Shanling M8T - Flagship Shanling Portable Android Player with Tubes
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Preface and Disclaimer
I bought the M8T at a discounted price to review but with no input or pressure from Shanling as to content of review.
A little about me and my DAP journey
I love DAP’s and have done for around 25 years. The first one I bought was from memory a Rio 600, from here started a journey that has included DAPs from Apple, Iriver, Cowon, Fiio, Sony, Ibasso, Cayin, Shanling, A+K and Creative, there might be a couple of others, but you get the picture.
I’ve tried the switch to DAC/AMP dongles connected my smartphones and have a love for them, but nothing can replace a good DAP. I’m not one for collecting DAP’s. I tend to buy one and keep for a period until I either get seduced by a new flagship or new tech. On this basis I normally buy the new DAP and spend a bit of time comparing and then keep the one I prefer and sell the other.
In the last 2 –3 years I have bought and sold the Ibasso DX320, Cayin N8ii along with a few dongles. My go to DAP for the last 15 months has been the Cayin N7 (usually paired with the Cayin C9 amp).
The Shanling M8T pricked my ears due to its use of tubes and a different tube to what we have seen overall so far. The Cayin N8ii of course had tubes, and they were implemented very well however I preferred the overall sound of the N7 paired with the C9 using its tube mode.
Introduction
Shanling is a well-known Chinese company with a history of making various audio products from Cd players to DAC/AMPs and DAPS.
Design/Features/Build
The M8T is Shanlings latest flagship DAP with a specification that is a little different to most DAPs on the market (bar the A+K SP3000T which shares identical DAC/vintage tubes). The inclusion of vacuum tubes is not a new feature given that there are other DAPs sporting this, however they have gone for JAN6418 tubes as opposed to the normal Korg 61 that others use. In addition, they have used the AKM AK 4499EX Dacs, this is identical to the set-up used by A+K in the SP3000T.
I’m not going to list all the specs but suffice to say that the specs ensure it is amongst those at the top of the DAP chain with a snappy Snapdragon 665 Octo core CPU and a very nice screen.
Here is a link to full specs and further product details
https://en.shanling.com/product/470
When I saw the announcement for the M8T, one of the first things that caught my eye after the tube spec was the power output. The output on 4.4mm balanced is marginally above the N8ii, the one weak aspect of the N7 for me has been its less powerful amp section.
The build quality of the M8T is as you would expect at this price point, excellent, on par with any DAP I've owned or tried in the flagship market.
The top has a 3.5mm and 4.4mm connector on each side, in the middle along the top edge sitting recessed under a small guard are the dual JAN6418 tubes. Down the left side of the player are play/pause/forward controls which have a very satisfying click when pressed. On the right side is the volume wheel which also acts as the power button, this also lights up to show sample rate by colour when in playback, this can be turned off in the options. The bottom edge of the unit has the USB C port and a SD memory card slot.
The actual packaging is non-thrills but that isn’t really a problem, it comes in a nice black box with screen protectors included. I got the Shanling case in red leather to go with the M8T and it does a good job of giving a sense of protection to the DAP.
Android 13 is the OS being used and it is a snappy experience with no lag in operations. Installing Apple Music and Qobuz was straightforward and works as it should.
The M8T does have a ‘Prime’ mode which bypasses the Andorid OS and just uses the Shanling software for playback.
In addition to this are Bluetooth options for transmitting and receiving along with a USB DAC function
Battery
The M8T has a fairly large 8350mAh battery and it gets close to the stated battery times advertised. I’ve been able to use it for a few hours a day and battery life depletion has been slow. Charging is slow but I’ve found that to be the case with most flagship DAPs.
Sound
Probably the most important of any DAP is how it sounds with your ear/headphones. Does it have synergy with your head gear and can it drive them sufficiently.
In terms of driving power, the M8T does not have any issue in this regard when used with any of my headsets. Admittedly I don’t have any that necessarily require a large power output however I do have sets that benefit from decent amplification.
There are 3 levels of gain on hand within the settings.
For this review I used the following head gear;
I tend to listen to a set playlist when I listen to new gear, here is a list of the tracks used;
So having spent a few weeks listening to the M8T I can confidentially say that this is quite a special DAP in terms of its ability to be to give the user genuine options on changing the presentation of the music being played.
