Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[Mhog55]

I love the M8 more with every day. I have an impression that it sounds better and better. The music never gave me such a pleasure from a portables and even from a desktop setups. The vocals are exactly like i like them to be- in line with the rest of the frequency, not pushed forward but clean, clear and separated, in a slight distance from my face. And the drums.. gosh they are like thunders when they are in the mix. They have such an authority and timbre.
And the sound is like liquid, never harsh or edgy and dry. Its wet, silky and analog. Great device!

Fantastic. Can't wait to get mine!

 

[Mhog55]

Yeah i personally never use EQ but the M8 is my first dap that i dont even feel the need to fix anything. Improving its tuning is way beyond my capabilities.
Literally, with every other dap i wanted to change something- to add sub bass, to lower higher mids, to add more mid bass etc.
Here nothing, it should stay like it is, regardless of the headphones used.

That's why I choose Shanling / AKM. None the less, the headphones play a slightly larger role in the chain, therefore I choose to dial them in as close as possible to my sonic preferences. I will admit that less EQ is necessary with these units, which is a good thing.

 

[Shanling]

Well, there are new AKM flagship chips available, sooo...

 

[RIGATIO]

Have heard this song 1000 times, never really felt it. Until now.

 

[Mhog55]

Well, there are new AKM flagship chips available, sooo...

Are you suggesting that the 900 dollar M6 Ultra sounds almost as good as the M8, which costs twice as much?

 

[Shanling]

Are you suggesting that the 900 dollar M6 Ultra sounds almost as good as the M8, which costs twice as much?

No.

New AKM Flagship chip: https://www.akm.com/us/en/about-us/news/2022/20220420-ak4499ex/

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

Are you suggesting that the 900 dollar M6 Ultra sounds almost as good as the M8, which costs twice as much?

I can't imagine that Shanling wanted to call the shots. I was also considering buying the M6 Ultra. Shanling told me that the M8 sounds in a different league. I think Shanling wanted to say that maybe someday there could be a new M8. But the sound has to stay the way it is, Actually, Shanling only needs a faster CPU, 6 GB, internal memory at least 256 GB and Android 11. Then the M8 pro would be perfect!!

 

[rantng]

I would love a more portable M8.

 

[Kiats]

No.

New AKM Flagship chip: https://www.akm.com/us/en/about-us/news/2022/20220420-ak4499ex/

Hahah! @Shanling How about an updated DAP unit in the M30? You know that would be most appreciated!

 

[RIGATIO]

Was thinking how to describe the sound of the M8 not using clichéd statements such as "warm", "organic" etc. I know now- its a vintage sound which somehow evokes childhood memories. When i remember when my father used to listen to some rock classics and jazz from his system and the memories of this vintage, deep and musical sound eatched in my mind. When the music starts playing, memories come back but whats funny, most of these memories dont relate to things that actually happened.
Its like watching a movie or listening to the song which evokes something from the past that didnt happen

 

[Mhog55]

Was thinking how to describe the sound of the M8 not using clichéd statements such as "warm", "organic" etc. I know now- its a vintage sound which somehow evokes childhood memories. When i remember when my father used to listen to some rock classics and jazz from his system and the memories of this vintage, deep and musical sound eatched in my mind. When the music starts playing, memories come back but whats funny, most of these memories dont relate to things that actually happened.
Its like watching a movie or listening to the song which evokes something from the past that didnt happen

My M8 is in transit, but I think I kinda know what you mean. When I first started listening to my M6 Pro with some classic rock (24/96 files), it reminded me of hearing my Dads old reel to reel system back in the late 70s - a little nostalgia I guess.

 

[RIGATIO]

My M8 is in transit, but I think I kinda know what you mean. When I first started listening to my M6 Pro with some classic rock (24/96 files), it reminded me of hearing my Dads old reel to reel system back in the late 70s - a little nostalgia I guess.

This is Shanling's house sound- very musical, probably the most musical sound you can find among other daps. Sony daps are similar.
When you felt this while listening from your M6 Pro, than the M8 is even warmer and more musical. The M6 Pro has more linear tuning. Its from a more reference line of Shanling's players, M6 Pro --> M7 --> M9. The M8 is a different story, its warmer, bolder and very atmospheric sounding. A very emotional player.

 

[mgmvegas]

Anyone here have any experience or thoughts about the CAMPFIRE AUDIO SUPERMOON combination with the M8 ?

 

[Mhog55]

This is Shanling's house sound- very musical, probably the most musical sound you can find among other daps. Sony daps are similar.
When you felt this while listening from your M6 Pro, than the M8 is even warmer and more musical. The M6 Pro has more linear tuning. Its from a more reference line of Shanling's players, M6 Pro --> M7 --> M9. The M8 is a different story, its warmer, bolder and very atmospheric sounding. A very emotional player.

Now I'm really looking forward to hearing for myself. Most of my headphones are neutral warm, some with more of a warm tilt than others. I hope this won't make the sound too warm?

 

[RIGATIO]

Who said that pairing bass heavy iems with the M8 isn't a good idea? Even my old Xelentos with highly boosted bass are clean and not overbearing in bass department. It's a lot of bass, sure but what a bass!