We’re looking on the $229 USD Shanling EH1 compact desktop DAC/AMP on this two-page article.
Disclaimer: Shanling supplied the EH1 in trade for our sincere evaluate. We thank them for the chance.
Shanling
Shanling has been within the high-fidelity audio enterprise since 1988, so they’re veterans with over thirty years of expertise. Their portfolio spans all the pieces from basic house hi-fi techniques to trendy transportable gadgets like DAPs, DAC/AMPs, headphones, and earphones.
I’ve reviewed many Shanling merchandise on Headfonia, and you’ll take a look at these articles via this hyperlink to discover extra. In the present day, we’re wanting on the first member of their new desktop line-up, the EH collection.
Shanling EH1 – Compact Desktop DAC/AMP
The EH collection represents Shanling’s new line of desktop DAC/AMPs. The EH1 is positioned because the budget-friendly possibility on this line-up, particularly when in comparison with its R2R-designed sibling, the EH2, which prices practically twice as a lot. On this mannequin, Shanling has included a single Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC and two SGM8262 headphone amplifier modules. Shanling has used an assortment of capacitors from Sanyou, Panasonic, and Silmic, which had been rigorously chosen to realize Shanling’s beloved home tuning. Each is rated at 47 microfarads; the EH1 makes use of seventeen capacitors in whole. The unit might be powered immediately from a USB port or by way of a devoted DC energy provide, with output energy various barely relying on the ability supply chosen. One other spotlight of the unit is the handy bass and treble tone controls on the entrance panel.
The EH1 retails for 229 USD on Shanling’s webshop and official Aliexpress retailer. Listed here are the specs and highlights beneath.
- Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC + Twin SGM8262 with x17 HQ Caps
- Bass & Treble {Hardware} Tone Controls
- 6.35mm: 250mW~399mW@32Ω | 4.4mm: 980mW~1015mW@32Ω
- Output Impedance: 6.35mm – 0.4Ω | 4.4mm – 0.8Ω
- UAC 1.0 / 2.0 Modes + DC 5V
- 32-bit 768kHz & DSD512
- PRE+LO RCA & Coaxial Output
- USB-C Enter
- Machined Aluminum Curved Chassis with Anodized End
- Accessible in Silver and Black
Packaging & Equipment
The EH1 arrives in a plain cardboard field with its define featured on the entrance. There isn’t a outer sleeve or something like that, simply easy important packaging. The unit is securely held contained in the field by 4 thick foam partitions to guard it from transport harm.
Contained in the field, Shanling offers a 1.5m USB-A to USB-C cable, a 1.5m USB-A to 5V DC cable to be used with 5V/2A USB-A chargers, and a gold-plated 6.35mm to three.5mm adapter. A person guide and a Shanling product booklet are additionally included. The USB cables aren’t braided and look relatively primary, however the addition of a USB-to-5V adapter is helpful.
Sound Impressions – Shanling EH1
On this part, I’m reviewing the EH1 on its default settings with the tone controls deactivated. I used my 64 Audio Volür together with a number of different day by day drivers to evaluate its efficiency, and I’ll cowl the consequences of the tone controls in a separate chapter.
The EH1 might be labeled as a neutral-warm DAC with tone controls that allow you to tweak the signature shortly. With all the pieces set to default, the sound is comparatively balanced, with a barely elevated mid-bass area and a conservatively tuned treble. Regardless of being a supersized, beefed-up dongle primarily based on the 43198 chip, it doesn’t supply the standard flat/dry Cirrus Logic presentation. In actual fact, I observed that whereas the Alpha additionally had an natural tonality with good depth utilizing the identical chipset, the EH1 presents higher separation and element retrieval. On the draw back, its staging can really feel a bit hole and linear, which suggests the general depth isn’t as spectacular as I’d desired.
The tonal stability of the EH1 is kind of good. The fragile and clean treble response pairs properly with the meatier mid-bass, and the richer than impartial mid-bass generally is a boon for genres like EDM, R&B, and hip-hop, although it’d work towards extra congestion-prone genres corresponding to steel or different rock. I did observe that the depth notion improved after I equipped energy via the 12V adapter. Nonetheless, I couldn’t obtain as clear a background on DC energy as I did on USB, which makes me suppose that utilizing the EH1 with simply any adapter isn’t the most effective concept regardless of the guide. Whereas a devoted energy provide like iFi’s iPower would possibly additional improve its efficiency, it might push the full price range to round 350 USD and open the door to different, extra succesful gadgets, so there is no such thing as a level going that route as properly.
The article continues with the half on sound on the following web page. Click on right here or use the buttons beneath.
Web page 1: Shanling, EH1, Packaging & Equipment, Sound High quality & Impressions
Web page 2: Design & Construct High quality, Controls, vs. Hiby FD5, Final Phrases, Abstract
