Shanling M3 Plus - New Midrange Android Portable Player at $469

[Rockcoon]

Output impedance: less than 1Ω

Good.

 

[Wahid]

Shanling uses these capacitors in several products meaning they are likely buying them in lots of 1000 or more. At that quantity the price drops considerably. If you buy them on aliexpress or ebay the lot sizes are much smaller and the unit price is higher and you are buying from a third party which increases the price. Shanling could be buying them direct from the manufacturer at these quantities further reducing the unit price. The M21 has the extra OPA1692 opamps the M3 Plus does not. Fiio is also using several high quality capacitors in the M21 as well.

What about the newer 680 SOC, larger 4000 maH battery and the higher resolution screen on the M21, those certainly add to the cost over the M3 Plus. You can nitpick component by component if you want but the total package on the M21 is better than the M3 Plus for alot less money (over $200 less). That is what matters to me, no argument about capacitors is going to change that.

As for which one sounds better it is a purely individual decision and we won't know about that until some units are reviewed. Again Fiio DAP's are widely available in Canada and locally so I should be able to decide for myself with a hands on demo. I would be very surprised if the M3 Plus will be available for me to demo, another point in favor of the M21.

I have run large factories, I know that things cost less in volume. The capacitors have a lot to do with the sound signature. Those particular ones are about as good as it gets on Earth. They are not there to be looked at, obviously. It's a Shanling. You are comparing Toyota with Jaguar or whatever. And the Fiio is the Toyota. The Toyota costs less, and is more agile. The Jaguar is more comfortable and luxurious. Referring to sound sig, here. Depends what you like. I am attracted to the Fiio based on features, but not at all convinced it will sound as good as a Shanling. . Maybe find someone with a Shanling player, and try it. The M3 Ultra is also extremely nice, if you like excellent bass and a well textured and layered, organic mid section, and a gentle trebel section that also gives detail, and will be friendly to various qualities of files. With Fiio, you better have top notch music files, or it will be unpleasant. But if you like a highly digital and precise hifi experience, and are not a fan of analog sound, the Fiio would be better for you.

 

[Waqar]

I have run large factories, I know that things cost less in volume. The capacitors have a lot to do with the sound signature. Those particular ones are about as good as it gets on Earth. They are not there to be looked at, obviously. It's a Shanling. You are comparing Toyota with Jaguar or whatever. And the Fiio is the Toyota. The Toyota costs less, and is more agile. The Jaguar is more comfortable and luxurious. Referring to sound sig, here. Depends what you like. I am attracted to the Fiio based on features, but not at all convinced it will sound as good as a Shanling. . Maybe find someone with a Shanling player, and try it. The M3 Ultra is also extremely nice, if you like excellent bass and a well textured and layered, organic mid section, and a gentle trebel section that also gives detail, and will be friendly to various qualities of files. With Fiio, you better have top notch music files, or it will be unpleasant. But if you like a highly digital and precise hifi experience, and are not a fan of analog sound, the Fiio would be better for you.

I just got this dap just because of how you described the sound of this dap, its exactly what i like.

I allready have a Dx180 and love that dap, but i have a feeling that this dap is my cup of tea.
I also have the Jm21 but are selling that one, and maybe pick up the M21 when it goes on sale.

Lets see how this turns out, but for the price i got it it is going to be easy to like. And look at the design of this one just insane, and the hardest part about this dap was if i want the silver or the black one.
I just tought to just love a little and got the silver one, because it looks so clean.

Lets see how good this dap is

 

[Rockcoon]

I have run large factories, I know that things cost less in volume. The capacitors have a lot to do with the sound signature. Those particular ones are about as good as it gets on Earth. They are not there to be looked at, obviously. It's a Shanling. You are comparing Toyota with Jaguar or whatever. And the Fiio is the Toyota. The Toyota costs less, and is more agile. The Jaguar is more comfortable and luxurious. Referring to sound sig, here. Depends what you like. I am attracted to the Fiio based on features, but not at all convinced it will sound as good as a Shanling. . Maybe find someone with a Shanling player, and try it. The M3 Ultra is also extremely nice, if you like excellent bass and a well textured and layered, organic mid section, and a gentle trebel section that also gives detail, and will be friendly to various qualities of files. With Fiio, you better have top notch music files, or it will be unpleasant. But if you like a highly digital and precise hifi experience, and are not a fan of analog sound, the Fiio would be better for you.

I owned Shanling Onix XM5 for some time, and sold it, cuz it has a weird thing in tuning, something that perceived as “W” shaped, but with very deep first “V”- scoped mid bass to lower mids, that make some drum kicks and electric guitars sound weak compared to Cayin N3 Ultra, and even compared to Xduoo Link 2 dongle. It took a while to figure out what’s wrong, cuz sub bass on XM5 hits deep and mask that oddness.
Hope Shanling will never repeat that again. Particularly in 3 Plus.

P.S
Xduoo and Ibasso proved that old well known Cirrus Logic DAC chips can be tuned to sound neutral with slightly adder warmth and note weight. Polish that formula with good, quality components and programming, and it will be “must have” for “analog sound” guys like I.

 

[nekromantik]

anyone think the M5 Ultra will be much better then M3 Plus?

 

[Wahid]

anyone think the M5 Ultra will be much better then M3 Plus?

Some people rave about it, some think it has an odd signature, it has the very top end AKM chipsets, I believe.. No Android.. It does stream Tidal.

 

[sarkihalindekal]

anyone think the M5 Ultra will be much better then M3 Plus?

