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

[Wahid]

I’m have opposite feelings, I don’t like design because of sharp edges, sharp buttons, I don’t find it comfortable to use, that’s why I ordered case, maybe it will helps. On other hand at least it works with DC Elite in comparison to M1s. But because of annoying bugs I’m back to Tempotec V3 and probably will sell M1 plus as I don’t have much faith in polishing software by Shanling team.

DC elite not working on m1s? This is why I am going back to a DAP from using dongles. So many weird problems. And I almost bought m1s for a transport. Thanks for the info. My only reliable-with-all-dongles machine is an old Hiby R3 Sabre, which can't be listened to by itself, it's not nice. But it's getting buggy and crashed on Tidal constantly, so I need something. V3 has a noise floor when wifi is being used.. It doesn't bother you?

 

[pietro77]

Yep M1s is not usable with DC Elite - constantly cuts etc. According Tempotec, I’m using only local files, so I don’t even notice noise caused by wifi as it is permanently off.

 

[Wahid]

Yep M1s is not usable with DC Elite - constantly cuts etc. According Tempotec, I’m using only local files, so I don’t even notice noise caused by wifi as it is permanently off.

Ya it's just when you are streaming Tidal it's a problem

 

[sofastreamer]

deleted

 

[marekm]

I don’t find it comfortable to use, that’s why I ordered case, maybe it will helps.

It will help with the sharp edges, but changing volume will become more difficult

 

[fish1050]

I’m have opposite feelings, I don’t like design because of sharp edges, sharp buttons, I don’t find it comfortable to use, that’s why I ordered case, maybe it will helps. On other hand at least it works with DC Elite in comparison to M1s. But because of annoying bugs I’m back to Tempotec V3 and probably will sell M1 plus as I don’t have much faith in polishing software by Shanling team.

Since I am strictly a headphone guy I carry my headphones and DAP in a shoulder bag so I am not worried about the sharp edges. I will definitely get a case as well. I am hoping while I wait for the M1 Plus to become available locally there will be a firmware update release to address any bugs people are reporting. Given how much time and effort Shanling has put into developing and improving the MTouch software I am more confident they will address at least some of these bugs. At least they are continuing to improve the MTouch OS. Hiby seems to be putting little effort now into improving their Linux OS on their non-android DAP's. They still haven't ported their OS to a better SOC like the X2000 Shanling is using relying still on the ancient X1000 SOC.

I am curious to see if Hiby releases another R3 variant if they will finally move to a better SOC.

 

[FriendlySparrow]

Yeah, use case is obviously important to determine. For me, if I'm out, I'm just using my phone with airpods, since that's "good enough" when I'm just on a train or taking a walk or whatever, I can enable noise-cancelling or transparent audio to hear my surroundings if I need to, and I'm not really just focusing entirely on the music. My primary usage for a DAP is at home, where I want lossless digital music that sounds full and immersive through good open-back headphones and isn't draining my phone battery or using its storage, and I saw the M1 Plus as a relatively cheap entry point to get into that world. But based on @ToneDeafMonk 's really nicely-detailed video (I "smashed the frickin' like button," for sure), I'm feeling a little more justified in that choice outside of going by my own relatively untrained ears that can really only go by comparison (where all I'm really comfortable saying about the M1 Plus' sound is "it sounds really great" - kinda like a wine taster who can tell something tastes good, but hasn't had enough experience to tell you why). I'm looking forward to trying out even better stuff in the future, but like... I'm starting with a really good merlot before opening a $600 bottle.

So in my case, I'll almost never be using this for Bluetooth, or Tidal, or really anything other than high-resolution audio files I've downloaded and am playing through headphones via the balanced audio connection, in quiet rooms at home (like like how I usually listen to records). It literally already does all I want (albeit with some software improvements to be made). If anything, I could get something significantly larger and be perfectly fine with that. But if you need something more versatile when you're out and about and aren't satisfied with just using your phone, there's obviously some limitations and other things to consider.

