Shanling M3s Portable Amp/DAC
 

After asking questions here and reading/considering the myriad of options for a portable system, I've shrunk from the Schiit Valhalla 2 and laptop to the stand-alone Shanling M3s. Between the reviews here: https://www.moon-audio.com/ (thx for the link, Serge) and on Head-Fi, for the price it seemed to be a logical way to go. Its biggest competition for my budget was the Fii0 M7. However, the dual DAC chips in the M3s seemed more suited to providing the best sound compared to the upside of FM radio in the M7. Ordered the M3s, case and a couple of 128GB micro-SD chips and a balanced adapter cable for my Senn HD-650s. In the long-term, my plan is to try a pair of wireless headphones, like the AT ATH-V50BT, (the M3s has aptX Bluetooth) and/or upgrade the cable to something from WW, or similar.

Everything arrived a couple of days ago other than the cable. The included owner's manual is pretty 'fundamental', so I dialed up a 15min U-tube vid and fast forwarded thru the uninteresting parts and got the couple of answers I wanted. Downloaded DBpoweramp, put a micro-SD chip into the side of the laptop and commenced ripping CDs in a FLAC format. Thus far, have ~125 CDs ripped (good thing to do while sitting front of a football game, etc.).

Balanced cable is scheduled to arrive today, so can finally start listening to see what I think of the sound. Am hoping for good things, based on the reviews. I've been corresponding with one of the reviewers on Head-Fi in search of a better cable, and he has been most helpful. He wished he had found the one I purchased as he had one made for 5X the cost. Plan to purchase a 2.5mm TRRS-to-RCA cable so can feed into my main system at some point. Have been thinking of a 'full-format' DAP for some time (if 2 DAC chips is good, then 4 or 8 must be better ;)), but smaller is better as I downsize my system. More later once the headphone cable arrives.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1536752051

Did you consider the Questyle?

At 10X the cost, I did not. As this is 'dipping my toe' into DAPs (and digital audio in general, other than a CDP) I did not want to spend much $$ on something I still may not care for. The others I considered were the Fii0 M7 and the AGPTEK H3. However, the dual DAC chips in the M3s seemed to be the best for the $$. Plus, not being a smartphone user, I'm uncertain about my ability to not lose such a small device. Unlike a smartphone, you can't call it help find. My only complaint to-date is the size of the font for the alpha-numeric display. But, is a small screen.

Balanced 2.5mm TRRS cable arrived. A bit stiffer than optimum, but was only $55 and sounds quite decent to start with. Queued up Jerry Lee's "Last Man Standing". Think I'm going to be able to live with this. Rocking out with "Pink Cadillac". :thumbsup::music:

Finally received the balanced cable (WW Nano Silver) and have been listening thru my main rig as well as headphones. Very pleased with the results from the ripped FLAC files. Not quite up the Oppo, but should definitely do for travel & portability needs. Thus far have gotten 4hr+ from one charge, which is another plus.