The M5 Ultra is definitely better. Look at the hardware details and the situation becomes clearer. I've been using the M5 Ultra for a while now and I'm very pleased with it. If I have the budget, I'm thinking of upgrading to the M8t model very soon, but my expectation there is more of a tube-like special experience rather than better sound.I am also looking forward to seeing how I will improve on sound. If your goal is sound quality and you listen in quiet rooms, I recommend the M5 Ultra. If you often listen on public transport, in noisy environments and want a versatile device, the M3 plus will be much better.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

What I am looking forward to on the M3 Plus is Android, if there is a boot time delay and slightly better SQ on the Non Android players, I will give that up for having the option to choose my music app and other features.

I have my XM5 , Kann Max and M1 Plus as my non Android and DX170, DX340 as Android and looking forward to seeing how the M3 Plus competes with the DX180.

 

[sarkihalindekal]

What I am looking forward to on the M3 Plus is Android, if there is a boot time delay and slightly better SQ on the Non Android players, I will give that up for having the option to choose my music app and other features.

I have my XM5 , Kann Max and M1 Plus as my non Android and DX170, DX340 as Android and looking forward to seeing how the M3 Plus competes with the DX180.

Why would you want to buy the M3 plus when you can have the Dx340? Because of the size and weight? Or are you looking for an affordable Android Dap with hot signature?

I think it will compete well with the Dx180, but the Dx180 will appeal to different tastes and the M3 plus will appeal to different tastes.M3 plus will be on the warm and musical side, Dx180 will be on the more technical side

Ahh ahh I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were someone who did reviews and had a channel. I watched your Shanling M5 Ultra review and I remembered you. I'm looking forward to your review.

 

[Mhog55]

Shanling - What type of tuning did you opt for with this new dap? I've only owned AKM Shanling daps, so I'm curious if this will sound similar to your house tuning, or if you were in a different direction here. How will it's sonic performance compare with the original M6 Pro, and the M6 Ultra?

 

[Shanling]

anyone think the M5 Ultra will be much better then M3 Plus?

Purely on sound quality, M5 Ultra will be the better performing.

Shanling - What type of tuning did you opt for with this new dap? I've only owned AKM Shanling daps, so I'm curious if this will sound similar to your house tuning, or if you were in a different direction here. How will it's sonic performance compare with the original M6 Pro, and the M6 Ultra?

It's similar tuning to ONIX XI1 / Shanling EH1.
The original M6 Pro was fairly neutral tuned, not that much comparable to our current production,
M6 Ultra would be warmer and smoother than M3 Plus.

 

[Mhog55]

Purely on sound quality, M5 Ultra will be the better performing.



It's similar tuning to ONIX XI1 / Shanling EH1.
The original M6 Pro was fairly neutral tuned, not that much comparable to our current production,
M6 Ultra would be warmer and smoother than M3 Plus.

Appreciate it. Gonna keep saving for the M8T. M6 Ultra is my favorite tuned dap for rock and metal.

 

[apagumila]

I really hope that this releases in the US soon and with reasonable pricing. This is all the orange man's fault lol

 

[mbuszek]

While it might share the M3 name with our best-selling M3X and M3 Ultra portable players, the new M3 Plus actually aims at higher levels of Hi-Fi performance, while keeping the midrange price at 469 USD.

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M3 Plus comes with our brand-new curvy design and larger 4.7-inch display, fitting it into aluminium body that’s a little bit taller and slightly thicker than its predecessors. But this small increase in dimensions opened a whole new level of audio performance for the M3 Plus, thanks to a quad DAC design, utilizing four units of Cirrus Logic CS43198. We also significantly improved its balanced headphone output, with a pair of SGM8262 amplifiers now offering up to 800mW @ 32Ohm!

Apart from the new audio circuit, M3 Plus also matches our latest releases by adopting the modern open Android 13 system with AGLO Audio processing, two-way Bluetooth connectivity, USB DAC mode and USB Transport feature.

Available in early May 2025 at 469 USD MSRP
(USA Pricing might differ)

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Key Specification:

- Available in 3 colours, including a new beautiful Mocha
- Dimensions: 115 x 70 x 18mm
- Weight 205g
- DAC: Four CS43198
- AMP: Two SGM8262
- CPU: Snapdragon 665
- Memory: 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM + MicroSD Card Slot
- System: Open Android 13
- Display: 4.7-Inch Sharp 1280 x 720
- Bluetooth Transmitter: V5.0 LDAC / aptX HD / aptX / SBC
- Bluetooth Receiver: V5.0 LDAC / SBC
- Hi-Res Support: PCM 32/768 & DSD512
- Battery 3500 mAh. Up to 14h Single-Ended, 11h Balanced

Audio Output specification:

3.5mm Output:
Output Power
Low gain: 12.5mW@32Ω
Medium gain: 50mW@32Ω
High gain: 200mW@32Ω
THD+N: 0.0007%
Separation: 75dB@32Ω
Dynamic Range: 127dB
Signal-to-noise ratio: 127dB
Noise <1.1uV
Output impedance: less than 1Ω

4.4mm Output:
Output Power
Low gain: 50mW@32Ω
Medium gain: 200mW@32Ω
High gain: 800mW@32Ω
Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (-0.2dB)
THD+N: 0.0007%
Separation: 110dB@32Ω
Dynamic Range: 130dB
Signal-to-noise ratio: 130dB
Bottom noise: <1.6uV
Output impedance: 1.5Ω

​

Hello, what's the sound signature compared to m3 Ultra?

 

[Achiel]

It's a serious candidate for me.