[bracque]

At either price, it's a no brainier IMHO. Seriously, I love letting people try out my Shanling gear because almost everyone loves it and quite a few end up buying.

I'll try to get a video up of the GUI before the drop is over. In short, it's very good for a non-touchscreen device.

As far as sound, it's full, warm, and detailed. I've got access to a lot of DAPs and keep coming back to a few... Cayin N5, Lotoo PAW Gold, SOUNDAWARE Esther Analog, and Shanling M2 & M5. All are great sounding DAPs, but I feel Shanling M5 at $400 is probably the best bang for your buck out of the lot.

What would I like to see that would improve the M5 experience? Well... I'd like to see two mSD slots and 2.5mm Balanced Out.

What does M5 do right? Sound, GUI, form factor, plug n play smartphone DAC/AMP.

If anyone wants to jump on Drop and has questions, please feel free to ask in this thread, PM me, or ask on MD.

 
thanks for the info.  Sounds like Shanling have the goods.  Now I just have to decide if the M2 at 200 or M5 at 400 is the better value.  I imagine the sound in the M5 will have the edge, just need to figure out if that outweighs the smaller size of the M2.

 

[Podster]

   
thanks for the info.  Sounds like Shanling have the goods.  Now I just have to decide if the M2 at 200 or M5 at 400 is the better value.  I imagine the sound in the M5 will have the edge, just need to figure out if that outweighs the smaller size of the M2.

Well build is the same outside of size, Nik will have to say on sound but I bet they are closer than most others brands line ups. If I had a choice of one DAP and one iem today, forever or on that deserted island it would be an M2/Auri Rockets rig

 

[bracque]

Well build is the same outside of size, Nik will have to say on sound but I bet they are closer than most others brands line ups. If I had a choice of one DAP and one iem today, forever or on that deserted island it would be an M2/Auri Rockets rig

M2 over M5? That says a lot about the M2 sound qualify. Thanks.

 

[Podster]

Never said better, however I don't think there is a big difference in their sound sigs

 

[sledgeharvy]

I will say, I can't stop talking about the M2 ever since I got it.. But with the M5 having Dual internals.. I would venture to say everything must be more separated and les channel crosstalk..

 

[nmatheis]

With dynamic driver IEM, M2 comes off as an airier sounding dap. With BA and Hybrid IEM, it's a crapshoot due to M2's high-ish output impedance.

M5 has a fuller sound. It also has low output impedance, so no worries about BA and Hybrid IEM.

As Podster mentioned, form factor is basically the same. Sure, M5 is a bit bigger and has a larger screen, but really it's pretty much the same physical UI. GUI is basically the same. Both have one mSD slot.

Which you might prefer depends on what you're looking to get out of a DAP as far as sound goes. Both are very good, but I've found myself using M5 more since I've been using more BA and Hybrid IEM lately.

As far as full size cans go, I just tried with my AKG K553 Pro, Philips Fidelio L1, and Soundmagic HP200. All were at moderate volume at 45-60/120 on low gain or 35-50/120 on high gain. I'm not one to really crank the volume, though so you might listen louder. As an example, I loaned M5 + DUNU DK4001 (awesome IEM, BTW!) to a coworker. I had it on 40/120. He brought it back in 57/120 and was shocked at how much I reduced the volume to reach a more comfortable listening level.

Hope that helps!

 

[sledgeharvy]

I can't stop reading about the M5.. Clearly, this is the one I must have.. No matter how cool the Cayin i5 sounds.. (In terms of features) Even though, I'm sure the sound is nothing to scoff at either.

 

[Rocyareborn]

Can anyone chime in on how the m5 will push a set of alpha dogs? Or a can that would compare to it. Very on the fence with this purchase right now.

 

[fortress34]

We need a detailed rewiew for this thread..
I want to buy this little monster but don't need a venture..

 

[homeuser067]

Hi, I am new to the forum.
 
I have recently purchased M5 and in my personal opinion the sound is far superior than my previous DAP, iBasso DX90.
 
I have encountered though a problem installing the USB Driver (M5 USB Driver - 2016-03-23) on Windows 10 (64bit).
 
Has anyone resolved that issue?
 
Kind regards

 

[Audio Addict]

At either price, it's a no brainier IMHO. Seriously, I love letting people try out my Shanling gear because almost everyone loves it and quite a few end up buying.

I'll try to get a video up of the GUI before the drop is over. In short, it's very good for a non-touchscreen device.

As far as sound, it's full, warm, and detailed. I've got access to a lot of DAPs and keep coming back to a few... Cayin N5, Lotoo PAW Gold, SOUNDAWARE Esther Analog, and Shanling M2 & M5. All are great sounding DAPs, but I feel Shanling M5 at $400 is probably the best bang for your buck out of the lot.

What would I like to see that would improve the M5 experience? Well... I'd like to see two mSD slots and 2.5mm Balanced Out.

What does M5 do right? Sound, GUI, form factor, plug n play smartphone DAC/AMP.

If anyone wants to jump on Drop and has questions, please feel free to ask in this thread, PM me, or ask on MD.

 
 
Do you know where any issues would be serviced from?  I am surprised only 2 have joined the drop.  

 

[nmatheis]

Just posted a video walkthrough for physical and firmware user interface to YouTube (LINK). I'm no video pro, so it's a bit rough, lol.
 
As far as a review goes, yes I agree that would be nice. It will be just one person's opinion, though. I just took a new job and am very busy and have a wife and kids to boot. I'd usually have posted a review by now, but it's fallen by the wayside, unfortunately. What I will say is that I have access to DAPs from Aune, Cayin, FiiO, iBasso, Lotoo, Shanling, and Soundaware. I could literally use a different DAP every day of the week right now, lol, and the M5 is one I find myself returning to. Fantastic mid-tier DAP IMHO.
 
Anyhow, here's the video...
 
 

 

[Rocyareborn]

Thank you very much for the video! Very informative.

 

[Tony1110]

Received mine this morning. Build quality is excellent and UI is leagues above any iBasso or Fiio I've ever tried. It really does have the look and feel of a premium DAP.

Only listened for 45 minutes with FLC8S and it sounds great. Lots of space between instruments and lovely timbre. Can't say it's a huge improvement over my smartphone but the FLC8S seem to sound good out of anything.

My EE Athena should be back with me in the coming days/weeks. Looking forward to finding out how it fares with them.

 

[nmatheis]

Welcome to the M5 owner's club Tony1110!

Let us know how you like M5 + Athena