Thx, still very less out there about the M8 being so new; Listened to the M8 in some detail today and a plethora of other DAP's today from majority of the big names and then some; A&K SE200, SA700, SA25 (owning), Kann Cube (no Alpha as yet), DX220 Max, LTPT, LT6K, QLS 361, Cowon Plenue 2, L&P L5 Pro, Hifiman R2R2000 Black & Red, not even scratching the surface, let alone the desktop gear, and then IEM's & HP. You'd need a time machine to fully explore this shop, seriously so, Top Day
M8 is impressive, found the DAP to be very detailed, full bodied and feature rich. Kicking up the power you really feel the impact of "Turbo", took along my own set of Andromeda and WM1A. Some great expressions as the 1A is on CFW, being very far from the expectation of the stock 1A & 3.02, surprised a good number
No bones about it the M8 is a larger DAP feels dense in the hand, not to the extent of the likes of WM1Z or SA700. Observed no quality issues with this M8, swapped out the 4.4 female adaptor on the DAP for 3.5 SE easily done, however one does needs to take some care not to mark the surfaces with the provided tool. UI is fast, fluid & effortless. No Google App's or services although can be added if the user needs. This one being on open Android 7.1. (if remember correctly). If in the Market for a larger DAP with a fair amount of kick the M8 is a very serious consideration. Tuning to me was towards neutral with some emphasis on the Mid's, that said dependant on the head gear flipping from High Power to Turbo also resulted in significant change to a far more energetic & powerful sound signature (not volume) impressively so...
A&K SE200 was a standout, presenting tremendous resolution, transparency with the AK DAC being the more transparent & detailed of the two. The ESS DAC's being warmer & laid back, maybe more a touch forward in the vocals. Build quality is really a sight to behold the details do indeed shine both sonically & visually. I don't think the SE200 is for me, as much as I
really, really want to like this DAP, it sadly doesn't give me that natural organic vibe I crave. SE200 isn't overly analytical or dry by any means.
A&K SA700 felt, well old out the box with the UI being far slower than my own SR25, more mid centric and forward versus the SE200. DAP itself is once again beautifully finished and being stainless steel very heavy for it's physical size. The rest is typical A&K so no real complaints, however does feel considerably slower in operation than the likes of the SE200 and even SR25. TBH I prefer the
dirtier sound signature the SR25 presents with it's Cirrus Logic duel DAC's over both the SE200 & SA700, which neatly brings me to the next contender LOL.
Did add another DAP to the herd, however one few would likely choose or remotely consider, given it's host of limitations, restrictions & pricing. Irrespective of features, power, performance & build the
one DAP I kept coming back to was the HIFIMAN R2R2000 Red. Absolutely everything anyone has ever written about this DAP is true both positive & negative. In some respects it's a decade and then some behind, yet lightyears ahead in where it really counts. As the display fades and the music plays absolutely everything and mean everything you ever thought a DAP could possibly present changes. The guy's in the shop were great and even warned of the R2R2000's limitations and with good reason.
Admittedly I do have a significant pricing advantage, as in no shape or form would I be willing to pay the international pricing, then again. I literally savoured the moment, deliberately opting for a small 64Gb card, loaded with just the right albums. Has to be said; If your in a shop with the vast majority of TOTL portable HiFi available to try & buy, yet this little DAP keeps calling you back over and over again, there's has to be something about it. The R2R2000 Red is absolutely the most analogue & organic DAP I have ever listened to...
In all honestly I don't think that I've ever tried or owned a more diabolically unintuitive & convoluted DAP to use, nor anything that approaches the realism of what the R2R2000 presents, it really makes one pause for thought. As Primitive the R2R2000 appears to be on face value, the sound signature is very far from that, nor is clever SW trickery at hand or or psychoacoustics employed, it's mostly all down the the hardware and that makes for a significant difference.
Hifiiman without any doubts is onto something here, problem being not needing a PHD to operate the device. Back to the Shanling M8 it's good it really is a deserving TOTL DAP, yet similar to many it remains to be what it is a very much a Digital Audio Player with a typical AK DAC signature. The R2R2000 Red playing HQ vinyl rip's sounds and potentially more importantly feels completely analogue, eerily so. I'll be straight the the R2R2000 does come across as a work in progress, a prototype, however when it all comes together the R2R2000 simply outstanding
I wouldn't want the R2R2000 as my primary DAP as it remains to be a rather limited device as one of several absolutely yes...
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