Shanling M9 Plus - Flagship Android player

[denis1976]

Thank you so much for taking your time and troubles to write this post.

Your information is very helpful.

I used to prefer the more technical and accurate sound before but in the last couple of years, especially since the time (slightly before) I picked up the RU-6 dongle, my tastes have changed. I like more warmth and slight bass emphasis in the sound now. This being the case, I am taking DX320 MAX TI off of my list based on your comments above.

The top three that I am considering then is M9 Plus, RS8, and N8ii. I would have considered the new Sony brick models but they seem to be underpowered (and the proprietary cable if it is still being used is a turn off for me).

Sony underpowered? With Susvara? Every Dap is

 

[Rayzilla]

Sony underpowered? With Susvara? Every Dap is

Sorry but I don't have Susvara, nor did I mention it in my post.

Regarding the underpowered, I have read this in quite a few posts. I'll give it a listen if I ever get a chance.

 

[Yifang]

Sorry but I don't have Susvara, nor did I mention it in my post.

Regarding the underpowered, I have read this in quite a few posts. I'll give it a listen if I ever get a chance.

Having tried my STORM, and also things like Grand Maestro, Maestro SE, Annihilator and such on the Sony DAPs... Definitely doesn't quite power it ideally. People don't say the Sony stuff is underpowered for no reason after all...

 

[Rayzilla]

My apologies that I have missed this post.

I see @Yifang has given his views. I generally agree with him.

I think you will appreciate the organic signature of the M9+ the most. Folks do tend to overlook the M9+ because they are instinctIvely averse to anything which is not dead neutral but the Shanling house sound is actually quite transparent but it manages to layer over a slight warmth which lends itself to hours of easy listening and enjoyment. I to listen to vocals, especially what is commonly characterised as ACG but has excellent bass lines and vocals. And the M9+ is one of my favourites currently. Which is saying something.

As for the M9, I think it is a great DAP too. It has impressive battery life. and great power like the M9+. Its only drawback is the size. But if that is not an issue, then it bears looking at. When the M9 came out, in between the M8 and M9, it seemed a bit out of step with the normal Shanling house sound. But I think there is still the Shanling DNA and warmth, just that it is closer to neutrality with a hint of warmth. It offers a nice contrast and complements either the M8 or M9+.

I will say some things about the other DAPs and why I chose not to have them. I do have the DX320. But I think it is good but not quite in the same class as the M9+.

With regards to the RS8, I felt it was a strange DAP: a R2R DAP that is tuned to sound like a DS DAP. Tonally it did nothing for me. I also did not like the fact that it was a bit unwieldy to handle and a bit heavy. The DX320 MAX was too big as well. It is also rather too neutral for me as well.

I generally listen to IEMs on my DAPs. I do have some IEMs that are more difficult to drive, like the FitEar DC, DC Ti, Air2 and Titan because they are have DD based. But the M9+ drives them very efficiently and is yet nuanced and organic.

I hope the above helps you. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.

Hi Kiats. Thank you very much for adding your thoughts.

I have never heard of the term, "ACG" before. I Googled and I get Anime, Comics, and Gaming. Is this what you mean?

I am taking the DX320 off the list since as you mentioned, it is not in the class of the others that I am considering.

I'll be keeping the M9+ on my list for now. I haven't had a chance to hear any Shanling DAPs yet so I really need to find some time to check some of them out. I have often come across posts that has the M8 as their favourite.

Thanks again!

 

[Rayzilla]

The 320 Max Ti leans ever-so-slightly warm and sounds great. the RS8 is the one you should absolutely remove off your list if you want emphasis in warmth and bass. RS8 is analytical and with some spicy high end.

You should consider M9 Plus, DX320 Max Ti, and do more research on N8ii. I can't vouch for the M9 Plus enough however... biggest M9 Plus shill here

Ok. I will try to give the DX320 MAX TI a listen so that I do not have any questions in my mind.

I have heard about the Hiby RS8 having a lot of features on their UI. How is Shanling's UI in terms of features. The screen appears to be one of the best but what about the features in it?

Thanks and I am sure I will pop up with more questions as they arise.

 

[Yifang]

Ok. I will try to give the DX320 MAX TI a listen so that I do not have any questions in my mind.

I have heard about the Hiby RS8 having a lot of features on their UI. How is Shanling's UI in terms of features. The screen appears to be one of the best but what about the features in it?

Thanks and I am sure I will pop up with more questions as they arise.

The DAP just runs Android so you can install whatever you need. As for the Shanling music app itself, I find it does everything I need it to, which is just to play music. I'm not too sure what other requirements one might have though, such as if the in-built player EQ is good etc...

 

[Kiats]

Hi Kiats. Thank you very much for adding your thoughts.

I have never heard of the term, "ACG" before. I Googled and I get Anime, Comics, and Gaming. Is this what you mean?

