Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[Vitaly2017]

prime mode works only in shanling app, right?
Did you download and import MQA from tidal?

Thats the thing prime mode is only for the shanling music app, no android apps can be loaded just the stock music app and pure local files playback. It does sound very good with dsd and mqa like flawlessly.

 

[Maxx134]

If I am lucky I will meet with a friend and recompare the 1z vs m8

Make sure to check the Sony on wich firmware in use.
I found the "FE" firmware to increase both the resolution and depth over stock.

I also has a friend who is the sharing the same preferences as I do, and he said that lately AK has changed up a bit, the SE200 is with better tonal balances and fluidity. Unfortunately I can’t be wasting money all around as I used to....Covid 19 is horrible. I don’t see myself trying out this SE200 anytime soon

I listened to the SE200.
Excellent quality build.
To me, the better side was the AKM side.
Same chip as used here, so I expect some sonic similarities.
Can't say more without direct comparison.

 

[gLer]

Thats the thing prime mode is only for the shanling music app, no android apps can be loaded just the stock music app and pure local files playback. It does sound very good with dsd and mqa like flawlessly.

That doesn't make any sense. Shanling said MQA is not available on the M8. Prime/Android shouldn't make any difference (again Shanling's words, not mine). Perhaps @Shanling can explain the discrepancy here?

 

[Shanling]

That doesn't make any sense. Shanling said MQA is not available on the M8. Prime/Android shouldn't make any difference (again Shanling's words, not mine). Perhaps @Shanling can explain the discrepancy here?

Full support of MQA comes with next firmware. At current time, while it might work with some MQA, it's not stable.

 

[all999]

well you try it and you will see, to me prime mode and android mode is 2 different operating software modes. And there is a reason why there is a prime mode, to avoid android glitches that could affect the music playback. You try it and see I hear it its very obvious. I dont experience cracks and pops in dsd anymore and mqa works flawlessly. I know its weird but prime mode fixs all those bugs that you get in android mode.

Just did some quick comparisons and I can't hear any significant differences, if any, between android and prime mode listening to DSD and MQA files. Also both formats works for me on both modes. No cracks and pops here. One thing I noticed with MQA that it sometimes plays with swapped stereo channels. Play some track and then just click previous to start it again. @Shanling could You try that?

I assume there must be something wrong with your unit, maybe some software issue? Curious about others. Tested on MDR-EX1000 balanced and turbo gain. Sorry for low quality pics.

 

[Dazzert318]

Other than the ongoing issue whereby the volume randomly drops on turbo mode (which is resolved by a restart) I’m loving this DAP. I’ve had very few other issues playing DSD and FLAC files using the native app and HiByMusic app. I’m not currently a user of MQA files so I can’t comment on their playability. I had my M8 shipped from Musicteck in the US to my home here in the UK. I’ve bought quite a few DAPs from them over the last 7 or 8 years and Andrew has to be one of the most accommodating and helpful business owners I’ve ever dealt with. The Lotoo PAW6000 that I also bought from him is a long term keeper!

 

[Whitigir]

MQA does work with some older files with offline storage, but most of the time it has low level hisses, and some of newer MQA is not unfolded...but boys! When it works, it sound so wonderful

 

[gLer]

MQA does work with some older files with offline storage, but most of the time it has low level hisses, and some of newer MQA is not unfolded...but boys! When it works, it sound so wonderful

Um, "when it works" is not a good look. This is not an experimental device, it's a flagship DAP.

 

[Whitigir]

Um, "when it works" is not a good look. This is not an experimental device, it's a flagship DAP.

True, but as flagship as SP2000, it took them 1 year and 1/2 to get Tidal APK, and then lock down on other apps...etc...people would find way to complain. I am pretty happy with what I can have now, with the confidence and promises from @Shanling that they are working on it.

Honestly, not only Shanling is having the “incompatible unfolding issues”, the Walkman WM1A/Z and DMP Z1 also do. I didn’t understand it at first, but then I did some reading about the MQA and it turned out that if the devices does not use the “hardware built in DAC” then it will need to update firmware frequently to “add new DSP MQA algorithms”. MQA isn’t anything mystical at all, it is simply an Upsampling method that uses the digital filters that is coded within itself. In order to do that, the DAC-IC has to be fully compatible, or any other systems will need to have an approved license to frequently upgrade the firmwares with the newest DSP filters from MQA team.

For example, the digital filter is different from ESS vs AKM, so in order for the filter to be utilized by a PC or other systems, they would need the source codes and algorithms. MQA provides these at a cost, where as DAC manufacturer are guarding it as their “trade secret”

 

[nickwerner]

Um, "when it works" is not a good look. This is not an experimental device, it's a flagship DAP.

Relax, yes, this is a flagship DAP and ideally everything works out of the box. But look at others. AK had to send out 3 updates in the first 2 months for the SP2000 due to operational stability issues. Hiby released the R8 without DAC ability (which was then added via Firmware).

We are talking about niche products here (DAP) especially in the TOTL versions. Testing every possible scenario is not possible. If you cannot live with these kinks, then don’t adopt early. Wait a few months until everything has been ironed out.

Tbh I don’t understand some people saying that they can’t use the M8 due to album artwork not working or MQA not fully unfolding (yet). In my opinion this is a grwat device, beating the SP2000, Hiby r8 and SP1000m (for me!!!). and Shanling is listening. I am sure there will be a new firmware update soon.

 

[szore]

Yea N8 was not so super for my taste. If we talk cayin then n6 ii with amp t01 was my most favorite but it was not as good as zx507 for example. To bright in treble and overall somewhat aggressive on the presentation.

Zz507 and M8 are my all time 2 favorite daps I think. M8 has amazing kick in the mid bass to sub bass somewhere in the middle there while all sony signatures are going for the sub... I think M8 has its own praise and deserve to be appreciated by warm and musical signature lovers a most listen!

I thank you for pushing me toward m8 haha I was skeptical but man if M8 sounds this good then M30 gonna rock and kick solid

M8 treble I can listen to it for ever and no siblance. Bass is tasty and flavorful but I wish a little more sub weight. Mids feels good nothing to change here like them thick and warmy or throaty

If you like good warmth try this cable, I've had it 2 weeks and it's rocking my world...

https://shop.musicteck.com/collecti...ies-silver-gold-1-gold?variant=32094683267134

 

[Whitigir]

If you like good warmth try this cable, I've had it 2 weeks and it's rocking my world...

https://shop.musicteck.com/collecti...ies-silver-gold-1-gold?variant=32094683267134

This cables is also very warm too
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089Q7HMF7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Palpatine79]

I am sure there will be a new firmware update soon.

I hope so. Meanwile we are beta testers, and we pay for it 1600$
Flagship without mqa, gapless with software problems.
I quess it came out few months to early. Now only what buyers can do is calm down, listen and wait

 

[szore]

I hope so. Meanwile we are beta testers, and we pay for it 1600$
Flagship without mqa, gapless with software problems.

It is part of the process, the kinks will be worked out.

 

[Whitigir]

I have just reconfirmed that newer MQA albums are neither unfolding in Android Shanling or Prime Mode. Others are doing fine in unfolding

This one does not work with Mariah album as it is newer

So, many of older MQA album will work in Shanling App only (Offline), Tidal will not work (Yet), and so newer Album MQA need firmware upgrades, which many other devices would do too!!
Shanling is working on it as @Shanling has been saying here. I would just be reasonable and let Shanling do their works