Specifications
For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just get to the next page and see how the DAP performs.
DAC and LPF
Once again, the Asahi Kasei chip shortage pushed Shanling to get a new DAC for its player Instead of packing AKM AK4497EQ chips, the Shanling M6 Pro 21 now sports a dual Sabre ESS 9068AS. A very modern chip that we’ve already encountered in the Astell&Kern SE200 and the new Kann Alpha.
It’s a very good chip and one of the first that offered out-of-the-box MQA decoding. As usual, you get 32-bit, stereo audio D/A compatibility, massive dynamic range, and lower power consumption compared to before.
The DAC is advertised for a DNR of up to 126dB and THD of -120dB. It can handle up to 32-Bit 768kHz PCM, DSD256 via DoP, native DSD512, and… MQA. For amp and LPF, Shanling surely uses the same setup made of KDS crystal oscillators, helped by the new FPGA chip, to guarantee a bit-perfect playback.
In single-ended mode, separation is rated at 76dB@32ohms. But, in balanced mode, the separation reaches new heights, 111dB@32ohms, a whopping difference. And if not as impressive, the dynamic range also gains a few dB: 123dB in single-ended mode, 126dB in balanced mode.
Power output is rated at 12mW/48mW/200mW@32ohms (L/M/H) in single-ended mode, and triple up to 36mW/143mW/600mW@32ohms in balanced mode. So, again, I’d strongly suggest that you use the Shanling M6 Pro 21 with balanced headphones.
Bundle
Inside the box
The Shanling M6 Pro 21 Bundle is as scarce as the one found in the M6 21. In the box you have:
- the Shanling M6 Pro 21
- a USB-C cable
- a glass protection
- a quick-start manual
- some silicon pads
- and you’re done!
No adapter, no coaxial cable, nothing! If you compare the ME700 bundle or the ME500 there is a huge difference, but maybe that’s the point?
The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Full specs
- Type: Digital Audio Player
- OS: Android 7.1.1
- CPU : Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
- RAM: 4Gb
- ROM: 64Gb
- DAC: 2x ES9068AS
- LPF: 2x Ti OPA2211
- BUF: 4x ADI AD8397
- Sample rate: PCM : 8Hz – 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256/512 – MQA
- System clock: Full synchronization technology with FPGA processor and dual clock
- Outputs: 3.5mm headphone out/line-out / 2.5mm balanced headphone output / 4.4mm balanced headphone output
- Input: USB Type-C
- Screen: 4.7″ 720×1080 IPS Screen from Sharp
- Micro SD: SDHC / SDXC (single slot)
- USB DAC: yes
- WiFi : 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz support
- DNLA + Full google play support
- Bluetooth support : SBC, aptX, LDAC, aptX-HD, AAC
- Duplex Bluetooth: player can emit and receive music
- Battery: 3.8V 4000mAh Li-Polymer
- Quick Charge: yes (QC 3.0)
- Battery life: 15h in single-ended, 9h in balanced
- Charging time: around 1h30
- Size: 71mm*133.5mm*17.5mm
- Weight: 245g
3.5 mm Headphone out
- Output power: 190mW @32ohm (high gain)
- SNR: 124 dB
- Channel separation: 76dB
- Output impedance: 0.3 ohms
- THD: 0.0005%
2.5 mm Headphone out / 4.4mm Headphone out
- Output power : 600mW@32ohm
- SNR: 127 dB
- Channel separation: 111dB
- Output impedance: 0.6 ohms
- THD: 0.0006%
The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: About the brand
Page 2: Design & Build Quality
Page 3: UI & Usage
Page 5: Sound performances
If you arrived on this page directly, please click here to start reading in the beginning: https://www.headfonia.com/shanling-m6-pro-21-review/
Claudio
Hi
Thanks for your reviews. You should check the specs related to the power output because there are diferent in this version:
“Amplifier circuit now using OPA2211, up to 760 mW@32ohm ( Original OPA1662 and 600mw)”
Bye
James McCook
Great review!
Howard
Please describe what you mean by “dry”. I read that and I thing parched desert land, tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and sterile sounding. I don’t think that’s what you mean so if you need more words to articulate what you mean by dry, please use them….. 🙏😎
Howard Olsen
Your links at the bottom of each page P1, P2, P3, etc …. all link back to the original M6 21 Review althogh this is the M6 Pro 21 Review. The only links that are correct are the “Click here” links.
Lieven
sorry, fixed!
Howard Olsen
Merci Beaucoup!
Howard Olsen
Quote: Power output is rated at 12mW / 48mW / 200mW @32ohms (L/M/H) in single-ended mode, and triple up to 36mW / 143mW / 600mW@32ohms in balanced mode. So, again, I’d strongly suggest that you use the Shanling M6 Pro 21 with balanced headphones.
Again, you’re not just using the pictures of of the M6 21, you’re quote the specs of the M6 Pro
Correction:
SE power@32 ohm: 20mW@Low gain, 60mW@High gain, 240mW@Ultra-high gain.
Bal Power@32 ohm: 60mW@Low gain, 240mW@ High gain, 760mW@Ultra-high gain
There is just so much wrong with this review I have to wonder if you even listened to it. I bought it. It runs circles around the Lotoo PAW series. It’s musical, technical with exceptional deail retrieval and plenty of weight to the notes. You really should give it a listen, I think you’ll be impressed.