To give an impression of the sound I’m going to break it down into its three listening modes.
Transitor Mode
This is the non-tube output mode, Shanling describes this as dynamic and hard hitting. To be honest I would agree with their assessment of this but would change the hard-hitting description to impactful, splitting hairs maybe but I feel this is the case.
This mode is very detailed and dynamic, when listening to guitar driven tracks by Mogwai or the Wedding Present you can really hear and almost feel the crunch of the riffs. Although the treble response is very detailed and quite forward in the mix, it never grates or sounds harsh. High hat symbols have a crispness when required and snare drum have the same snap and crispness if the track requires.
Bass response at both sub-bass and mid-bass levels are excellent in the M8T, it has control and finesse in the way it produces the bass sound, notes are well defined and nothing bleeds into other ranges, there is a level of detail in the bass that is not always as present in other DAPs that I’ve used. Mogwai tracks and Julia Jacklin track have deep bass that on my N7 doesn’t sound as refined or clean as the M8T.
The mids is where this mode really shines, vocals come to the fore and this is where I feel the impact lies. The Martin Rossiter track is a raw emotional track which all modes capture but in this mode his vocals are clear and rich, the piano (the whole album is 90% vocal with piano) is also very rich and layered with detail in abundance in the notes.
Separation is also excellent, with what feels like space for all instruments and nothing getting crowded, this is much the same across all the modes.
The timbre is also very good with a natural feel in this mode, although very dynamic and impactful it doesn’t take away the natural feel to instruments such as the piano or in vocals. Julia Jacklin's vocals are particularly special in this mode.
The most impressive aspect of this mode is the level of detail that you are presented with, this really is a detailed mode where on the Martin Rossiter track you can really hear his intake of breath between words, don’t get me wrong you can hear this on probably most DAPs but it's the levels that the M8T reaches that are impressive but all the while still retaining a level of musicality that is rare when something is so detailed.
Dual JAN6418 Vacuum Tubes
The M8T uses dual JAN6418 vacuum tubes to give the user different options for music playback. This is their first foray into tubes in their portable products although they have used them for many years in their hi-fi products.
My previous experience of vacuum tubes has been the Korg 6P1 Nutubes used in the Cayin N8ii, Cayin C9 and the Ibasso AMP14 module. In all of these cases I felt the tubes made a small but noticeable difference to the overall sound, giving a smoother warmer sound.
This is my first time hearing the tubes that Shanling have deployed, and they are implemented very well indeed.
Shanling has given two options to use when you switch to tube mode. Both options add a different layer to the way your music is portrayed. Both make a difference, and both also make a difference that is quite distinct from the transistor mode, more so that I’ve heard from any previous tube devices I’ve heard.
Ultra-Linear
This tube setting is described by Shanling as having a thick and smooth relaxing presentation. I would say this is fairly accurate.
First, I would say that as soon as I flipped to the vacuum mode, I could hear a clear difference from the dynamic, impactful presentation, the sound signature changes to a warmer sound, not veiled or lacking in detail but just generally warmer, some of the impact reduces, however the detail doesn’t, the bass is still very present and still feels natural but this mode just gives everything a slightly warmer touch.
In the tube mode, volume is slightly lower due to this slightly more laid-back sound, I found that I needed to increase by a few marks to get the same level of volume.
Triode
This is my favorite of the two tube modes. Shanling describes this as a bit of added warmth and again they describe it well. The thickness and relaxed sound from the Ultra-linear are given even more warmth so that you still have detail in all the right areas, you don’t lose any soundstage, but vocals slip slightly back in the mix and those crunching guitars from the transistor mode still crunch but just not as forward as they were in transistor mode.
The levels of bass, mids and treble don't really change regarding the dynamic and detailed sound from the M8T in tube mode, however the main difference in this mode for me is there is a warmth added to this detail. Normally this would sound like a contradiction but once heard it is hard to tear your ears away from it.
It’s a rich, musical, warm but detailed experience that draws you in, if you like a bit of warmth to your music.
Line out
The M8T doesn’t have a pure separate line out connection, instead it uses the headphone out and maximizes volume on the DAP. I’ve only tried it a few times, but it is very impressive when used with the Cayin C9 amp.
