Apple’s latest announcement of Lossless Audio streaming for Apple Music may need sparked curiosity in bettering the standard of sound in your private audio setup, however audiophiles have been discovering methods to make this occur for a few years now. The best and most inexpensive resolution is to make use of a conveyable digital-analogue converter (DAC) with a great pair of wired headphones or earphones. A very fascinating possibility on this phase is what I’m reviewing right this moment: the Shanling UA1 transportable DAC-Amplifier.
Priced at Rs. 3,999 in India, the Shanling UA1 is a part of a common class of merchandise jokingly termed ‘Chi-Fi’. Much just like the Shanling M0 digital audio participant and Shanling MTW100 true wi-fi earphones, the UA1 is affordably priced and guarantees full-fledged DAC and amplification capabilities regardless of its compact type issue. Find out the way it performs, on this evaluation.
The Shanling UA1 is small and light-weight sufficient to suit into your pocket alongside your smartphone
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Shanling UA1 design and specs
Perhaps essentially the most spectacular facet of the design of the Shanling UA1 is its dimension; this transportable DAC is so small and light-weight that I might simply steadiness it on only one finger. It weighs simply 8.3g. Its small steel casing comprises the three.5mm headphone jack and the precise DAC itself, and there is a fastened 5cm USB Type-C cable that extends from the opposite facet. A USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter is included within the gross sales bundle for added connectivity choices.
What additionally makes the Shanling UA1 spectacular is itsease of use. You simply should plug it into the supply gadget, and it robotically takes over audio output. This could be most gadgets with a USB Type-C port corresponding to Android smartphones and tablets, and choose iPad fashions such because the iPad Air (2020) or different iOS gadgets utilizing the precise adapter, in addition to computer systems with USB Type-A ports.
While some supply gadgets would possibly require some setup, I did not must do something past plugging the Shanling UA1 in, when utilizing it with an Android smartphone working Android 11 and a MacBook Air working MacOS Big Sur. You might want to set up drivers to have the ability to use the Shanling UA1 with Windows gadgets, and a few Android gadgets might should be set to output audio to USB by way of their settings for the UA1 to work.
The Shanling UA1 has an ESS Sabre ES9218P DAC chip, which has been round for some time now however continues to be a succesful possibility that matches into its compact physique. The gadget helps as much as 32-bit / 384kHz decision audio, and the DSD256 format. It attracts energy immediately from the supply gadget by way of the USB connection, and has a rated frequency response vary of 20-50,000Hz.
On one finish of the Shanling UA1 is the three.5mm headphone jack, whereas the opposite finish has a set USB Type-C cable
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Shanling UA1 efficiency
The most vital part in any audiophile setup is the output gadget, that’s, the headphones or earphones you employ. The supply gadget and bridge are, in fact, vital in their very own regard, however they serve extra to assist the output gadget than to affect the output considerably on their very own. The Shanling UA1 has the specs and capabilities to do that with ease, however its primary DAC and amplification capabilities imply that it fits funds headphones and earphones – sometimes, entry-level in-ear displays.
Although a beneficial headphone impedance vary for the Shanling UA1 is not talked about, it will probably drive even high-impedance headphones. That stated, it is meant to powerfully and impressively drive easy-going headsets and IEMs, reasonably than simply about handle to drive high-end, high-impedance headphones. I discovered that efficiency was respectable with primary IEMs such because the KZ ZSN Pro X and Blon BL-03, providing an honest enhance by way of achieve and drive, whereas retaining the clear, detailed sonic signatures of those two headsets.
Listening to a high-resolution DSD recording of Astor Piazzolla’s Anxiety, the sound was loud even when set to across the 40 % quantity degree on my Android smartphone, and rising it to across the 60 % mark made it louder with none audible distortion or discount in sound high quality. The grunt and definition of the double-bass that I’ve all the time beloved about Anxiety was current and actual, with the KZ ZSN Pro X managing to recreate the entire element and definition on this wonderful observe with ease.
Even with this primary setup – the overall price of which might be lower than Rs. 6,000 – the sound high quality was spectacular, and expectedly higher than what even the very best true wi-fi earphones can obtain. This is the purpose of a wired setup; you are striving for sound high quality reasonably than the comfort and luxury of a very wi-fi resolution.
The Shanling UA1, serving as a bridge between the supply and output, does its job quietly and effectively. However, its amplification talents are greatest suited to funds audiophile earphones, reasonably than even considerably high-end equipment. With a Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear wired headset, the sound felt nearly uninteresting and droning. These headphones are a bit warmer-sounding than the IEMs I attempted the UA1 with, and this low-end drive did appear to get a bump that often felt a bit extreme. The Shanling UA1 is due to this fact greatest used with funds IEMs which have a impartial method to their sound.
Verdict
All of the speak surrounding the launch of Apple Music’s Lossless Audio tier has sparked curiosity in audiophile equipment, and we’re prone to see many patrons investing in primary tools corresponding to DACs to reap the benefits of the advance in stream high quality. The Shanling UA1 is step one on this path; it is a succesful bridge between the supply gadget – both a smartphone or a laptop computer – and your earphones.
That stated, it is best fitted to use with funds IEMs such because the KZ ZSN Pro X or Blon BL-03, each of which price round Rs. 2,000 every. If you are seeking to arrange a primary audiophile equipment on a funds, the Shanling UA1 is price contemplating.
Price: Rs. 3,999
Ratings (out of 10):
Design: 9
Performance: 8
VFM: 8
Overall: 8
Pros:
- Compact, simple to make use of
- USB Type-C and Type-A connectivity out of the field
- 32-bit / 384kHz, DSD256 assist
- Works very properly with entry-level IEMs
Cons:
- Not ideally suited to be used with high-end headphones
