Introducing Shanling M1 Plus - New Generation of Compact MTouch Players at just $209

[fish1050]

Absolutely - I'm no stranger to specific use cases. We definitely need people voicing their support and/or complaints about the "neglected" features or else they just never get fixed. (As someone who's owned multiple Android and Apple devices over the years for various custom scripts and very specific use cases, ask me how I know).

As for the BT transmitter, I saw people in this thread complaining about it earlier, with Shanling saying to make sure it's pointed a certain way, etc. I'm sure there's hardware variance because there always is, and maybe if you take it out in the city or something you'll run into more problems, and there's also the fact that I'm using Airpods which, say what you will about Apple, have very solid hardware and are low risk of being the "weak link", but in my experience it's good stuff.

As a receiver... yeah, it "works" but I'd definitely never want to use it for that on a regular basis, since it would make me crazy. Very limited. Fine for me, probably fine for most people, but hey, that's what's great about people who use this stuff pointing out where improvements should be made. Really hope you do end up getting some use out of it or can get it returned if it doesn't work for you, since it sucks when you buy something hoping it will fix an issue and it doesn't (for me it was the opposite - I took a total risk as an early adopter/DAP newbie and feel like I lucked out).


So this is one thing I've learned to be careful about, and one tiny issue I took with ToneDeafMonk's video (where he mentions that there's no search functionality, but says he's "sure it will be fixed in an update"). We can hope, but we're never really sure, and we have to review the product we have in our hands right now, and definitely don't buy one hoping or expecting stuff that might be important to you to be fixed later on. I don't know Shanling as a company outside of reading a bunch of their posts on this forum over the last year or so, so have no brand loyalty, but I do appreciate that they seem to be reading criticisms and taking notes (even if sometimes the responses are just "we know that's how it is and we've got no plans to change it" that's better than a lot of companies give you).

It is pretty much a given that every Chinese DAP is released with issues or missing features. Yet people still rush out and buy them on first release and then complain when things are missing or don't work properly. Isn't that the definition of insanity? doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I bought the M0 on first release, my first Chinese non-android DAP and waited endlessly for firmware updates. Eventually I got tired of waiting and sold it. I waited over a year before buying my Q1 and was well aware about the complaints and even after a year firmware updates were still being released. But knowing about the shortcomings of the MTouch OS before hand I learned to live with it as it sounded great for the money and bluetooth was stable at least for me. I kept it for a year and gave it to my best friends wife who still uses it to this day. Unfortunately Sony doesn't make Linux DAP's anymore (still using my A55 with custom firmware) and it doesn't seem at this point that Hiby plans to do much with their Linux based DAP's. Given they priced the R4 at $249 is there even room price wise for another R3 variant? For me Shanling's MTouch DAP's are the best option now for an up to date non-android DAP that sounds good and has the features I want at an affordable price.

I have decided to hold off until Black Friday to see if the M1 Plus gets any updates and to see if it becomes available in Canada. I am still considering the P1 by Astell&Kern for the onboard memory, bigger screen and better battery life. So definitely keeping my options open.

There is a saying in business, you have to spend money to make money. For Chinese DAP makers the opposite seems to be true, you have to make money to spend money. In the case of DAP's they start with a big enough budget to get a DAP model designed and released. Then they hopefully make enough sales and make enough money on initial release sales to fund the firmware updates and fixes that need to be made. It use to drive me nuts watching all these DAP's getting released with to be added later features and needed bug fixes. But once you think about how these small manufacturers need to operate just to stay in business you start to become more understanding. Because the alternative is they don't stay in business and all these Chinsese DAP's stop being made.

 

[ybbobserrot]

It is pretty much a given that every Chinese DAP is released with issues or missing features. Yet people still rush out and buy them on first release and then complain when things are missing or don't work properly. Isn't that the definition of insanity? doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I bought the M0 on first release, my first Chinese non-android DAP and waited endlessly for firmware updates. Eventually I got tired of waiting and sold it. I waited over a year before buying my Q1 and was well aware about the complaints and even after a year firmware updates were still being released. But knowing about the shortcomings of the MTouch OS before hand I learned to live with it as it sounded great for the money and bluetooth was stable at least for me. I kept it for a year and gave it to my best friends wife who still uses it to this day. Unfortunately Sony doesn't make Linux DAP's anymore (still using my A55 with custom firmware) and it doesn't seem at this point that Hiby plans to do much with their Linux based DAP's. Given they priced the R4 at $249 is there even room price wise for another R3 variant? For me Shanling's MTouch DAP's are the best option now for an up to date non-android DAP that sounds good and has the features I want at an affordable price.

I have decided to hold off until Black Friday to see if the M1 Plus gets any updates and to see if it becomes available in Canada. I am still considering the P1 by Astell&Kern for the onboard memory, bigger screen and better battery life. So definitely keeping my options open.

