Update on the new CD Transport, a Shanling ET3.
Wanted to put some time on it before posting anything about its sound.
Owned an ET3 for a few months now, a noticable upgrade over my modded Audiolab 6000CDT, which sounded better than stock model.
Did additional and similar mods to my Oppo 203 (EMI/RF treatment and case damping) and the Oppo improved on the Audiolab again.
Thinking the Oppo was my "last disc spinner"?
But got curious about the ET3
Heard abouts its i2s output (Big thing for my PS Audio dac), on board upsampling, USB input, can be used as a Server and its half width form factor.
Controls on the top are a smart choice too.
Took a punt on one and after a bit of running in and trying out different approaches to isolation, its sounding better across the board than both.
From stick on rubber feet to all this malarkey!
Worth it though... including the specific ceramic ball bearngs (Thanks Naim Forum and Fraim for the spark of an idea to hear that different types make a difference, especially on a glass rack. BIG difference)
Over i2s, Redbook CD upsampled to 24/192, it sounds better than a SACD of the same album, played in to the same dac over my Oppo 203.
Bit of a gamechanger this.
Has a USB input, and can play SACD *.ISO files, an ability my Oppo lost a few firmware updates ago.
All my SACD rips playing in native DSD, from a USB stick, playing over i2s to my Dac, full Res... and all from a £600 cd transport?
WTF!!
Server functionality too, UPNP, Bluetooth, DNLA and Airplay 1 (the original that does lossless)
Streams lossless audio from Apple TV (Radio Paradise,YouTube, Apple Music) over Airplay and sounds fantastic - a genuine hifi source now Apple's hardware limitation has been worked around.
Believe Shanling are working on Roon Certification as well, though thats not set in stone yet.
Cool wee display on it too:
ALBUM ART WITH TRACK INFO
STREAMING OVER DNLA
STREAMING OVER AIRPLAY (Lossless Audio from AppleTV)
STREAMING OVER BLUETOOTH
CD UPSAMPLING (Can go to DSD 512, but Redbook CD best at 24/192)
I'm buying CDs again!
... AND reliving the same Sellers remorse I had selling my vinyl to go CD... went streaming a few years back and sold a lot of CDs.
Damn wish I'd kept them.
Anyhoo.
Sound quality of the Transport scales up depending on your Dac?
Audiolab and Oppo were great, but can run out of capacity depending what they are plugged into. Kinda learning how good my PS Audio dac actually is with this thing...
Brings a lot of resolution to CDs and sounds detailed, grain free and transparent.
Couldn't want for more really.
Source first?
CONS
The Shanling App needs a bit of work, early stages yet and very simple.
Need it to browse music from USB drive, and delve into deeper settings.
Few software glitches initially getting my Wifi to connect, had to set my router to Legacy mode for the initial connection via the App.
Shanling recently updated the Firmware (always a good sign) to V1.7 and any software niggles I had have gone.
Little bump in sound quality too I think, especially playing DSD stuff over USB.
(Like Apple, a lot of unnanounced software stuff going on under the hood)
Purely as a CD Transport its Killer?
Easily beats both my Audiolab 6000CDT and Oppo 203 into the same Dac, and both were heavily modded and improved over stock.
More refined, higher resolution "high end" sound from it, not digital sounding at all.
With the Server functionality, a rare set of digital outputs, including USB output, this things a Doozy.
Its a digital swiss army knife, and sounds superb. Best digital I've had in my system.
Not the best You Tube quality video ever, but gives an idea of the dynamics of this thing, its genuinely blow your hair back amazing.
(SPOLIER: THE TRANSPORTS NOT A BOTTLENECK, EVEN WITH AN ACCUPHASE AMP)
Listen for how "organic" it sounds and how it just "flows"?
Thats what I'm hearing with my own music.
Build quality is extremely good, not just for its pricepoint but significantly more.
Very solid damped casework, all the hifi worry stuff has been thought of by Shanling already and taken care of.
The Top Loading is an absolute delight, very hands on and gives it a "digital turntable" vibe, I love it.
Had similar with my Pioneer Stable Platter player way back when, but not like this.
SO much better than a rattly plastic tray.
This stuff all adds to enjoying putting on a CD.
Had zero issues with mine once I got Wifi connected.
Best way to digital music?
Streaming... With all it's "Ah.. but"s, or a modern CD Transport into a good Dac.
Dunno?
The Shanling is toe to toe with my record player. Better in a lot of ways.
This things amazing,
anyone sitting on the fence I'd say go for it, best improvement to my system in years.
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Originally Posted by Macca
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