Shanling EH3 Desktop DAC/AMP

The Shanling EH3 is a desktop DAC, headphone amplifier and network player built around ESS’s flagship eight-channel ES9039SPRO DAC. Its fully balanced amplifier delivers up to 5,300mW into 32Ω, making it Shanling’s second most powerful headphone amp after the EM7, and it plays straight from a USB drive, over Wi-Fi and by Bluetooth, so it can be the heart of a desktop system on its own.

A multifunctional DAC and amplifier

A wide choice of digital inputs, wireless streaming over DLNA, AirPlay and Bluetooth, and RCA and XLR outputs make the EH3 a versatile DAC for any hi-fi set-up. Thanks to its analogue input it can also serve as a pure headphone amplifier or a pre-amp for a turntable system or another DAC.

Flagship ESS DAC, tuned by Shanling

The ES9039SPRO, the newest generation of ESS DAC, is a special eight-channel design that Shanling’s engineers, with over 35 years of hi-fi experience, pushed further for a realistic, natural presentation with precise, detailed sound.

• Fully balanced OP+BUF amplifier: a four-way balanced design using Shanling’s proven OP+BUF topology, combining OPA1612 op-amps with discrete transistors and eight BD139 and BD140 power transistors for stability and more power. A 28W custom toroidal transformer powers it.
• OPA1611 I/V stage: Shanling’s own current-to-voltage stage based on the Texas Instruments OPA1611 helps the ES9039SPRO reach its full performance.
• CPAF low-pass filtering: Shanling’s Constant Phase in All Frequencies technology, using two more OPA1612.
• KDS oscillators and fourth-generation FPGA: upgraded Japanese KDS 90.3168MHz and 98.304MHz active oscillators with Shanling’s improved algorithm, for accuracy when decoding PCM or DSD.

A versatile headphone amplifier

Powerful output, three gain levels and low output impedance make the EH3 a good match for anything from sensitive in-ear monitors to the most demanding full-size headphones. All four standard headphone sockets are on the front: 3.5mm and 6.35mm single-ended, and 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR balanced.

A source in itself

Plug in a USB drive of up to 2TB and the EH3 becomes an independent all-in-one audio system, reading hi-res files straight from the drive with no computer needed. A dual-core Ingenic X2000 processor running Shanling’s own system (the same platform as the ET3 CD transport) gives smooth performance and fast start-up. A multifunction wheel handles volume and menus on the round 1.6-inch screen, and Shanling’s Eddict Player app or the included remote control it from your chair.

USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

The third-generation XMOS XU316 16-core USB interface gives a very reliable asynchronous connection to a computer, with PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512. Wi-Fi supports DLNA for streaming from your home network and AirPlay for Apple devices, and the Bluetooth 5.0 receiver (LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC) takes music from any phone or tablet. Bluetooth works as a receiver only.

A partner for the ET3 CD transport

The EH3 was designed alongside Shanling’s ET3 CD transport. Joined by a high-quality I2S connection, and with the ET3’s all-to-DSD feature, the pair offer superb CD playback in a compact desktop size. The ET3 and the L8 I2S cable are sold separately: see the Shanling ET3 EVO.

Connections

Front: 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR balanced, 6.35mm and 3.5mm single-ended headphone outputs, and the power, volume and navigation wheel. Back: RCA analogue input, RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs (line or pre-amp), coaxial and optical digital inputs, USB DAC input, HDMI I2S input, USB drive port, USB audio output (depending on region), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antenna, mains switch and power input.

Good to know

• The RCA and XLR outputs can feed a power amplifier or active speakers, at fixed line level or as a pre-amp.
• Colours: black or silver. In the box: EH3, remote control, power cable, USB-A to B cable and user manual.