Introducing Shanling M8T - New Flagship Portable Android Player with Tubes

[Shanling]

Thank you all for providing the feedback on M8T. It's a big change to us going to Android 13, so we are trying our best to get it problem free as soon as possible.

Our software team is working on it, they already made some improvements over holidays and we hope to have a software update releasing soon.

I have no of the battery/charging issues, been charging it to full 5 times and other times stopping it before to not degrade the battery. Also no of the glitches mentioned in the thread, I found a different kind of bug. I love to use other Android Launchers on my DAP, like Niagara or Nova. When I apply the launcher's it will automatically override the system settings and revert back to the stock launcher.

This is not glitch, but decision by our software team. Due to some additional non-standard features of our system, they do not allow 3rd party launchers and always return to the default one.

 

[Mhog55]

Can anyone compare and contrast this device with the Hiby R8 mk2? They both appeal to me with their warmish, analog, detailed sound. I like that the M8T has a good chunk more power, but I've never owned an R2R dap. My primary big boy dap is still the original M8, plus I own the M6 Ultra which I truly dig. Just curious what the sonic differences might be between this and the Hiby.

 

[Kiats]

Thank you all for providing the feedback on M8T. It's a big change to us going to Android 13, so we are trying our best to get it problem free as soon as possible.

Our software team is working on it, they already made some improvements over holidays and we hope to have a software update releasing soon.


This is not glitch, but decision by our software team. Due to some additional non-standard features of our system, they do not allow 3rd party launchers and always return to the default one.

@Shanling an interesting issue arose in respect of QQ Music. Prior to the last FW update, QQ Music allowed saving of songs into the SD card, Post FW, I realised the option has disappeared and error message from QQ Music is that the Shanling does not allow saving to SD card.

 

[zlayde]

Can anyone compare and contrast this device with the Hiby R8 mk2? They both appeal to me with their warmish, analog, detailed sound. I like that the M8T has a good chunk more power, but I've never owned an R2R dap. My primary big boy dap is still the original M8, plus I own the M6 Ultra which I truly dig. Just curious what the sonic differences might be between this and the Hiby.

I own both. The Hiby r8ii is more analytical and reference imo. It also brings even more detail due to its dap stage. It is incredibly resolving.

That said, if you crave a more organic, lush sound the m8t is the better option, even in transistor mode.

 

[driftstar]

Thank you all for providing the feedback on M8T. It's a big change to us going to Android 13, so we are trying our best to get it problem free as soon as possible.

Our software team is working on it, they already made some improvements over holidays and we hope to have a software update releasing soon.


This is not glitch, but decision by our software team. Due to some additional non-standard features of our system, they do not allow 3rd party launchers and always return to the default one.

I was able to make a 3rd party launcher work. If I posted a guide, would this void other owners warranty? I don't think it would since you can reset but I wanted to make sure before posting.

 

[vsrrr]

I own both. The Hiby r8ii is more analytical and reference imo. It also brings even more detail due to its dap stage. It is incredibly resolving.
That said, if you crave a more organic, lush sound the m8t is the better option, even in transistor mode.

Which DAP pairs better with Fei Wan, out of curiosity?

 

[zlayde]

Which DAP pairs better with Fei Wan, out of curiosity?

The M8T for me.

 

[Mhog55]

I own both. The Hiby r8ii is more analytical and reference imo. It also brings even more detail due to its dap stage. It is incredibly resolving.

That said, if you crave a more organic, lush sound the m8t is the better option, even in transistor mode.

Thank You. I listen to quite a bit of 80s hair metal. Some of my albums are bands that didn't make it mainstream. Really good stuff though. They were trying to break into the scene a little too late, and they didn't have the greatest recording budgets. Ultra resolving is definitely not what I'm after. The majority of YouTube reviews I've watched don't state it's resolving capabilities. Then again, most were comparing it to the R8S.

 

[Shanling]

I was able to make a 3rd party launcher work. If I posted a guide, would this void other owners warranty? I don't think it would since you can reset but I wanted to make sure before posting.

If we get some unit back for warranty issue and the issue will be caused by some software manipulation we can't fix by simple factory reset, we would void warranty in that case.

But that's on the side of factory, warranties are normally dictated by local laws, so check on them instead.

 

[leylandi]

Can anyone compare and contrast this device with the Hiby R8 mk2? They both appeal to me with their warmish, analog, detailed sound. I like that the M8T has a good chunk more power, but I've never owned an R2R dap. My primary big boy dap is still the original M8, plus I own the M6 Ultra which I truly dig. Just curious what the sonic differences might be between this and the Hiby.

Jumping from M8 to M8T will not provide any gain. I think M8 is more analog. The R8ii will bring better separation and clarity, but the timbre of the M8 will still not be present. That's why I'm holding on to my M8. I haven't discovered a dap that can replace it.

 

[Mhog55]

Jumping from M8 to M8T will not provide any gain. I think M8 is more analog. The R8ii will bring better separation and clarity, but the timbre of the M8 will still not be present. That's why I'm holding on to my M8. I haven't discovered a dap that can replace it.

So you've heard both the M8 and M8T? My only small issue with my M8 is that it can be slightly more resolving and revealing with some albums than I'd like - Lots of 80s hair metal. I'm wondering if the M8T is a bit less of those things, and maybe a touch warmer when using the tubes.

 

[leylandi]

The M8T arrived today and I did A/B with the original M8. The iem I use is Sony IER-Z1R. I tried many modes. All in all, I prefer its predecessor. The transparency, naturalness and timbre in the mids are still unique. After switching to M8T, I felt like the curtain had been drawn. In the new model, the stage is more straight lined and distanced. The feeling of being inside the music is more evident in the original model. Vocals are more forward and transparent in the previous model. Detail performance is at a similar level, but since the M8T does this over a slightly larger area, the distinction is a little clearer. Tube mode softens the sound a little more, but transistor mode is closer to the original M8. In conclusion, I liked the sound, but the first one that broke the game was the M8.

So you've heard both the M8 and M8T? My only small issue with my M8 is that it can be slightly more resolving and revealing with some albums than I'd like - Lots of 80s hair metal. I'm wondering if the M8T is a bit less of those things, and maybe a touch warmer when using the tubes.

M8 is warmer in all situations. The M8T pushes the stage forward and expands it. The separation is slightly better. However, the magical sound signature of the M8 is missing.

 

[vilhelm44]

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.

Hi, I see you have the N2 as well. Could you let me know how the M8T compares in SQ please?

 

[Nosibilance]

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.

Are you using PD charger or USB A 5V?

 

[armstrj2]

Hi, I see you have the N2 as well. Could you let me know how the M8T compares in SQ please?

Both are great DAPs. I prefer one over the other depending on IEM or music rather than SQ to be honest. If you compare them back to back, N2 is more detailed with better imaging and layering but M8T creates the perception of a larger, airier soundstage and the tube sound is more engaging to me. N2 is way more powerful. M8T is a lot cheaper. You could go back and forth with one being better or worse for one thing or another so it really comes down to what you are listening to and what set you are using.

Are you using PD charger or USB A 5V?

Doesn't matter what charger or cable I use. If the device is powered off and you charge it to 100% it will be froze when you unplug it but it's not much of an issue. I just never leave it charging now to that point so I haven't had an issue since.

The music playing at 1.5 or 2x speed is sill happening for me though and hopefully this is something Shanling are working on for their next update.