There is a saying in business, you have to spend money to make money. For Chinese DAP makers the opposite seems to be true, you have to make money to spend money. In the case of DAP's they start with a big enough budget to get a DAP model designed and released. Then they hopefully make enough sales and make enough money on initial release sales to fund the firmware updates and fixes that need to be made. It use to drive me nuts watching all these DAP's getting released with to be added later features and needed bug fixes. But once you think about how these small manufacturers need to operate just to stay in business you start to become more understanding. Because the alternative is they don't stay in business and all these Chinsese DAP's stop being made.

While all that is good and well, if I want to give to charity, I will and I still do. Idk if you agree with me but Shanling is no charity cause. They just don't want to spend a ton of money on R&D and product testing. Good for their financials, bad for us consumers. However, if I spend $200 to buy a product, I expect to get all the product features at point of purchase and like you, I don't eant to wait unreasonably for any "promised" updates. It is clear that most of these manufacturers release products that are just "good enough" to have that one or two good features that entice consumers to bite. To be fair, the big mobile phone players like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and all the others did the same years ago but look at where they are now.

Imho, it all boils down to this. Am I happy to pay $200 for what I'm getting the moment I buy this or that gizmo?

One thing I must admit though, I do hate being treated like a guinea pig to test out half baked products and software.

It's always a choice we can make.

 

[fish1050]

While all that is good and well, if I want to give to charity, I will and I still do. Idk if you agree with me but Shanling is no charity cause. They just don't want to spend a ton of money on R&D and product testing. Good for their financials, bad for us consumers. However, if I spend $200 to buy a product, I expect to get all the product features at point of purchase and like you, I don't eant to wait unreasonably for any "promised" updates. It is clear that most of these manufacturers release products that are just "good enough" to have that one or two good features that entice consumers to bite. To be fair, the big mobile phone players like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and all the others did the same years ago but look at where they are now.

Imho, it all boils down to this. Am I happy to pay $200 for what I'm getting the moment I buy this or that gizmo?

One thing I must admit though, I do hate being treated like a guinea pig to test out half baked products and software.

It's always a choice we can make.

You need to remember these are small Chinese manufacturers not Sony. They can't spend a ton of money on R&D because they don't make a ton of money. The DAP market is a tiny niche market with alot of competition considering how small the market is. Consumer demand dictates the market but on the other side the manufacturers have to figure out how produce a product at a price the consumer is willing to pay but still make a profit. A profit not just for themselves but also for the distributor and the dealer. If the profit margin isn't high enough the distributor won't distribute and the dealer won't carry it in their stores. You have to really love audio to wanna dive into this market. For every Sony there are a dozen tiny manufacturers that are just trying to hold onto enough of the market and sell enough product to keep the lights on like a Tempotec for example.

Look at the M1 Plus at $209 vs the M1S which initially sold for $229. They upgraded the hardware, power output and screen size and dropped the price by $20. I have to wonder if the R4 at $249 forced that price drop. Look who is left still making DAP's in this price range. Sony doesn't anymore, Fiio doesn't, iBasso doesn't, Cayin doesn't, you basically have Shanling and Hiby and maybe Tempotec. I am not even sure at this point what Hiby's plan is for another R3 variant if there are any. I would guess the R4 pricing precludes another R3 being released so that might mean maybe an R2 but would you keep releasing Linux based DAP's with just one model?

Part of me wants to support buying MTouch DAP's just so Shaning will keep making them. I would hate to see all of the non-android DAP's disappear.

 

[spectrum48k]

@Shanling btw, what about 2nd ath 3rd harmonic compensation feature for MTouch+ESS like FiiO did in their software? I hope it's pretty easy to implement this.

Spoiler: example

 

[Zigzagged5634]

M1 Plus is only DLNA renderer, you need external app on other device to control its playback. M1 Plus itself can't access libraries.



Do you have any exact questions?



Second half of September.



This is limitation set by Tidal and mostly by the music industry, to prevent music piracy.



Linsoul is based close to us in Shenzhen, so they show pretty much our current stock. First run of M1 Plus was sold out, we should have new units ready next week, hence the "pre-order" on Linsoul.

Hello @Shanling. I have question regarding M1 Plus stock availability. I placed an order for M1 Plus through Linsoul 2 weeks ago but my order hasn't shipped still so my question is do you know when the next stock of M1 Plus will be available? Thanks in advance

 

[ybbobserrot]

You need to remember these are small Chinese manufacturers not Sony. They can't spend a ton of money on R&D because they don't make a ton of money. The DAP market is a tiny niche market with alot of competition considering how small the market is. Consumer demand dictates the market but on the other side the manufacturers have to figure out how produce a product at a price the consumer is willing to pay but still make a profit. A profit not just for themselves but also for the distributor and the dealer. If the profit margin isn't high enough the distributor won't distribute and the dealer won't carry it in their stores. You have to really love audio to wanna dive into this market. For every Sony there are a dozen tiny manufacturers that are just trying to hold onto enough of the market and sell enough product to keep the lights on like a Tempotec for example.

