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

[some1x]

My main complaint about H7 is that the companion Edict app is subpar. It keeps losing connection. I have to go through menu to reestablish connection and then go back to home screen… it would have been nice to have a button on the home screen to reestablish connection with one click. Also, you can’t customize how you want to browse the music. I prefer to browse using folders, but I have to scroll the top bar each time just to get to folder browsing. It would be nice if the app remembered where you were browsing.

 

[PenguinHeadphoner]

My main complaint about H7 is that the companion Edict app is subpar. It keeps losing connecting connection , having to go through many clicks to reestablish connection and go back to home screen… it would have been nice to have a button on the home screen to reestablish connection with one click. Also, you can’t customize how you want to browse the music I’d prefer to browse using folders. I have to scroll to top borrow each time just to get to folder browsing.

Hi,

Same here.
The fact that it has a SD Card reader is a really great idea.
But indeed not being able to use it with an app other that Eddict makes it hardly usable

Not sure there is areal plan to change this from their side

Regards.

FRED

 

[Shanling]

My main complaint about H7 is that the companion Edict app is subpar. It keeps losing connection. I have to go through menu to reestablish connection and then go back to home screen… it would have been nice to have a button on the home screen to reestablish connection with one click. Also, you can’t customize how you want to browse the music. I prefer to browse using folders, but I have to scroll the top bar each time just to get to folder browsing. It would be nice if the app remembered where you were browsing.

My personal recommendation for the app disconnecting, check the battery saving settings on your phone for the Eddict Player app. Some Android builds are more aggressive than others, trying to shutdown anything running in background.

 

[some1x]

Unfortunately, i am using iPhone and iPad…. Just having one button to reconnect SyncLink would make a world of difference.

 

[PenguinHeadphoner]

Unfortunately, i am using iPhone and iPad…. Just having one button to reconnect SyncLink would make a world of difference.

Hi,

You're doing it all wrong then
Go get yourself an decent device : one that is Android based.






P.S. : That is of course a joke and meant to be ironical... I mention just inc ase

 

[vadinoy]

Android 13, everything is fine. Xiaomi 12t pro...

 

[taipan254]

Hi @Shanling -

I really like the H7, but I think I found a bug in the USB firmware's interaction on Linux systems; can you please fix it via a firmware update?

Details: I upsample audio using HQ Player and PGGB. However, when I send a 32-bit file to the DAC, it only receives a 24-bit file. As an example, below I pasted my player settings (note that output is set to 32 bits - yet it is playing the track at 24-bits / 16fs):

When I dig into the USB Audio settings while trying to receive 32-bit content on linux, I see the below. You'll note that Altset1 is set at 24 bits but labelled S32_LE. There is also another S32_LE set at 32 bits. I believe Altset1 needs to be labelled "24_LE", and that you should probably add another Altset that is set at "16_LE" (and respectively set at 16 bits). The DSD settings appear to work fine.

As an example of a correct implementation, here is what pops up with the Cayin RU7:

Thank you for your attention to this matter! I really appreciate it! Again, the H7 is great, but I think I could be squeezing more resolution out of it if the firmware settings were optimized for Linux in a firmware update!!!

 

[Shanling]

Hi @Shanling -

I really like the H7, but I think I found a bug in the USB firmware's interaction on Linux systems; can you please fix it via a firmware update?

Details: I upsample audio using HQ Player and PGGB. However, when I send a 32-bit file to the DAC, it only receives a 24-bit file. As an example, below I pasted my player settings (note that output is set to 32 bits - yet it is playing the track at 24-bits / 16fs):


When I dig into the USB Audio settings while trying to receive 32-bit content on linux, I see the below. You'll note that Altset1 is set at 24 bits but labelled S32_LE. There is also another S32_LE set at 32 bits. I believe Altset1 needs to be labelled "24_LE", and that you should probably add another Altset that is set at "16_LE" (and respectively set at 16 bits). The DSD settings appear to work fine.


As an example of a correct implementation, here is what pops up with the Cayin RU7:


Thank you for your attention to this matter! I really appreciate it! Again, the H7 is great, but I think I could be squeezing more resolution out of it if the firmware settings were optimized for Linux in a firmware update!!!

Will report it to software team, but to be honest, they don't do much optimization for Linux.

 

[taipan254]

Will report it to software team, but to be honest, they don't do much optimization for Linux.

