Shanling H7 - High-End Portable DAC/AMP/Player, Featuring new AKM AK4499EX Flagship DAC

[mRaaghava]

does any conpared h7 vs aermen angel for details and sound quality. i think angel is far better as many from desktop amp return to angel for same or even better sound quality!?

You still didn’t decide what to get? Buy both and decide which one is better for yourself and sell the other. Angel isn’t available yet across all markets I think. So it’s all in your hands to decide what’s best among H7 & Angel.

 

[MasterHead]

does any conpared h7 vs aermen angel for details and sound quality. i think angel is far better as many from desktop amp return to angel for same or even better sound quality!?

Have you compared them or are you just guessing?
I had before ifi idsd signature, and it was great. But H7 is a level above.
H7 it's also better than AK SP2000T in OP AMP mode (Hybrid and Tube I don't count, because it's a different sound style).

 

[Ieonasj]

Have you compared them or are you just guessing?
I had before ifi idsd signature, and it was great. But H7 is a level above.
H7 it's also better than AK SP2000T in OP AMP mode (Hybrid and Tube I don't count, because it's a different sound style).

not compared, i have focal stellia headphones with hybrid xduoo ta-22 dac/amo , lovely sound set.and want portable , but for desktop use only dac/amp with 6.35 output with top sound quality. im use genuine focal 6.35 cable.

 

[MasterHead]

You can get portable top sound quality with H7 in this budget range. There are probably better devices, but certainly much more expensive. For its price H7 is definitely great. It met all my expectations. And I've tried many different portable dac/amp.

 

[Frabera]

What will be the closest DAP to be compare with as similar ?

 

[Ieonasj]

What will be the closest DAP to be compare with as similar ?

earmen tr-amp good , ifi gryphon

 

[Johnfg465vd]

What will be the closest DAP to be compare with as similar ?

The DX320 and M17 perform at a similar level to the H7. There's a tuning difference and DX320 (with stock Amp) will sound slightly brighter but it has swappable Amp Cards that are helpful to tune the sound a bit. I did not get to spent enough time with the M17 so I won't say much about it except to say that it performs at a similar league in terms of sound.

 

[MasterHead]

The DX320 and M17 perform at a similar level to the H7. There's a tuning difference and DX320 (with stock Amp) will sound slightly brighter but it has swappable Amp Cards that are helpful to tune the sound a bit. I did not get to spent enough time with the M17 so I won't say much about it except to say that it performs at a similar league in terms of sound.

I think M17 presents more technical playing. Slightly less musical. Cooler midrange. But we have subtle differences here.

 

[RIGATIO]

From 1000 bucks up, the differences are too small to be decisive IMHO.
For me the dx300, dx320, M8, sp2kt, sp1km sounded similar, with slight differences in note thickness and background blackness. The detail, separation, staging were all very similar. I liked the M8 the most.

 

[Frabera]

What about the M9 ?

 

[RIGATIO]

What about the M9 ?

I would say technically was very impressive but still quite similar. The more things i test, the more important the transducers become to me. If you already have a very nicely tuned, resolving headphones/iems, that make you shake your head, you can just choose between different dacs to match your taste. I dont think one dac is superior to another. I always loved AKM dacs, then i liked ROHM and now im loving ESS because its implemented beautifully on the Pegasus Gold. I didnt like ESS on the Kann Max and Sp2kT for example because they were too edgy but if you like such type of contour around notes (AK style), then they will sound great to you. I was very impressed even by the Fiio M11 Plus ESS. It didnt sound like typical Sabre but it had Sabre dynamics.
The M9 and M8 were the smoothest among them all but the Pegasus is even smoother and bolder.
I would rather spend 1k on the Monarchs or even 2k on the u12t (or even better- 600e on the Symphonium Meteor) and then would buy some used dap or dac/amp for not more than 1k.
You can always go for a dap 3k + to gain these last 3-5% of refinement but the question worth of asking is: are you really able to hear it when youre on the street, train, plain or even your room, moving around.
If you dont use DAPs outside, there is no point in buying one for home use IMHO.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

