Specifications
System: Open Android 7.1, with AGLO
Screen: 4.2 inch, 1280 x 768
CPU: 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
Memory: 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM
Expendable memory: MicroSD card slot
DAC / AMP: 2x ESS Saber ES9219C
Hi-Res Audio: Up to PCM 32/384 & DSD256
MQA Support: Full unfolding, 16X
Outputs: 3.5mm jack Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced
Wi-Fi: 2.4G & 5G
Bluetooth transmitter: LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, SBC
Bluetooth receiver: LDAC & SBC
USB: USB-C, with USB DAC and USB transport function
Battery: 3200mAh
Battery life: Up to 23 hours (SE, single DAC) / 20 hours (SE, dual DAC) / 19 hours (Bal)
Dimensions: 109 x 72 x 15.9 mm
Weight: 168g
Output power: Up to 240mW @ 32Ohm (Bal)
Output impedance: <1Ohm
LINK:
https://en.shanling.com/article-M3XIntro.html
LINK:
https://en.shanling.com/download/77
INTRODUCTION: I wrote the review after 150/200 hours of listening (more or less). The curiosity of listening to a Dac Saber (ES9219C) mounted on a Shanling was remarkable. I had listened to the Shanling M6 Pro (loaned by my friend Xinlisupreme) and I must say I enjoyed it greatly. M6 Pro is equipped with the AKM AK4497EQ Dac and therefore with M3X I was able to have a term of comparison from the point of view of the converter, because otherwise M6 Pro stands at a price range higher than M3X. Although M3X.
does not give the idea of being an entry level DAP, especially from a qualitative and multimedia point of view.
I also own an Astell & Kern Kann which in terms of "multimedia" offers much less even if it belongs to a much higher price range than M3X.
PACKAGING: Blue box, with asymmetrical closure (detail). Housing of the DAP in a black spongy tub. Below, we can find the guide booklet, warranty card and screensaver adhesive films. On the side a box with the USB cable.
DESIGN: M3X measures 109 x 72 x 15.9 mm for a weight of 170 grams approximately. Small, handy, non-slippery. Frontally it presents the screen for almost its entirety with a very small frame (4.2 inch, 1280 x 768). Above and below the frame is ½ mm, while on the sides (right and left) it is full screen. In the upper edge we have the two Outputs inputs: 3.5mm jack Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced.
On the right side, the on / off button and the black wheel for adjusting the volume. On the lower side, starting from the left we have the trolley with the micro sd housing (which as mentioned I think it should be used with considerable care and attention to prevent the breakage of the plastic flap that closes the slot where the micro sd is stored moved more towards the center we have the input of the usb / dac cable.
On the left side of the dap, we have the 3 buttons for play, forward or rewind. On the back we have a glass-like side, with the small Shanling logo placed in the center at the top in a very refined silver color. All the details seem well studied and overall a sober but classic line at the same time.
INSIDE: System: Open Android 7.1.1, with AGLO, very fluid, smooth. Excellent brightness and visibility even in sunlight. CPU: 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
Memory: 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM Expendable memory: MicroSD card slot
DAC / AMP: 2x ESS Saber ES9219C. Wi-Fi: 2.4G & 5G.
When turned on, the display starts up after about 10/12 seconds. The home screen we have (in order from the left side): Clock Icon, Shanling Player Icons, Settings Icons, and Firmware Icon. I forgot: Really good battery life (3200 maH)
SOUND: We then come to the main aspect of the Shanling M3X. Before dwelling on this aspect I must say that the Dap is sensitive to the various IEMs I have tried. In no particular order: Dunu SA6, Tansio Mirai TSMR5, Faerless S8P, BGMP DM8. All BA, but despite this M3X behaves differently depending on the IEM that is fed to it. While in general it behaves very well with MP3s (little highlighting the qualitative limits of these recordings) and obviously it behaves even better with Flac and DSF formats. I have tested the Shanlig M3X with numerous IEMs, such as Dunu SA6, Faerless S8P, BGVP DM8, Tansio Mirai TSMR 5, Vision Ears VE3. I noticed a remarkable sensitivity to the various impedances of the IEMs in question. For example, with the TSMR5 I was at just over half the volume to listen at sustained volume, while with the BGVP DM8 I reached the maximum volume of the M3X. The piloting of Faerless S8P and DUNU SA6 is also very easy.
