Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[SMOoth Operator]

So is it better to set your source on line out and change volume with the outboard amp, or is it better to set your outboard amp at max and change the volume with the source?

 

[SMOoth Operator]

Hey Mr @Whitigir , how do you think the M8 running through the NuTube of the C9 compares to just the M30 running straight out of its own NuTube?

 

[Whitigir]

Hey Mr @Whitigir , how do you think the M8 running through the NuTube of the C9 compares to just the M30 running straight out of its own NuTube?

Different! Like ... a lot differences

 

[tawmizzzz]

M8 officially purchased! Too good of a compliment to R8 to pass on. I haven’t heard it burnt-in yet so hopefully it doesn’t brighten up too much from the dark, warm yet technically addicting out-of-box signature!

 

[SMOoth Operator]

M8 officially purchased! Too good of a compliment to R8 to pass on. I haven’t heard it burnt-in yet so hopefully it doesn’t brighten up too much from the dark, warm yet technically addicting out-of-box signature!

Yay!! Welcome to the club!

 

[Shanling]

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.

We make no sound adjustments on firmware level. At least no intended changes. Sometimes small change can happen if the processing of certain format is adjusted.

I can say, after every firmware update there will be somebody reporting sound changes. Sometimes we get even conflicting reports from different people. Just one of the beautiful things of Hi-Fi world.

Forgive my ignorance but is there any point in the update for me using UAPP and only music from my micro SD card?
It feels like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it... Or does this update solve the album art issue with the Shanling app?

Most changes in firmware updates are on system level, not in Shanling App. We always recommend to run the latest firmware.

Thx for sharing!
Does M8 have a true LO?

There is no dedicated line-out circuit on M8.

Any ideas where most of the heat is coming from? More from the DAC or the amp?
More with high bit rates, respectively turbo mode or in general?

It's mix of all parts, on M8 little bit more on side of DAC. If you want to experience the M8 at maximum, run DSD256 and amp in Turbo mode.

@Shanling please explain, have a C9 and will wait to try it with M8 until I understand what is going on here.

It's possible that output of M8 in lineout setting is too hot for your amp. In such case turn off line out mode and set volume manually to level where it will work properly with your amp.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

New 1.3 firmware seems trouble free. The M8 is so much more sure of itself. At the risk of sounding like a computer forum, the update makes it "snappier" and some of my general use issues appear to be fixed. Need some more charge and listening/use cycles before I am sure of this, but so far its a winner. Good job team Shanling!

I have not yet, I am looking for a medium quality 2.5mm balanced to 4.4mm male adapter cable, for the the C9's balanced input first. I seen one for $600, but that is silly to me, looking for something in the $100-200 range.

Cayin has very nice L adapters, I'm using the 2.5 too 4.4 adapter as I type this.

 

[FooFighter]

It does but right now I have the same issue I had with Hiby R8 back in the early firmwares... playing stops often when changing tracks, bitrate seems "forced" and sometimes when you have both hifi and masters track the hifi tracks don't revert to the right sample rate. I am sure this is going to be fixed soon like it was for R8.

Hi
Is that issue now fixed with latest firmware?

 

[Levanter]

There is no dedicated line-out circuit on M8.

So in line-out mode, it doesn't bypass the amp utilizing just the DAC section when we stack with an external amp? The M8 will be double-amping in that case?

 

[Shanling]

So in line-out mode, it doesn't bypass the amp utilizing just the DAC section when we stack with an external amp? The M8 will be double-amping in that case?

Yes, it will be double amping.

 

[Whitigir]

I found that double amping will depend on the amplifier. Some amplifier is sensitive enough to tell the differences to your ears , and some isn’t . The Cayin C9 will be telling the differences for sure

 

[Levanter]

I found that double amping will depend on the amplifier. Some amplifier is sensitive enough to tell the differences to your ears , and some isn’t . The Cayin C9 will be telling the differences for sure

Guessing the C9 and M8 is a bad match eh?

 

[Whitigir]

Guessing the C9 and M8 is a bad match eh?

It isn’t bad, it is just not good enough. The C9 doesn’t differentiate the source being an M8 or an SP2K. Both will be double amping and both will not be good enough .... the same for DX300

There are more DAP without a dedicated line out than you would think

 

[FooFighter]

that's somehow the drawback of DAPs without changeable modules if they don't implement such features from the start. Though not an issue for everyone as M8 might be good enough alone (also thinking about the immense stack to carry around with some additional C9).
Though for versatility and using this as a high fi stack at home it's a little bummer

 

[JSBachFan]

I can say, after every firmware update there will be somebody reporting sound changes. Sometimes we get even conflicting reports from different people. Just one of the beautiful things of Hi-Fi world.

lol, thanks that you take this with humor.
I have been in hundreds of sound comparision sessions. Conclusion after almost three decades: You can always trust your ears, but not always your brain.
In doubt about the result, blind testing helps a lot to come back to reality.
In this case here, there was no blind test ...