Comparison vs Cayin N7
As mentioned earlier, I only use and own one other DAP, that is the Cayin N7, however this was kept after comparing it to others and deciding that to my taste it was the best at that time on the market for me.
What I really like about the N7 is its rich sound and warm presentation of music, it reminds me at times of some of the Sony DAP’s that I’ve owned over the years.
From a features perspective the N7 has a dedicated line out which can also act as a pre-out which works wonderfully with the Cayin C9 headphone amplifier.
The N7 has a list of features that includes its wizardly ability to up sample to DSD for music files, I’m not going to pretend I fully understand how it works but it does.
As mentioned, I’ve always thought of the N7 as warm and rich with smooth detailed sound, not dissimilar to the Ultra-Linear tube mode on the M8T. I’d say the M8T in Triode mode gives a slightly smoother and warmer sound than the N7.
Switch to Transistor mode and the M8T ramps up the detail and punchiness compared to the N7.
It’s difficult to choose which one I’d recommend as in the UK they are very close in price but on pure sound quality alone it would be the M8T because it comes close to the smooth richness of the N7 but also has the excellent punchy detail of the Transistor mode.
It’s so hard to choose between the two that I’ll be keeping the N7 as well as the M8T. They are both very special DAPs with unique sound presentations.
Brief word on pairings
All my earphones and headphones had good synergy with the M8T. In particular the Grado RS1x in Triode mode were given just a little bit of warmth that they really benefit from.
The Fir Audio Rn6 in all modes were simply stunning, the level of detail in Transistor mode is perhaps one of my best ever listening experiences. The bass response which is already class leading (in my opinion) gets even more detailed and refined in all of the modes.
Lastly my Sony IER-Z1R could be endgame when they are used in Triode mode. They sound excellent in all modes but Triode mode is exceptional, I don't think I've heard them so musical with any source I've tried them with.
Using medium gain they engulf you with their soundstage on the M8T, it's like being wrapped in a warm duvet.
Closing thoughts
I believe that when buying a DAP that is considered a flagship you are unlikely to be getting a product that has poor features or poor sound quality. Instead, you are often choosing a feature set or a sound presentation that you prefer, a perfect example of this being Sony and what many, me included, think of as their house sound.
The Shanling M8T is an example of a DAP that has both excellent sound quality with a set of features that give you changes that you can actually hear. In the past with DAPs such as the A+K SP2000T and the Cayin N8II, I didn't feel the change betwen tube and non tube was significant, subtle yes but not always an actual clear gap. The difference between the two tube modes on the M8T is not night and day and is subtle however there is a difference. It’s the difference between Transitor (non-tube) mode and Triode/Ultra-Linear that is most striking. The level of detail and impact of sound in this mode means that in my opinion you genuinely have a DAP that gives you options of changing sound presentation.
It's this difference between using the non-tube mode to tube mode that makes the M8T quite special and unique compared to other DAPs that I have owned before with Vacuum Tubes. I'm going to assume that the use of the dual JAN6418 tubes over the more widely used Korg tubes is the reaosn for this.
I'd have no problem recommending the M8T as a flagship/TOTL DAP to prospective buyers.
I bought the M8T at a discounted price to review but with no input or pressure from Shanling as to content of review.
A little about me and my DAP journey
I love DAP’s and have done for around 25 years. The first one I bought was from memory a Rio 600, from here started a journey that has included DAPs from Apple, Iriver, Cowon, Fiio, Sony, Ibasso, Cayin, Shanling, A+K and Creative, there might be a couple of others, but you get the picture.
I’ve tried the switch to DAC/AMP dongles connected my smartphones and have a love for them, but nothing can replace a good DAP. I’m not one for collecting DAP’s. I tend to buy one and keep for a period until I either get seduced by a new flagship or new tech. On this basis I normally buy the new DAP and spend a bit of time comparing and then keep the one I prefer and sell the other.
In the last 2 –3 years I have bought and sold the Ibasso DX320, Cayin N8ii along with a few dongles. My go to DAP for the last 15 months has been the Cayin N7 (usually paired with the Cayin C9 amp).
