Shanling M5 Ultra MTouch (Without Android) DAP
”Return to our simpler MTouch portable players, designed for users demanding the best sound quality, without all the complexities and issues of Android systems.” I don’t think Android has any complexities or issues but this is what Shanling says about the new M5 Ultra DAP.
M5 Ultra is the first player to reveal a new body design, abandoning smooth round lines for more aggressive angular shapes and edges. Its construction follows Shanling’s high standards, with a machined aluminum frame and glass panels, a bright 4.7-inch HD touchscreen, a trio of hardware buttons for playback control, and the classic volume wheel, now with extra illumination.
M5 Ultra runs on the Ingenic X2000 SOC platform, featuring the latest generation of MTouch system. With a customizable main menu providing quick access to all the files stored on a MicroSD card, alongside the built-in Tidal Online Streaming app (To be added with firmware update). M5 Ultra offers a wide range of other playback modes, including USB DAC, DLNA, Airplay, and Bluetooth Receiver, now updated with a new wireless module for Bluetooth 5.2 support.
The audio section combines Shanling’s experience with H7 and M9 Plus. From H7 taking over the balanced amplifier built around Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 and the flagship AKM AK4499EX DAC and AK4191 modulator, but adding the improved I/V conversion stage from M9 Plus. This results in a favorite smooth and slightly warmed-up sound, that reaches deep into the sub-bass, envelops you in a rich soundstage, and provides plentiful detail. And thanks to its beefed-up amplifier, providing up to 1100 mW@32 Ohm, the M5 Ultra becomes one of Shanling’s most powerful portable players, alongside the flagship M9 Plus.
Shanling M5 Ultra will retail at $589.
Specs
- 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