Shanling - Q1

IEM Used: LZ-A6 Mini with Magaosi TY-01 cable

Files played: FLAC(32bit/96 KHz), MP3(320 kbps)

Phone vs DAP:
This is my first DAP. Before this I was using UAPP/Poweramp on an Android phone(Redmi K20 Pro). Compared to the phone, audio from a DAP sounds much fuller and fleshed out. It may not be apparent at once, especially if one uses UAPP on Android. But over the duration of my listening session, I noticed various sounds which were not audible to me on a phone. Audio coming from a DAP sounds accurate while that from a phone sounds artificial.

Build Quality:
Q1 is built to last. Full zinc alloy body with metallic finish looks awesome, and feels sturdy in hand. It’s a really heavy device for its size. The only cons is that the physical buttons are very soft and can be pressed easily by accident.

Software:
Q1 uses a custom OS(MTouch 3.0) based on Linux. It can be updated from the Shanling website. One can access My Files, Settings, Equalizer, My Music, etc from the main menu. Navigation is intuitive and very comfortable. There is also an Equalizer with 10 bands and 8 presets(+3 custom presets). The only cons is lack of search option in My Music, but I guess it’s the same with most DAPS in the market.

Audio Quality(without Equalizer):
I paired it with LZ-A6 Mini. The audio signature is neutral and flat. Background is black. There is no noise/hiss. Whatever sound signature one gets will be based entirely on the signature of the IEM one uses.

The bass is very good and controlled. There is no bleeding. Mid bass is good and tight.
The midrange is also great. Vocals sound full and rich. Instruments sound precise.
Treble is extended and sounds transparent. Decay is fast. Treble performance depends much on the IEMS used.

Sound stage is awesome. Its wide and also has a lot of depth. Instrument positioning is accurate. Paired with a good IEM its sure to give one a 3D effect, placing the listener right in the center of recording room.

One can get really awesome sound quality when playing MP3 files, but FLAC is where Q1 really shines. One can hear the intricate details in a music not heard while playing the same FLAC file on a phone/PC.

External DAC:
Q1 can also be used as a DAC. Previously I had never used a DAC before, so when I connected the Q1 to my PC in DAC mode and listened to the audio, my mind was blown! Audio sounds MUCH better from a PC when using a DAC. Even if one doesn’t buy a DAP, but uses a PC for audio purposes, one must at least get a DAC.

Wireless:
Q1 supports 2-way audio through Bluetooth and can play files with aptX or LDAC which is awesome. Even though wireless audio is no match for wired, still, when required Q1 gives the best available in wireless audio.

Pros:
Build quality, Audio quality, external DAC, 2way BT with aptX & LDAC, 2TB sd card support

Cons:
Buttons easy to press accidently, No search in My Music

Should you but it?
If you call yourself an audiophile, but still listen to music on a phone/PC, hell yeah! Just go ahead and order it!
But if you are not an audiophile and haven’t heard about FLACs, stay away.

I have just been using it for a day now... but all I can say is that it has surpassed all my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone. Absolutely superb.

IEM Used: LZ-A6 Mini with Magaosi TY-01 cable
Files played: FLAC(32bit/96 KHz), MP3(320 kbps)

Phone vs DAP:

This is my first DAP. Before this I was using UAPP/Poweramp on an Android phone(Redmi K20 Pro). Compared to the phone, audio from a DAP sounds much fuller and fleshed out. It may not be apparent at once, especially if one uses UAPP on Android. But over the duration of my listening session, I noticed various sounds which were not audible to me on a phone. Audio coming from a DAP sounds accurate while that from a phone sounds artificial.

Build Quality:

Q1 is built to last. Full zinc alloy body with metallic finish looks awesome, and feels sturdy in hand. It’s a really heavy device for its size. The only cons is that the physical buttons are very soft and can be pressed easily by accident.

Software:

Q1 uses a custom OS(MTouch 3.0) based on Linux. It can be updated from the Shanling website. One can access My Files, Settings, Equalizer, My Music, etc from the main menu. Navigation is intuitive and very comfortable. There is also an Equalizer with 10 bands and 8 presets(+3 custom presets). The only cons is lack of search option in My Music, but I guess it’s the same with most DAPS in the market.

Audio Quality(without Equalizer):

I paired it with LZ-A6 Mini. The audio signature is neutral and flat. Background is black. There is no noise/hiss. Whatever sound signature one gets will be based entirely on the signature of the IEM one uses.