I've been using this thing a ton over the past week, so to comment on a couple other little points on @ToneDeafMonk 's video:

• I have a few more issues with software than he does - there's a few other little ways I think it could improve overall usability. I've already brought up support for disc number tags in WAV files Update 9/24/2024 - Fixed with the latest firmware , but there's other little tiny quirks it would be nice to see a setting for to add to that overall preferred "feel," such as how clicking the volume wheel up or down once only activates the volume bar for a few seconds and doesn't actually change the volume. Makes sense if you're out and don't want to accidentally activate the volume - makes less sense if, like me, you're at home, and the DAP is just quietly sitting next to me and I want it to respond instantly, so it would be nice to have some options there.
• I can't imagine how this thing sounds with $2700 IEMS, but I've got no complaints with the audio through the relatively mid-level open-back Sennheiser HD 660S2s - the sound stage feels really impressively wide and three-dimensional and I feel like I'm "inside" the music, which is all I really want. I definitely feel like there's an improvement via the balanced output, but I haven't really done heavy testing to confirm if that's just the obvious dB bump (nor do I really care to - it's got a balanced output, it sounds great, why not use it).
• I laughed out loud at the shot of the ridiculous scrolling text in the mTouch software. It's barely a usability issue and not really something I really care about the way I do with some other things (did I mention better future tag support for WAV yet? I did? Ok cool), but it's just really goofy how it constantly turbo-scrolls text that doesn't fit on the screen back and forth like a caffeinated toddler. Like man, pop a ritalin or something and take it down a notch, mTouch. Some settings to modify this to only scroll left to right (rather than back and forth), slow down the speed, and even turn this off entirely would make the display a little less... manic.
• I agree that the hardware really does feel great, and is smartly designed. One thing that wasn't commented on is how the play button in the center is just ever-so-slightly bigger than the other two buttons to make it even easier to find. It just feels really nice in the hand. The only slightly funky thing at first (for me) is that ideal "click" point for the power button on the volume wheel is actually along the front edge (if you push it along the bottom or top it feels like it clicks "weird" and it doesn't click in the back), but that was just something I got used to, since it was a new type of design to me. Love it. Even better with the case on. I have no problems controlling volume with the case on whatsoever, don't even notice it, BUT keep in mind I have skinny weirdo skeletor fingers. ToneDeafMonk might be better suited to comment on this with his self-proclaimed "sausage fingers."
• That oddly-named Eddict software used to remotely control the player, at least on iOS, is... odd, and seems to have a bit of feature bloat, being a dedicated music player in itself (I'd personally prefer a separate remote app). ToneDeafMonk seems to dig it, but I found it a little tricky to figure out and and even when I got it connected and played around with it, I wasn't sure what I'd actually use it for. Still, it could be a nice option for specific user scenarios (like if you're bringing it to a friend's party and physically connecting it up to their sound system).
• Likewise, I'll probably never use Airplay, DLNA, or Bluetooth, but I tested playing music through Airplay and Bluetooth and both worked instantly with no problems. EDIT: mixed up DLNA and WiFi file transfer.
• I don't really care for the screen as much as ToneDeafMonk does - album art looks pixelated and low-resolution (because, of course, the screen is) and the color of the screen doesn't look too great to me with nothing really to compare it to except like, phones and game consoles. I'm also not big on either of the two color scheme options. But also, personally, I don't really care how good the screen is. I can read album and artist names, and I want my money to be going to the audio, not the display. It's more than good enough. Bonus point though: no dead pixels!
• Overall, for all the odd little bugs and improvements that could be (and hopefully will be) made, none of those bugs have impacted playing music, at least via a wired connection (I haven't tested Bluetooth headphones yet since I really only use those with my phone, but I'm sure I will for fun). Yeah, I've got a laundry list of little luxuries I wish it had to make the user experience a little more pleasant, but realistically, 95% of most peoples' usage is going to be just letting it play music in your pocket with the screen off, and I have had 0 instances of that ever being an issue. Gapless playback has been flawless, the buttons all work, sounds great. No regrets here.
  
