NEW Colorfly M1P Air for $82, AKM4493SEQ Chip, Balanced Output, and 16 Grams

Colorfly, the audio brand from Colorful (known for its iGame graphics cards), has a serious audio pedigree stretching back to 2010. Their C4 Pro was actually the first portable player to support 24-bit/192 kHz audio. Now, they’ve released the M1P Air, a lighter take on their M1P USB DAC, for the same $82 price point. The key difference? Weight. The M1P tips the scales at 46 grams, while the M1P Air comes in at just 16 grams.

• It uses the same AKM4493SEQ chip found in the original M1P and even in some $500 players.
• You get two independent XR2001 operational amplifiers, with separate circuits for the left and right channels.
• 3.5 mm single-ended + 4.4 mm balanced output.
• At 16 grams, it’s a third of the weight of the original M1P (which weighed 46 g).
• It features the 2nd generation JitterKill femtosecond clock.
• High/Low gain + Game mode

Chip. The AKM4493SEQ, featuring Velvet Sound architecture, aims for a warm, musical sound. It’s the same chip used in the original M1P. For an $82 dongle, this is pretty significant, but a chip alone doesn’t guarantee great sound. How it’s implemented, the USB power delivery, and the analog stage all play a role. We’ll have to see how it performs in testing.

Weight. This is the main differentiator from the M1P. It sheds weight from 46 grams in a full zinc alloy body down to just 16 grams. For comparison, the Shanling UA4 is a bit heavier, and the Moondrop Dawn Pro is around the same weight. At 16 grams, it won’t weigh down your phone.

Amplification. It uses two separate XR2001 chips (one for each channel) for isolated amplification. The M1P is rated at 125 mW from its 3.5 mm output and 240 mW from its 4.4 mm output. While these figures aren’t stated for the Air, if they’re similar, it should be enough for IEMs and easy-to-drive over-ear headphones, but probably not for planar headphones like the HiFiMAN Sundara.

Competitors at $82. The Shanling UA4 includes an OLED screen. The Moondrop Dawn Pro is cheaper at $50 but offers a simpler design. You should consider the M1P Air if you specifically want that AKM sound signature (warm, musical) and prioritize minimal weight.

Game mode. This feature is designed for the Switch and PS5, aiming to reduce latency. You activate it by long-pressing the volume+ button.

For $82, Colorfly is packing the same DAC chip and amplifier as the M1P into a body that’s a third of the weight. The likely trade-offs are reduced output power and a simpler build. If weight and that specific AKM sound are high on your list, the M1P Air is worth a look. If you need more power, you might want to check out the Shanling UA4, which offers an OLED screen for the same price. Do you use a portable DAC? Which one and why, let us know in the comments.

Source: IT Home