The latest upgrade for the Shanling M1s brings exciting new features, including Tidal integration. Enjoy seamless access to your favorite music streaming service on this portable audio player.
The Shanling M1s is a compact and competent music player we loved when we reviewed it earlier this year. It’s a speedy player with good sound and build quality. That said, we did note the lack of Tidal integration, a feature that they included in past players like the Shanling M2x, which, unlike the M1s, didn’t have the screen size or orientation to display many of the Tidal graphics appropriately.
Well, our complaint (along with many others) has been heard, as Shanling recently introduced Tidal streaming functionality to the M1s, elevating the user experience to a new level. I’m glad it has been added because I’m one of those who believe it should have been present at launch.
This new Tidal integration comes via the Shanling M1s Firmware V2.3 update, which can be initiated via an OTA (over the air) process using the player’s network connection or introduced via an SD card with the update file.
Shanling M1s – Now with Tidal Streaming!
— Shanling Audio (@ShanlingAudio) July 18, 2023
Today we are releasing firmware update V2.3, adding our built-in Tidal app to all M1s players, for full Tidal Online Streaming over Wi-Fi.
Full updates notes and download link: https://t.co/pn2dfPSES7 pic.twitter.com/vOTtF8Hhfb
Although the M1s did not initially support streaming, adding Tidal functionality opens up a world of possibilities for users, allowing them to access a vast library of high-quality music without depending on files on a user’s hard drive. This feature enhances the device’s versatility, making it even more appealing to music enthusiasts.
The user experience with the Shanling M1s is generally favorable. However, as we said in our review, it may take some time for users to adjust to the device’s unique user interface and physical shape. One minor drawback is the unintuitive nature of the UI (along with the lack of detailed instructions). However, this does not significantly impact the overall usability of the device.
Regarding other connectivity, the M1s offers a range of options to cater to different user preferences. It has WiFi connectivity for AirPlay and DLNA and Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC and aptX HD codecs. This ensures seamless wireless connectivity and high-quality audio transmission.
The M1s also doubles as a transport or DAC for pairing with a higher-quality amplifier, providing flexibility for audiophiles who want to customize their listening experience. Additionally, the device offers various audio settings and boasts a good battery life of up to 14 hours. For more info on the M1s, check out our full review here.
I’ve been able to do an OTA update of my M1s review unit, and the process was quick and painless. If you’re familiar with the Tidal implementation on the Shanling M2x, you’ll likely find the Tidal setup on the M1s quite familiar. I think the landscape layout of the M1s is more hospitable to the music service’s graphics and structure, and the speedy processor could quickly zip through playlists and tracklists.
That said, I did have an instance where the player froze as I was selecting a track from the playlist screen, so there seem to be a few bugs to be ironed out. On the other hand, I was happy to see that the player supports Tidal Masters, even though it looks like MQA may be on the way out.
Have you upgraded your player yet? How do you feel about the Shanling M1s Tidal upgrade on the M1s? Let us know in the comments!
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