  Hopefully my walls of text aren't too obnoxious. I'm just new to the DAP world and it's been pretty exciting hearing these massive upgrades to what I've been used to with my digital audio equipment, so I'm having a good time posting my thoughts. Amateur as I am, I hope they're helpful to some people. And again, thanks @ToneDeafMonk for the video and the education.

 

[ybbobserrot]

Yeah, use case is obviously important to determine. For me, if I'm out, I'm just using my phone with airpods, since that's "good enough" when I'm just on a train or taking a walk or whatever, I can enable noise-cancelling or transparent audio to hear my surroundings if I need to, and I'm not really just focusing entirely on the music. My primary usage for a DAP is at home, where I want lossless digital music that sounds full and immersive through good open-back headphones and isn't draining my phone battery or using its storage, and I saw the M1 Plus as a relatively cheap entry point to get into that world. But based on @ToneDeafMonk 's really nicely-detailed video (I "smashed the frickin' like button," for sure), I'm feeling a little more justified in that choice outside of going by my own relatively untrained ears that can really only go by comparison (where all I'm really comfortable saying about the M1 Plus' sound is "it sounds really great" - kinda like a wine taster who can tell something tastes good, but hasn't had enough experience to tell you why). I'm looking forward to trying out even better stuff in the future, but like... I'm starting with a really good merlot before opening a $600 bottle.

So in my case, I'll almost never be using this for Bluetooth, or Tidal, or really anything other than high-resolution audio files I've downloaded and am playing through headphones via the balanced audio connection, in quiet rooms at home (like like how I usually listen to records). It literally already does all I want (albeit with some software improvements to be made). If anything, I could get something significantly larger and be perfectly fine with that. But if you need something more versatile when you're out and about and aren't satisfied with just using your phone, there's obviously some limitations and other things to consider.

I've been using this thing a ton over the past week, so to comment on a couple other little points on @ToneDeafMonk 's video:

• I have a few more issues with software than he does - there's a few other little ways I think it could improve overall usability. I've already brought up support for disc number tags in WAV files, but there's other little tiny quirks it would be nice to see a setting for to add to that overall preferred "feel," such as how clicking the volume wheel up or down once only activates the volume bar for a few seconds and doesn't actually change the volume. Makes sense if you're out and don't want to accidentally activate the volume - makes less sense if, like me, you're at home, and the DAP is just quietly sitting next to me and I want it to respond instantly, so it would be nice to have some options there.
• I can't imagine how this thing sounds with $2700 IEMS, but I've got no complaints with the audio through the relatively mid-level open-back Sennheiser HD 660S2s - the sound stage feels really impressively wide and three-dimensional and I feel like I'm "inside" the music, which is all I really want. I definitely feel like there's an improvement via the balanced output, but I haven't really done heavy testing to confirm if that's just the obvious dB bump (nor do I really care to - it's got a balanced output, it sounds great, why not use it).
• I laughed out loud at the shot of the ridiculous scrolling text in the mTouch software. It's barely a usability issue and not really something I really care about the way I do with some other things (did I mention better future tag support for WAV yet? I did? Ok cool), but it's just really goofy how it constantly turbo-scrolls text that doesn't fit on the screen back and forth like a caffeinated toddler. Like man, pop a ritalin or something and take it down a notch, mTouch. Some settings to modify this to only scroll left to right (rather than back and forth), slow down the speed, and even turn this off entirely would make the display a little less... manic.
• I agree that the hardware really does feel great, and is smartly designed. One thing that wasn't commented on is how the play button in the center is just ever-so-slightly bigger than the other two buttons. It just feels really nice in the hand. The only slightly funky thing at first (for me) is that ideal "click" point for the power button on the volume wheel is actually along the front edge (if you push it along the bottom or top it feels like it clicks "weird" and it doesn't click in the back), but that was just something I got used to, since it was a new type of design to me. Love it. Even better with the case on. I have no problems controlling volume with the case on whatsoever, don't even notice it, BUT keep in mind I have skinny weirdo skeletor fingers. ToneDeafMonk might be better suited to comment on this with his self-proclaimed "sausage fingers."
• That oddly-named Eddict software used to remotely control the player, at least on iOS, is... odd, and seems to have a bit of feature bloat, being a dedicated music player in itself (I'd personally prefer a separate remote app). ToneDeafMonk seems to dig it, but I found it a little tricky to figure out and and even when I got it connected and played around with it, I wasn't sure what I'd actually use it for. Still, it could be a nice option for specific user scenarios (like if you're bringing it to a friend's party and physically connecting it up to their sound system).
• Likewise, I'll probably never use Airplay, DLNA, or Bluetooth, but I tested playing music through all three and all worked instantly with no problems.
• I don't really care for the screen as much as ToneDeafMonk does - album art looks pixelated and low-resolution (because, of course, the screen is) and the color of the screen doesn't look too great to me with nothing really to compare it to except like, phones and game consoles. I'm also not big on either of the two color scheme options. But also, personally, I don't really care how good the screen is. I can read album and artist names, and I want my money to be going to the audio, not the display. It's more than good enough. Bonus point though: no dead pixels!
• Overall, for all the odd little bugs and improvements that could be (and hopefully will be) made, none of those bugs have impacted playing music, at least via a wired connection (I haven't tested Bluetooth headphones yet since I really only use those with my phone, but I'm sure I will for fun). Yeah, I've got a laundry list of little luxuries I wish it had to make the user experience a little more pleasant, but realistically, 95% of most peoples' usage is going to be just letting it play music in your pocket with the screen off, and I have had 0 instances of that ever being an issue. Gapless playback has been flawless, the buttons all work, sounds great. No regrets here.
  