The Shanling M8T pricked my ears due to its use of tubes and a different tube to what we have seen overall so far. The Cayin N8ii of course had tubes, and they were implemented very well however I preferred the overall sound of the N7 paired with the C9 using its tube mode.
Introduction
Shanling is a well-known Chinese company with a history of making various audio products from Cd players to DAC/AMPs and DAPS.
Design/Features/Build
The M8T is Shanlings latest flagship DAP with a specification that is a little different to most DAPs on the market (bar the A+K SP3000T which shares identical DAC/vintage tubes). The inclusion of vacuum tubes is not a new feature given that there are other DAPs sporting this, however they have gone for JAN6418 tubes as opposed to the normal Korg 61 that others use. In addition, they have used the AKM AK 4499EX Dacs, this is identical to the set-up used by A+K in the SP3000T.
I’m not going to list all the specs but suffice to say that the specs ensure it is amongst those at the top of the DAP chain with a snappy Snapdragon 665 Octo core CPU and a very nice screen.
Here is a link to full specs and further product details
https://en.shanling.com/product/470
When I saw the announcement for the M8T, one of the first things that caught my eye after the tube spec was the power output. The output on 4.4mm balanced is marginally above the N8ii, the one weak aspect of the N7 for me has been its less powerful amp section.
The build quality of the M8T is as you would expect at this price point, excellent, on par with any DAP I've owned or tried in the flagship market.
The top has a 3.5mm and 4.4mm connector on each side, in the middle along the top edge sitting recessed under a small guard are the dual JAN6418 tubes. Down the left side of the player are play/pause/forward controls which have a very satisfying click when pressed. On the right side is the volume wheel which also acts as the power button, this also lights up to show sample rate by colour when in playback, this can be turned off in the options. The bottom edge of the unit has the USB C port and a SD memory card slot.
The actual packaging is non-thrills but that isn’t really a problem, it comes in a nice black box with screen protectors included. I got the Shanling case in red leather to go with the M8T and it does a good job of giving a sense of protection to the DAP.
Android 13 is the OS being used and it is a snappy experience with no lag in operations. Installing Apple Music and Qobuz was straightforward and works as it should.
The M8T does have a ‘Prime’ mode which bypasses the Andorid OS and just uses the Shanling software for playback.
In addition to this are Bluetooth options for transmitting and receiving along with a USB DAC function
Battery
The M8T has a fairly large 8350mAh battery and it gets close to the stated battery times advertised. I’ve been able to use it for a few hours a day and battery life depletion has been slow. Charging is slow but I’ve found that to be the case with most flagship DAPs.
Sound
Probably the most important of any DAP is how it sounds with your ear/headphones. Does it have synergy with your head gear and can it drive them sufficiently.
In terms of driving power, the M8T does not have any issue in this regard when used with any of my headsets. Admittedly I don’t have any that necessarily require a large power output however I do have sets that benefit from decent amplification.
There are 3 levels of gain on hand within the settings.
For this review I used the following head gear;
- Sony IER Z1R
- Fir Audio RN6
- Custom Art FIBAE 5 customs
- Custom Art FIBAE 7 customs
- Sennheiser HD660s
- Grado Rs1x
I tend to listen to a set playlist when I listen to new gear, here is a list of the tracks used;
- David Bowie - Starman and Wild is the Wind
- The Smiths - I know It’s Over
- Galaxie 500 - Ceremony
- Martin Rossiter – Drop Anchor
- Julia Jacklin – Don't Know How to Keep Loving You
- Sea Power – Bear
- The Wedding Present – I'm Not Going to Fall in Love with You
- New Order – Blue Monday
- Lou Reed – Live, Take no Prisoners (album)
- Mogwai – Mogwai Fear Satan and If You Think This World is Bad, You Should See Some of the Others
- Manic Street Preachers – Rosebud
- Happy Mondays – Tart
So having spent a few weeks listening to the M8T I can confidentially say that this is quite a special DAP in terms of its ability to be to give the user genuine options on changing the presentation of the music being played.
To give an impression of the sound I’m going to break it down into its three listening modes.
Transitor Mode
This is the non-tube output mode, Shanling describes this as dynamic and hard hitting. To be honest I would agree with their assessment of this but would change the hard-hitting description to impactful, splitting hairs maybe but I feel this is the case.
