Shanling M3 Ultra DAP Review - Small Size, Mean Attitude

[@lightarts65]

Thanks for the great review. I got this for a few weeks now and enjoying it much, coming from Hiby R5 Saber.

[@ericburgos]

I got my first Shanling DAP recently (M6 Ultra) and I LOVE it.

[@Soundnews]

Amazing DAP you got there

[@ericburgos]

@@Soundnews It's a great compliment to my giant M17, lol.

[@sudipchatterjee]

Thanks for this top-class review! I’ll be waiting for this to arrive here in India. This looks like the best choice for a price-to-performance DAP.

[@Soundnews]

My pleasure, mate

[@Flavius7]

Glad Shanling is gaving Fiio a run for its money. Almost all of their daps sound musical, inviting, warm an detailed without getting too sharp and metallic. Guess I know what I'll be getting when my Fiio M15 will give up on me. You just can't get a better deal in the dap business. Maybe a bluetooth receiver, but that's another story. Great detailed analysis, Sandu, enjoyed it thoroughly.

[@Soundnews]

The first sentence hit the spot! That's exactly how they sound and I like them for that.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

im sure it actually can do more, they just adjusted it to suit actual retail dacs, also the case for topping/desktop one

[@anncleverley4721]

Thanks for such a brilliant review you have convinced me to order one. Having used in the past the flagship Sony the gold one costing around £3000 and Astell and Kern 240, Lotto paw and other incredibly over priced expensive DAPS I am drawn to this one for its price and to use with my newly ordered Bowers and Wilkins PX8. THANKS AGAIN

[@whatevsimbulletproof]

Yea tell us

[@ActualFish]

Great review as always :D

[@Soundnews]

Thanks Jack

[@wyles8961]

Great review. Exactly what I was looking for. I’ve been interested, but there haven’t been many m3u reviews yet. Does the m3u have better detail retrieval than the m3x? I get that detail retrieval is a weak area. it seems like pretty much everything is a step up on the m3u from the m3x. Have and enjoy the m3x quite a bit, the battery life on both is a big advantage. Debating whether to upgrade. The H7 looks interesting too, though pretty expensive.

[@Soundnews]

Short answer would be Yes. M3 Ultra is slightly clearer and less cramped, but the biggest difference was felt in terms of dynamics, where M3U pounded considerably harder when dynamics were reaching their peaks, like sub-bass spikes or big drums crashing down on you.

[@jamesrevell6475]

I'm an 80s child and an audio visualizer is an absolute must. Spectrum analyzer, output meter, eq or whatever. All my audio equipment must have some kind of visualizer. I hear people say it's a useless option but I don't care. I decided on this kodel because your review is the only DAP review that demonstrates this option. Too bad more audio equipment reviews don't mention this. There's probably many home audio, car stereo and portable audio players that have audio visualizers but it's never mentioned in reviews or product specs. That's a shame because it really narrows my choices for audio equipment. After years of shopping I have finally found an affordable home audio system with audio visualizer and I'm saving for the purchase. For a meaningless option it seems to be only available on hi end audio equipment. I've given up on finding a car audio system with audio visualizer because it is non existent unless I want to get an old 80s refurbished car stereo from Ebay. I'm getting this particular DAP for the output meter. I wish you would tell kore. Thank you for the video.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

i used to always enable peak meter bcs modern music nowadays peaks rather easily (can downgrade quality)

[@etarikb6593]

Thanks for the very informative review! Do you any chance compared with DX170? I am considering both DX170 and M3 ultra. But DX170 UI performance is worrying as it uses very slow chip. But I am not sure if they have a big difference on sound. Any thoughts and recommendations on which one to go for?

[@gourabasis]

+1 for this

[@francesschaefer]

I ordered and tried the DX170, and returned it, because the UI just did not cut it! So I decided no DAP for me for now. I have come upon this review though, and may consider it later this year. I really liked the sound though, and I don't even have a 4.4 balanced connector. Just have 3.5 mm jacks.

[@francesschaefer]

I have thought things over and decided after trying 3 other DAPs in this price range and then time off just using my phone and I am going to order this DAP! I am very excited been testing and researching now for about 6 months!

[@francesschaefer]

Your reviews are top flight and I have watched MANY You Tube reviews!!!

[@samafshar]

Thanks for the great review. How do you compare the sound to Hiby R5 Gen2 (Class A amp mode)? I ordered Hiby R5 Gen2 and iBasso DX170 and compared them 1 by 1. Hiby, in class A mode sounds so much more natural, detailed and wider. Although DX170 has a beautiful screen, I'll prefer Hiby. Do you think Shanling M3 Ultra can beat Hiby? If yes, I can return them both and go with Shanling.

