New Shanling M0 - Tiny DAP for 109$

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by Bina, Mar 29, 2018.

  1. ohshitgorillas

    ohshitgorillas Friend

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    Yeah, with Mojo and to hook it up to my speakers. Chromecast audio is good but sometimes I want FLAC quality
     
  2. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I only asked because I read of a bunch of people on hf who were using the m0 as part of a "stack" for portable use, quadrupling (or more) its size, of course, which I found kind of amusing. I sometimes use an original x5 as a source for my bedside setup or my main setup, but it has a s/pdif digital out, and just sits on a table. For me, the whole point of the m0 was the tiny ff combined with "good enough" sound for portable use, especially on a bicycle or motorcycle. Haven't heard any reports re the quality of the digital out on the M0 though. Sorry.
     
  3. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Head fi being head fi. Unfortunately, it's where the M0 updates are being posted nowadays.
     
  4. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    Considering the nature of SBAF forum, I prefer to post here when I actually have some final update of firmware (like Fw2.2 on previous page) or answering questions. I'm trying to reduce "the noise" .

    Regarding quality of USB out, our engineers will tell you it's bitperfect and that is where it ends for them. Rest is up to audiophile discussion.
     
  5. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I would like to know, can this be used to receive phonecalls over Bluetooth when connected to a phone?
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2018
  6. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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  7. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    That is unfortunate that it does not offer headset functionality. Seems like a killer little thing otherwise, reminds me of the Clip Zip.
     
  8. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    Anyone else having a problem with occasional bad lag/stuttering streaming LDAC HQ from the M0 to Sony MUCM2BT1?
     
  9. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I haven't checked since any of the recent updates but poor bluetooth range has been a complaint in this thread. On the early firmware it was a problem when I tried aptx. Bina said that some of these updates have addressed it but most of my listening is wired so I haven't tried it. Are you on the latest firmware?
     
  10. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    Yeah, it was on the latest firmware. It's worse with higher bitrate files, so I'm guessing it's a hardware power limitation (distance was like 3 feet so I hope it's not a range issue). I found a decently priced ZX300a on ebay, so I'm returning the M0. Too bad; there's a lot to like about it.
     
  11. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    From all the BT codecs, LDAC HQ is the one most sensitive to quality of signal. Then it's all about conditions. In building, subway, bus, etc, connection should be just fine. Open space, there it gets tricky. And also position of M0 can have some impact, if the signal needs to go through body, if screen with antenna is facing body.

    We even found your height and weight can affect signal. I'm tall and fat European and I can experience signal problems that none of my Chinese colleagues is able to reproduce.
     
  12. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    I've experienced better BT connectivity than my iPhone or PC with the M0. I use the non-HQ LDAC paired to a Sony WH1000XM2 at work with no real complaints. I've gone about 20'-25' with walls in between before it starts acting up.
     
  13. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how they compare SQ wise (even from memory). The ZX300 is very nice sounding player, but I would like to get something smaller for when out and about. If the M0 gets close, it would be a very viable option.
     
  14. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    It probably depends what you're driving. The M0 lacks power, the dynamics tend to sound steamrollered flat with some IEMs compared to bigger players. It will go loud, but will sound like a loud prairie.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2018
  15. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Yep it's tineh and some sacrifices had to be made.

    My james444-modded a&d D6 are 105db and it does fine with it, and since I only ever use it in noisy environments there's absolutely no reason to look for something else.

    But you're never going to drive say, an aeon closed with it, and have it sound good, and the more inefficient IEMs need not apply.

    Im not sure what the cutoff would be, but anything above 100db efficiency should be fine.

    My only issue is its so small I sometimes fat finger the ui, and also I've lost it in coat pockets a time or three. :oops:
     
  16. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Not even, fairly easy stuff like Etymotic ER4-*R IEMs sound pretty lifeless from it. (98dB, so that sounds about right)

    My Noble Django maybe fare a little better- but I can't check the specs to see what their sensitivity is right now, as nobleaudio.com keeps trying to redirect me to nobleaudio.co.uk, which apparently no longer exists.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2018
  17. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    @Deep Funk , here are my impression on the Shanling M0.

