Introducing Shanling M8T - New Flagship Portable Android Player with Tubes

Jan 31, 2025 at 5:20 PM Post #286 of 544

It was this guy during his review of the R8ii, also if I remember correctly Fatfreq themselves use Fiio M17 which has 3k output power.


It’s not just about the wattage. The ability to control the drivers (in this case the bass mostly) isn’t directly correlated to output power. Ben from FF used an RS8 for his MSE/GM. The R8 II will drive them just fine.

Anyways I don’t want to derail the thread.
 
Jan 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM Post #287 of 544
It’s not just about the wattage. The ability to control the drivers (in this case the bass mostly) isn’t directly correlated to output power. Ben from FF used an RS8 for his MSE/GM. The R8 II will drive them just fine.

Anyways I don’t want to derail the thread.
Ok thank you. 🙏🏾 I guess I’m chilling with my R8ii til the GMA arrives this month.
 
Jan 31, 2025 at 8:49 PM Post #290 of 544
My M8T arrived this evening, and it is fresh out of the box, so it has had no time to season. I can already tell there is a distinct difference between the three modes; this is quite evident even in its current, unseasoned state. The sound quality so far is nice, and it pairs really well with Raven.

As some others have mentioned, I like the case, but I wish the tubes were exposed.

The unit is a bit smaller than I expected, but compared to my A&K SP3000M, it is large; however, most DAPs are.

I haven't encountered any strange charging issues yet, although it does take some time to charge.

Edit:First glitch ....I left it on the charger and came home to a frozen, bright white screen. Held the power button down for many seconds multiple times to no avail. Finally, it restarted.
 
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Feb 1, 2025 at 10:25 AM Post #291 of 544
Edit:First glitch ....I left it on the charger and came home to a frozen, bright white screen. Held the power button down for many seconds multiple times to no avail. Finally, it restarted.
This charging behavior looks like a common issue - hopefully it's in software and can be fixed... :triportsad:

To me as a hardware folk it looks like that it could be also hardware related (charging overheating the device)... 😜

This issue and lack of software updates in the past holds me back from buying another Shanling device. 😳
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM Post #292 of 544
I used a 100w charger this morning and charged it from 25 to 95 in about 3 hours. Not sure how much of the 100 watts it can use.

It's not the fastest charging but about the same as my RS8.

One issue I'm having though, is after about 2 hours listening, the music scrambles and sounds like it's being played at 2x speed. Doesn't matter what app I'm using. I have to pause and wait 20 seconds and then it resumes fine. Did a factory reset which I thought solved it but it has returned. It seems like the longer I listen the more it happens. Odd one.
I faced the same bug on the demo unit after fiddling for a while. It gets pretty warm and the music starts to play at faster pace resulting off tuned music.
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM Post #293 of 544
I'm not sure if this is helpful, but the freezing when charging only happens for me if I let the device charge to 100%. If I disconnect the charger at any point below 100% there is no issue but once it goes fully charged, once I disconnect the charger it is frozen and you have to hold the power button for a good while to get it to reboot.
I faced the same bug on the demo unit after fiddling for a while. It gets pretty warm and the music starts to play at faster pace resulting off tuned music.
It is starting to happen more regularly now. Hopefully, a fix will be issued soon.
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM Post #294 of 544
I'm not sure if this is helpful, but the freezing when charging only happens for me if I let the device charge to 100%. If I disconnect the charger at any point below 100% there is no issue but once it goes fully charged, once I disconnect the charger it is frozen and you have to hold the power button for a good while to get it to reboot.

It is the same for me, so that is why I am assuming it’s SW related. At one point it stopped happening all together… but its back lol.
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 11:16 AM Post #296 of 544
I'm not sure if this is helpful, but the freezing when charging only happens for me if I let the device charge to 100%. If I disconnect the charger at any point below 100% there is no issue but once it goes fully charged, once I disconnect the charger it is frozen and you have to hold the power button for a good while to get it to reboot.

