Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[claud W]

I agree that the M8 can be frustrating in terms of speed, snappiness and UI...but I still maintain that purely in terms of SQ it's at least a solid tier above anything else out there right now (not withstanding some of the more ludicrously priced models) and that on this alone all of its quirks are easily forgivable.

Have been researching the M8. Most of the members that I follow and respect have one. I am in no hurry. Just waiting for a good sale.

 

[Kiats]

Just stopped listening to the M30. Just fired up the M8. Had updated to the latest FW, installed QQ Music, Tidal and now Play Store.

Listening to some QQ Music streaming. Using FitEar MH334SR. On low gain. I think I understand the excitement that everyone seems to have about sound signature of the M8. Nice. I notice that the UI is not so laggy now. Which is a relief.

Now listening to Tidal. Happy to see that the MQA files are unfolded 8X.

 

[szore]

The only possible way to outperform an M8 is

.
.
.
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going M30

By the way, if anyone want to learn how to get broke, feel free to Pm me

What source you using for the C9?

 

[szore]

Have been researching the M8. Most of the members that I follow and respect have one. I am in no hurry. Just waiting for a good sale.

https://shop.musicteck.com/collecti...with-free-leather-case?variant=32579932356670

 

[Whitigir]

What source you using for the C9?

N6ii and A02

 

[Kiats]

some late night listening with the M8. Now with the FitEar DC on turbo gain. Sweet sound.

 

[szore]

N6ii and A02

Why did you sell the M8, If I may ask?

 

[Whitigir]

Why did you sell the M8, If I may ask?

Because Fund is limited and I need M30 ! Yes!!! Need!!!

M30 is an M8 on steroids

 

[Kiats]

Because Fund is limited and I need M30 ! Yes!!! Need!!!

M30 is an M8 on steroids

agree. Like a year of steroids

 

[Whitigir]

agree. Like a year of steroids

I was amazed at how much they resemble one another from the usages of different and lower tier DAC 97 VS 99.

Shanling acoustic tuning team is AMAZING!!!! Right on the same level as Sony or dare I say even Better

The 1Z Walkman from Sony sounded so different than Z1 DMP. But the M30 is like a steroid with bells and whistles, also succeeding M30 as well....pretty Amazing team you have there Shanling !!!

Once again, if you love M8, and want an even better performances ? M30 will answer your calls.

Some Features Walk around

 

[Shanling]

For OTA update: We adjusted our servers few times in past, but issues can still happen, especially if too many goes to update at the same time (which can be quite a few at friday evening)

Sorry for the silly question but is it possible to install/run Netflix on the Shanling M8 (if needed, in a pinch)?
And would hardware be sufficient enough for it to not be a painful experience?

Netflix has special version of their app for Android 7: https://help.netflix.com/en/node/57688

 

[SBranson]

Thinking of headphone to give the ear holes a bit of a break and wondered if the M8 can drive the Abyss Diana V2 to good effect

 

[Kiats]

For OTA update: We adjusted our servers few times in past, but issues can still happen, especially if too many goes to update at the same time (which can be quite a few at friday evening)

Think you are likely right @Shanling. I did OTA update for both M8 and M30 and they were done within 30 minutes or so. No really complaints there. And I had also DLed the M8 FW off the Shanling website into my MacBook Pro within 5 minutes the evening before.

 

[JSBachFan]

Once again, if you love M8, and want an even better performances ? M30 will answer your calls.

if anyone want to learn how to get broke, feel free to Pm me

I love getting broke on music improvements! Please tell us more. How would you describe the differences to the M8?
Does th M30 deliver the same level of musicality / engaging sound as the M8? (higher number is often but not always "better" )
Where would you say it excels?
I really like the general concept of the M30. Since I have two M8 of which one replaced my former "big" digital solution, M30 might be an even better replacement.
Mobility is not an issue here. But it needs to be at least on the musical level of the M8.

 

[JSBachFan]

Does anyone else hear sq improvement with f/w update, or is it my imagination?

I tried to find out when I did my update just a minute ago (btw. manual download, which I always do to avoid stress ).
Setting was with Ely to be able to hear every detail.
Maybe I wouldn't have recognised it if you wouldn't have asked, but treble and mids might be a bit smother now. But I wouldn't swear on it.
Quite some time ago I had the same question with FiiO X5 firmware updates that where at the time IMO changing the sound. Sometimes it got worse. Since software is a part of the playback process, of course this effect could happen. But I guess Shanling would have announced if there is a software driven sound improvement on purpose. There is some theory around how to improve the sound by reducing the CPU usage or by "leveling" the CPU usage in order to avoid jitter. Pretty complicated stuff.