Introducing Shanling M7 - Portable Hi-Fi Android Player

[RIGATIO]

The M7 is a very detail and transparent DAP. It is also an overall "neutral Bright" tuning IMO. I have not listen to the oppo PM3 but if its a similar tuning as the hifiman Arya, then its may be overaly birght overall. I have the Arya and I have to Eq down the peaks as the M7 brings all the peaks out very clearly. On another hand, the M7 will sound out of this world if I pair it with a warm tube amp - I got an almost end game rig - with the tube amp its sounded Romantic, warmth but yet very very detail and wide sounstage.

If you dont mind to EQ slighly - the technical capabilities of the M7 is flagship level. The issue with getting a lower tier DAP to get the tuning but looses the technical aspect is not a good start IMO. Reason is You cant fix the technical aspect like quicker bass, transpanrency, wider soundtage, resolving etc with EQ - but you can certainly fix the tuning by eq very easily. Also I personally find its easier to tame the brightness with a brighter DAP than getting a warmer DAP to sound brighter - It seems to always introduce noises. For example, I can tune M7 to as warm as M8 but find it difficult to tune M8 to M7. lol - similar to bass - easier to tame a strong bass than add bass on the EQ as I have to reduce the db overall in order not to add distortion or "hit the clipping pt". - well it just me others may disagree.

However if you use only very bright headphone and has no intention of getting warmer hearpdhones, then M8 or M6 is all you need, but of you are like me with diff heapdhones, I would go with a more nuetral sparkly DAP as I have alot of options like adding a portable tube amp down the chain etc..

If you dont mind the traditinal 2 stack approach example - M7 and Oriolus Ba300s portable tube amp to warm things up - you have the technical aspect covered and yet has a warm and romanatic sound. I personally use a desktop tube amps with m7 as a source to Arya and He1000v2. If i use warmer IEM like the A6T or A12T, then remove the stack the M7 will sound really really good with warm IEM - Desktop level technical goodness with the perfect tuning.

or what the heck get both M7 and M6U and test it out before the return date. this method shanling certainly disagree lol- often times, some headohones can't really tell the diff in details unless you have a very transaprent and resolving detail headphones like the Arya. My A6T for example, cant tell the diff in details between the warmer IFI Gryfton and the M7. Your heapdhone matters the most actually - much more than the DAP .. again just my opinion. - others surely disagree lol.

I agree The headphones are 90% of the success/failure of your rig.

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Thanks very much for such a detailed reply. You make good points. A DAP source can be 'warmed up' with EQ or a pocket-challenging 'dual stack', but the reverse just doesn't work. I suspect the Oppos may be similar to the Arya. Running them only from the Fiio produces good results most of the time, but there's the occasional vocal peak that's quite jarring (something that's never an issue with the Quads). But with my old desktop Zen DAC V2/Zen Can combo, that all but disappears and it went entirely with the Mini I Pro 3. The M7+ a bit of EQ when needed grows more tempting by the day...

 

[nigel801]

I just got the M7 today they are amazing i was afraid about SABR dacs but they are superb with no brightness, I am currently using Monarch MKii but need something more comfortable IEMS for sleeping . Anyone pairing IE600 and can share their experience if its a good match, also any recommendation on full-size closed back.
Thanks.

 

[turbo555555]

Firmware Update V1.33, adding support for Roon and Roon Arc:

https://en.shanling.com/article-M7v133.html

Good afternoon. Dear Shanling, share the M7 V1.26 factory version firmware. And in general, I think it would be better for everyone if there was access to 1.29, 1.32 firmware. Thanks

 

[tjl5709]

Will this player run Neutron?

 

[RIGATIO]

Will this player run Neutron?

Why not?

 

[Audiowood]

Thanks very much for such a detailed reply. You make good points. A DAP source can be 'warmed up' with EQ or a pocket-challenging 'dual stack', but the reverse just doesn't work. I suspect the Oppos may be similar to the Arya. Running them only from the Fiio produces good results most of the time, but there's the occasional vocal peak that's quite jarring (something that's never an issue with the Quads). But with my old desktop Zen DAC V2/Zen Can combo, that all but disappears and it went entirely with the Mini I Pro 3. The M7+ a bit of EQ when needed grows more tempting by the day...