It is starting to happen more regularly now. Hopefully, a fix will be issued soon.
Given the bugs I encountered on the demo unit, I don’t have the confidence with the purchase until they are resolved.
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM Post #297 of 544
Given the bugs I encountered on the demo unit, I don’t have the confidence with the purchase until they are resolved.
Okay? 👌
 
Feb 1, 2025 at 2:57 PM Post #299 of 544

M8T: A Unique Experience

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying both my R8II and M8T, each offering a unique yet complementary listening experience. With about 60 hours of playtime on my M8T, I can confidently say it’s an incredibly satisfying DAP. While minor issues like freezing exist, they aren’t nearly enough to dissuade me from appreciating what these devices bring to the table.

If someone asked me to choose just one between the R8II and M8T, I would fight tooth and nail and say I’ve got to keep both! They complement each other too well—each bringing something unique that I can’t imagine giving up.



Software Adjustments

A key factor for me is using HF Onkyo, which improves performance compared to the stock Hibby/Shanling players. Some claim the SP3000 is better than the R8II, but that’s before adding plug-ins and fine-tuning the setup. Once optimized, the R8II improves significantly.

In R8II, I did not get this signature from the stock players. I tested Neutron and UAPP—both were better than Hibby, with Neutron being the more musical of the two, but HF surpasses both. It focuses on being organic and analog while remaining detailed.

Caveat: The R8II also benefited from the recommended plug-ins, which took it to another level.

The M8T captures a similar essence while maintaining its own unique character, having used HF Player from day one. Both DAPs now sound more organic and natural, with a refined presentation.



Preferred Sound Signature

I have always favored an analog, warm signature over a cold, analytical, and detail-heavy one, as can be seen in my past DAP choices. I want my music to feel rich and immersive, not just technically impressive.

  • The R8II was only somewhat analog at first/even digital sounding, leaning more toward detail, spacing, and resolution, giving a refined, spacious sound, became MORE analog later with HF/plug ins.
  • The M8T is more geared toward pure musicality—it pulls you in with its organic/analog presentation, making music effortless and natural.
This difference makes them complement each other well.



Sound Characteristics & Staging

Unlike many DAPs, the M8T is not very holographic at least at the moment. Instead, it’s just sweet—like you can taste it. The timbre is accurate, polite, and different—organic and musical.

It doesn’t overwhelm with exaggerated spacing—not to say the spacing isn’t good, but that’s seems not be the purpose of this DAP.

As of this morning, the bass keeps getting tighter with more ghost details revealing themselves in the mids and treble—not in an analytical sense, but with nice details, staging and unique timbres, DID I SAY TIMBRE?, that make you just smile.

The R8II has deep bass/sub-bass that, at least for now, is not present in the M8T—but I don’t think I need or even want it in the M8T. Its balance and refinement make bass less necessary—it’s more about immersion than impact.



Listening Modes & Customization

I’ve only been using Transistor mode on the M8T, which, interestingly, sounds warm, analog, and musically perfect. Triode mode, however, works well for Bluetooth, where the vocals become more natural, with floating details that lift right out of the speakers.

Pairing them with HP100SE (perfect, though I may sell it due to being heavy), GS3000X (customized by Grado upon request), and Arya Organic brings out a cohesive, immersive sound that works well across different genres.

  • The R8II is my fun and engaging DAP
  • The M8T is my relaxing, immersive DAP
That being said, my choice of headgear may have contributed to my experience, and your mileage may vary.



Comparisons & Upgrade Path

For those wondering about comparisons, I previously owned the RS8/SP3000 before moving to the R8II. Initially, I felt the RS8 had something special in its analog presentation, but after fine-tuning the R8II, it became competitive enough that I no longer felt the need for the RS8 or SP3000.

Before settling on the M8T, I extensively considered the C6III and R6 Pro Max. I even thought about going for a more expensive DAP like the LP E7 or Cayin N30LE (which had limited runs).