This mode is very detailed and dynamic, when listening to guitar driven tracks by Mogwai or the Wedding Present you can really hear and almost feel the crunch of the riffs. Although the treble response is very detailed and quite forward in the mix, it never grates or sounds harsh. High hat symbols have a crispness when required and snare drum have the same snap and crispness if the track requires.
Bass response at both sub-bass and mid-bass levels are excellent in the M8T, it has control and finesse in the way it produces the bass sound, notes are well defined and nothing bleeds into other ranges, there is a level of detail in the bass that is not always as present in other DAPs that I’ve used. Mogwai tracks and Julia Jacklin track have deep bass that on my N7 doesn’t sound as refined or clean as the M8T.
The mids is where this mode really shines, vocals come to the fore and this is where I feel the impact lies. The Martin Rossiter track is a raw emotional track which all modes capture but in this mode his vocals are clear and rich, the piano (the whole album is 90% vocal with piano) is also very rich and layered with detail in abundance in the notes.
Separation is also excellent, with what feels like space for all instruments and nothing getting crowded, this is much the same across all the modes.
The timbre is also very good with a natural feel in this mode, although very dynamic and impactful it doesn’t take away the natural feel to instruments such as the piano or in vocals. Julia Jacklin's vocals are particularly special in this mode.
The most impressive aspect of this mode is the level of detail that you are presented with, this really is a detailed mode where on the Martin Rossiter track you can really hear his intake of breath between words, don’t get me wrong you can hear this on probably most DAPs but it's the levels that the M8T reaches that are impressive but all the while still retaining a level of musicality that is rare when something is so detailed.
Dual JAN6418 Vacuum Tubes
The M8T uses dual JAN6418 vacuum tubes to give the user different options for music playback. This is their first foray into tubes in their portable products although they have used them for many years in their hi-fi products.
My previous experience of vacuum tubes has been the Korg 6P1 Nutubes used in the Cayin N8ii, Cayin C9 and the Ibasso AMP14 module. In all of these cases I felt the tubes made a small but noticeable difference to the overall sound, giving a smoother warmer sound.
This is my first time hearing the tubes that Shanling have deployed, and they are implemented very well indeed.
Shanling has given two options to use when you switch to tube mode. Both options add a different layer to the way your music is portrayed. Both make a difference, and both also make a difference that is quite distinct from the transistor mode, more so that I’ve heard from any previous tube devices I’ve heard.
Ultra-Linear
This tube setting is described by Shanling as having a thick and smooth relaxing presentation. I would say this is fairly accurate.
First, I would say that as soon as I flipped to the vacuum mode, I could hear a clear difference from the dynamic, impactful presentation, the sound signature changes to a warmer sound, not veiled or lacking in detail but just generally warmer, some of the impact reduces, however the detail doesn’t, the bass is still very present and still feels natural but this mode just gives everything a slightly warmer touch.
In the tube mode, volume is slightly lower due to this slightly more laid-back sound, I found that I needed to increase by a few marks to get the same level of volume.
Triode
This is my favorite of the two tube modes. Shanling describes this as a bit of added warmth and again they describe it well. The thickness and relaxed sound from the Ultra-linear are given even more warmth so that you still have detail in all the right areas, you don’t lose any soundstage, but vocals slip slightly back in the mix and those crunching guitars from the transistor mode still crunch but just not as forward as they were in transistor mode.
The levels of bass, mids and treble don't really change regarding the dynamic and detailed sound from the M8T in tube mode, however the main difference in this mode for me is there is a warmth added to this detail. Normally this would sound like a contradiction but once heard it is hard to tear your ears away from it.
It’s a rich, musical, warm but detailed experience that draws you in, if you like a bit of warmth to your music.
Line out
The M8T doesn’t have a pure separate line out connection, instead it uses the headphone out and maximizes volume on the DAP. I’ve only tried it a few times, but it is very impressive when used with the Cayin C9 amp.
Comparison vs Cayin N7
As mentioned earlier, I only use and own one other DAP, that is the Cayin N7, however this was kept after comparing it to others and deciding that to my taste it was the best at that time on the market for me.
