[silverfishla]

I saw an explanation on a thread, but not sure if it was this one. I searched but can't find it, so my apologies. Can someone explain the descriptions of what the Lowpass Filters do in Lowpass Filter Mode? @Shanling maybe can help with this one. I can hear the differences (although slight) but I'm still not sure what is going on. I'd really like to know exactly what each filter is doing. Which of these filters would most closely resemble a true Line Out? The most 'dry' sound.

 

[KLK2A1]

I saw an explanation on a thread, but not sure if it was this one. I searched but can't find it, so my apologies. Can someone explain the descriptions of what the Lowpass Filters do in Lowpass Filter Mode? @Shanling maybe can help with this one. I can hear the differences (although slight) but I'm still not sure what is going on. I'd really like to know exactly what each filter is doing. Which of these filters would most closely resemble a true Line Out? The most 'dry' sound.

I researched this after getting the M3s. The descriptions of differences between the filter settings provided by AKM (on page 1 of this thread) - "Original" sound, "Powerful" sound, etc. - are just meaningless marketing babble. The only clean, unadulterated setting is the default, Sharp Rolloff. The others have the effect of a blanket EQ, destroying detail.

Best explained here by Joe Bloggs, formerly of Fiio, now with Hiby:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/786112/off...on-replaygain-filter-options/60#post_12311847

I was authorized at the time to give such a reply to this question regarding fast vs slow rolloff filters on FiiO players.

To further elaborate, the cutoff frequency (22.05kHz or what-have-you) should be purely ultrasonic and inaudible in the first place, otherwise the choice of filter is simply putting you between a rock and a hard place: either cut off sharply at higher frequencies (closer to inaudible ultrasonic frequencies) but with ringing, or cut off a whole swathe of high but audible frequencies without ringing but with noticeably duller sound. 22.05kHz should be just out of the audible range of frequencies for even the youngest subjects who know how to play a CD or audio clip for themselves, so I would choose a sharp rolloff filter (to avoid affecting audible frequencies below at no audible cost of ringing, because it happens to not be audible).

Any resemblance between slow rolloff filter and room acoustic absorption mentioned in the link is completely coincidental; a purpose-designed EQ filter would technically be a much better idea.

Choice of minimum vs linear phase filter is only meaningful in the case of an audible cutoff frequency, in which case splitting the difference between minimum and linear phase ("25% phase" or so) would give the best masking of any ringing produced. If the cutoff frequency range is inaudible to you, it is a moot point.

So here you have it, an answer straight from the horse's mouth of one of the brands you mentioned. Happy?

 

[neocrust]

Hello there

Want to buy Shanling M3s but have some doubt...

I want dynamic, energetic and powerful sound with good bass and emotions. For hip-hop, beats, synth wave and hardcore/alternative music.

But most of people say that Shanling M3s is neutral DAP.

Does this mean that this DAP is not what I need?

P.S.: My headphones are Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Shure SE215 and VE Monk Plus.

 

[BartSimpson1976]

What matters are your headphones/IEMs. Tonal differences between DAPs are at best marginal.

 

[episiarch]

I agree with @BartSimpson1976, but I'd also like to add that when it comes to bass - bass with clarity, that doesn't just come across as mushy thumps - power matters, and this DAP provides the power to drive most headphones very nicely. Yours should be no problem.

 

[Shanling]

I saw an explanation on a thread, but not sure if it was this one. I searched but can't find it, so my apologies. Can someone explain the descriptions of what the Lowpass Filters do in Lowpass Filter Mode? @Shanling maybe can help with this one. I can hear the differences (although slight) but I'm still not sure what is going on. I'd really like to know exactly what each filter is doing. Which of these filters would most closely resemble a true Line Out? The most 'dry' sound.

You can search up topic of Digital filters in DACs. It's really long read, you will get many different views from different engineers and companies. And each of them will tell you, which filter is best according to them.
From this you will get better understanding, what is each filter technically doing. If it will make any sense in how it affects sound, that's different question.


To everybody, we are truly sorry for these small bugs in latest firmware, we should have new version from HiBy soon. Meanwhile I can only recommend to go back to version 1.2.

 

[jaxz]

Enjoying very much my M3S, currently on 1.3, no issues with memory card.

Cheers!

 

[kukkurovaca]

Hello there

Want to buy Shanling M3s but have some doubt...

I want dynamic, energetic and powerful sound with good bass and emotions. For hip-hop, beats, synth wave and hardcore/alternative music.

But most of people say that Shanling M3s is neutral DAP.

Does this mean that this DAP is not what I need?

P.S.: My headphones are Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Shure SE215 and VE Monk Plus.

Should be fine, particularly with EQ to use if needed. However, if you don't need the balanced output, you might also want to look at the M2S?

 

[Jostian]

Hi, am new to the HiRes DAP scene, but after reading as much as I could over the last week I decided to get the Shanling M3s, but would also like to play the music through my Mission bookshelf speakers, so would I just get a little amp like this (https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Amplif...4128965&sr=1-12-spons&keywords=amp+fosi&psc=1) and then connect the M3s with these (https://www.amazon.com/Braided-Head...&sr=1-5&keywords=3.5mm+headphone+to+RCA+cable) or this? (https://www.amazon.com/Cerrxian-Ste...8&qid=1524129024&sr=1-3&keywords=usb+c+to+rca) thanks Jonathan

 

[Shanling]

Hi, am new to the HiRes DAP scene, but after reading as much as I could over the last week I decided to get the Shanling M3s, but would also like to play the music through my Mission bookshelf speakers, so would I just get a little amp like this (https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Amplif...4128965&sr=1-12-spons&keywords=amp+fosi&psc=1) and then connect the M3s with these (https://www.amazon.com/Braided-Head...&sr=1-5&keywords=3.5mm+headphone+to+RCA+cable) or this? (https://www.amazon.com/Cerrxian-Ste...8&qid=1524129024&sr=1-3&keywords=usb+c+to+rca) thanks Jonathan

Definitely go with the cable 3.5mm to 2x RCA. Other USB cable would be probably using some build in DAC and in that case, all sound quality would be determined by some small chip in that 8 USD cable, not by the high-grade components of M3s.

 

[Jostian]

Great thanks! I'm assuming that IEMs are better than std earphones? and that balanced is better than 'unbalanced'? that being the case, could anyone recommend a decent entry level set of IEMs (sub $100), all this is so new to me, I did'nt even know what IEMs were a week ago, nor what balanced phone were either, so novice is exactly me at present, but my M3S is arriving in a day or so and have no idea e\what to pair it with, thanks.

 

[Dsnuts]

Look into an Ibasso IT01. Sounds superb on the M3s but even better with a balanced cable.

 

[boblauer]

If you like a fun bass titled sound signature than I will certainly vouch for the IT01's. I use them almost daily in my bag. Available from Amazon which is a plus as well. There's a dedicated thread to them if you want to read up on them.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Great thanks! I'm assuming that IEMs are better than std earphones? and that balanced is better than 'unbalanced'? that being the case, could anyone recommend a decent entry level set of IEMs (sub $100), all this is so new to me, I did'nt even know what IEMs were a week ago, nor what balanced phone were either, so novice is exactly me at present, but my M3S is arriving in a day or so and have no idea e\what to pair it with, thanks.

iBasso IT-01 or Final Audio EXXXX series are quite interesting options

 

[kukkurovaca]

Agreed, the IT01 is a very easy recommendation at that price point.