After weighing my options, I felt that the versatility of the R8II and M8T combo made them the better decision overall.



DAP Stability & Software Tweaks

Every DAP I’ve owned has had minor issues, but most were easily resolved with a simple reset—similar to older devices like the iPod 5th Gen, Cowon P, L, S, SP2000, SP3000, etc.

Personally, I haven’t experienced freezing on my M8T, possibly because I unplug it before it reaches 100% charge.

You may still need to play around with the player settings to fine-tune your experience.

HF’s level of change isn’t as extensive as what old Cowon DAPs offered, where you could tweak nearly everything, but it works with the few available options.

I also noticed that the sound signature changes with seemingly irrelevant settings—like turning auto-login on or off. I’m not sure if this is just an Android quirk, but it does affect the sound.



Fine-Tuning for the Best Sound

If you enjoy tweaking sound, HF setup provides some, not a lot, of customization.

Unlike Cowon DAPs, where EQ and sound adjustments were nearly limitless, this is more restricted. You must be listening while customizing, and you must use headgear that can pick up all the small changes.

Since my Cowon days, I’ve always been a fan of EQ settings, which were some of the most functional and effective in any DAP. That level of control allows me to tailor the sound to my preference and get the best out of my setup.

If you’re not into customizing, your experience may differ.



Listening Habits & Music Preferences

I never use an amp and never will. I listen to music at low volumes, and despite being middle-aged, my last hearing test showed no deficiency—I intend to keep it that way.

My music taste is all over the place—from classical, jazz, and metal to EDM, hip-hop, and rap. I listen to it all, and the M8T and R8II handle every genre well.

They deliver the warmth and engagement I prefer without sacrificing detail, making them the most versatile combination I’ve owned.



Final Thoughts

As my M8T continues to burn in, I’m noticing its bass tightening up, but even if it remains unchanged, it still fits its niche as a refined, natural-sounding DAP.

If someone asked me to choose just one between the R8II and M8T, I wouldn’t be able to. They are both essential for different reasons, and I wouldn’t give up either.
 
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Feb 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM Post #300 of 544

M8T: A Unique Experience

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying both my R8II and M8T, each offering a unique yet complementary listening experience. With about 60 hours of playtime on my M8T, I can confidently say it’s an incredibly satisfying DAP. While minor issues like freezing exist, they aren’t nearly enough to dissuade me from appreciating what these devices bring to the table.

If someone asked me to choose just one between the R8II and M8T, I would fight tooth and nail and say I’ve got to keep both! They complement each other too well—each bringing something unique that I can’t imagine giving up.



Software Adjustments

A key factor for me is using HF Onkyo, which improves performance compared to the stock Hibby/Shanling players. Some claim the SP3000 is better than the R8II, but that’s before adding plug-ins and fine-tuning the setup. Once optimized, the R8II improves significantly.

In R8II, I did not get this signature from the stock players. I tested Neutron and UAPP—both were better than Hibby, with Neutron being the more musical of the two, but HF surpasses both. It focuses on being organic and analog while remaining detailed.

Caveat: The R8II also benefited from the recommended plug-ins, which took it to another level.

The M8T captures a similar essence while maintaining its own unique character, having used HF Player from day one. Both DAPs now sound more organic and natural, with a refined presentation.



Preferred Sound Signature

I have always favored an analog, warm signature over a cold, analytical, and detail-heavy one, as can be seen in my past DAP choices. I want my music to feel rich and immersive, not just technically impressive.

  • The R8II was somewhat analog at first, but leaned more toward detail, spacing, and resolution, giving it a refined, spacious sound, MORE analog later with HF.
  • The M8T is more geared toward pure musicality—it pulls you in with its organic/analog presentation, making music effortless and natural.
This difference makes them complement each other well.