If you have no issue with Fiio and Oppo then you probably won't have an issue with M7. I have the M11pro and it is as bright as the m7, except that the M7 has a wider and deeper soundstage, bass slam is harder and deeper, and transients, dynamics, and transparency are way above the M11pro. So M7 may work for you after all.

Out of curiosity, I have also acquired the M6U - I have been comparing it with the M7 and have lost a lot of sleep so far (too fun to sleep). lol. My first thought was to do a quick test comparison with M7 and then move on (just to verify the M7 is overall a better DAP for my tuning). But then I got stuck and the test got longer and longer. and then more songs been thrown at it, and I ended up testing with all other headphones. I thought the M6U technical abilities is going to be similar to M11pro, like so much diff that just 1 song of testing and I will be done, but boy I was wrong.

Anyway - Still burning in (not that I fully believe in it, but just in case - This is headfi after all lol). Surprisingly, I am totally impressed by M6U. One thing is for sure, its technical abilities are way ahead of the aging m11pro. - how much ahead? - almost as much between M7 with M11pro. I suspect you will like the M6U as well. I will post more in a few days.

 

[yaps66]

If you have no issue with Fiio and Oppo then you probably won't have an issue with M7. I have the M11pro and it is as bright as the m7, except that the M7 has a wider and deeper soundstage, bass slam is harder and deeper, and transients, dynamics, and transparency are way above the M11pro. So M7 may work for you after all.

Out of curiosity, I have also acquired the M6U - I have been comparing it with the M7 and have lost a lot of sleep so far (too fun to sleep). lol. My first thought was to do a quick test comparison with M7 and then move on (just to verify the M7 is overall a better DAP for my tuning). But then I got stuck and the test got longer and longer. and then more songs been thrown at it, and I ended up testing with all other headphones. I thought the M6U technical abilities is going to be similar to M11pro, like so much diff that just 1 song of testing and I will be done, but boy I was wrong.

Anyway - Still burning in (not that I fully believe in it, but just in case - This is headfi after all lol). Surprisingly, I am totally impressed by M6U. One thing is for sure, its technical abilities are way ahead of the aging m11pro. - how much ahead? - almost as much between M7 with M11pro. I suspect you will like the M6U as well. I will post more in a few days.

That M6U sounds like really great value but I do like the M7 too! At this level, splitting hairs maybe and down to personal preferences?

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

If you have no issue with Fiio and Oppo then you probably won't have an issue with M7. I have the M11pro and it is as bright as the m7, except that the M7 has a wider and deeper soundstage, bass slam is harder and deeper, and transients, dynamics, and transparency are way above the M11pro. So M7 may work for you after all.

Out of curiosity, I have also acquired the M6U - I have been comparing it with the M7 and have lost a lot of sleep so far (too fun to sleep). lol. My first thought was to do a quick test comparison with M7 and then move on (just to verify the M7 is overall a better DAP for my tuning). But then I got stuck and the test got longer and longer. and then more songs been thrown at it, and I ended up testing with all other headphones. I thought the M6U technical abilities is going to be similar to M11pro, like so much diff that just 1 song of testing and I will be done, but boy I was wrong.

Anyway - Still burning in (not that I fully believe in it, but just in case - This is headfi after all lol). Surprisingly, I am totally impressed by M6U. One thing is for sure, its technical abilities are way ahead of the aging m11pro. - how much ahead? - almost as much between M7 with M11pro. I suspect you will like the M6U as well. I will post more in a few days.

Thanks very much, Audiowood. I'll look forward to those further, post-burn in impressions of the M6U. I don't think you're the only one who's been a bit surprised by just how good it is alongside the M7, notwithstanding the price, M7 technical capabilities and tuning differences. It's hinted at at this review this review too.

 

[Shanling]

Would it be possible to select another audio player for Prime mode?

Not possible in our system.

Good afternoon. Dear Shanling, share the M7 V1.26 factory version firmware. And in general, I think it would be better for everyone if there was access to 1.29, 1.32 firmware. Thanks

Please send me PM, I can send you the older firmware over wetransfer. We do not keep older firmwares online.

