Shanling SM90 Streamer DAC

The Shanling SM90 is an all-in-one hi-fi streaming centre in a new, compact shape. It streams from apps on its own 4.96-inch 1080p touchscreen, receives TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and AirPlay 2, plays your library from USB drives, a NAS or an internal SSD, and works as a DAC for your TV, CD player or computer. Two AKM AK4493S DACs, an OPA1612 output stage and a 35W linear power supply feed balanced XLR and RCA outputs, with PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.

A proven, in-house system

After years of development, the SM90 uses Shanling’s most advanced streaming system, thoroughly tested on the SM1.3 and SMT1.3 streamers and refined with feedback from audiophiles around the world, so it is mature and smooth. It is a closed Android 12 platform on a 64-bit ARM Cortex (Rockchip) CPU with 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage, with a simpler, faster menu structure and a main menu for instant access to playback controls and to both local files and streaming.

Streaming apps, Connect and AirPlay

Use streaming apps directly on the touchscreen: currently Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Apple Classical, Amazon Music, Presto Music and KKBox. Or start playing from your phone or tablet with TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2 or DLNA; Roon Ready certification is under way. Shanling’s AGLO (Android Global Lossless Output) system sends everything out bit-perfect, up to 768kHz and DSD512, without unwanted resampling.

Your whole library

Even the largest libraries fit: play from USB drives (tested up to 2TB), from a NAS on your network, or from your own M.2 NVMe SSD fitted in the slot underneath (2280 size, not included), for fast access to all your music in one place. The interface is the same on the SM90 and in the Eddict Player app, so moving between the device and remote control on your phone is seamless.

Dual AKM AK4493S DACs

Two AK4493S DACs, a well-proven choice favoured by music fans and engineers alike, give a rich sound that balances refined clarity with a smooth, natural presentation, lifted by a carefully designed power supply and an OPA1612 output stage. An in-house FPGA with dedicated 45.1584MHz and 49.152MHz crystal oscillators improves accuracy when decoding high-resolution music.

35W linear power supply

A linear power supply gives cleaner, more stable power than switching supplies, and Shanling chose a high-quality 35W toroidal transformer for a more natural, analogue-sounding DAC.

Ready for every role

The SM90 is the first Shanling product with HDMI ARC, so it connects neatly to a TV. Digital inputs (coaxial, optical, USB DAC and HDMI ARC) let it decode other sources, digital outputs (coaxial, optical and USB audio) feed an external DAC, and balanced XLR and RCA outputs run at fixed line level or as a preamp into amplifiers or active speakers. Bluetooth 5.2 (LDAC, AAC, SBC) turns it into a simple receiver for a phone or tablet, and dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and gigabit Ethernet keep streaming stable.

A new compact body

Following the design of Shanling’s SCD3.3 and CT90, the SM90 fits a full streamer into a smaller aluminium chassis, with the 1080p touchscreen set into a glass front panel.

Good to know

• The SSD is not included. Switch the SM90 off before fitting or removing one.
• In the box: SM90, power cable, USB cable, Wi-Fi antennas and manuals.
• It shares its compact “90” aluminium chassis with the Shanling CT90 CD transport and the SCD3.3 SACD player.