Sound Characteristics & Staging

Unlike many DAPs, the M8T is not very holographic. Instead, it’s just sweet—like you can taste it. The timbre is accurate, polite, and different—organic and musical.

It doesn’t overwhelm with exaggerated staging—not to say the staging isn’t good, but that’s not the purpose of this DAP.

As of this morning, the bass keeps getting tighter with more ghost details revealing themselves in the mids and treble—not in an analytical sense, but in unique timbres that make you just smile.

The R8II has deep bass/sub-bass that, at least for now, is not present in the M8T—but I don’t think I need or even want it in the M8T. Its balance and refinement make bass less necessary—it’s more about immersion than impact.



Listening Modes & Customization

I’ve only been using Transistor mode on the M8T, which, interestingly, sounds warm, analog, and musically perfect. Triode mode, however, works well for Bluetooth, where the vocals become more natural, with floating details that lift right out of the speakers.

Pairing them with HP100SE (perfect, though I may sell it due to being heavy), GS3000X (customized by Grado upon request), and Arya Organic brings out a cohesive, immersive sound that works well across different genres.

  • The R8II is my fun and engaging DAP
  • The M8T is my relaxing, immersive DAP
That being said, my choice of headgear may have contributed to my experience, and your mileage may vary.



Comparisons & Upgrade Path

For those wondering about comparisons, I previously owned the RS8/SP3000 before moving to the R8II. Initially, I felt the RS8 had something special in its analog presentation, but after fine-tuning the R8II, it became competitive enough that I no longer felt the need for the RS8 or SP3000.

Before settling on the M8T, I extensively considered the C6III and R6 Pro Max. I even thought about going for a more expensive DAP like the LP E7 or Cayin N30LE (which had limited runs).

After weighing my options, I felt that the versatility of the R8II and M8T combo made them the better decision overall.



DAP Stability & Software Tweaks

Every DAP I’ve owned has had minor issues, but most were easily resolved with a simple reset—similar to older devices like the iPod 5th Gen, Cowon P, L, S, SP2000, SP3000, etc.

Personally, I haven’t experienced freezing on my M8T, possibly because I unplug it before it reaches 100% charge.

You may still need to play around with the player settings to fine-tune your experience.

HF’s level of change isn’t as extensive as what old Cowon DAPs offered, where you could tweak nearly everything, but it works with the few available options.

I also noticed that the sound signature changes with seemingly irrelevant settings—like turning auto-login on or off. I’m not sure if this is just an Android quirk, but it does affect the sound.



Fine-Tuning for the Best Sound

If you enjoy tweaking sound, this setup provides some, not a lot, of customization.

Unlike Cowon DAPs, where EQ and sound adjustments were nearly limitless, this is more restricted. You must be listening while customizing, and you must use headgear that can pick up all the small changes.

Since my Cowon days, I’ve always been a fan of EQ settings, which were some of the most functional and effective in any DAP. That level of control allows me to tailor the sound to my preference and get the best out of my setup.

If you’re not into customizing, your experience may differ.



Listening Habits & Music Preferences

I never use an amp and never will. I listen to music at low volumes, and despite being middle-aged, my last hearing test showed no deficiency—I intend to keep it that way.

My music taste is all over the place—from classical, jazz, and metal to EDM, hip-hop, and rap. I listen to it all, and the M8T and R8II handle every genre well.

They deliver the warmth and engagement I prefer without sacrificing detail, making them the most versatile combination I’ve owned.



Final Thoughts

As my M8T continues to burn in, I’m noticing its bass tightening up, but even if it remains unchanged, it still fits its niche as a refined, natural-sounding DAP.

If someone asked me to choose just one between the R8II and M8T, I wouldn’t be able to. They are both essential for different reasons, and I wouldn’t give up either.
For me the only filter I need with the R8ii currently is Sound felid. Also , try using turbo mode with the R8ii the Dap gets super exciting. High gain and turbo mode and lower the volume.
 

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