[a lab lover]

I currently have a set for review.

The analog when compared to the vitality is much richer, thicker, warmer and lusher, and has a much more intimate presentation. The vitality is noticeably more resolving and detailed. Airy, and stages better and sounds more open. Two very different approaches to sound.

The M1pro is actually the analog version with the pair of femto clocks. Thus, a real fair comparison is the M1 analog with the M1pro. The difference is not small. The soundstage, resolution, air, is quite significantly improved (at least as significant as it gets among portable sources). It's technicalities (soundstage, resolution) are extremely close to that of the vitality, possibly matching it, but with the rich analog musicality of the analog version (albeit slightly less thick and less congested). The M1pro gives you the best of both worlds.

I've been in close contact with the lead designer of soundaware, and he is planning to launch another model, a studio edition. He'll be sending me a set soon to test out and for feedback. The studio version is basically the vitality version with the femto clocks, and given the sound quality of the original vitality, and the improvement which the femto clocks gave to the analog version, I am extremely, extremely excited about this. In my opinion, the M1pro comes exceedingly close and possibly matches the best of the best players purely on sound quality. I think the studio version will be right up there in terms of technicalities

Thank you for your very detailed review @WCDchee Much appreciated! I'm holding off on a purchase until I can figure out which model (and brand) will best suit my application. In your opinion, does the M1Pro have a DAC appropriate for connecting to external speakers via my 2-channel stereo system?
 
Cheers.

 

[WCDchee]

Are firmware upgrades still occurring or dead/ended like on the 'Calyx M DAP' ?

I have asked many time before but had no response, thanks for any info!

Betas are constantly being worked on , and I assure you that the team is trying very hard to fix any problems. I'm in direct contact with them and am helping them out with the beta testing.

 

[WCDchee]

The cheapest place to buy the M1Pro is in Penon Audio? How about the battery life?

I just managed around 8.5h on this with iems. I was told by soundaware that it could possibly hit ten hours but I gotta test it out. I'm not confident of it going to 10 though!

 

[soundaware]

The cheapest place to buy the M1Pro is in Penon Audio? How about the battery life?

The battery could last for 9hours. If only using Coxial out, will extent to be 30 hours.

 

[soundaware]

  Are firmware upgrades still occurring or dead/ended like on the 'Calyx M DAP' ?
 
I have asked many time before but had no response, thanks for any info!

The new firmware have fixed the problem well.

 

[sonickarma]

  The new firmware have fixed the problem well.

 
Thanks when will it be available?

 

[mrinspire]

With the latest firmware I still love every bit of my Esther
 
Cant wait to try the new firmware

 

[vizZir]

What's the difference between the M1 and M1pro ? Is the price jump justified ?
 
Nevermind: I saw it was the femto clock. 

 

[soundaware]

  What's the difference between the M1 and M1pro ? Is the price jump justified ?
 
Nevermind: I saw it was the femto clock. 

M1PRO is upgraded based on M1. Two different version. Two price.

 

[vizZir]

  M1PRO is upgraded based on M1. Two different version. Two price.

 
Yeah ok but what do you mean by upgrade. What are the main changes excepted the Femto clock ?

 

[soundaware]

   
Yeah ok but what do you mean by upgrade. What are the main changes excepted the Femto clock ?

Besides Femto clock, the capacitance is changed for different tuning style, and other accessories is little changed.
Below picture discussing the difference sound for your reference, if you know Chinese.

 

[Jtyoung]

just a quick one - when you select shuffle play - do you have to scan all music each time you turn the M1Pro on?

 

[sonickarma]

Are the M1Pro different coloured daps just different colour or also Vitality/Analogue versions?

 

[soundaware]

  just a quick one - when you select shuffle play - do you have to scan all music each time you turn the M1Pro on?

No need to scan all music each time, unless when you did change files stored in your TF card.
But if you want to shuffle play music in the same album, no need to scan music, just enter into the Storage menu, then pick the album.
Is that clear?

 

[soundaware]

Are the M1Pro different coloured daps just different colour or also Vitality/Analogue versions?

M1PRO is another version, tuning is upgraded based on Analogue, with changed femto-second clock and other materials.
 
Colors options:
M1PRO colors: Champagne Gold, Grey
Vitality, Analog colors: Glacier, Grey