What I really like about the N7 is its rich sound and warm presentation of music, it reminds me at times of some of the Sony DAP’s that I’ve owned over the years.
From a features perspective the N7 has a dedicated line out which can also act as a pre-out which works wonderfully with the Cayin C9 headphone amplifier.
The N7 has a list of features that includes its wizardly ability to up sample to DSD for music files, I’m not going to pretend I fully understand how it works but it does.
As mentioned, I’ve always thought of the N7 as warm and rich with smooth detailed sound, not dissimilar to the Ultra-Linear tube mode on the M8T. I’d say the M8T in Triode mode gives a slightly smoother and warmer sound than the N7.
Switch to Transistor mode and the M8T ramps up the detail and punchiness compared to the N7.
It’s difficult to choose which one I’d recommend as in the UK they are very close in price but on pure sound quality alone it would be the M8T because it comes close to the smooth richness of the N7 but also has the excellent punchy detail of the Transistor mode.
It’s so hard to choose between the two that I’ll be keeping the N7 as well as the M8T. They are both very special DAPs with unique sound presentations.
Brief word on pairings
All my earphones and headphones had good synergy with the M8T. In particular the Grado RS1x in Triode mode were given just a little bit of warmth that they really benefit from.
The Fir Audio Rn6 in all modes were simply stunning, the level of detail in Transistor mode is perhaps one of my best ever listening experiences. The bass response which is already class leading (in my opinion) gets even more detailed and refined in all of the modes.
Lastly my Sony IER-Z1R could be endgame when they are used in Triode mode. They sound excellent in all modes but Triode mode is exceptional, I don't think I've heard them so musical with any source I've tried them with.
Using medium gain they engulf you with their soundstage on the M8T, it's like being wrapped in a warm duvet.
Closing thoughts
I believe that when buying a DAP that is considered a flagship you are unlikely to be getting a product that has poor features or poor sound quality. Instead, you are often choosing a feature set or a sound presentation that you prefer, a perfect example of this being Sony and what many, me included, think of as their house sound.
The Shanling M8T is an example of a DAP that has both excellent sound quality with a set of features that give you changes that you can actually hear. In the past with DAPs such as the A+K SP2000T and the Cayin N8II, I didn't feel the change betwen tube and non tube was significant, subtle yes but not always an actual clear gap. The difference between the two tube modes on the M8T is not night and day and is subtle however there is a difference. It’s the difference between Transitor (non-tube) mode and Triode/Ultra-Linear that is most striking. The level of detail and impact of sound in this mode means that in my opinion you genuinely have a DAP that gives you options of changing sound presentation.
It's this difference between using the non-tube mode to tube mode that makes the M8T quite special and unique compared to other DAPs that I have owned before with Vacuum Tubes. I'm going to assume that the use of the dual JAN6418 tubes over the more widely used Korg tubes is the reaosn for this.
I'd have no problem recommending the M8T as a flagship/TOTL DAP to prospective buyers.
Attachments
jjazzy
Very nice review!
jjazzy
How would you class the M8T, I like warm and smooth. I am a fan of Accuphase amps, they are smooth.
But worried If order it that the M8T is too smooth, what do I mean by that? too much focus on low end bass, I like bass, but bass in a neutral not over emphasized way. Could you elaborate? Is it warm neutral, without anything pushed too much?
But worried If order it that the M8T is too smooth, what do I mean by that? too much focus on low end bass, I like bass, but bass in a neutral not over emphasized way. Could you elaborate? Is it warm neutral, without anything pushed too much?
vikinguy
Really nice review
Intro and disclaimer
I have and have had several Shanling products in the past. I’m a big fan of their house sound. It’s warm but not lacking detail. I was very excited to get some time with their newest offering, the M8T.
The M8T was offered to me at a discounted price in exchange for my honest option. At no time did MusicTeck or Shanling influence my review. My thoughts on the M8T are my own.
The M8T can be purchased from MusicTeck here (non-affiliated). I have been buying from MusicTeck for years and have yet to have a bad experience. Andrew, Leo, and the rest of the team are very response and helpful.