The bass is very good and controlled. There is no bleeding. Mid bass is good and tight.
The midrange is also great. Vocals sound full and rich. Instruments sound precise.
Treble is extended and sounds transparent. Decay is fast. Treble performance depends much on the IEMS used.

Sound stage is awesome. Its wide and also has a lot of depth. Instrument positioning is accurate. Paired with a good IEM its sure to give one a 3D effect, placing the listener right in the center of recording room.

One can get really awesome sound quality when playing MP3 files, but FLAC is where Q1 really shines. One can hear the intricate details in a music not heard while playing the same FLAC file on a phone/PC.

External DAC:

Q1 can also be used as a DAC. Previously I had never used a DAC before, so when I connected the Q1 to my PC in DAC mode and listened to the audio, my mind was blown! Audio sounds MUCH better from a PC when using a DAC. Even if one doesn’t buy a DAP, but uses a PC for audio purposes, one must at least get a DAC.

Wireless:
Q1 supports 2-way audio through Bluetooth and can play files with aptX or LDAC which is awesome. Even though wireless audio is no match for wired, still, when required Q1 gives the best available in wireless audio.

Pros:

Build quality, Audio quality, external DAC, 2way BT with aptX & LDAC, 2TB sd card support

Cons:

Buttons easy to press accidently, No search in My Music

Should you but it?

If you call yourself an audiophile, but still listen to music on a phone/PC, hell yeah! Just go ahead and order it!
But if you are not an audiophile and haven’t heard about FLACs, stay away.

Thnx for reading till the end! :)

Having owned a M0 earlier, I can say that the Q1 is much improved M0 with almost everything including the SQ is a big upgrade. The screen is easier to use now that its a lot bigger, the wheel is much better in build as well but it a tad smaller than I would have liked. The SQ is improved as well especially in stage width and in BT. The bigger dimensions have enabled Shanling to put in 3 hard ware buttons but they are an ergonomic disaster especially in their placement being on the left of the screen and I cant even remember how many times I had unwanted presses while shutting it down or using the scroll wheel on the right of the screen. USB DAC functionality works great with my Thinkpad Laptop and my Android phone. BT sound quality is better than the Shanling UP2 that I also own. Battery life is absolutely smashing and it lasts days without recharging. So in all one of the best DAPs that one can buy below 12k.

Having no experience in the audiophile territory I bought this after doing a lot of research nd to say this is out of this world is an understatement. Clear distinct nd can transform any audio output 100 times better if you have the files to match the expected quality. All in all worth every rupee :)

Please end your internal dialogue and buy this gem. I am so glad it exists. Pair a VE Monk Plus with this and concentrate on music listening and not drooling and pining for the next big breakthrough in the aUdiOpHiLe world.
Friendly advice : Folx with a firm hand grip, the buttons on the left will get pressed with the slightest pressure. Don’t fret, you’ll get used to holding it like a ninja.

After using it for almost a couple of weeks now i can say this player punches its quality above its weight. First of all its not heavy nor too light, beautiful ergonomics, well crafted and has a splendid look and feel about it. I like the retro feel. Now the most important part is the sound quality. I played heavy metal, hard rock, rock, pop, sound tracks, hindi and telugu film and private classical songs with a usual bit rate of 192 to 320 kbps Mp3. I was totally blown over by the clarity, even at high levels of volume (warning: please don't play music at high levels even for short periods- can be damaging to the ear) , didn't notice any lag or distortion. Later I played the the same songs in lossless formats and whoa, what an amazing difference. Shanling - Q1 is pure delight. If you really want to buy and use a player like shanling you must have access to dsd formats, otherwise i don't see much point in buying a dsd player to use it like a mobile. I used headphones and earphones both wired and wireless which support Ldac, Aptx and AAC and they were impressive and my fav is Ldac. Used noise cancelling and ordinary headphones and once again it was an amazing experience. I would say i found the wired headphones and earphones to produce sound slightly better than the wireless ones. I played Game of thrones soundtrack, The last temptation of christ, Gladiator, The Godfather and many soundtracks by Ennio Moricone , metal and hard rock by black sababth, metallica and many more and they were on par with players that cost twice the amount of Q1.
Now somethings a bit disappointing, Bluetooth version could have been the latest, the latest firmware has glitches, especially while using the touch screen, also some earphones sometimes stop playing though the music keeps playing. Also the playlist creation is not user friendly. But overall these are software issues which shanling should rectify in their upcoming updates. Leaving these minor quibbles there is nothing much to complain. IF you are looking for a quality player in the budget of 10k to 15k look no further. This is a gem. Go buy it but take my word if you can only use it with lossless formats, otherwise your mobile would be enough.

