Introducing Shanling M8T - New Flagship Portable Android Player with Tubes

[thisisdaveb]

I never paid much attention to these comments—I prefer trying things for myself, especially since these apps are relatively cheap compared to the cost of these DAPs. But after checking based on your feedback, Onkyo HF Player sits at 3.8/5 across 22K reviews. Here’s my quick take—your mileage may vary, but this is based on my experience.

Most of the negative reviews focus on the software design or interface, which I haven’t had any issues with on both my R8II and M8T—unless there have been recent updates. That said, I’m not here for a fancy UI; I just want a simple interface with great musicality. When it comes to sound quality, those who actually describe it tend to do so very positively.

To get the best out of Onkyo HF, some fine-tuning is needed. My M8T and R8II setups are different, and my habit of tweaking settings comes from my Cowon DAP days. Unlike Cowon DAPs, which could take months to dial in, this took me just a few minutes per day over a few days to find the optimal settings.

Customization with HF unlocked may seem weird or silly at first, but they actually work. Once dialed in, the improvements are significant. Here are just a few of my unconventional settings—not all:

• Auto Sync – Off (M8T), On (R8II)
• Volume Control – On (M8T), Off (R8II)
• Upsampling Limit – 192kHz on both
• Direct Transfer Output – 11.2MHz (R8II), Auto (M8T)
• Startup Pop-up – On (M8T), Off (R8II)

Without fine-tuning, I can see why some might find it flat or unengaging, which is likely why a few users are disappointed. But this may also explain why others end up liking it after making adjustments. A good pair of headphones or IEMs is essential, but once my settings were dialed in, I never had to adjust them across different gear.

With my preferred settings, the mids are clear, the lows are well-controlled, and the overall presentation feels natural. The sound is balanced yet rich across the frequency spectrum, with a well-defined midrange, smooth treble that avoids harshness, and tight, controlled bass. Vocals and instruments stand out distinctly, creating a sweet, warm and engaging listening experience.

This fits the design of both the M8T and R8II—improving balance, timbre, midrange tonality, wider space, and better-defined bass on the M8T compared to the stock player, while the R8II benefits from a more refined treble presentation, tonal improvement in the midrange, eliminating digital harshness, and achieving an overall smoother and more balanced sound compared to the stock player.

There’s no substitute for trying it yourself—you may or may not like it, but I happen to be in the group that enjoys it a lot.

For my M8T, I am now settled on transistor mode and low gain—I don’t even switch to tube mode anymore. The M8T is my relaxation-focused DAP, while the R8II is my more engaging and fun DAP. Both are musical and natural-sounding. I also want to mention that I have LDAC enabled for all Bluetooth connections.

• Stock Hiby/Shanling players are solid but feel like they’re missing something.
• Neutron offers more tuning options, which can be useful but sometimes makes things more complicated than needed. Overall, to me, it leans toward detail and an analytical sound rather than musical warmth.
• Poweramp doesn’t really compare since it’s not bit-perfect.
• UAPP adds more bass but doesn’t feel as refined, at least not on these two DAPs. Fun but just cant get that perfect sound.
• HF leans more into musicality compared to all the others, which is why I keep using it. It prioritizes musicality over pure detail/analytical precision sound, making it a perfect match for the M8T by enhancing its natural character.

At the end of the day, preferences are personal—just sharing what works for me.

Surely if a player is bit perfect then almost by definition it cannot have any affect on the sound? UAPP for example will not let you apply any EQ or anything if it’s in it perfect mode.

 

[jaker782]

Have any M8T owners had any luck changing the wallpaper? I longpress the home screen, select "wallpapers", try to select a photo and hit "save", and nothing happens. Also, the crop box that pops up to select the portion of your photo to be applied as wallpaper is oriented in landscape, which doesn't seem right. @Shanling is this a known issue?

 

[fejnomit]

Surely if a player is bit perfect then almost by definition it cannot have any affect on the sound? UAPP for example will not let you apply any EQ or anything if it’s in it perfect mode.

And yet this is the case. For countless listeners. Time to investigate reasons why this could be the case instead of dismiss the evidence of many many listeners... In the name of science, of course.

