Software
The Shanling M3 Ultra runs on an open Android 10 OS, although version 12 is out and version 13 is around the corner. So although the M3 Ultra doesn’t run the latest Android version, I will give Shanling the benefit of a non-critical comment because a future update could take care of that.
The OS seems to be rooted, which to me is a plus. So you’ll be able to do whatever alterations or customizations to the Android system you want as long as you have some knowledge of the Android OS internals. You definitely could install your favorite APK files because I did with no issues.
The Android system does include the Playstore App but it seems to play cautious in listing some apps as non-compatible when they in fact are. It only means they’re not Google-signed, that’s all. So Shanling kindly included an App called APKPure. There you can find those apps obscured by Playstore.
If you can’t find a common App in the search bar within the Playstore you’ll probably find it inside the APKPure APP. An example and one app which didn’t show up as compatible inside the Playstore and did with the M3 Ultra was Antutu, but I was able to install it through APKPure just fine.
Performance Numbers
I ran the built-in Geekbench tool since I couldn’t find Antutu within the Playstore at first. But when I ran my APK install of the program I obtained a ridiculous number and probably due to the M3 ultra being rooted at the OS level. However, Geekbench obtained 315 on the single-core test and 1356 on the multicore test.
I was able to obtain Antutu later on through APKpure and it gave me what seems to be the correct number at 173420. That is a competitive high score for a mid-fi DAP and similar to the likes of the FiiO M11s and a lot faster than the older M3X.
Navigation
If you have sausage fingers you might run into pinpoint issues far as screen operation and Haptic feedback. My fingers are average in size and at times I failed in touching the right area and often typed incoherent words. Perhaps due to a low DPI setting? It doesn’t seem so.
Apps do open quickly but I felt a slight sluggishness in operation and it seems the kernel keeps the system on low speeds probably to save on battery life. There’s no lack of performance within apps, just a small drop in speed far as scrolling and general operation.
There’s no app drawer and all the icons are upfront but you could install your favorite launcher and gain that feature if you desire. As it stands, it’s similar to MIUI if you’re familiar with its interface.
Shanling Music
Let’s talk about Shanling’s music app. It has a lot of features. You could access your NAS, Synclink, and WiFi file transfers. It also has a nice-looking 3-color VU meter you could display instead of the album art or lyrics. It gives the modern-day device a retro touch.
What I didn’t understand was the built-in equalizer. It seems to lower the overall output by a lot soon as you engage it. Perhaps it’s done to prevent clipping.
By the way, you’re not stuck using what’s preinstalled and can install the media player of your choice. In my case, I installed Jet Audio Player since I have the paid version and it ran with no issues. Plus I was able to use the plethora of effects it offers.
One small irk was the lack of any PMEQ, DSP, or any customization of the overall sound signature so you have to stick with a flat response unless you do some Android customization or adjust at the app level.
Wireless Connectivity
WiFi
The M3 Ultra can connect to an existing WiFi through the implemented Qualcomm WCN3980 wireless module that is capable of running on 2.4gHz or 5gHz bands. This chip compliments the 665 and it runs both WiFi and Bluetooth signals.
Now, far as transfer speeds are concerned, The spec sheet states these chips are capable of a 600mbps transfer rate. That should be enough to stream music smoothly. I got a bit less but overall speeds were usable.
You could access a NAS from within the M3 Ultra plus you could also use DNA and Airstream. There’s also mention of MIMO tech but the version is obscure. A quick search on the WCN3980 and you can verify it supports 2×2 MIMO with two spatial streams on a/b/g/n/ac bands.
Bluetooth
The same WCN chip runs the Bluetooth signal over a 5.0 radio and can transmit three major codecs, LDAC, SBC, and aptX including all the variants like HD and LL.
The Shanling M3 Ultra is also capable of receiving a Bluetooth signal but it only receives SBC and LDAC which I’m fine with since I’m an LDAC fanboy and rarely run anything else.
What I could not verify as working is the AAC format codec and Shanling doesn’t list it as a working codec either. So if you, by chance, have to use AAC exclusively and nothing else which I doubt, then keep this in mind.
Wired Connectivity
USB-DAC
As a stand-alone DAC amplifier, the Shanling M3 Ultra performs the function well and it doesn’t need any drivers if you plug it into a PC USB port, plug and play. It functioned similarly in a Windows 10 and a Windows 11 system.
Performance-wise, the sound quality reminded me of their top-tier dongle DAC, the UA5 which has a very similar spec amplifier section, with the only difference being that the M3 Ultra is capable of a higher current output capacity.
USB-OTG
Shanling didn’t include a short dual USB-C wire for connectivity for this particular type of use and only included a USB-C to male USB-A cable. So you’ll have to source one if you want to use the feature.
The OTG feature on most DAPs usually does output and not input. But I managed to feed the USB from the M3 Ultra to their own dongle DACs and it worked, particularly to their UA5 and the UA2.
I wouldn’t feed the M3 Ultra DAC section with another Android device for the fact that I do prefer using the Android built into the Shanling M3 Ultra over others.
Mostly because it incorporates AGLO within the OS which is more audio quality oriented versus the average mobile devices which are giving less importance to sound quality as time goes by.
Sound Impressions
Summary
Again, I was reminded of the Shanling UA5 far as sound quality is concerned when I heard the M3 Ultra. It generally portrays a neutral frequency response along with some warmth and a soft-natured character, those are some of the descriptions I would use. Nothing jumps out at you as emphasized or recessed either.
It seems frequency balance was essential in obtaining and it seems to be Shanling’s signature dish along with a lack of edginess, shrillness, or harsh aspects bought on by the M3 Ultra if it’s not in the recording.
The frequency response seems flatlined throughout the entire audible range which also seems capable of surpassing human hearing bilaterally and seems to reach extremities well. So there’s a good frequency representation with no deficiencies.
Timbre
Shanling seems to have the right recipe for those who squeal at sharpness and harshness because both seem to be nonexistent. They also seem to cater to a crowd of people who want a relaxed tone.
There seems to be a level of expansiveness that gives the music an airy character that pushes the sound line a couple of feet back and forward but does not assimilate some exotic equipment’s open feeling.
Perhaps the high frequencies could have a better-defined top end since there seems to be politeness to them that easily go into distortion levels if manipulated up. So the overall sound signature to me seems to dislike alterations or coloration on the user’s behalf.
Staging & Dynamics
There’s a sense of punchiness but not scariness by excessive dynamics. In that category, the M3 Ultra tries to assimilate a neutral or natural state of dynamics. And as mentioned, there’s a slight expansiveness aspect.
Within that width, good placement is perceived, and a good amount of depth production especially in a perceived flat plane around the listener. Height and width are perceived but depth is best preserved.
Click on page 3 below for pairings and our select comparisons.