[@sunsunjohnson9084]

f

[@Soundnews]

R5 Gen2 offers a better punch in class-A mode, those dynamics are quite special and it sounds even warmer than M3U. I think these two are more alike than different, there is no need to return the R5 Gen2. I like them both and it would be a challenge picking one over the other.

[@francesschaefer]

@@Soundnews the Hiby R5 Gen 2 was unwieldy and so I returned it. I LOVED the sound though. I have been trying out various DAPS over the past few months.

[@gunawangunawan7668]

Really great review! Been watching this two times with your M11s review. Contemplating which one to buy, M3U or M11S. Can you help me which one has better details and soundstage? Thanks! Really appreciate it if you can answer them :)

[@casatest]

Which is better between this M3 ultra and Hiby R6 III?

[@francesschaefer]

I tried Hiby R5 Gen II great sound crappy UI sadly returned it

[@francesschaefer]

My bad also ordered Hiby R6 III and it was just TOO bulky and heavy!

[@bodythetan]

Very tempted to pick this one up, but struggling to get my head around the whole dap thing and needing to carry 2 devices

[@Soundnews]

That's until you hear one playing

[@BrianVallotton]

Yes, I am currently adapting to this idea too. I just bought the M6 Ultra. It is a matter of learning where you will listen the most. So that way it is not always necessary to carry it everywhere. I mostly use mine when I am using my good headphones and I am not moving around. My iPhone works good enough for when I am casually listening… it is truly worth the effort to use one! I hope you get a chance to experience a good setup!

[@bodythetan]

@@Soundnews can it drive my ZMF Atrium?

[@shaunbrady15]

Does this dap sound better than the shanling ua3 connected to your phone?

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. I can't find any info about how large a micro sd card can be used ? Thanks

[@jkh_monkey]

Shanling rep on head fi said up to 2tb

[@deadline7610]

@@jkh_monkey Thanks.

[@craigmatthews4102]

Which is better in Sound department? Rs2 or M3U? Thanks

[@jy5925]

Hi, if your priority is on sound quality, which one you would prefer between Shanling M3 Ultra & FiiO M11s?

[@ice_box7765]

I think the m3 ultra is better than the the m11s.

[@Raul-og4fb]

I bought this unit today on Amazon to replace the ibasso dx160.. Was very disappointed in the ibasso dx160s bluetooth performance

[@vincentcollard3564]

Hi, nice review, thanks for it ! I've got M3U wich one i use with BEYERDYNAMIC DT 700 PRO X. Verry relaxing sound ! Now,I would like to use 4.4mm balanced with IEM. Can you give me advices about it? My budget will be between 300€ and 500€. Thanks in advance. Vince.

[@vincentcollard3564]

Hi, Ok, i've found my IEM....OBSIDIAN OH10 with a balanced 4.4mm cable.....what a différence! Not neutral sound as DT 700 PRO X of course. Funny, punchy IEM. And open stage due to balanced 4.4mm. WOWWWWW.

[@sussusamongus9567]

Should I get this or the Fiio M11s? I have a local audio store selling a brand new M3 Ultra at around 360 USD, while cheapest Fiio M11s I can find in second-hand like new condition is around 380 USD.

[@Soundnews]

It comes down to personal preference, M11S is considerably more powerful, it has a bigger body & display, but M3U sounds more natural and its easier to carry around.

[@zgreeeg]

I have Shanling M2X and Headphones AUne E1 (with a beryl membrane). These headphones play amazingly well for their appearance. I listen to electronic, classic music, sometimes rock. I was thinking about changing to M3X Ultra, is it a good selection? I had Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones for a while, but I gave it because they were not very detailed. For me, an indicator as the headphones play is the album "Granite" by Martin Nonstatic.

[@micah4396]

Great review! Can anyone confirm that launchers are unusable on this DAP?

[@rob7512]

The VU-meter I see on several daps that you review, is that een app? If so, wich app it? Tanks.

[@Soundnews]

Hey Rob, you get them with the stock software music player - "Shanling Music". FiiO DAPs have the same feature on their stock "FiiO Music" software. Gotta love those VU-meters

[@wolf6041]

Hello! I consider buying m3 ultra, but for now also have possibility to purchase m6 ver. 21 for the same price. What are pros and cons between these two?

[@Soundnews]

M3 Ultra has a newer and much faster system on chip, everything will feel smoother and faster, like browsing on a new smartphone. M6 would be sluggish by comparison. Android 10 Vs 7 is also important, as M6 v21 doesn't support newer apps anymore. Sound wise M6 V21 will be a little clearer, more powerful and quite linear by comparison, while M3 U would be fuller-bodied.

[@wolf6041]

@@Soundnews Thank you for answering! This is quite an important point about new apps, I had no idea about that. Do I get it right, new updates for apps will also be unavailable (for example the latest version of Tidal)? Or only some brand new apps?

