Over the past few weeks, I have been spending some time with the Shanling M7. The journey started a few months back when I sold my A&K SE100 and was on the lookout for a DAP. Ended up buying the HiBy R5 Gen 2 even though that was a very decent player I always felt something was missing and was always on the lookout for a decent upgrade for myself. Then I got to audition the Sennheiser IE600 at the HPZ Connect event and also got to try it with the Shanling M7(via a friend), instantly knew that was everything I was craving for. So had to order one for me. And here I am writing this post after about 4 weeks of usage. I still have to finish a review for the same but I am facing problems back to back with my health(tennis elbow followed by Viral), soon a complete review will also be posted on the thread.
About my previous experiences:-
I have been quite an explorer who started with FiiO M6 about 3 to 4 years back and rode my horses up til the HiBy RS6(OG R6, Shanling M3X, Cayin N3 Pro, and Cayin N6ii, are just a few names to take here). But every time I was not getting satisfied always had some problem or the other. Even tried my friend’s A&K SP2K Cu and that felt something outstanding I can never make a budget so high for my source. So here I am with the M7, tried and tested.
Some Pros:-
>Smooth, Warm tonality: IDK it’s like all my IEMs just synergize well with this beauty. There’s the Fearless audio S8f(multi-BA), there’s the Senn IE600(Single DD), and there’s the BQEYZ Topaz(Single DD and Piezo hybrid), and I have tested more like U12T, Legends Evo, Shuoer S12, Shuoer D13, 7Hz Dioko, etc.
>Clean and precise output: The output is super clean, there’s no noticeable background noise, no noticeable distortion, just sheer output that you can enjoy. Even with sensitive IEMs like the CA Andromeda the output was damn clean. I tested my friend’s CA Andromeda via balanced 4.4mm output and trust me out of all the DAPs I have heard so far the M7 and Andros sounded phenomenal.
>Resolution and Clarity: Shanling M7 delivers crisp resolution. It doesn’t lack anywhere in terms of clarity or detail retrieval. Apart from other things, Stage Depth is also very good in the output.
>Powerhouse: IDK what Shanling has equipped on the M7’s amplification circuit but it's super powerful. I never had to go above mid-gain for any of my tested IEMs. S8f/Andros are loud even at 20/100 on the mid-gain level. I tested the M7 head to head against the A&K Kann Alpha(which is a beast in terms of power delivery) and they were pretty comparable with IEMs.(HPs I couldn’t test as I didn’t have a 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter).
>Smooth Android OS: The UI is pretty smooth. Yeah, the Android isn’t bug-free(I had a no-reason restart on its own once so far) but it works perfectly smooth. Not iPhone or Flagship Android phone smooth but yeah better than mid-range smartphones.
>Exceptional Build: M7 feels like a rich and premium device to hold. It just has the perfect finish of a perfect device.
Some Cons:-
>Battery: Well, feels like complaining here about battery life. Man 10 hours is the most one can get from the M7 that too from single-ended only. You put your earphones on the Balanced output and it drops even down, maybe 8 hours or something at best. I could have lived with 10-12 hours of output via balanced.
>Like I mentioned a few Android bugs here and there, specifically that instant restart that happened once so far.
>Volume knob feels finicky. I mean it works fine so far, but it feels like it might go nuts anytime.
>MicroSD card slot cover is meh. Why, I mean why is it even there? One has to push it 4-5 times every time you reenter your memory card.
>It runs HOTTTTTT: Yes if you hear it for a while it might go nuts. Especially when it is put in a closed space like a pocket or bag, it gets so hot you can fry an egg over it.
Well, that’s it. Even with the above-mentioned cons, I still love the M7 purely for its sound performance. I would say for the price, a pretty phenomenal player.