  Hopefully my walls of text aren't too obnoxious. I'm just new to the DAP world and it's been pretty exciting hearing these massive upgrades to what I've been used to with my digital audio equipment, so I'm having a good time posting my thoughts. Amateur as I am, I hope they're helpful to some people. And again, thanks @ToneDeafMonk for the video and the education.

Excellent experienced based user feedback!

 

[rarewolf]

I’m considering a DAP to replace my current portable player which is a SIM-less LG smartphone. It’s Android of course, and it works well with connecting to my JRiver server to my bedside WiiM and Topping stack.

My question is how well does the Shanling OS and its DLNA support work with music servers like JRiver or Roon? For example, I have found WiiM access to a Synology DLNA server too slow to effectively browse and choose music…

 

[rlw6534]

I’m considering a DAP to replace my current portable player which is a SIM-less LG smartphone. It’s Android of course, and it works well with connecting to my JRiver server to my bedside WiiM and Topping stack.

My question is how well does the Shanling OS and its DLNA support work with music servers like JRiver or Roon? For example, I have found WiiM access to a Synology DLNA server too slow to effectively browse and choose music…

I asked for details on the DLNA support earlier in the thread and didn't get an answer. I can tell you that the similar Hiby R3 series is very problematic in that it doesn't support newer features and often simply stops playing (or never starts). Maybe Shanling updated the DLNA/UPnP stack?

I would advise you to wait until someone can test your specific use case. FYI, Roon doesn't support DLNA natively. You can use LMS bridge software but it works poorly with my Hiby R3's. I have the same issues with Audirvana as well.

I'm considering the M1 Plus myself, if DLNA works properly.

 

[miltonjsvidal]

Some note about using Bluetooth earphones and USB DAC mode?

 

[Wahid]

I asked for details on the DLNA support earlier in the thread and didn't get an answer. I can tell you that the similar Hiby R3 series is very problematic in that it doesn't support newer features and often simply stops playing (or never starts). Maybe Shanling updated the DLNA/UPnP stack?