Note
There are two quick things I wanted to mention before getting started. Out of the box, there is a massive gap between the tube mode and solid state. The tube section needs time to burn in before getting to its actual signature. The tube state was a bit lifeless with a flat stage when compared to the solid-state mode. After about 15 hours, it started to dramatically improve. Give the tubes time to settle in before judging the tube sound. Also, some M8T users have had some charging issues. There are reports of the player freezing during charging and charging slowly. I didn’t have the freezing or slow charging issues, but the battery app said that it would take longer to charge than it actually does. The app would tell me that it would take a day to charge from 30% to full when it took only 2-3 hours. I connected the M8T to a battery pack that I have and confirmed a draw of 17-18w which is normal. VERY minor issue in my opinion. Shanling hinted that the issues are linked to going to Android 13 and is aware of the issues and working it. I’m confident that Shanling will fix the issue with a firmware update, and this is not a hardware flaw.
Gear Used
Shanling M8T
Cayin N6iii (DAC/AMP module C201 and E203)
Fiio M15S
Dan Clark Audio E3
Audeze EL-8
Sennheiser IE900
Sennheiser HD620S
Test Tracks Used:
Emancipator – Afterglow
Lindsey Stirling – Elements (Orchestral Version)
Angus and Julia Stone – Yellow Brick Road
Grateful Dead – Touch of Grey
Eric Clapton - Old Love (Acoustic Live)
Build
The M8T is very well built. The buttons have a nice satisfying click. The volume knob is smooth with a slight click for each volume step. I feel it’s a bit larger and easier to adjust versus the M9/M9+. The Jacks are nice and tight. I saw no defects in the paint or any other part of the player. I have zero complaints about the build on the M8T. The player has a nice feeling in the hand.
Size wise, the player is substantial. I remember pulling the player out of the box for the first time and thinking it’s a big player. It’s the same size as the Shanling M9 and M9+. It’s a bit too big for a one-handed operation and is simply too big to go into the pocket.
The player is all black besides gold accents around the headphone outputs. I really like the looks and feel of the M8T. It’s just clean and functional. In my opinion, Shanling makes the cleanest, best laid out players on the market.
Accessories
The M8T comes in very simple packaging. I really like the tubes laid out in the shape of a T on the cover of the box. Nice touch! There is warranty information, quick start guild, extra screen protector and installation wipes, Shanling product line brochure, and a USB A to USB C cable. A case came in a second box.
Specs
- Newly Upgraded Android 13, Open System with Google Play Store
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 CPU
- 6GB RAM + 128GB Internal memory + MicroSD Card slot
- DAC Setup 2×4499EX DAC & 2×4191EQ
- AMP Setup AD8397 + OPA1612 + ADA45253
- Tube Setup 2x JAN6418 (Expected lifespan at 5000 hours)
- Can switch between two Tube Outputs (Triode/Linear) and pure Transistor Output
- Display 6.0-inch 1080x2160 Sharp
- Same Body Construction as M9 / M9 Plus
- Dimensions 147 x 82 x 22mm
- Weight 383g
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Wifi 2.4G/5G
- XMOS XU316 USB Input
- 8350 mAh Battery
- QC3.0 & PD2.0 quick charging
- 15h Single-Ended / 13 h Balanced
- 3.5mm & 4.4mm Output
OS/UI
The operating system of the M8T is very smooth and I didn’t experience any hiccups minus the slight charging issue mentioned earlier. The M8T runs on Android 13 and does include the Play Store installed from the factory. There is very little bloatware which I really appreciate. Shanling has a great support app that has an icon to update firmware, FAQs, User Guild, and an icon to contact Shanling. The M8T arrived at my door with the latest firmware and didn’t have an update while I was writing my review. Therefore, I can’t comment on the firmware update process. That said, I have never had an issue updating the firmware on a Shanling DAP so I would not expect the M8T to be any different.
There is a handy drop-down menu that gives you access to all the functions that you would use on a regular basis including Wi-Fi/Bluetooth settings, LO/PO, Work Mode (Android Mode, Prime Mode, USB DAC, Bluetooth Amp, and AirPlay), Gain, Tube/Transistor, and Triode Mode/Ultra Linear (only available in Tube mode. You also have access to current apps, settings, and power button.
