Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[RTodd]

I do not think that is what was meant at all. There is allot of placebo effect in this hobby and purists will always find a reason that something is not good enough. What it all comes down to is this. Most TOTL daps do not have a true line out and you will almost always be double amping. I think what Whitigir is really saying, is that from a purist perspective, this is not ideal. However, this does not mean that the M8 and C9 are a bad match, what is meant is that no double amping period is ideal, no matter which dap you use. The C9 is definitely a step up from the direct out of the M8 from what I percieve. In transistor mode, it adds balls, and weight to what is already there. In tube mode it adds some tube mojo and sweetness to the sound. I find it a clear step up from the M8 sound alone. Do I wish the M8 had a true line out, sure, but that is very rare.

Must admit, did have me a little worried.

Planning to wait to try the M8 with the C9 for a week or so and see what other people find works best, which gain setting, how much volume, 3.5 or 4.4, and than try.
Got plenty to connect and compare with the Lotoo and L&P players meanwhile.

At the moment the M8 is on bed side use with Elysium, my audio pajamas.

 

[SMOoth Operator]

Must admit, did have me a little worried.

Planning to wait to try the M8 with the C9 for a week or so and see what other people find works best, which gain setting, how much volume, 3.5 or 4.4, and than try.
Got plenty to connect and compare with the Lotoo and L&P players meanwhile.

At the moment the M8 is on bed side use with Elysium, my audio pajamas.

I just recieved my C9, but have been using the M8 with my Continental Duel Mono without problems. I find that the "low gain" setting at 100% volume, gives a clear sound without any problems. I would just stay away from "turbo mode" and you will be fine. Or if it really worries you, you can set the gain on the C9 to line level and just use the M8 volume to adjust the desired level, you are gueranteed not to cause any damage this way.

 

[SMOoth Operator]

I just recieved my C9, but have been using the M8 with my Continental Duel Mono for three months without problems. I find that the "low gain" setting at 100% volume, gives a clear sound without any problems. I would just stay away from "turbo mode" and you will be fine. Or if it really worries you, you can set the gain on the C9 to line level and just use the M8 volume to adjust the desired level, you are gueranteed not to cause any damage this way.

I dont know why this keeps happening everytime I try to edit my post... ugh

 

[RTodd]

I dont know why this keeps happening everytime I try to edit my post... ugh

It is rather like talking to yourself.

 

[SMOoth Operator]

Is there any way to go back and delete one of your old posts if it is garbage?

 

[RTodd]

Is there any way to go back and delete one of your old posts if it is garbage?

I wish, have not found one.

 

[Shanling]

Is there firmware newer than 1.22?

Latest firmware is V1.3.

Where can M8 be set to DAC mode in its menus for PC / Mac- connection ?
According to one of the last Shanling posts that DAC mode won't work with IOS though?

DAC/Storage switch is in Quick access menu. I recommend to have a look here: https://en.shanling.com/article-AndroidSetup.html

No. 1.22 is latest f/w, it was released a few days ago...

correction 1.3

But if you go to the Shanling webpage and go to the M8 downloads, it will give you ver. 1.22, so be careful. Use the link in this forum.

Yeah, best to follow the news section on our website, that's run directly by me and has the most up to date information. Download section is run by our IT and can be little bit delayed.

This new change in Shanling app settings, is this "volume normalization"???

2.Added Replay Gain to Shanling Music app ("Gain" item in app settings)

It's support for replaygain. It can be used as a volume normalization: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReplayGain

Anyone been using M8 in DAC mode on MacOS?
I think Shanling reported it should work - though without MQA support.
First unfold in Tidal app should work though also in DAC mode right?
Anyone tried Audirvana with it?
And if yes, is it doing first unfold as MQA renderer like Tidal native app?

You can use it as a DAC with Mac. No need for drivers.
USB DAC mode do not support MQA. If you want to play full MQA, you need to use Tidal or Shanling app on M8 itself.

 

[ImMcLovin]

At the moment the M8 is on bed side use with Elysium, my audio pajamas.

How do you compare the sound between your Lotoo PAW6K and M8 with the Elysium? I am interested in the Elysium as one said it is the upgrade to the Andromeda which is what I am looking for. I have U12T and MEST Mkii and they aren't quite scratching that audio itch for me even though they are good.

 

[RTodd]

How do you compare the sound between your Lotoo PAW6K and M8 with the Elysium? I am interested in the Elysium as one said it is the upgrade to the Andromeda which is what I am looking for. I have U12T and MEST Mkii and they aren't quite scratching that audio itch for me even though they are good.

To my ears the M8 brings out the warmth a bit more.

As a player the PAW6K does not handle dynamics quite as well, fairly close though not easy to hear the difference you need the right tracks to hear it something with a lot of different instruments playing at the same time in a lot of different frequencies, or one that builds to a crescendo. And I believe if you did not A B test them you may not have noticed.

Elysium is a really nice set, wondering what is the itch you are trying to remedy. What kind of tuning timbre focus? Can you demo?

If these are the two players you are considering or already have them either would be a good choice.

For the Ely specifically I would choose the M8.

 

[ImMcLovin]

Elysium is a really nice set, wondering what is the itch you are trying to remedy. What kind of tuning timbre focus? Can you demo?

If these are the two players you are considering or already have them either would be a good choice.

For the Ely specifically I would choose the M8.

Right now, I have the M8 and DX300, but was curious about the Lotoo. I am trying to keep just one DAP, but having trouble figuring out which one I want to keep.

In terms of that itch, I am not really sure until I hear it. I have the Legend X and I am looking for a complement. I really enjoy the Andromeda tuning, but would like an upgrade of technicalities. I thought U12T would be that upgrade, but it is a bit too soothing to listen to. In a way I am looking for a more engaging U12T. MEST is a bit too aggressive for what I am looking for. Next option that I can find is the Vision Ears Elysium, but I am unsure.

 

[Trance_Gott]

Is the gapless feature implemented 1.3?

 

[Shanling]

Is the gapless feature implemented 1.3?

In Shanling Music there is still no gapless.
Gapless works fine on third party apps.

 

[SMOoth Operator]

Hey @Shanling , what are the chances that we could get a Global EQ similar to the way A&K does it? It would be nice to have an EQ that functions for things like Tidal...

 

[FooFighter]

Hey @Shanling , what are the chances that we could get a Global EQ similar to the way A&K does it? It would be nice to have an EQ that functions for things like Tidal...

That would be a milestone - only manufacturer I am aware of doing that is Hiby so far.
With UApp you can work around that though when playing bit perfect MQA any equ settings are obsolete

 

[SMOoth Operator]

Right now, I have the M8 and DX300, but was curious about the Lotoo. I am trying to keep just one DAP, but having trouble figuring out which one I want to keep.

In terms of that itch, I am not really sure until I hear it. I have the Legend X and I am looking for a complement. I really enjoy the Andromeda tuning, but would like an upgrade of technicalities. I thought U12T would be that upgrade, but it is a bit too soothing to listen to. In a way I am looking for a more engaging U12T. MEST is a bit too aggressive for what I am looking for. Next option that I can find is the Vision Ears Elysium, but I am unsure.

IMO the M8 is far superior to the DX300. I would keep the M8, it is not even a fair contest. If you can find an Andromeda Gold on the used market, that would be a good size upgrade from the standard Andromeda, yet you keep the core sound signature. The 2 extra BA's on the gold do wonders for the bass congruency.