M3X is a fairly balanced sounding dap, with a very good amount of body and three-dimensionality. The Saber DAC, gives a little more texture to the mid and mid-high range, without ever becoming excessive or invasive. The speed of execution and the recovery of details are also good, which at times leaves favorably
impressed if we remember the price range of this DAP. I also liked the focus, present but always pleasantly soft and tending to warm. The sound in general is however in its totality quite neutral with (as already mentioned) a tendency to warm always pleasant and never over the top.
The heat in question does not invade and does not invalidate either the clarity of the sound or its three-dimensionality which is not very large but far more than sufficient. M3X combined with very easy to drive IEMs (like the Faerless S8P) amplify this factor even more. But this obviously happens a little with all the IEMs I've tried, and logically with different results. Whether they like it or not becomes a subjective factor.
It is not a DAP for bass lovers beyond all things. In the sense that it has a full-bodied, present, warm bass, but always very correct, defined and circumscribed. And here the Dac Saber does its part. In the mid-range M3X plays with exemplary body and correctness, again in reference to its price range, of course. The amplification is really excellent, which always seems to work smoothly and always leaves the feeling of still wanting to turn up the volume. With the VE3, M3X amplifies its full potential as it seems to fit perfectly with the Vision Ears sound philosophy. Although I personally preferred (but here it comes down to subjectivism) Faerless S8P and Dunu SA6, where everything manifests itself in a faster, clearer, more open way to the detriment of the warmth of the mid-range, its body and its involvement. emotional. With the TSMR 5s, the MX3 sounds very similar to the VE3s but with a slight high-end brilliance. The opening of Prince's 1999 song (listened over and over again with all the IEMs listed) made me prefer the balance of the VE3 to the brilliance (but I'm on top) of the TSRM 5. For the rest the two IEMs behaved the same way. In terms of nuances, the quality of the VE 3 was preferred, but the TSMR 5 had an enormously wider and wider stage. And here it becomes a matter of preference.
Faerless S8P: Overall very three dimensional sound. Slightly lacking in body and warmth. Good details and separation of tools. Slightly fast well-defined low range.
Dunu SA6: Here too the sound impresses with its 360-degree perception. Medium and medium-low range, clearer than usual but with a record speed. At the expense of some details and a warm tone that some might lack
Tansio Mirai TSMR 5. Here it borders on perfection along with VE3 which I will describe below. Great body across the range. Good detail recovery and remarkable speed. The three-dimensionality in a slightly more intimate stage than SA6 is also excellent. Only in the high range there is a slight emphasis. Not annoying but noteworthy.
CONCLUSIONS:
In all cases, however, the M3X always maintains its own personality, consisting of a good body in terms of musicality in general. The warmth in its complexity is always kept in good evidence even in the presence of IEM with a “studio” character like Dunu SA6. Obviously (at least personally) I have always preferred the M3X sound with IEM in balanced. Even if the difference with 3.5 in unbalanced is not very noticeable. Sometimes in unbalanced M3X it sounds less open but more intimate and "cerebral". And here too it becomes a question of pleasantly subjective choices. Excellent construction, beautiful and classic design. Simple but for this reason sober and at least to my taste, very pleasant. "Grip" in the norm even if the dimensions of the dap make it easy to manage and very little slippery. With a small price difference you can also buy the cover for now available in two colors (at least at the time of my purchase). Shanling's really good job, in my opinion, lies in the implementation of all the port engineering solutions.