Dragging down the top menu you will see several areas being customized and you can access a pure music mode that forces close other apps, tweak filter settings, and switch between single/dual DACs. In the Shanling Music app, you could access your NAS’s music files with DLNA, use Airplay, Synclink also transferring songs over 5GHz wifi. Android Global Lossless Output (AGLO) Technology The ESS DAC configuration on a Shanling machine definitely brings in some fun changes in the way frequencies are shaped. the total reset and system wipes, reinstalled apps... a couple of times... that didn't seem to produce joy. Customizing the Android system down to the root level ensures no unnecessary digital conversion that alters and degrades the sound signal before it reaches the decoding chipsets. This is an important feature if you want to enjoy the best output with other apps such as Tidal aside from the manufacturer’s own music player app.

Tantalum capacitors are used in the circuitry to enhance dynamics and Shanling also puts in custom coded FPGA chipsets, KDS Femto grade oscillators to lower jitter. Shanling have opted for a relatively subdued 3200 mAh battery for the M3X. While this may seem smaller compared to the trend for larger batteries, it has been an overall wise decision considering the highly efficient ES9219 DAC/amp topologies and the portable form factor. As a result, the M3X achieves a staggering 23 hours when the single DAC is used and 20 when dual DACs are employed. This no doubt eclipses quite a majority of other Android-based DAPs in this size and form factor. Sound quality The main competition for M3X is made of M2X, because I want to highlight how much Shanling has been improving with their newer DAPs, but also iFi xDSD, as you can use M3X as a USB DAC, and FiiO M11 PRO, and iBasso DX160. If you are not a supporter of the MQA technology yet you could try it on this entry-level machine, which practically streams high-resolution files without lagging or glitches, and the files seem to be better mastered with this format. Timbre Shanling Quotes an output impedance of less than 10 OHMs, so I was concerned it may have some hissing with sensitive IEMs, but actually it is in the same ballpark as Lotoo Paw 6000and FiiO M11 PRO, so IEMs that are really sensitive may present some hiss, but most IEMs won’t have any trouble.

Looks and Feel​

The M3X sounds smooth and balanced across the spectrum. The midrange has a slight hint of warmth in it and the general presentation is fairly smooth with plenty of details. It feels like a complete all-rounder and provides a good listening experience, regardless of the IEM choice. It has a solid PRaT foundation for a mid-range DAP, especially when using it in balanced mode. Transients are fast and snappy. However, there is a big performance difference between the modes and I will talk about that soon.

On the right of the device is the all-familiar volume scroll wheel which is purposefully positioned at the natural resting point of the thumb allowing for easy ergonomic tampering of volume levels. Ultrasone Signature Pulse Before the detailed sound breakdown, I want to tell you that the difference between the bal. and unbal. output is bigger than I thought it would be. I am using the same cable with the same earphones and hearing much better layering and a wider, deeper soundstage from the balanced output. The single-end sounds somewhat linear, somewhat compressed compared to the balanced and the difference is not negligible.