 

[Shanling]

Have any M8T owners had any luck changing the wallpaper? I longpress the home screen, select "wallpapers", try to select a photo and hit "save", and nothing happens. Also, the crop box that pops up to select the portion of your photo to be applied as wallpaper is oriented in landscape, which doesn't seem right. @Shanling is this a known issue?

After clicking on wallpaper, you will get option for three apps. You need to choose the com.android.walppaperpicker, that one works.

 

[John Blackshear]

deleted

 

[Kiats]

This is up to software team, due to change to the new system, they haven't implemented LDAC into M8T yet.

Right now the BT Receiver mode works SBC ONLY.

It should be adjusted with firmware updates.

OK thanks. Well, hope they will implement it soon. Considering it is an Android flagship DAP, one would hope that is sooner rather than later.

 

[McCol]

I've had the M8t for quite a few weeks now and I struggle to think of a better DAP that I've heard or owned in the past.

I'm no pro reviewer but here's my review if you fancy a read

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sh...table-android-player-with-tubes.27902/reviews

 

[musingclouds]

That’s actually my setup! I have both high gain and Turbo mode on, and I also have all plugins enabled: Convolution, Fixed Sample Rate (OFF), Sound Field, Balance, and DRX10K Dynamics—they really bring out the best in the R8II and make a noticeable difference in the overall presentation.

However, I’ve been keeping M8T on low gain and volume at 50 to achieve a similar level of excitement. It’s crazy how different settings work for each DAP, but both are engaging in their own way!

Update: Switched to high gain, which led to dropping the volume to 20—resulting in a head-bopping, leg-tapping experience ! Still relaxing, but with a more engaging and dynamic feel—more energy, more impact, yet still smooth.

However, on low gain at 50, it was just as exciting but delivered a more relaxing, less physically engaging feel—great for a laid-back listen, which I prefer as the day winds down.

Meanwhile, the R8II is sitting in the corner, jealous, watching with no playtime right now—but its turn shall come...

Which setting, Triode or Transistor or Ultra Linear?

 

[ijisi]

Which setting, Triode or Transistor or Ultra Linear?

Settled on Transistor mode, low gain with Onkyo HF unlocked—no EQ adjustments, just fine-tuning the settings. Details on settings change in my previous comment.

 

[musingclouds]

Thanks! I figured it out. Because I’m using a MacBook, I had to configure device under developer options.

I'm still trying to figure this out, can you let me know what you did? Also a Mac.

 

[mt877]

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

I sent a picture of my modified M9 Plus screen protector to the BoxWave company and they now make an anti-glare, anti-fingerprint protector for the M8T. After they designed a new protector, they sent me a free set of exact fitting M8T screen protectors as a kind gesture of customer support.

BoxWave Screen Protector Compatible with Shanling M8T - ClearTouch Anti-Glare (2-Pack), Anti-Fingerprint Matte Film Skin

 

[doors97426]

Has a new firmware been released I couldn't find any on their site if so could you me a link to it thanks

Does the m8t have gapless play i can;t find the setting like the other shanling players

 

[zolom]

I know its been asked, but I could not be sure. Is the M8T True Balanced, via its two/dual JN4618 tubes?

Thanks

 

[MarAudio]

Can confirm the issue, reported to software team.

Is this problem with LO automatically switching to High Gain fixed? My Shanling M6 Ultra does the same. Also is EQ from third party apps working while streaming? It does not work on the older Android 10 players. Is this changed on the M8T?

 

[Shanling]

Has a new firmware been released I couldn't find any on their site if so could you me a link to it thanks

Does the m8t have gapless play i can;t find the setting like the other shanling players

Latest firmware for M8T is still the V1.13:
https://en.shanling.com/article-M8Tv113.html

Our app does not support gapless playback. We recommend using 3rd party app if you need gapless playback.

Is this problem with LO automatically switching to High Gain fixed? My Shanling M6 Ultra does the same. Also is EQ from third party apps working while streaming? It does not work on the older Android 10 players. Is this changed on the M8T?

There was no firmware update since that post, so not yet fixed.

M8T acts the same way in regards to EQ as our previous system.