    Reasons:

    I have been looking for a light blue-tooth receiver to use with my phone for when I want to travel light without carrying the bigger ZX300. After @james444 mention that he uses a M0 for usage on the go I thought I would try it out. A Bluetooth receiver would allow me to control the whole thing from a smartwatch which is a lot easier when out and about than digging through my pockets.

    Hardware:

    Hefty and solid feeling in the hand with a nicely textured finished. Not too slippery because of the texture, but due to the size of this I really think an integrated clip (similarly to ipod shuffle, nano, clip zip and Creative E3) should have been part of the design.

    The volume button feels a bit "soft" when turning, but it does remains distinct. 3.5 mm port and USB-C seems solid.

    The screen has good visibility, even in sunlight. No high resolution here, but very nice for something this size. Compared to the minute screens the Clip Zip or Xduoo X3 it is a large improvement to see covert art.

    Software:

    I currently have the FW2.2 installed. This has so far proven to be stable.
    The software is perfectly usable, if you are used to other players in this class.
    It is not as slick or smooth as the ZX300, but faster than the Fiio X5III.
    Layout is logical and easy to find your way around. Navigation itself can be frustrating because the touch sensitivity is not great due to the small screen. It will be frustrating if you try to for example manage any kind of playlist, etc. It can be done, but there are limits here. As long as you keep your expectations in check it should be just fine. All in all Shanling did a good job here and did manage to squeeze in quite a bit of functionality in a small package.

    I would like to see a separate buttons on the main menu for Bluetooth functionality, as quite a few people seem to be using it as a Bluetooth receiver, so it will be easier to switch on and off as needed.

    The bluetooth Receiver functionalityworked as advertised with normal LDAC on my OnePlus giving good range without drops, although I remember that @philipmorgan had issues with LDAC HQ. Usage as a DAC requires drivers before it can be used on PC.


    Sound:

    I tested it with my usually IEMs :Shure SE215 LTD, Hifiwalker A1, Pinnacle PX and Stagedivers SD2.

    First there is no hiss with any of my IEMs. There seems to enough power for all of my IEM’s, and most portable type headphones I tried with it, but realistically speaking I would not bother with anything hard to drive.

    My first impression where that it sounds is a pretty similar to the Audioquest DragonFly Red.
    The DFR is more powerful sounding and has more refinement on in the treble, but the general sabre family sound impression remains.The M0 has a slightly brighter sparkle on the top end and thicker punchier bass, than the natural sounding ZX300 or the more neutral IEM out on the RME RME ADI-2 DAC.
    Compared to the ZX300, it is slightly compressed sounding, less refined. This was easily noticeable on real instruments and realistic recordings.
    The ZX300 sounds flatter, more controlled with better detail and space retrieval, transient responseattack and and micro-dynamics. At first listen: the M0 sounds more a exciting the ZX300, but not as natural sounding.
    All of these differences are a lot smaller when you are using these on the go, depending on ambient noise and IEM isolation.
    Some might even favour the little thickness in the bass and the slighly brighter presentation of the M0 in that situation.

    The M0 is a great little player and the price is right for this thing. I will however return is a I have stumbled onto the Earsonic ES100, which contains a microphone and would make more sense for the purpose that I have in mind for it.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2019
  18. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Anyone have a fix for the issue "USB Device not recognized" on both Windows 7 and 10? Tried installing different firmware, not fixed. Different USB ports and computers, not fixed. Wondering if the unit is defective.

    I really would like to use the USB functionality.
     
  19. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    Is the cable you are using a data transfer cable. Had a situation with a guy who got the Utopia/QP2R bundle and was getting "USB Device not recognized" message and turns out the included USB cable was only a charging cable.
     
  20. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Just the included USB-C cable, which I hope would cover both functions.

    Paging @Bina
     

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