Shanling M2s Hi-Res DAP with AK4490 + MUSE8920, Bluetooth, & USB Out

[SpanishGuy]

Do you any of you guys here who have the M2S have an experience with the iBasso DX50? I have been using for DX50 for quite some time now and have been looking to upgrade (especially to a Shanling DAP). @nmatheis bro i have enjoyed reading your reviews of Shanling gears and have found them quite enticing (i love the form factors, apparent build quality and UI). Any input and comparisons (in particular about sound quality) will be much appreciated. I am strongly considering getting the M2S from ShenzenAudio store on Aliexpress cause they offer DHL/Fedex shipping for a minimal fee. Do you any of you have experience ordering from them? Thanks and good day to you all.

Hi, I have a dx90 which I heard is a bit analitical than the dx50 but the sound signature is not so for from it. I have the m2s since a week and the sound is much different from the ibasso. I mean is much warmer and enjoyable but less detailed. Anyway the shanling sounds great, no noise or hiss (I had paired it with a five BA iem very sensible and the m2s is very stable). I had notice that the shanling volume can goes really high but to be honest it seems that the sound quality goes down as you take the volume high, that don't happens with the dx90 but you have to consider with the price of a dx90 you can buy easily three m2s .

 

[abitdeef]

Um I don't know where you're from but a dx90 is less than 400 dollars here and a m2s is about 200. Also I don't call the exaggerated treble of the dx90 necessarily more detailed than the m2s. M2s isn't really missing anything from a dx90 except for staging and power.

 

[pmontesd]

The 1.10 Firmware Update does not install on my M2s - or at least the About M2s Screen still shows 1.0, after trying 5 or 6 times to select System Update & click on the Check-mark - after placing update.upt at the root of the MicroSD card.

Hi @Shanling,

I'm facing the same problem reported by @DBaldock9 when trying to update to firmware v1.20 from v1.1. I've tried with several otherwise working SD Cards by placing update.upt at root of MicroSD card. Also tried after formatting the SD Cards (FAT32 and exFAT) and even restoring Shanling m2s factory settings.

Apparently, a solution was provided to @DBaldock9 which solved the problem. Would you please help me and get my device fixed?

Regards,

 

[BartSimpson1976]

Album and artists starting with "A" or "The" are sorted under A resp. T. That is one of the very few things which should be fixed imho

 

[DBaldock9]

Hi @Shanling,

I'm facing the same problem reported by @DBaldock9 when trying to update to firmware v1.20 from v1.1. I've tried with several otherwise working SD Cards by placing update.upt at root of MicroSD card. Also tried after formatting the SD Cards (FAT32 and exFAT) and even restoring Shanling m2s factory settings.

Apparently, a solution was provided to @DBaldock9 which solved the problem. Would you please help me and get my device fixed?

Regards,

Someone in the engineering group at Shanling emailed a Windows software tool to me. It's for flashing devices based on the Ingenic X1000 chip, and works through the USB port (similar to how ADB does for Android devices).

 

[SpanishGuy]

Um I don't know where you're from but a dx90 is less than 400 dollars here and a m2s is about 200. Also I don't call the exaggerated treble of the dx90 necessarily more detailed than the m2s. M2s isn't really missing anything from a dx90 except for staging and power.

No matter where you live, first is impossible to find a brand new dx90 since months (the only one I can find now is on the eBay from Japan for near 570$ custom taxes excluded), second when I bought it years ago the listed price is 599$ so make numbers (I obtain my m2s for 150 bucks in the eBay less than a month ago), anyway... Talking about sound of course it is always subjective but is clear that the sound signature of the shanling is obscure, dark compared to the ibasso so if our folk is thinking on find a replacement for the ibasso with the shanling he must know that this two DAPs are quite different.

 

[abitdeef]

No matter where you live, first is impossible to find a brand new dx90 since months (the only one I can find now is on the eBay from Japan for near 570$ custom taxes excluded), second when I bought it years ago the listed price is 599$ so make numbers (I obtain my m2s for 150 bucks in the eBay less than a month ago), anyway... Talking about sound of course it is always subjective but is clear that the sound signature of the shanling is obscure, dark compared to the ibasso so if our folk is thinking on find a replacement for the ibasso with the shanling he must know that this two DAPs are quite different.

No not at all impossible:
https://www.amazon.com/iBasso-DX90-Resolution-Connection-Distributor/dp/B00JRGLX3G

And the poster was talking about the DX50 which is a whole different beast (1 wolfson). Yes they do have different sound sigs, but I personally wouldn't call the sound dark or obscure. I think you are confusing detail with the hot treble response of the dx90, yes the m2s is just a bit warm of neutral but coming from a dx50 well I can't see anyone not liking what's on offer. And of course if he can't demo one he can always try to buy one from a place that offers returns.

