Shanling recently released a “high-end” MTouch portable player called the Shanling M5 Ultra. According to the company, the M5 Ultra is designed for users demanding the best sound quality without all the complexities and issues of the Android system. Instead of using a modified Android system, like with other portable DAPs, Shanling is using its MTouch system. As far as I know, MTouch is based on Linux OS. Although it may not be the same, Astell&Kern is also using a Linux-based system on their portable DAPs.
Shanling M5 Ultra DAP – What’s Under The Hood?
Shanling’s portable digital audio players are usually small, compact, and slim in design. Its new M5 Ultra is the company’s first player to reveal a new body design with more aggressive angular shapes and edges. Its shape reminds me of the old Opus#1 or one of Astell&Kern’s DAP.
The M5 Ultra’s body is made from a machined aluminum frame with glass panels. It features a 4.7-inch HD touchscreen display and three physical buttons, aside from Shandling’s classic volume wheel. The volume wheel has an illumination, perhaps an indicator.
Under the hood, the M5 Ultra DAP is powered by an Ingenic X2000 IoT MIPS SoC. It’s a bit old, released in 2020, but if done correctly, the SoC can handle the functions of Shanling’s latest DAP. On the software side, Shanling’s MTouch is the player’s main operating system. Aside from its default player, it will also feature a built-in Tidal online streaming app and other features like USB DAC, DLNA, Airplay, and Bluetooth Receiver.
Note that the Bluetooth has been updated with a new wireless module for Bluetooth 5.2 support. Also, the Tidal app will be added later via a firmware update.
As for its audio components, the Shanling M5 Ultra features AKM’s flagship AK4499EX DAC and AK4191 modulator. It also uses a Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 amplifier. Its amplifier can provide up to 1100mW @ 32 Ohms, making it one of Shandling’s most powerful DAPs, alongside its flagship M9 Plus.
According to the company, the M5 Ultra features a “smooth and slightly warmed up sound, that reaches deep into sub-bass, envelops you in a rich soundstage and provides plentiful detail”.
Shanling M5 Ultra Pricing and Release Date
The Shanling M5 Ultra comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $589 USD. The company did not specify when it will be released in the US, but the portable DAP will start shipping to Shanling’s international distributors in April. Below are more details regarding the M5 Ultra DAP specs.
Shanling M5 Ultra Specifications
- Dimensions: 120 x 75 x 19.5 mm
- Weight: 247 g
- DAC: AKM AK4499EX + AK4191
- Amplifier: Dual TPA6120A
- Platform: Ingenic X2000
- System: MTouch developed by Shanling
- Screen: 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Touchscreen
- Memory: MicroSD card slot
- Hi-Res Support: PCM 32 bit / 768 kHz & DSD512
- USB Input: XMOS XU316
- Wi-Fi: 2.4/5G, supporting DLNA, Airplay, NAS and OTA Updates
- Bluetooth: Upgraded 5.2 with Bi-Directional support of LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC
- Companion app: Eddict Player app through SyncLink
- Connectors: 3.5mm Single-Ended, 4.4mm Balanced, USB-C
- Battery: 6000 mAh
- Battery life: Up to 11 hours
- Single-Ended Output:
- Power: 315 mW @ 32 Ohm
- THD+N: 0.0009%
- Channel Separation: 75 dB
- SNR: 121 dB
- Output impedance: 4.7 Ohm
- Balanced Output:
- Power: 1100 mW @ 32 Ohm
- THD+N: 0.0007%
- Channel Separation: 110 dB
- SNR: 124 dB
- Output impedance: 6.6 Ohm
Source: Head-Fi
