Name: M9 Plus Music Player DAP
SKU: 233069

The M9 Plus is based on the same Android platform as the original M9, but it enjoys all the improvements that Shanling software team implemented over the past 20 months of development. Beautiful 6-inch 2k screen, with a speedy Snapdragon 665 octa-core CPU running open Android 10 system, packing 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking, generous 256GB internal memory for all your apps, and MicroSD card with support up to 2TB.

The overall construction follows the high standards set by the M9, with an expertly crafted CNC aluminum body, this time shortened by 0.5cm, for a bit more compact dimensions. Audio outputs on M9 Plus were simplified and now offer Shanling's standard combination of 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs. The audio circuit of the M9 Plus was the biggest question, because where could Shanling go after the favorite AKM AK4499 was discontinued? There were countless prototypes with rival DACs, and wild experiments with less common solutions, but in the end, it was the returning AKM who brought the obvious choice, the new AK4499EX. This flagship DAC chip proved to be a great performer in the Shanling H7, but that was just a start, with the M9 Plus pushing its performance so much further in the quest for Hi-Fi sound.

Shanling's Quad DAC design started with old-school CD players, but it was the M9 Plus that pushed it to the extreme. That’s why Shanling squeezed FOUR AKM AK4499EX DACs into a portable player, getting access to an 8-channel audio design for the totally independent balanced circuit. The quad DAC design offers an increased current output and overall improved dynamics, better SNR, and lower background noise, with all four DACs being active for the balanced output. All four DACs are manually tested and paired for ideal matching in the audio circuit.

Alongside the AK4499EX, Shanling adds two units of the AKM AK4191 Delta-Sigma modulator, the crucial partner for AK4499EX and the extra step that makes this new generation of AKM sound stand out next to its legacy. Crystal oscillators were upgraded to 90.3168MHz / 98.304MHz versions, the in-house developed I/V conversion circuit was adjusted for ADA45253 and the whole DAC section got its own independent XC9519 power supply chip.

The amplifier section adopts Shanling's proven OP BUF architecture, now featuring MUSES 8920 J-FET and BUF634 combination for smoother and finer sound, with an improved power supply for increased stability and total power output at 1120 mW @ 32 Ohm. And of course, all are accompanied by ELNA Silmic II and Panasonic Tantalum capacitors, so important for the warmer and smoother Shanling house sound.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Shanling M9 Plus music player with our popular . The Silver Dragon USB cable is our best selling USB cable at Moon Audio, offering an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. The Silver Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like a computer, phone, tablet, or digital audio player) to a USB-capable DAC. It is built to USB Audio specs. The Silver Dragon USB Cable is meant for audio data transfer only - meaning that this cable should not be used for high-speed data transmission (for external hard drives). Because of the high-quality materials and cable geometry, our USB cables will greatly reduce stock USB cable issues such as packet loss and jitter. We also have the for more portable solutions.

Features:

Quad AKM AK4499EX DACs Dual AKM AK4191 Modulators
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 CPU
8GB RAM
256GB Internal Memory
2K 6-inch Touchscreen
Open Android 10
XMOS XU316 USB Input
Aluminum Body Construction
Up to 1125mW at 32ohms Power Output

Black and Gold Elegance and Design

M9 Plus adopts Shanling's most complex visual design, inspired by Shanling's 25th Anniversary Edition Hi-Fi line. Using precise CNC machines, creating the main chassis from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, with an intricate wave pattern on the sides. The clean black look of the M9 Plus is enhanced by the golden volume wheel, reminiscent of a wide range of classic Hi-Fi amplifiers.

Single-piece Aluminum Body - Smoothly Flowing Sides
4.4. Balanced & 3.5 Single-Ended - 1125mW at 32ohms / 520mW at 21ohms

High-End Quad-DAC Audio Architecture

Built around the new flagship AKM DAC system, the M9 Plus combines four AK4499EX DACs with a pair of accompanying AK4191 Delta-Sigma modulators. Utilizing Shanling's special Quad DAC architecture, all four DACs activate simultaneously for a completely independent, fully balanced output.

Improved Power Supply

With three independent XC9519 converters integrated into the DAC and headphone circuit, the M9 Plus boasts the most stable power supply among all Shanling portable players, ensuring optimal working conditions for all its audio components.

OP BUF Amplifier Design

The fully balanced 4-channel amplifier circuit of the M9 Plus is based on Shanling's OP BUF amplifier concept, now optimized for even better performance. Designed for superior sound quality with zero unwanted noise, it features additional anti-noise shielding for enhanced audio purity.

Shanling's CPAF Technology

To address the group delay issue inherent in traditional low-pass filtering, Shanling engineers designed a new audio circuit based on advanced mathematical models. This utilizes CPAF technology, ensuring Constant Phase in All Frequencies.

XMOS XU316 USB Input

The third generation of Shanling's popular XMOS USB interface effortlessly transforms the M9 Plus into a high-end USB DAC. It features an asynchronous connection, full support for a range of ultra hi-res audio files, and 16x MQA playback capability.

New Crystal Oscillators & 4th Generation FPGA

Upgraded Japanese KDS active crystal oscillators at 90.3168MHz and 98.304MHz, combined with the improved fourth generation of Shanling's algorithm, provide enhanced accuracy and performance for decoding PCM or DSD data, supporting up to 32bit/1536kHz and DSD1024.

Japanese ELNA Capacitors

Muses8920E - Dual Channel JFET Op Amp

Incorporating a proven audio-dedicated component from high-end SACD players and amplifiers, Shanling's engineers utilized six top-grade ELNA Silmic II capacitors in the amplifier circuit of the M9 Plus.

The dual-channel JFET operational amplifier ensures low noise and low distortion, a hallmark of Hi-Fi designs and a crucial foundation for achieving the finest sound quality.