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 uses two AKM AK4495SEQ DACs, an iteration we haven’t seen or heard quite often.
It’s a new generation chip, labeled as a “Quality-Oriented 126dB 32-bit 2 ch Premium DAC”. Asahi Kasei advertised better Sound-Noise-Ration, at 123dB in balanced mode, and a full decoding of PCM files up to 32bits/768kHz.
Dual AKM AK4496SEQ
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,
- two TI OP1612 for low-pas filtering
- two ADI AD8397 for the balanced output amplification, and one additional chip for the single-ended mode. All to ensure a fully-balanced experience from the source, to the plug.
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 uses four Selmic II capacitors and Tantalum Polymer iterations, to reach new levels of performances.
In single-ended mode, separation is announced at 75dB@32ohms. But, in balanced mode, the separation reaches an impressive level of 109dB@32ohms, a whopping difference. Otherwise, Dynamic range and SNR are quite similar, with a small 1dB variation.
Power output is rated at 160mW@32ohms in single-ended mode, and double up to 350mW@32ohms in balanced mode. So, it’d be wiser to use the Shanling M6 through its balanced outputs.
Full specs
- Type : Digital Audio Player - OS : Android 7.1
- CPU : Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
- RAM : 4Gb
- ROM : 32Gb
- DAC : 2x AK4493SEQ
- LPF : 2x Ti OPA1612
- BUF : 2x AD8397 + 1 (single ended)
- 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
- 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, AAX
- 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 : 228g (250g with the leather case)
3.5 mm Headphone out
- Output power : 160mW @32ohm
- SNR : 118 dB
- Channel separation : 75dB
- Output impedance : 1 ohms
- Distortion : < 0.001%
2.5 mm Headphone out / 4.4mm Headphone out
- Output power : 350mW@32ohm
- SNR : 119 dB
- Channel separation : 109dB
- Output impedance : 2 ohms
- Distortion : < 0.001%
The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Vibhav Srivaths
Page 2 has a typo, mentioning that a Shanling M2x is is bundled with the Shanling M6 – took me by surprise 🙂
Mr Fripp
I think shanling is an undervalued brand. The have very good DAP’s. I have tried many DAP including fiio m6, m9 y m11 pro. Today i have sr15, kann, m2x, r6 pro and now the shanling m6. Despite of some thing that they have to fix (like gapless option) this DAP sound great. I really enjoy listening it. My first impresion is that I enjoyed more that the m11 pro (i sold it). I cannot say that sound better than the m11 pro because it depends of many thing like the headphones thay you are using and the style of music that you are listening. I love rock ( all kind of) so for me, rock music sound better in my m6 thant the m11 pro. If I listen pantera or metallica, in my m11 pro will sound beautiful but losing the energy. It’s just my opinion.
Thanks fornthe review
Matthew Helvick
Can you elaborate on the gapless issue? Is it something that just isnt an option? I usually put my stuff on random but most albums i have flow from song to song. Gapless was something i thought was solved back in the early 2000s
Mr fripp
Hi,
They don’t put the gapless option in their music app. I asked them and they confirm me that the option is not available and probably they will add it. For that reason i have dowloaded the fiio music. I love progressive rock and there are song that must be played with gapless option but i agree, most of the time i play random music too.
Fernand
Hello, what would be a better option? ibasso dx160 or Shanling M6 (no pro) greetings and thanks
Don
Can you compare to the ibasso dx160?