Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[Vitaly2017]

Please share your impressions. Although I can't afford to buy an M8, I really like the M6Pro after my 228.

If I could I would maybe Shanling could send one for a test drive to the famous mr.Tiger Ears

 

[Whitigir]

Interchangeable socket

And unboxing

 

[Whitigir]

There are Dots on the sockets and the “Remover”. You need to make sure to have the Remover and it dot indicator facing toward the side of the socket. It could be left or right depends on the way you are holding it, but always remember that the Indicator will always be pointed toward the side of the socket.

When installing, remember to look at the “ball” on the socket. One side will have a ball locking mechanism, and one side is smooth. You will have to make sure that this ball is going to face the side of the socket as well. For example, the socket is on the right hand, then this ball is also going to face toward the right hand when installed

In this picture, you will see that the socket left side has no steel ball (first socket) , the right side will have the steel ball (2nd socket). This steel ball is going to face toward the right hand side when installing the socket. You will see that I indicated the locking mechanism in the video above

 

[yasick]

M8 support MQA with open-box? I noticed in on the box. Waiting for detailed review Awesome Desing! Santa Claus, give it to me, I behaved well!

 

[Shanling]

M8 support MQA with open-box? I noticed in on the box. Waiting for detailed review Awesome Desing! Santa Claus, give it to me, I behaved well!

Finishing certification process.

 

[Whitigir]

Early impressions is here. Descriptions for google play store patch too!

 

[Wyville]

I received the M8 earlier this week and yesterday was finally able to sit down and have a proper listen. First impressions are really good and I think Shanling did a great job with the M8. The DAP itself is quite big and heavy, so probably borderline what I would call portable, but in return you get a very solid feeling DAP with a gorgeous screen. The interchangeable socket is a really innovative way of dealing with the different terminations out there and leave a very clean result. I do wonder if there is a risk of it loosening over time if the sockets are switched on a regular basis, but right now it feels very secure and well thought out.

The UI feels intuitive, although I would probably prefer a few changes such as swiping back in the Shanling Music player to go to the previous page instead of the main menu. Already installed Idagio on the M8, which is a classical music streaming service and it works smoothly.

Sound wise, I usually use the Lotoo PAW6000 and by comparison the M8 feels a little smoother and generates a bigger stage (using the FiR Audio M4 and DITA Dream XLS). The Lotoo can be a bit unforgiving at times, the M8 avoids that without sacrificing transparency and it sounds very refined. It will of course require a lot more listening to give a more accurate description of how the M8 performs, but first impressions are very positive!

 

[Queen6]

I really need to make the effort to revisit the M8, as something about the DAP is calling me back. The next time I'll reserve more time and being my own balanced headgear

Q-6

 

[Vitaly2017]

I received the M8 earlier this week and yesterday was finally able to sit down and have a proper listen. First impressions are really good and I think Shanling did a great job with the M8. The DAP itself is quite big and heavy, so probably borderline what I would call portable, but in return you get a very solid feeling DAP with a gorgeous screen. The interchangeable socket is a really innovative way of dealing with the different terminations out there and leave a very clean result. I do wonder if there is a risk of it loosening over time if the sockets are switched on a regular basis, but right now it feels very secure and well thought out.

The UI feels intuitive, although I would probably prefer a few changes such as swiping back in the Shanling Music player to go to the previous page instead of the main menu. Already installed Idagio on the M8, which is a classical music streaming service and it works smoothly.

Sound wise, I usually use the Lotoo PAW6000 and by comparison the M8 feels a little smoother and generates a bigger stage (using the FiR Audio M4 and DITA Dream XLS). The Lotoo can be a bit unforgiving at times, the M8 avoids that without sacrificing transparency and it sounds very refined. It will of course require a lot more listening to give a more accurate description of how the M8 performs, but first impressions are very positive!

Awaiting further for your full impressions!
Sounds very positive from first sight, I am curious how it compares vs zx507 and wm1a, lotoo paw gold touch maybe hiby r8?

 

[Wyville]

Awaiting further for your full impressions!
Sounds very positive from first sight, I am curious how it compares vs zx507 and wm1a, lotoo paw gold touch maybe hiby r8?

Yeah, I am curious about those comparisons too, but I can’t do any of them.

 

[Xinlisupreme]

R8 and Max are natural direct competitors

 

[Whitigir]

R8 and Max are natural direct competitors

They actually are, isn’t that crazy ? Given differences in implementations still!! It made me realize that the bars have been raised much higher than just last year.

 

[Queen6]

Awaiting further for your full impressions!
Sounds very positive from first sight, I am curious how it compares vs zx507 and wm1a, lotoo paw gold touch maybe hiby r8?

ZX500 is out, WM1A (on stock FW) is little more rounded, Sony house sound of course, best DSP of all, lacks power as do all the high-end Sony DAP's. That TOTL Halo is starting to fade... LPGT master of clarity & perfect implementation of PEQ. M8 more neutral in comparison to Shanling's own M6Pro if that helps. M6 & M8 are close, latter holds it's sound signature more accurately as the power levels are stepped up. M6 can come across as a touch boosted on Turbo (3.5 SE on Andromeda, need more time, balanced and selection of headgear) M8 is physically bigger again, stainless steel model with 4G and128Gb a house brick, like DX220Max heavy...

128GB should be a minimal on a high end four figure DAP in 2020, 64GB is simply being cheap. Shanling missed a valuable opportunity with M8 by cutting corners on internal storage, for what $30 US at most on the RRP. I recently picked up an A&K SR25 as it's a superbly balanced DAP that is really a portable device, the option of 128GB onboard, sweetened and swung the deal. Had the M6 offered 128GB I'd likely know a lot more about it with one sitting on the desk.

I'll revisit both the M6, M8 and the cat amongst the pigeons QLS QA390 this weekend with one of my own IEM's on balanced and very likely a good selection of high tier HP, kicking off with Ananda, with my trusty R2R2K as that frequently sorts the men from the boys with headgear...

The other up coming "player" is A&K Kann Alpha, however there's a lot of talk on the DAP, yet very little as to exactly how the DAP sounds/leans, which tends to make me think that the Alpha will be a very neutral DAP and potentially less natural. Have read a couple of posts stating that the Alpha may not be the best option to pair with brighter IEM's which again reinforces a neutral tendency and potentially a touch brighter with A&K's house sound, personally preferring a signature edging more towards the Kann Cube with a tighter control of the bass.

As ever time will tell, with the players voice sealing the deal, not the "bells & whistles" as ever, It's always about the music as it should be...

Q-6

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Every year an outsider will born

 

[Whitigir]

Every year an outsider will born

Now I am excited for dx300. The reason being is that the Max is based on a 5 years old platform, that means Ibasso is very competitive in this market and also “future proof” for a few years