.4mm Balanced Output: For those using high-end balanced cables, the 4.4mm port offers maximum power and channel separation.
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3.5mm Single-Ended Output: Optimized for standard headphones and IEMs, ensuring high compatibility without sacrificing quality.
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Manual Gain Switch: A physical hardware switch allows you to toggle between High/Low gain, ensuring the M15i can drive anything from 16Ω In-Ear Monitors to 300Ω studio headphones.
The Iconic Transparent Aesthetic
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Visual Engineering: The M15i retains its signature transparent glass cover, revealing the high-end components, gold-plated PCB, and precise soldering within. It is as much a work of art as it is a piece of audio equipment.
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Apple MFi Certified: Fully certified by Apple, ensuring the M15i handles power management perfectly and supports full bit-perfect playback on iOS devices.
3. Technical Specifications
| Component | Specification |
| Amplification | 4x Patented Current Mode Modules |
| DAC Chip | Flagship ESS ES9281AC |
| Outputs | 4.4mm Balanced / 3.5mm Single-Ended |
| Decoding Support | PCM 384kHz / DSD256 |
| THD+N | 0.0003% (Reference Level) |
| Gain Control | Hardware Manual Switch (High/Low) |
| Body Material | CNC Aluminum + Tempered Glass |
4. Why the M15i is the Audiophile's Choice
The Questyle M15i (ID for illustrative purposes) is designed for those who own high-end headphones (like Focal, Sennheiser, or HiFiMAN) and want to hear them at their full potential while away from their desk. It provides a "black" background with zero hiss, making it perfect for hyper-sensitive IEMs, yet has the voltage swing to make full-sized headphones sing.
Specifications
- Weight: 200gr
- Usage: Indoor & outdoor
Pros and cons
- Sustainably produced
- Ideal for everyday use
M15i
Mobile Headphone Amplifier with DAC
At the CES 2024(Consumer Electronics Show), Questyle launchedthe second generation mobile dongle DAC, the M15i.
Users value significantly the portability of smart devices nowadaysin the 5G era. As various music apps with a large user base havelaunched lossless audio format libraries, mobile high-resolutionlossless audio has transitioned from a trend to the mainstream. Theenormous size and power consumption of traditional HiFi audioproducts are harder to use with smart devices compared to portableaudio products.
Questyle's second-generation mobile dongle DAC, the M15i.provides a great example of our tech achievements over the pastdecade.M15i allows audiophiles to enjoy lossless audio fromstreaming platforms anytime, anywhere, works well with traditionalHiFi headphones.lt ensures the best immersive audio experience.
Convenient User Experience Plug and Play, No Need for Drivers or Settings
Anytime, Anywhere,A Magical Device for Monitoring
FAQs
What does the "i" in Questyle M15i stand for, and how is it an upgrade?
The "i" in Questyle M15i signifies that it is MFi Certified and features an upgraded, highly integrated audio processing architecture. Unlike the original M15, the M15i is officially recognized by Apple, ensuring seamless compatibility with iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Under the hood, it utilizes the latest generation of Current Mode Amplification (CMA), providing even lower distortion and better power efficiency for mobile high-resolution audio.
Is the Questyle M15i compatible with Apple Music Lossless?
Yes, the M15i is specifically designed to take full advantage of Apple Music Lossless. Because it is MFi certified, it can bypass the internal audio limitations of mobile devices to provide a bit-perfect signal path. This allows the M15i to decode high-resolution files up to PCM 768kHz and DSD512, ensuring you hear every detail of the original studio recording without any downsampling.
How does the M15i handle different types of headphones?
The M15i is exceptionally versatile thanks to its dual-gain (High/Low) manual toggle and dual output ports (3.5mm Single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced). The Low Gain mode is perfect for sensitive In-Ear Monitors (IEMs), offering a silent, hiss-free background. The High Gain mode utilizes the full potential of Questyle’s Current Mode technology to drive demanding, full-sized planar magnetic headphones that typically require a desktop amplifier.
Does the Questyle M15i require any drivers for Windows or Android?
The Questyle M15i is a true plug-and-play device. It is natively compatible with Android (using USB-C), iOS, macOS, and Windows 10/11. For Windows users, it functions as a high-performance external sound card without the need for manual driver installation in most cases. Its intelligent power management system automatically detects the connected device and optimizes its output for the best performance and battery life.
Why is the Current Mode Amplification (CMA) in the M15i better than standard amps?
Standard portable amps use voltage-mode amplification, which can lead to "transient intermodulation distortion" and a sterile sound. Questyle’s CMA (Current Mode Amplification) operates in the current domain, offering a much higher speed (slew rate) and near-zero distortion. This results in a natural, warm, and transparent soundstage that retains the emotional impact of the music, a hallmark of the Questyle signature sound.