 

[Audiowood]

Just done comparing the M6U to the M7. To be honest I was taken by complete surprise by the M6U technical performance in comparison to M7. It was so close that at times, I was wondering why they name it M6U – It should be M7 AKM .. The M6U to me is an alternative for musical tuning vs technicalities neutral reference studio quality like the M7.. and yet possesses almost all of those technicalities achievements…almost..hehe..ok let me explain below.

First off, the size of the M6U is way lighter than M7 –on top of that, it’s a slimmer device like the Fiio M11pro but yet a very simple classic design of the Sony WM1a (except that it's even slimmer than Sony DAP). It’s a winner all way around. The weights between them 312G vs 263G may not be much on specs but when I have it in my loose PJ pocket, it matters a lot. The M6U feels so much lighter in the pocket.

I did mention M6U is a more musical tuning among the 2 – by that, I don’t mean it’s a slow-ass amp – It still possesses similar lightning speed as M7 but yet takes off some of the hard edges. The most prominent diff is the mid-range. The vocal stands out more like taking 2 steps forward and cut off some air. This tuning makes the vocal slightly more romantic, and lusher with rounder notes – more forward. Vocal lacks the last bits of air compared to the M7. Which make makes the M7 sound more extended on the top end. (but it's pretty close).



Bass

The M6U mid-bass is a little more pronounced than M7 making it somewhat a warmer DAP. The M7 still has a deeper bass overall and both have similar dynamic power. Both have the same qty but because the M7 is more extended down below sub bass – M7 still wins on the technical level. .. but again it’s a few hairs ahead. By that, I mean if you use a lower /mid-tier headphone like the HD600/650 – it's almost undetectable. Need Arya type to tell them apart. My slow-ass CIEM like the A6T cant detect the deeper bass but it can detect the warmer mid-bass lift of M6U. Overall the bass is slightly slower and decays longer. It works well with some EDM tracks having a hint of boom and not cutting off that quickly. Think of it like adding the fastest tube amp to it. M6U has tubby vocal qualities with a solid state amplifier speed.



Treble –

The M6U takes some of the edges off. It's like what AKM said a velvet kind of sound. Yes and indeed. The tone is more tolerable Ie.. Arya treble peaks. It's not like you add a lush tube amp to it. The diff is not that much. It’s subtle but yet it can be detected even with warmer headphones like Hd650 or A6T. The last bit of extended air is rolled off making notes rounder. The M7 will sound sharper more precise and fast. It resulted in the separation of instruments being more distinct and the space larger between them. I don’t mean the M6U is a blob of sound lumped together, it still has the separation but is just not as precise as M7.



Soundstage.

This is tricky. I truly believe that they are the same width. The problem is M6U may not sound as wide because the vocal is pushed forward hence the background soundstage did not stand out that much. If you play an instrument with no vocal, the width is the same. No diff. but since almost all track has a vocal, the forwardness of the vocal subdue the background music. The M7 does not have a forward mid hence back ground instrument can be heard very clearly making the soundstage larger. . But it's really the same width to me. But what makes the M6U ahead is the height. Since M6U pushes the vocal more forward, the overall soundstage becomes taller (like in a cathedral). It feels very holographic as I immerse in the center of the soundstage, I feel the sound surround & cocoon me very well. M7 is wide but not as holographic and tall as M6U. Overall I love the M6U soundstage. Again, it's not like a day and night diff, it takes a HE1000v2 to really showcase the soundstage. I can still hear it with narrower soundstage headphones but it's not that pronounce.



Overall – I personally rate the M6U as passing the flagship DAP league (albeit slightly) –It's definitely not a mid-tier DAP like the M11pro series or IFI gryphon. The M6U technical level is way way ahead of them, it's so ahead that I think it catches the M7 by surprise. The only thing it loses to the M7 is the extension of both bass and treble (again very slight) but then, you get a DAP that is talented in musicality – it made up so well, that I think the M7 and M6U can dance together on the same league all day every hour.



Pic to follow.

 

[yaps66]

Just done comparing the M6U to the M7. To be honest I was taken by complete surprise by the M6U technical performance in comparison to M7. It was so close that at times, I was wondering why they name it M6U – It should be M7 AKM .. The M6U to me is an alternative for musical tuning vs technicalities neutral reference studio quality like the M7.. and yet possesses almost all of those technicalities achievements…almost..hehe..ok let me explain below.