I won’t talk too much about the apps since the experience is universal across most mid-tiered players. I tend to stick to the player’s stock app. I think they all work well and Shanling app is no exception. My SD card was quickly and accurately scanned. The app is well laid out and has a nice-looking interface. Zero issue.
Battery Life
The M8T is rated at 15h single-ended and 13h on balanced. During my time with the M8T, I have no reason to dispute that. Even during my heavy screen use testing sessions, the battery lasted several extended listening sessions.
Overall signature
Overall, the M8T is about what you would expect from Shanling. The sound is warm while still having good detail. No matter what track or headphones I threw at it, there was never any harsh sounds or sibilance even at higher volumes in either Tube mode or Transistor. Being able to significantly alter the sound signature at the push of a button is great. When I felt like EDM, I would use the Transistor mode. When I was in the mood for some classic rock to go with my single malt, I would pick tube mode.
I have a few headphones that tend to have spicy treble at times. With the M8T, these headphones really shined. The treble on the EL-8 with the M8T in either mode is stunning and the pairing of the two is good. I’ve been a huge fan of the EL-8 since it came out and the pairing with this Shanling made me appreciate them again all over again. Very enjoyable.
Despite a lot of effort, I was not able to decern a difference between the Triode and the Ultra Linear setting within the Tube Mode. I went back and forth with several headphones and genres and didn't perceive a difference. I'm not saying it's not there. I just wasn't able to hear it. To me, it's like different filters. Some people hear it and others don't.
Comparisons
M8T (Tube) versus Cayin N6iii w/C201
With the IE900, the first thing that I noticed staging to be a bit deeper with the N6iii. Overall, the tonality is very similar in both DAPs. The stage is a bit deeper and around you versus the M8T which is a bit more in front. The kick drum also has a little more texture and punch with the Cayin. Vocals are also slightly more forward on the Cayin. There is no sibilance with either device. I’m not saying the N6iii is better listening experience. I think it depends on your preference. The N6iii has one of the deepest stages that I have heard on a dap. I tried the Shanling with the IE600, IE900 and EL-8 and noticed zero harshness in the treble which can sometimes be an issue with these three headphones. Overall, the sound is very similar.
M8T (Transistor) versus Cayin N6iii w/C201
In transistor mode, the Shanling makes up ground to the Cayin in terms of staging. The M8T loses a bit of that analogue smoothness that you get with the tube mode but makes up some of the gap in staging. The win still goes to the Cayin but not by much. There’s more detail and more bite to the sound in transistor mode versus Tube mode. The bass on the Cayin reaches a bit lower and has a bit more energy. Vocals were more forward on the Cayin with the track Yellow Brick Road. Old Love sounded like you were on stage with Eric Clapton versus the 5th row with the Cayin. Again, not better or worse. Some people may prefer the stage wise and pushed back.
M8T Tube versus Cayin N6iii w/E203 (Hyper mode on)
Immediately you notice the smooth/softer nature of the Shanling with the IE600. There is more bass on the Cayin and less treble with the Shanling. Again, the Cayin’s stage is deeper and more around you while the Shanling is more in front of you with similar width. There is more clarity with the Cayin. This is not to say one is better than the other… Just different.
M8T Transistor versus Cayin N6iii w/ E203 (Hyper mode on)
I was not expecting this… They sound very similar. I had to go back and forth several times and really couldn’t notice any meaningful differences.
M8T Tube versus Fiio M15S (Desktop mode)
Well, another surprise. The M15S sounds extremely similar to the Shanling in Tube mode. I knew the M15s leaned a little warm but I didn’t expect this. Both have a super smooth and enjoyable listening experience.
M8T Transistor versus Fiio M15S (Desktop mode)
Pretty much what you would expect here. There is a lot more depth to the sound, more energy in the treble and there is a touch more bass on the Shanling. Also, vocals are a bit more nature and forward with the M8T.
Conclusion
The M8T is a great dap. Great feel in the hand albeit a bit big. Having two distinct sound signatures at the push of a button is a great feature. You can tailor the sound to your preferences, or headphones very easily. Combined with the looks, build, ease of use, and relatively attractive price makes for a compelling device.
Attachments
gc335
It was ok with the E3. It was a bit thin sounding. The E3 needs a lot of power to be driven to its potential.
