Chinese audio manufacturer Shanling has announced that its M8T Copper Edition Hi-Fi music player will go on sale on September 15 at 10:00 Beijing time, with a launch price of 11,980 yuan (about $1,687). The device is built around a high-strength copper alloy chassis produced via precision CNC machining, a material choice the company says enhances both durability and acoustic isolation.
Copper-tuned sound
According to IThome, the copper body is not just cosmetic. Shanling says the material's stable metallic base helps shield the internal circuitry from interference, creating a cleaner operating environment. The sound signature has been re-tuned specifically for copper's acoustic properties, retaining the warm, rich character of the standard M8T while improving mid-high frequency transparency and transient response. The company describes the result as "dense yet not congested," with a darker background that lets subtle details emerge naturally.
Under the hood, the M8T Copper Edition uses a dual AKM chipset—two AK4191EQ digital-to-analog converters paired with two AK4499EX DAC chips—allowing separate processing of digital and analog signals. Each channel achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 135dB and a distortion figure of -124dB. The player also incorporates dual JAN6418 vacuum pentode tubes, offering three sound modes: transistor, tube linear, and tube super-linear.
Specs and availability
The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It features a 6.0-inch Sharp touchscreen running Android 13, with Shanling's AGLO (Android Global Lossless Output) technology to bypass Android's sample-rate conversion limits. A pure music mode is included, and battery life is rated at up to 15.5 hours.
Amplification output reaches 1,125mW at 32 ohms in transistor mode and 950mW at 32 ohms in tube mode, with three gain levels available. The M8T Copper Edition will be available in China through Shanling's official channels starting September 15.
Based on reporting by IT之家. Edited and published in English by geisou.