Look at the M1 Plus at $209 vs the M1S which initially sold for $229. They upgraded the hardware, power output and screen size and dropped the price by $20. I have to wonder if the R4 at $249 forced that price drop. Look who is left still making DAP's in this price range. Sony doesn't anymore, Fiio doesn't, iBasso doesn't, Cayin doesn't, you basically have Shanling and Hiby and maybe Tempotec. I am not even sure at this point what Hiby's plan is for another R3 variant if there are any. I would guess the R4 pricing precludes another R3 being released so that might mean maybe an R2 but would you keep releasing Linux based DAP's with just one model?

Part of me wants to support buying MTouch DAP's just so Shaning will keep making them. I would hate to see all of the non-android DAP's disappear.

Those are good and fair points. I think non-android DAPs today will probably go the way of dinosaurs. I must admit there are people out there who prefer these over the Android-flavored ones, but look what happened to the classic players of old with proprietary systems. Even Sony abandoned the NW-a55 in favor of their Android-based players. I must agree with you; these small manufacturers (vs. Sony et al.) are playing in a small niche that favors low-priced/low-profit products. It's a classic market strategy where the low barrier of entry allows any player with just enough capital to enter the playground. Consumers looking for their first DAP will find these product offerings very affordable, and it is their first step to that upgrade path to gear that becomes more expensive as features are added. It's a match...made in China!

 

[hvalle]

Thanks

Hello! I would like to add that when playing via USB Audio, the volume is always maximum (even at 0% volume) regardless of whether Volume Variable or Volume Fixed is selected. On other players, the volume in these same headphones is adjusted.

 

[Wahid]

Audio qual

Those are good and fair points. I think non-android DAPs today will probably go the way of dinosaurs. I must admit there are people out there who prefer these over the Android-flavored ones, but look what happened to the classic players of old with proprietary systems. Even Sony abandoned the NW-a55 in favor of their Android-based players. I must agree with you; these small manufacturers (vs. Sony et al.) are playing in a small niche that favors low-priced/low-profit products. It's a classic market strategy where the low barrier of entry allows any player with just enough capital to enter the playground. Consumers looking for their first DAP will find these product offerings very affordable, and it is their first step to that upgrade path to gear that becomes more expensive as features are added. It's a match...made in China!

Audio quality is always better on a non android DAP. But will the market accept high end products without android. If we look at lotoo and companies like that, the answer will be, yes, there will always be a small but consistent market for this.

 

[PG77]

I've got my m1 plus. And i very satisfied with it. it's sounding much better than tempotec v3 and cayin n3 pro. Sometimes i'm use it with external dacs. For example, ua3 has more micro details but has less bass textures. So i'm very happy with m1 plus, it is worth every cent.

 

[Wahid]

sonata bhd pro

 

[Hinomotocho]

I've almost always had Sony non-Android daps. I was impressed with the M0 Pro but found it too small and missed having full physical controls.
The cons of my A55 are the low-power 3.5mm output, and the WM-port, also I'd like a faster method of accessing the Bluetooth mode ie. via drop-down.
I would have been happy to go with the M1s but just didn't like the design and button placement.
This M1 plus looks to tick all the boxes, but I have seen comments on some Shanling product threads about OS issues. Can anyone with Sony OS experience please tell me how the general Shanling OS might compare? Are there any significant issues that would severely interfere with straight-up listening to local SD card files?

 

[spectrum48k]

Are there any significant issues that would severely interfere with straight-up listening to local SD card files?

No, the straight way as SD card to wired phones is OK (to be honest, except some rare freezes on 192k flac files)

Earlier reported issue for files as flac and converted to dsd copy in the same directory is rare use-case, probably, related to library scan and doesn't affect folder playing mode. This issue has been reported and confirmed by @Shanling

 

[ChristianM]

...............

 

[marekm]

You are aware that 80% (or more) of the sound is your IEMs and 20% (or less) the player ?

I have had M1 Plus, tested it with numerous IEMs and full size headphones and never complained about the sound.
I did return it eventually, but for reasons other than sound quality.

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling btw, what about 2nd ath 3rd harmonic compensation feature for MTouch+ESS like FiiO did in their software? I hope it's pretty easy to implement this.

No such plans.

Hello @Shanling. I have question regarding M1 Plus stock availability. I placed an order for M1 Plus through Linsoul 2 weeks ago but my order hasn't shipped still so my question is do you know when the next stock of M1 Plus will be available? Thanks in advance

Please check with them directly.

Hello! I would like to add that when playing via USB Audio, the volume is always maximum (even at 0% volume) regardless of whether Volume Variable or Volume Fixed is selected. On other players, the volume in these same headphones is adjusted.

What exact USB cable/headphone is this? We test M1s Plus with a range of USB Dongles and USB Cables and haven't seen such issue.