Good review. I agree totally, this is a great little device. This combined with the H7 has changed my approach to pursuit of TOTL daps!

Thanks! I really need to get a TOTL DAP in for review, but can't see myself spending $1,000+ for one when this little guy does it for $400.

Edit: Now I can - M6U, Cayin N7, and HiBy RS8 are all better, but cost a LOT more.

You make me want to source an M3U to compare with my M6U. They look almost identical. When I asked Shanling, they said M3U is for extreme longevity, M6U strives for balance between battery and sound. I must say that M6U does give me a bit of battery life anxiety, though it is never out of juice when I need it.

Yeah, it'd be interesting to see the difference. I can confirm the battery life on the M3U is good. I used it from 2-7 today and went down 18% using the 3.5mm.

5 stars would seem to me no real negatives but there are here. So why 5 stars? I am curious about this. 5 stars at the price point? But in comparison to what? But as you say, at the price point.

The negatives are nitpicks. Does an hour long update really matter? No. Does it matter that the screen needs you to push a little harder? No, it's not a gaming device and there's a screen protector on it. Does it matter that's it's not as sleek as a phone? No, since there's aren't ANY DAPs that are. Does it need to come with a case? Nope, just don't drop it, most phones don't come with a case, and there are cases available for purchase separate if you want one. The stuff that does matter is the sound, the ability to drive headphones, the battery, and yes, the price. When you find a product that can do everything that its supposed to do, and that more expensive products can do, but at half the price - you give it 5 stars.

What do you give a dap that does all that and has a case, updates rapidly etc.? There is no room to give it a plus 5. And yet, if you gave this one a 4 star, people would think less of it even though it is not meant to show it as less but would give the option for a device that has virtually no negatives to be a 5 or 4.5 etc.

It would cost more - it's called the Fiio M11 Plus ESS or the Shanling M6 (both are in a different price bracket and the M11 is flawed - I haven't used the M6) Updates always take a long time, a new computer takes all day to update everything. I also bought this with the knowledge that it didn't come with a case and that one was available separate. If I was expecting a case, and it didn't come with one, that would be worth taking a half point off. That would be like taking a half point off of headphones for only coming with 3.5mm - even though I knew it came with 3.5mm and not XLR4. in this price bracket, there isn't anything better. That deserves a 5. But, I would love for you to go buy an M3U and write a review that gives it a 4 because that is your opinion and that is what makes this hobby great!

I have too many daps now. :^)

Music Teck sell the M3 ultra case:
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/shanling-m3-ultra-case?_pos=6&_sid=faee291b4&_ss=r