[@Soundnews]

@@wolf6041 M3 Ultra uses Android 10, so you can use any third party app and update it to the latest version via google playstore, something that wouldn't be the case on M6 V.21

[@wolf6041]

@@Soundnews Thanks! And for the review itself). Really tough of a choice)

[@wolf6041]

@@Soundnews If it won't bother you please answer one more question. If we talk only about sound quality and impression which one would you likely choose?

[@kenchi5030]

How would this compared to the new Tempotec v6?

[@wahid-lg1kk]

I also wish to know this

[@Ascension-zs2no]

Hello and thanks for the review! Please tell me will the M3 ultra sound better than Shanling M5s?

[@SHANLING_Liu]

Yes, M3 Ultra sounds better than M5s, with its bit warmer and natural tuning.

[@Ascension-zs2no]

@@SHANLING_Liu thanks! m5s is a cool player, but we need to move on and be more modern).

[@SHANLING_Liu]

@@Ascension-zs2no If you are in the United States, you can follow the update of the Official Amazon store

[@YannickKhong]

Will you cover the Walkman a306 and zx707?

[@nabilchaouli3489]

Does the X case fit the ultra ?

[@robbiramiz]

Just what I need. Thanks for your great review))

[@Soundnews]

My pleasure!

[@nilokillian]

debating which one to get m7 or m6 ultra as a first DAC

[@Soundnews]

you can't go wrong with either of these. I love them both, M7 being slightly more technical and M6 U more natural & organic sounding.

[@nabilchaouli3489]

Is this one and the X same size

[@deepusaketh819]

Kindly review tempotec v 6

[@tonymartin83]

Could you compare this with tempotec V6?

[@Soundnews]

On paper, V6 looks more impressive, but look at that chin below the screen and at that low-end Snapdragon 425...SD660 moves by about two times faster and I find the M3U looking a lot sexier. Can't tell much when it comes to sonics, as I never tried a Tempotec V6

[@rchemic]

Can anyone confirm if will charge through usb-c to usb-c? And is it compatible with thunderbolt? I just got a different dap and it does neither. It won’t charge through usb c ports and can’t be recognized by my MacBook Air.

[@deadline7610]

Thanks. Anyone now what to do when your units instructions for setup is in Chinese no English ?

[@bodythetan]

Sandro, another quick question please. Can this unit be used in dac mode for line out into an external amp like the m6 ultra? And is it generally advisable is the sound lacklustre compared to having a dedicated desktop dac?

[@Soundnews]

Hi mate, short answer would be: Yes. For that you will need to install Shanling drivers first (on a Windows machine).

[@anihal1]

I would like to know how much sd card storage it supports.

[@SHANLING_Liu]

3GB RAM+32GB ROM+2TB Scalable

[@Soundnews]

Up to 2Tb cards are supported

[@macroblockingone]

Can this drive the sennheiser hd 800 on the 3.5mm output

[@Soundnews]

It can't, sorry. You'll need more power for that

[@macroblockingone]

@@Soundnews 😊 thanks

[@wahyuidris6834]

does it worth if im upgrading from m3x?

[@Soundnews]

If you need a (much) faster response time due to a newer SoC and a more natural presentation, with a better punch down low, then yes, M3U would be an upgrade.

[@priveprive5315]

can you put apple music on it ?

[@xstensl8823]

i have a Apple iPod gen 5, should i upgrade?

[@danielmarcelo9779]

Ya va tiempo. Igual la batería debió degradarlo

[@arvespy4000]

better than ibasso dx170?

[@SHANLING_Liu]

Yes, please compare parameters

[@PROFITSIGN]

Does this supports LHDC CODEC

[@SHANLING_Liu]

NO

[@emilianpredescu3477]

Why does everyone love VU-meters? Just hate that, useless and annoying. Also the volume wheel on the pretty Shanling gives you that cheap toy feeling I dislike. But you know what I like? Sandy's reviews and Shanling house sound! Big fan of those!

[@piggzs6276]

can drive sennheiser hd600?

[@kinkywinkyrinkydinky]

works nicely with mine on 3.5mm at high gain only needed about 35 out of 100 volume

[@xxcx6115]

FH9 are bright IEMs? Wtf

[@Interesnbly]

Display so small.

[@SHANLING_Liu]

5 Inch

[@java2894]

Google play store?

[@SHANLING_Liu]

yes

[@NiSHAN256]

Can it handle mid efficiency planars like the Sundara?

[@Soundnews]

Yes! Sundara Closed and Edition XS were used a lot when making this review.

[@Gadgetibles]

Which is better between this m2 ultra and ibasso dx170 ?

[@francesschaefer]

When I get mine I will let you know because I tried the iBasso DX170

[@janekjanecki2184]

Can you compare it to ibasso DX 170?