Specifications
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For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the DAP performs.
DAC and LPF
The Shanling M6 Pro uses two AKM AK4497EQ, a chip found in a wide variety player or DAC already.
It’s a popular one, found within the FiiO M11 Pro for example or Astell&Kern’s SP1000M. Asahi Kasei issued the chip with Velvet Sound Technology and advertised a 131dB SNR in balanced mode. Also, the Shanling M6 Pro offers full decoding of PCM files up to 32bits/768kHz.
To do so, Shanling implemented two Japanese KDS low phase noise active crystal oscillators, and an FPGA chipset to ensure bit-perfect decoding.
The brand says that each additional component was chosen very carefully :
- white copper shielding on top of the audio circuit,
- four TI OP1662 for low-pas filtering
- four ADA4610-2 + four BUF634 for the balanced output amplification
The capacitors are provided by ELNA and Panasonic, two Japanese firms well-known for the quality of their products., If you can find some of them in high-end gear such as Accuphase, you’ll be glad to know that Shanling kept the four Selmic II capacitors and Tantalum Polymer.
Shanling M6 Pro
In single-ended mode, separation is announced at 75dB@32ohms. But, in balanced mode, the separation reaches new heights, 109dB@32ohms, a whopping difference. Otherwise, Dynamic range and SNR are quite similar, with a small 1dB variation.
Power output is now rated at 200mW@32ohms in single-ended mode, and triple up to 600mW@32ohms in balanced mode. So, again, I’d strongly suggest that you use the Shanling M6 Pro through its balanced outputs.
Full specs
- Type : Digital Audio Player
- OS : Android 7.1
- CPU : Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
- RAM : 4Gb
- ROM : 32Gb
- DAC : 2x AK4497EQ
- LPF : 2x Ti OPA1662
- BUF : 4x ADA4610-2 + 4xBUF634
- Sample rate : PCM : 8Hz – 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256(software)
- 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
Shanling M6 Pro
- 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 : 12h in single ended, 9h in balanced
- Charging time : around 1h30
- Size : 71mm*133.5mm*17.5mm
- Weight : 244g (260g with the leather case)
3.5 mm Headphone out
- Output power : 200mW @32ohm
- SNR : 121 dB
- Channel separation : 75dB
- Output impedance : 1 ohms
- THD : 0.0009%
- Distortion : < 0.001%
2.5 mm Headphone out / 4.4mm Headphone out
- Output power : 600mW@32ohm
- SNR : 123 dB
- Channel separation : 110dB
- Output impedance : 2 ohms
- THD : 0.0011%
- Distortion : < 0.001%
The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Vincent
Thank you for the detail review NanoTechnos. It is quite informative.
M6 Pro is an interesting player.
May I ask you the definition of dry sound? I am to the hobby.
I am evaluating whether to get Shanling M6PRO, Cayni N6 Mark II (the most color sound)
or iBasso DX 220. I believe they all have somewhat different sound signature. Shanling seems to be slightly color to my sound preference (neutral but slightly boosted bass and elevated treble).
I originally thought about getting the iBasso DX 220 but worry about the software implementation which is not as smooth as the other two based on the review.
I look forward to your feedback.
Michael Gunin
Great review! Any chance you could compare M6 Pro with Dethonray DTR1 and QLS QA361 in terms of sound?
janno
I plan to get m6 pro or astell & kern SR25. Today I have a chance to try both of it with two different earphone, Custom IEM and custom 4 driver tuned earphone. I love both DAP but surprisingly in different ways.
M6 pro with IEM (balance), it feels dry and neutral. Good dynamic range and layer separation. Sound stage on wide site. Nice impact and feels the rumble. Vocal up front. Crisp but not sharp.
M6 pro with tuned earphone (unbalance), not dry but neutral. More dynamic, more width and fullness sound. Nice wide sound stage. Crispier and very fun to listen.
In other hand on SR25 make me confusing to decide.
SR25 with IEM (balance), Fullness of sound. Great dynamic and layering. Wide sound stage. Nice impact but not as good as M6 pro. Good clear vocal tone. High crisp and clear. Very fun to listen.
SR25 pro with tuned earphone (unbalance), flat and neutral with good dynamic. Good sounding overall but I didnt feel excite compare with pairing on IEM.
By my taste, i like M6 pro with tuned earphone (unbalance) and SR25 with IEM (balance) both combination make me very excite but in different way. This make me very confuse to pick up one.
I want to hear your opinion. Comparing M6 pro and SR25 in sound wise.
Fyrsten
Thank you for the review, it was a pleasant read, and very detailed.