Firstly, thanks to Headphone Zone for making this product available in India at such a good price and so close to its global launch. I’ve been eyeing this one since the kickstarter project.
This is probably the most affordable Hi-res DAP available for what it delivers both in terms of its sound and available features.

The Q1 is very well built and feels really good when in use, the colour finish looks elegant and premium. Overall is very plush. The size makes it perfect for anyone who wants to carry it in the pocket often; it’s slightly on the heavier side which isn’t a disadvantage but in fact makes it less unwieldy in the hand.

In terms of all it can do, the Q1 is a tiny beast. You can use it a Bluetooth receiver to cast music from your phone which sounds impressive. It can also be used as a DAP to play music though wireless headphones and speakers. It doubles up as an USB DAC, a feature I use the most. The Q1 can also be controlled remotely from your android phone through the Shanling app.

I am not an audiophile per se but certainly a music enthusiast and can tell the difference between the sound out of my 2019 MacBook Pro and this one. I had used a Fiio X5 iii earlier as an external DAC which sounded very spacious and well rounded with deep bass and smooth highs. Compared to that experience, Q1’s sound stage doesn’t feel as wide out of the box but is really precise in reproducing the details and brightening up certain kinds of music. I say this as I use the Beyerdynamic DT990 Edition which is capable of reproducing a really wide soundstage. Jazz and acoustics sound amazing on the Q1 but classical isn’t all that great. The vocals feel slightly forward sounding. This is based on my experience through the first week. I have realised, using high gain improves the sound stage quite a bit and tweaking the equaliser (both of these features are quickly accessible from the pull down menu) makes significant difference. The sound (speaking of it as an external DAC) just as is, probably isn’t very exciting but the host of features can make it a fun equipment for a beginner who is ready to make full use of its features to enjoy music. Additionally playing hi res tracks as opposed to mp3 or AAC is noticeably different.

The user interface is quite simple and intuitive; it took me a couple of minutes to get used to and doesn’t come in the way of listening to music. The play pause buttons can be too sensitive but can be easily turned off while locked. The volume knob feels good and click although can be hard to turn with silicone sleeve on (comes in the box which is an awesome addition). The included usb-c cable is long braided and feels durable.

For someone on a tight budget looking for a well performing DAP that can double up as an external DAC the Q1 is highly recommended. It’s very good value for money and may feel a little more than that for an amateur so to speak.

Got these in mid Jan 2021 taking the time to really test them.
I usually pair them with Shure SE wireless earphones but have used it as a Bluetooth transmitter for PC and Mac. I've also tested them with Bluetooth speakers and connected it to transmits from a T.V.

It's features are mentioned in detail on the product page so I simply concur with what's listed and found everything to work well as advertised.

Build:
It's chunky, heavier than it looks feeling premium but fits well in a pocket.

Accessories:
A rubber case (highly recommended as the device is slippery). Decent quality braided charging cable, black and 1.5 meters only. The screen protector was bought separately (give it a pass). No charging brick, maybe they think they're the Chinese Apple?

What I liked:
It's super portable yet really versatile. I'm so impressed with all that I can do with it. I love that I can watch movies on any device and get really good audio via speakers or earphones, wired and wirelessly. It connects well with all devices tested and has a great battery life. I paired it with a 128GB card filled with FLAC audio...Nirvana in my ears whenever I want. The audio quality, codec options, equalization etc. are just stupendous. I rate this device as the purchase of the year for me.

It's a great addition to my audiophile journey.

What I disliked:
SLIPPERY....use the case! The UI has a flaw, back isn't always back to the last viewed screen/page but right back. The UX is the big issue. Swiping can be too sensitive and takes you right back to the start. The 3 buttons on the side (next, play/pause, back) are way too sensitive as well. To solve this recurring nuisance I just turn off the screen and controls. It's too easy to accidentally press the buttons and ruin a great experience.

Conclusion:
It's an amazing lil nugget of audiophile gold. Compact, powerful, versatile, premium at a great entry level price.