 

[Lohb]

My friend loving M2s with Cayin C5.
Is there a micro-sd format function in the M2S menus, or does the micro-SD need to be formatted with other apps ?

 

[SpanishGuy]

No not at all impossible:
https://www.amazon.com/iBasso-DX90-Resolution-Connection-Distributor/dp/B00JRGLX3G

And the poster was talking about the DX50 which is a whole different beast (1 wolfson). Yes they do have different sound sigs, but I personally wouldn't call the sound dark or obscure. I think you are confusing detail with the hot treble response of the dx90, yes the m2s is just a bit warm of neutral but coming from a dx50 well I can't see anyone not liking what's on offer. And of course if he can't demo one he can always try to buy one from a place that offers returns.

No not at all impossible:
https://www.amazon.com/iBasso-DX90-Resolution-Connection-Distributor/dp/B00JRGLX3G

And the poster was talking about the DX50 which is a whole different beast (1 wolfson). Yes they do have different sound sigs, but I personally wouldn't call the sound dark or obscure. I think you are confusing detail with the hot treble response of the dx90, yes the m2s is just a bit warm of neutral but coming from a dx50 well I can't see anyone not liking what's on offer. And of course if he can't demo one he can always try to buy one from a place that offers returns.

This seller only ships to the US, not for Europe or Asia. About the m2s I love how portable it is, battery life and sound for the price besides it has Bluetooth (reason why I decided to buy one). IMO the sound of the m2s is similar to the Fiio x3ii and play a different league than ibasso dx90 or Fiio X5II. But as you said poster always can test it and decide.

 

[SpanishGuy]

My friend loving M2s with Cayin C5.
Is there a micro-sd format function in the M2S menus, or does the micro-SD need to be formatted with other apps ?

No format function. Usually the micro-SD come pre-formated on exFAT.

 

[abitdeef]

This seller only ships to the US, not for Europe or Asia. About the m2s I love how portable it is, battery life and sound for the price besides it has Bluetooth (reason why I decided to buy one). IMO the sound of the m2s is similar to the Fiio x3ii and play a different league than ibasso dx90 or Fiio X5II. But as you said poster always can test it and decide.

Well yes I was just going by where I live, and dx90 have never been hard to come by new. I know I bought 3 of them (well bought one and returned it twice because of headphone jacks going out) But yeah m2s is close to fiio x3ii, maybe a smidge more detailed and having a bit smaller stage. And for the OP I did have a dx50 for a very short time and I actually liked the fiio x3ii better all around than the dx50. And I like the m2s better than fiio x3ii so I hope that helps. Oh, and Aliexpress and Shenzun audio are excellent to deal with.

 

[BartSimpson1976]

I tried to the following: M2s with Oppo HA2SE --> meh
M2s with ALO Rx --> absolute great fantastic clean sound. Sweet!

 

[Ivan TT]

Finally found IEMs that have decent synergy with M2s, was on the verge of giving up actually.

Urbanfun Hifi deliver clean, balanced, detailed and well articulated sound, probably a bit too clinical and cold in the amount of detail and clarity and realistic, but not bigger-than-life stereo image.

They may be a tad overbright in the high frequency range on other DAPs, but M2s has this silky smoothness that Urbanfun compensates for and offsets nicely.

Same applies to the lowest octave, where M2s overwhelms some other IEMs (or rather my hearing), with Urbanfun's low end sits well and well-connected with the ever so slightly recessed mid-range (which I would like to be a bit, like 1.5dB more prominent, but oh well).

They do have a sonic signature that is similar to more powerful studio monitors indeed, along the lines of 3-way Genelecs.

Don't get me wrong, this combination is not 100% perfect, but close, at least for me.

Now, if only I could get some of Tennmak Pro's soundstage and mid-range thrown in the mix...

PS: I've got them in Beryllium Black option, so I don't look like I've got two ninja turtles sticking out of my ears

PPS: 'Why worry" by Dire Straight is absolutely brilliantly amazing with this combo! Drummer actually does ghost notes during the outtro, I have never heard them before! And those in-between position strat sounds, they are just alive in the glory of their attacks, wonderful...

 

[mbuszek]

Hi, I have another problem with my M2s - charging time. Why is it charging so long? I have latest firmware 1.2 and after 7 hours of charging, the process wasn't complete. How long does it take to charge it?

 

[SpanishGuy]

Hi, I have another problem with my M2s - charging time. Why is it charging so long? I have latest firmware 1.2 and after 7 hours of charging, the process wasn't complete. How long does it take to charge it?

It's such a long time to charge the player. Maybe it is obvious but did you try another different charger or cable? Maybe the wire is damaged or the charger don't works properly. Remember the player use a 2A charger so if you use a standard USB port (0.5A) charge time will be increased two or three times. Hope to be helpful.