I am taking the DX320 off the list since as you mentioned, it is not in the class of the others that I am considering.

I'll be keeping the M9+ on my list for now. I haven't had a chance to hear any Shanling DAPs yet so I really need to find some time to check some of them out. I have often come across posts that has the M8 as their favourite.

Thanks again!

No worries at all. Haha! Yes, that is correct. Well, I listen primarily to vocal music.

The M8 is very much the break out hit that Shanling had. M9 was a bit a too neutral for some. But the M9+ has moved back closer to the rich tonality of the M8.

Yes, give the M9+ a listen.

 

[emdeevee]

Do not format card in the player. We recommend to format it on Windows, exfat.

Thank you for that, after many hours (my own fault I guess), I reformatted as suggested and my problem does seem to be gone. Feeling pretty relieved and understanding what this DAP can do.

I tested all of them (except Fiio) at CanJam and thought I'd lean to the RS8 over M9+ but already having P6Pro, this is indeed a delicious compliment with all this power and slam.

Happy to add shanling as my flagship heavy! You stand tall with L&P and Cayin, while killing A&K, IMHO.

 

[emdeevee]

Cross - posting from Watercooler:

Spending the weekend with my new source, Shanling M9+, thanks to @btwine! After some initial hiccups getting the M9+ to work properly (card based issues compounded by my rush to listen) I've been pushing this beast to insane levels of joy and sound. The sheer power in the player has made harder to drive iems, like Elysians, easy to deal with. And this also finally handles my finicky LCDi4 with aplomb having access to a full eq for tweaking.

A great contrast to my P6Pro, with much more power, but still very organic and smooth without the digital edge I so fear in DS based DAPs. I'm pretty surprised at its size and heft which are much less than just about every other flagship DAP I've tested. It's not N30 or LP6, but it's more dynamic and musical than the others in it's price range. And much lighter!

This is actually portable, but now P6Pro takes the portable role in my collection, as it's truly pocketable. Very happy with the Shanling so far!!!

 

[Kiats]

Cross - posting from Watercooler:

Spending the weekend with my new source, Shanling M9+, thanks to @btwine! After some initial hiccups getting the M9+ to work properly (card based issues compounded by my rush to listen) I've been pushing this beast to insane levels of joy and sound. The sheer power in the player has made harder to drive iems, like Elysians, easy to deal with. And this also finally handles my finicky LCDi4 with aplomb having access to a full eq for tweaking.

A great contrast to my P6Pro, with much more power, but still very organic and smooth without the digital edge I so fear in DS based DAPs. I'm pretty surprised at its size and heft which are much less than just about every other flagship DAP I've tested. It's not N30 or LP6, but it's more dynamic and musical than the others in it's price range. And much lighter!

This is actually portable, but now P6Pro takes the portable role in my collection, as it's truly pocketable. Very happy with the Shanling so far!!!

Enjoy! Yes, Shanling does have a wonderful house sound.

 

[emdeevee]

M9+ for $2250 with AE discounts! The best DAP deal around!

Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $2,367.20 20%OFF | SHANLING M9 Plus Flagship 6” 2K MP3 Bluetooth Music Player Hi-res Quad AK4499EX Dual AK4191 DAC Lossless Audio Player 8+256G
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKrqHOc

 

[Frabera]

Cross - posting from Watercooler:

Spending the weekend with my new source, Shanling M9+, thanks to @btwine! After some initial hiccups getting the M9+ to work properly (card based issues compounded by my rush to listen) I've been pushing this beast to insane levels of joy and sound. The sheer power in the player has made harder to drive iems, like Elysians, easy to deal with. And this also finally handles my finicky LCDi4 with aplomb having access to a full eq for tweaking.

A great contrast to my P6Pro, with much more power, but still very organic and smooth without the digital edge I so fear in DS based DAPs. I'm pretty surprised at its size and heft which are much less than just about every other flagship DAP I've tested. It's not N30 or LP6, but it's more dynamic and musical than the others in it's price range. And much lighter!

This is actually portable, but now P6Pro takes the portable role in my collection, as it's truly pocketable. Very happy with the Shanling so far!!!

What are the main differences with the P6Pro ?

 

[emdeevee]

What are the main differences with the P6Pro ?

Power is certainly a big difference, M9+ having plenty more than P6Pro. The r2r playback of P6Pro sounds sort of unique to me - there's a bit more air and separation in the FR than M9+. Both sound very organic and "undigital" but with the P6Pro sounding even more so. M9+ has a much greater stage width and harder hitting bass than P6Pro. They are pretty complimentary and both very light for what they are.

 

[Onurb8690]

I am going to post up a classified this week to list my M9 Plus, can't keep all my DAPs and N30 set me back a bit financially... I'll post the link in my sig when it's up!

David let me know when you post the sale

 

[emdeevee]

BTW, I saw M9+ on Shanling AE site for $2250 with discounts.