Thank you - I hope they fix the issue via a firmware update. I can't imagine it is super tough to do, and I'm sure Shanling wants their products to function as-advertised! This is too high-quality and costly of a product to not function as-advertised.

 

[dbsf]

Hi @Shanling -

I upsample audio using HQ Player and PGGB. However, when I send a 32-bit file to the DAC, it only receives a 24-bit file.

H7 needs Shanling's own ASIO driver to set the bitrate. For example, at Windows, if I only run Sony Music Center, no matter what source I use, H7 can only play 24bit PCM. But once Shanling USB Audio Device Control Panel (or called sugar coated ASIO driver) installed, H7 can play DSD etc. You can tell from the lamp color. However, on the cellphone usb output it is another story.

I guess the problem on Linux side is lacking of proper ASIO driver. I had the similar issue with E1DA XMOS ADC. The reason why Shanling enforces branded ASIO is unknown. Maybe this is just what XMOS requires, or, Shanling had put too much effort and doesn't want others to easily copy and make a better one.

 

[taipan254]

H7 needs Shanling's own ASIO driver to set the bitrate. For example, at Windows, if I only run Sony Music Center, no matter what source I use, H7 can only play 24bit PCM. But once Shanling USB Audio Device Control Panel (or called sugar coated ASIO driver) installed, H7 can play DSD etc. You can tell from the lamp color. However, on the cellphone usb output it is another story.

I guess the problem on Linux side is lacking of proper ASIO driver. I had the similar issue with E1DA XMOS ADC. The reason why Shanling enforces branded ASIO is unknown. Maybe this is just what XMOS requires, or, Shanling had put too much effort and doesn't want others to easily copy and make a better one.

The ASIO driver only pertains to Windows. Linux utilizes the ALSA driver - this driver is built into the Linux operating system itself. I use a linux-based end point for my desktop audio set up. I'm using the H7 as both a portable and desktop solution - I thought that would make sense with the (great sounding) RCA outs on the back of the unit. The only way to get the H7 to work as advertised (at 32 bit / 16fs) on linux is for Shanling to issue a USB firmware update, sadly. I hope they can do it!

 

[dbsf]

The only way to get the H7 to work as advertised (at 32 bit / 16fs) on linux is for Shanling to issue a USB firmware update, sadly. I hope they can do it!

Yes, this is the question for Shanling, why not use generic ASIO or Pulse driver, instead of using Shanling branded ASIO driver?

I guess they cannot do. Otherwise, no reason to spend time and money on a middle man (Shanling ASIO).

By the way, ALSA is not ASIO compatible. With ASIO music player can set digital equalizer on amplifier side. But ALSA cannot. Also ALSA does not have loop back. If you buy an audio interface you will know the problem. I guess XMOS need ASIO (or similar) otherwise it will fall back to PCM. But whether or not use a generic ASIO is the key on your request.

Also, Cayin RU7 does not use XMOS.

 

[PenguinHeadphoner]

Hi,

Correct me if I am wrong, but you can force the audio output of Linux to play 32-bit I think.
I know I did that, but me, I am interested in having the source being playend at the original sampling and bit rate. I think that everything else adds nothing (better case scenario) or adds artificial information (worst case scenario).
To be able to output to 32-bit (but that is not adaptative) you have to install an ALSA plug-in (can't remember the name but if I do I'll post here).

Of course, using that, everything will be "resampled" to 32bit, but unless you apply some corrections, it won't resample just add some headroom.

Regards.

EDIT : Maybe I am wrong, but I think it was jack or something like that

 

[jithu215]

@Shanling I am using h7 for a few months.Everthing was fine until Recently I changed my phone.Now apple music hi res is not working,no sound is coming,non hi res songs is working fine.Tidal is working fine through app and uapp.Amazon music is completely not working,.Youtube music is fine.
H7 version 1.6
Android 13

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling I am using h7 for a few months.Everthing was fine until Recently I changed my phone.Now apple music hi res is not working,no sound is coming,non hi res songs is working fine.Tidal is working fine through app and uapp.Amazon music is completely not working,.Youtube music is fine.
H7 version 1.6
Android 13

What phone is that? It's highly strange that all other apps would be working and just Apple Music Hi-Res would stop, sounds more like software issue on the side of Apple Music.

Have you tested it with any other DACs? Have you reached to Apple for support on their software?