Shanling M9 Plus - Flagship Android player

[Frabera]

When shall we expect to read real complete reviews from the main known reviewer ?

 

[DarginMahkum]

It is now available in the EU: Here...

 

[FooFighter]

Oh, OK. I probably didn't enable the shield icon. Thanks.

Unfortunately I sold the M30 long time ago, so I might be wrong but as far as I remember, M30 was darker with more low-mids thickness. But at the time I also had other headphones which could also be the reason for the difference I have in memory.

And I sold yours afterwards too meanwhile.
Maybe @Kiats can comment

 

[Shanling]

New Firmware Update available for M9 Plus

https://en.shanling.com/article-M9v106.html

 

[BadgerRivFan]

Does anyone know of a tempered glass screen protector that is the right fit for the M9 Plus? The included screen protector does not really prevent fingerprint smudges very well. I'd love to find a nice quality glass screen protector that would be better for fingerprints. Any ideas?

 

[haweckO]

Dear @Shanling ,

let me ask you a technical question: why did you implement 4x AKM DACs? Wouldn't be two of them enough? Or, really does four DACs sound so much better than two? The reason why I’m asking is that in my M7 DAP is only one ESS ES9038Pro DAC, but when I’m listening via 4,4mm port, the DAP is getting quite warm to touch. Won't be a 4x DAC player produce even more heat?

You guys who already have M9+, how are you satisfied with the heat/warm from DAP during listening session, isn't that too much?

 

[Shanling]

Dear @Shanling ,

let me ask you a technical question: why did you implement 4x AKM DACs? Wouldn't be two of them enough? Or, really does four DACs sound so much better than two? The reason why I’m asking is that in my M7 DAP is only one ESS ES9038Pro DAC, but when I’m listening via 4,4mm port, the DAP is getting quite warm to touch. Won't be a 4x DAC player produce even more heat?

You guys who already have M9+, how are you satisfied with the heat/warm from DAP during listening session, isn't that too much?

We talked about it few times before, as it was already implemented on M6 Ultra.

In essence - In balanced mode, you have one DAC taking care of each of the four signals(R+/R-/L+/L-). In our designs we believe it makes for better sound.

M7 is bit unique, as its DAC is also 8 channel and can run in the same way. But its heat is mainly due to its ESS chip being run in the highest current mode, which produces a lot of excess heat. So just because M9 have more DACs doesn't mean it will be running as hot.

 

[DarginMahkum]

Dear @Shanling ,

let me ask you a technical question: why did you implement 4x AKM DACs? Wouldn't be two of them enough? Or, really does four DACs sound so much better than two? The reason why I’m asking is that in my M7 DAP is only one ESS ES9038Pro DAC, but when I’m listening via 4,4mm port, the DAP is getting quite warm to touch. Won't be a 4x DAC player produce even more heat?

You guys who already have M9+, how are you satisfied with the heat/warm from DAP during listening session, isn't that too much?

4499EX is a 2 channel DAC but ES9038PRO is an 8 channel DAC. This is of course not a fully correct comparison, but channel count-wise configurations are of equals. But what I don't know is the fabrication process (e.g. just as an example 4499EX could be a newer 11nm vs older ES9038PRO 14nm process - but I am not sure which is what) which could produce more heat with the same algorithm implementation. Unfortunately I could not find the power ratings in the datasheets.

I left mine run for several hours with a Susvara at listening volume (with the case), and warmth wasn't something I especially noticed, meaning wasn't unexpectedly warm.

 

[BadgerRivFan]

You guys who already have M9+, how are you satisfied with the heat/warm from DAP during listening session, isn't that too much?

IME after several hours of continuous listening it does get very warm. Is it troublesome or a problem in any way? No, not at all.

It’s really no different than any of the other DAPs or portable DAC/Amps that I have (Hiby, Chord, Astell&Kern, etc.). All of them get warm with longer use.

I’d say all audio component manufacturers understand this and build their products to handle the internal heat that they all generate.

 

[WDitters]

IME after several hours of continuous listening it does get very warm. Is it troublesome or a problem in any way? No, not at all.

It’s really no different than any of the other DAPs or portable DAC/Amps that I have (Hiby, Chord, Astell&Kern, etc.). All of them get warm with longer use.

I’d say all audio component manufacturers understand this and build their products to handle the internal heat that they all generate.

They're supposed to get warm on the outside. That's a sign of internal heat being dissipated via the outer shell...

 

[haweckO]

We talked about it few times before, as it was already implemented on M6 Ultra.

In essence - In balanced mode, you have one DAC taking care of each of the four signals(R+/R-/L+/L-). In our designs we believe it makes for better sound.

M7 is bit unique, as its DAC is also 8 channel and can run in the same way. But its heat is mainly due to its ESS chip being run in the highest current mode, which produces a lot of excess heat. So just because M9 have more DACs doesn't mean it will be running as hot.

thanks for explanation, I will definitely compare this DAP with my M7 in the future.

IME after several hours of continuous listening it does get very warm. Is it troublesome or a problem in any way? No, not at all.

It’s really no different than any of the other DAPs or portable DAC/Amps that I have (Hiby, Chord, Astell&Kern, etc.). All of them get warm with longer use.

I’d say all audio component manufacturers understand this and build their products to handle the internal heat that they all generate.

for me it is always a problem, as it can significantly shorten battery life in the future, and second, it can potentially lead to swollen battery.
I owned Shanling H7 dac/amp, and it was much "colder" then M7, so I think it depends only on the manufacturer how they can handle with it. The only reason why I return H7 was bad user experience with Eddict Player, otherwise it sounded great.

@DarginMahkum , @WDitters thanks for your feedback

 

[Shanling]

for me it is always a problem, as it can significantly shorten battery life in the future, and second, it can potentially lead to swollen battery.
I owned Shanling H7 dac/amp, and it was much "colder" then M7, so I think it depends only on the manufacturer how they can handle with it. The only reason why I return H7 was bad user experience with Eddict Player, otherwise it sounded great.

The high heat was always part of the Hi-Fi when you are trying to chase top-quality sound and high output power, now it just adds more when you also pair it with Android CPU.

If you want DAP that stays cool, check the M3 Ultra, it's using much more power-efficient chips for its audio circuit.

 

[haweckO]

@Shanling I fully understand this , let me ask you one more question; when I am listening through single-ended port, does M9+ using only two of AKM dacs and half of amplifier circuit?

 

[Shanling]

@Shanling I fully understand this , let me ask you one more question; when I am listening through single-ended port, does M9+ using only two of AKM dacs and half of amplifier circuit?

Correct, it's using two DACs for single-ended and one side of amplifier.

 

[DarginMahkum]

I have to say: How well the M9+ can drive the DCA Stealth is mind blowing. I am very very positively surprised. Anyone looking for a lightweight TOTL DAP that can drive DCA Stealth and Expanse should definitely give the M9+ a go. If you are worried (like I was) that M9+ would be a dull tuning with overblown low mids and castrated highs, it is not. It is a wonderfully enjoyable tuning that would satisfy the neutral and fun lovers both, extended in both directions.

@Shanling you should definitely advertise your DAP also with such HPs.