Shanling Launches New EH3 Desktop DAC/amp
Shanling is more popularly known for its portable DAPs and Android streamers, but the new EH3 Desktop DAC/amp is a simpler desktop offering that modern connectivity while offering lossless playback.
Powered by the flagship 8-channel ESS ES9039PRO DAC, the EH3 also has Shanling’s in-house OP+BUF amplifier architecture with four OPA1612 combined with discreet transistors alongside eight units of the BD139 and BD140 power transistors. This results in a fully balanced design that has 1,900mW at 32ohms for single-ended connections and 5,200mW at 32ohms for balanced connections.
Aside from that, there’s also Shanling’s in-house developed I/V conversion stage based off the TI OPA1611 as well as Japanese KDS active crystal oscillators at 90.3168MHz and 98.304MHz for accuracy and reduced jitter. There’s also Shanling’s CPAF (Constant Phase in All Frequencies) Low Pass Filtering, using two TI OPA1612.
The system is powered by the Ingenic X2000 processor that is paired with Shanling’s own in-house system that the company claims will offer “smooth performance and fast start-up times”.
As for design, it’s quite reminiscent of other Shanling desktop products like the EM7 streamer DAC/amp and the EC3 CD Player. The EH3 has a circular 1.6-inch IPS screen on the front with a large multi-function wheel to the right of it that serves as a power button as well as a volume and navigation wheel.
On the left side of the front panel, you get your headphone outputs in the form of 3.5mm and 6.3mm single-ended ports along with 4.4mm and XLR balanced ports. Moving to the rear, there is a pair of RCA analog inputs and outputs, along with digital coaxial, digital optical and USB DAC inputs. There is also a balanced XLR analog output and USB audio output, coupled with a HDMI I2S input and a USB-A port for connecting an external drive.
Aside from those, the Shanling EH3 also offers digital inputs such as wireless streaming over DLNA and AirPlay, as well as the ability to be used as a Bluetooth receiver with Bluetooth 5.0 and support for the LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs.
There is a row of physical buttons on the top, although it’s unclear what the buttons are for. Our best guess would be for play/pause as well as track skipping and switching between inputs.
The EH3 uses the third generation of the XMOS XU316 USB interface with asynchronous USB connection, supporting high-res audio up to 32-bit/768kHz and it can also support DSD512. With support for drives up to 2TB of storage space, the EH3 can be a fully independent all-in-one system that’s controlled by Shanling’s Eddict Player app.
Priced at US$889, the Shanling EH3 is now shipping.
Visit Shanling for more information
Gallery
Cheryl Tan
After diving down the custom IEMs rabbit hole since she was 18, Cheryl has embarked on a long journey trying out as many audio products as possible ever since. She’s still waiting for the day a company can create a pair of true wireless earbuds that sound just as good as wired earphones.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.