I would advise you to wait until someone can test your specific use case. FYI, Roon doesn't support DLNA natively. You can use LMS bridge software but it works poorly with my Hiby R3's. I have the same issues with Audirvana as well.

I'm considering the M1 Plus myself, if DLNA works properly.

That's a whole bunch of stuff getting between you and your music. I have memory cards @ 2tb, and I can stream Tidal. I am old enough that this already seems pretty fantastic. When I was small, TV was black and white. Simplify.

 

[rlw6534]

That's a whole bunch of stuff getting between you and your music. I have memory cards @ 2tb, and I can stream Tidal. I am old enough that this already seems pretty fantastic. When I was small, TV was black and white. Simplify.

???

 

[FriendlySparrow]

I’m considering a DAP to replace my current portable player which is a SIM-less LG smartphone. It’s Android of course, and it works well with connecting to my JRiver server to my bedside WiiM and Topping stack.

My question is how well does the Shanling OS and its DLNA support work with music servers like JRiver or Roon? For example, I have found WiiM access to a Synology DLNA server too slow to effectively browse and choose music…

@rlw6534
I saw this and instantly realized I mistyped earlier and mentioned testing DLNA when I meant WiFi music transfer (corrected). So I'm testing DLNA now (via Windows 11) and it's not looking promising. Because I just use the Plex apps for local server media streaming I haven't used DLNA for years, but to test this I enabled DLNA (via both Plex and the ancient Window media streaming control panel option which still works for some reason), and first tested on my living room Yamaha AVR just to make sure DLNA worked with other devices on my network, and it does - it sees both Plex and my Windows share as separate DLNA servers and plays music from them with no problem. On the M1 Plus however, there's an option to enable DLNA, and my PC can see the device, but I can't find any way to access my media server from the M1 Plus. Folder view shows only local files and I just don't see any option anywhere to actually access external stuff. There doesn't even seem to be a way to enter a network path to get to a shared folder.

If you're on MacOS or Linux I don't really have a way to test at the moment, but let me know if there's anything you can think of that I might be missing or that you'd like me to try. Like I said, haven't used DLNA in ages so I might just be missing something dumb. Right now it's looking like either it's an unfinished Android remnant brought over to mTouch or it requires something very specific about my media server that I don't have.

 

[rlw6534]

@rlw6534
I saw this and instantly realized I mistyped earlier and mentioned testing DLNA when I meant WiFi music transfer (corrected). So I'm testing DLNA now (via Windows 11) and it's not looking promising. Because I just use the Plex apps for local server media streaming I haven't used DLNA for years, but to test this I enabled DLNA (via both Plex and the ancient Window media streaming control panel option which still works for some reason), and first tested on my living room Yamaha AVR just to make sure DLNA worked with other devices on my network, and it does - it sees both Plex and my Windows share as separate DLNA servers and plays music from them with no problem. On the M1 Plus however, there's an option to enable DLNA, and my PC can see the device, but I can't find any way to access my media server from the M1 Plus. Folder view shows only local files and I just don't see any option anywhere to actually access external stuff. There doesn't even seem to be a way to enter a network path to get to a shared folder.

If you're on MacOS or Linux I don't really have a way to test at the moment, but let me know if there's anything you can think of that I might be missing or that you'd like me to try. Like I said, haven't used DLNA in ages so I might just be missing something dumb. Right now it's looking like either it's an unfinished Android remnant brought over to mTouch or it requires something very specific about my media server that I don't have.

If the implementation is like Hiby, the device is a renderer only and has no control function. You have to use another device (control point) to select the music source from a DLNA server and direct the output to the receiving device (Hiby). Examples would be Audirvana, BubbleUPnP, mConnect, (and many others), etc.

I don't know what features the Shanling device has for DLNA, which is why I was asking for more information. My goal was simply to be able to stream from my music server over wifi and be portable around the house, similar to Roon or Audirvana (both of which also have Tidal and Qobuz). My local library has gotten pretty large and curating for SD Cards is a lot of effort.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!