I would say technically was very impressive but still quite similar. The more things i test, the more important the transducers become to me. If you already have a very nicely tuned, resolving headphones/iems, that make you shake your head, you can just choose between different dacs to match your taste. I dont think one dac is superior to another. I always loved AKM dacs, then i liked ROHM and now im loving ESS because its implemented beautifully on the Pegasus Gold. I didnt like ESS on the Kann Max and Sp2kT for example because they were too edgy but if you like such type of contour around notes (AK style), then they will sound great to you. I was very impressed even by the Fiio M11 Plus ESS. It didnt sound like typical Sabre but it had Sabre dynamics.
The M9 and M8 were the smoothest among them all but the Pegasus is even smoother and bolder.
I would rather spend 1k on the Monarchs or even 2k on the u12t (or even better- 600e on the Symphonium Meteor) and then would buy some used dap or dac/amp for not more than 1k.
You can always go for a dap 3k + to gain these last 3-5% of refinement but the question worth of asking is: are you really able to hear it when youre on the street, train, plain or even your room, moving around.
If you dont use DAPs outside, there is no point in buying one for home use IMHO.

I think for most people, DAC/Amps like the Gryphon, Mojo 2 & RS2 or BTR7, M15 & RU6 depending on your budget and preference will provide a good price to performance ratio. You do get improvements in sound with higher priced stuff but things can get crazy expensive for little gain in sound quality the higher up you go. With Headphones and more importantly with IEMs you get more improvement or at the very least a more different or unique sound signature. So yeah, spending more on the transducer is a good advice.

 

[Flaorus]

Hello. @Shanling really misses the function of deleting folders in TF card mode. Could you please ask the development team to include this feature in the development plan.

 

[Scubadevils]

I would say technically was very impressive but still quite similar. The more things i test, the more important the transducers become to me. If you already have a very nicely tuned, resolving headphones/iems, that make you shake your head, you can just choose between different dacs to match your taste. I dont think one dac is superior to another. I always loved AKM dacs, then i liked ROHM and now im loving ESS because its implemented beautifully on the Pegasus Gold. I didnt like ESS on the Kann Max and Sp2kT for example because they were too edgy but if you like such type of contour around notes (AK style), then they will sound great to you. I was very impressed even by the Fiio M11 Plus ESS. It didnt sound like typical Sabre but it had Sabre dynamics.
The M9 and M8 were the smoothest among them all but the Pegasus is even smoother and bolder.
I would rather spend 1k on the Monarchs or even 2k on the u12t (or even better- 600e on the Symphonium Meteor) and then would buy some used dap or dac/amp for not more than 1k.
You can always go for a dap 3k + to gain these last 3-5% of refinement but the question worth of asking is: are you really able to hear it when youre on the street, train, plain or even your room, moving around.
If you dont use DAPs outside, there is no point in buying one for home use IMHO.

On your last line regarding using DAPs at home, I disagree - I enjoy the portability within my house… often moving from various locations and can take my whole audio world with me as I choose. I wouldn’t have that flexibility with desktop equipment. Even today while working from home, I’ve had the H7 and HD660S2 playing all morning, popping the H7 in my pocket as I go to the kitchen to grab a coffee etc. I then have my go-to DAPs for more outdoor use such as the M6 Ultra or P6K.

 

[MasterHead]

On your last line regarding using DAPs at home, I disagree - I enjoy the portability within my house… often moving from various locations and can take my whole audio world with me as I choose. I wouldn’t have that flexibility with desktop equipment. Even today while working from home, I’ve had the H7 and HD660S2 playing all morning, popping the H7 in my pocket as I go to the kitchen to grab a coffee etc. I then have my go-to DAPs for more outdoor use such as the M6 Ultra or P6K.

Yes! Everyone needs freedom at home
Sometimes you have to move away from your desk, and you can listen to music in bed in another room. Totally agree.