Introducing Shanling M8T - New Flagship Portable Android Player with Tubes

Feb 12, 2025 at 9:38 AM Post #331 of 543
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.
Thanks, I appreciate that. I'll be using them with the CA Clara, so I guess it boils down to which one will pair better. I did read that someone had hiss with M8T. I also listen to a wide range of music, so depends which one would be the better all rounder. I'm guess M8T?
 
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Feb 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM Post #332 of 543
Thanks, I appreciate that. I'll be using them with the CA Clara, so I guess it boils down to which one will pair better. I did read that someone had hiss with M8T. I also listen to a wide range of music, so depends which one would be the better all rounder. I'm guess M8T?
I heard no hiss at all with Clara on M8T, for what it's worth, but that is with my ears, of course. The better all rounder would be M8T, as you have more options to change the sound. N2 doesn't really have anything other than DAC filters to change, and they are fairly subtle in effect.
 
Feb 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM Post #333 of 543
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.
RS8 is definitely not more resolving than the R8ii. The other way around to my ears. RS8 is more about that R2R texture and timbre. R8ii more dynamic and incisive - although you can change it around via MSEB too...
 
Feb 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM Post #334 of 543
I heard no hiss at all with Clara on M8T, for what it's worth, but that is with my ears, of course. The better all rounder would be M8T, as you have more options to change the sound. N2 doesn't really have anything other than DAC filters to change, and they are fairly subtle in effect.
Cool, thank you for the info 😊
 
Feb 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM Post #336 of 543
Almost 3 months passed since release date and still no reviews…
I am going to write one very soon, I prefer to use a dap for 3 to 4 weeks before starting the process. I have also been very lucky with no issues like some other folks here, I also just got a new iem that is perfect pairing with M8t 😊

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Feb 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM Post #337 of 543
Almost 3 months passed since release date and still no reviews…
I'm writing one as we speak but making sure I've got 4-6 weeks listening on it
 
Feb 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM Post #339 of 543
Does anyone know if the display used for the M8T is used on any cellphones? I'm asking because I want to try finding an anti-glare / anti-fingerprint screen protector for the M8T and if there's a specific cellphone which uses the same exact display, then I might find what I'm looking for.

Answering my own question.

I found an anti-glare, anti-fingerprint matte film for the Shanling M9 Plus on Amazon. This matte film protector is an exact fit for the M8T except for the cutout needed for the tube area. I cut out the small portion for the tube area, but that isn't really necessary. The matte film can be applied as is and when you put the player into it's leather case the small area that should be notched out is hidden by the leather case, so all is good.

BoxWave Screen Protector Compatible with Shanling M9 Plus - ClearTouch Anti-Glare (2-Pack), Anti-Fingerprint Matte Film Skin
 
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Feb 13, 2025 at 1:29 AM Post #340 of 543
Answering my own question.

I found an anti-glare, anti-fingerprint matte film for the Shanling M9 Plus on Amazon. This matte film protector is an exact fit for the M8T except for the cutout needed for the tube area. I cut out the small portion for the tube area, but that isn't really necessary. The matte film can be applied as is and when you put the player into it's leather case the small area that should be notched out is hidden by the leather case, so all is good.

BoxWave Screen Protector Compatible with Shanling M9 Plus - ClearTouch Anti-Glare (2-Pack), Anti-Fingerprint Matte Film Skin
Does anyone know if liquid cell phone screen protectors like this one work well on DAP's? I applied to a new cell phone and wondering if it would be good use for DAP screen as well.
 
Feb 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM Post #341 of 543
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.
you just saved me a few dollars, haha
 
Feb 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM Post #343 of 543
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.
Great! I ordered now a referb M8 for as low as EUR 699,-!
 
Feb 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM Post #344 of 543
Does anyone know if liquid cell phone screen protectors like this one work well on DAP's? I applied to a new cell phone and wondering if it would be good use for DAP screen as well.
I would expect the same results you got with your new cell phone. Is the liquid cell phone screen protector applied with a wet wipe of sorts? What happens if you don't like how it turned out, can the protective finish be removed or are you stuck with it?
 
Feb 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM Post #345 of 543
I would expect the same results you got with your new cell phone. Is the liquid cell phone screen protector applied with a wet wipe of sorts? What happens if you don't like how it turned out, can the protective finish be removed or are you stuck with it?
Yes, there are included wipes, but no, I am not aware of any way to remove it once applied.
 

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