First off, the size of the M6U is way lighter than M7 –on top of that, it’s a slimmer device like the Fiio M11pro but yet a very simple classic design of the Sony WM1a (except that it's even slimmer than Sony DAP). It’s a winner all way around. The weights between them 312G vs 263G may not be much on specs but when I have it in my loose PJ pocket, it matters a lot. The M6U feels so much lighter in the pocket.

I did mention M6U is a more musical tuning among the 2 – by that, I don’t mean it’s a slow-ass amp – It still possesses similar lightning speed as M7 but yet takes off some of the hard edges. The most prominent diff is the mid-range. The vocal stands out more like taking 2 steps forward and cut off some air. This tuning makes the vocal slightly more romantic, and lusher with rounder notes – more forward. Vocal lacks the last bits of air compared to the M7. Which make makes the M7 sound more extended on the top end. (but it's pretty close).



Bass

The M6U mid-bass is a little more pronounced than M7 making it somewhat a warmer DAP. The M7 still has a deeper bass overall and both have similar dynamic power. Both have the same qty but because the M7 is more extended down below sub bass – M7 still wins on the technical level. .. but again it’s a few hairs ahead. By that, I mean if you use a lower /mid-tier headphone like the HD600/650 – it's almost undetectable. Need Arya type to tell them apart. My slow-ass CIEM like the A6T cant detect the deeper bass but it can detect the warmer mid-bass lift of M6U. Overall the bass is slightly slower and decays longer. It works well with some EDM tracks having a hint of boom and not cutting off that quickly. Think of it like adding the fastest tube amp to it. M6U has tubby vocal qualities with a solid state amplifier speed.



Treble –

The M6U takes some of the edges off. It's like what AKM said a velvet kind of sound. Yes and indeed. The tone is more tolerable Ie.. Arya treble peaks. It's not like you add a lush tube amp to it. The diff is not that much. It’s subtle but yet it can be detected even with warmer headphones like Hd650 or A6T. The last bit of extended air is rolled off making notes rounder. The M7 will sound sharper more precise and fast. It resulted in the separation of instruments being more distinct and the space larger between them. I don’t mean the M6U is a blob of sound lumped together, it still has the separation but is just not as precise as M7.



Soundstage.

This is tricky. I truly believe that they are the same width. The problem is M6U may not sound as wide because the vocal is pushed forward hence the background soundstage did not stand out that much. If you play an instrument with no vocal, the width is the same. No diff. but since almost all track has a vocal, the forwardness of the vocal subdue the background music. The M7 does not have a forward mid hence back ground instrument can be heard very clearly making the soundstage larger. . But it's really the same width to me. But what makes the M6U ahead is the height. Since M6U pushes the vocal more forward, the overall soundstage becomes taller (like in a cathedral). It feels very holographic as I immerse in the center of the soundstage, I feel the sound surround & cocoon me very well. M7 is wide but not as holographic and tall as M6U. Overall I love the M6U soundstage. Again, it's not like a day and night diff, it takes a HE1000v2 to really showcase the soundstage. I can still hear it with narrower soundstage headphones but it's not that pronounce.



Overall – I personally rate the M6U as passing the flagship DAP league (albeit slightly) –It's definitely not a mid-tier DAP like the Hiby rs6, M11pro series or IFI gryphon. The M6U technical level is way way ahead of them, it's so ahead that I think it catches the M7 by surprise. The only thing it loses to the M7 is the extension of both bass and treble (again very slight) but then, you get a DAP that is talented in musicality – it made up so well, that I think the M7 and M6U can dance together on the same league all day every hour.



Pic to follow.

Enjoyed the read! Great impressions/com[parisons!

 

[Audiowood]

Here are the photos. Enjoy your weekend..

 

[Stu Paddasso]

Here are the photos. Enjoy your weekend..

Tx for photos size is not that great of a difference between M7 & M6u but the weight is.

 

[Audiowood]

Tx for photos size is not that great of a difference between M7 & M6u but the weight is.

LOl. That is the biggest difference.