Shanling SCD3.3 High-End SACD player

The Shanling SCD3.3 is a high-end top-loading SACD and CD player that brings R2R and tubes together. Shanling’s own SACD system and HD850 drive deliver true DSD from SACDs to the built-in DAC and the digital outputs; the DAC is Shanling’s second-generation R2R design with 212 resistors of 0.01% precision; and a pair of 12AT7 tubes drives the RCA and XLR outputs for a classic, rich sound. It also plays MQA-CDs, works as a USB and Bluetooth DAC, plays music from USB drives and has an FPGA-assisted I²S output.

Full SACD support and true DSD output

• The most advanced disc mechanism: a special in-house SACD system with the HD850 drive lets the SCD3.3 deliver the full quality of each SACD, sending true DSD to its internal DAC and digital outputs.
• True DSD digital output: the FPGA-assisted I²S output has ten modes, giving native DSD to almost any I²S-capable DAC on the market; the coaxial output sends DSD64 as DoP.
• MQA-CD: the SCD3.3 is a full MQA decoder, with 4× unfolded playback of MQA-CDs.
• Hybrid, single-layer SACDs and CDs: play standard CDs, SACDs and hybrid discs, switching quickly between the CD and SACD layers. Multichannel discs are not supported.

Second-generation R2R platform

The SCD3.3 introduced the second generation of Shanling’s in-house DAC, a remarkable improvement in its R2R design. It puts together 212 extremely accurate 0.01% resistors for the 24-bit DAC module, with a 19-bit architecture, a 4-bit compensating code and an assistive push-pull differential circuit. PCM and DSD pass through NOS or OS modes and Shanling’s FPGA, which converts the serial data to parallel for four 24-bit R2R ladders, one for each leg of the balanced left and right channels. Put simply: smooth, natural R2R sound with true hi-fi precision and clarity.

12AT7 tube output

The SCD3.3 continues the long line of Shanling tube CD players, following legendary models such as the CD-T300, CD-T100 and CD3.3. The tubes are a crucial part of the design, serving as the amplification stage for both the RCA and XLR outputs for a stunningly smooth, rich character. The pair of 12AT7 tubes was made by the Beijing Electron Tube factory, and the tubes are carefully tested and matched for each unit.

A deeply optimised audio circuit

• OPA1612 and MUSES8920E: the OPA1612 links the R2R array to the amplification stage, with MUSES op amps in the output stage, for efficient, transparent, current-rich sound.
• Active crystal oscillators: two independent sets, 90MHz/98MHz for the FPGA and 45MHz/49MHz for the XMOS section, keep the signal precise and greatly reduce jitter for purer sound.
• Multi-stage tuning: only top-grade parts in the audio path, with Shanling’s engineers choosing ELNA, Nichicon and Panasonic capacitors for the crucial sections.
• Stable power: two R30 transformers provide up to 66W with reduced magnetic flux, minimal phase shift and very stable power, a solid foundation for the sound, alongside a 15W power module.

A versatile part of any system

• USB drive playback: play lossless files directly from a flash drive, hard drive or SSD, at up to PCM 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.
• Digital inputs: connect a computer over USB (XMOS XU316), link other hi-fi sources by coaxial S/PDIF, or stream wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.0 from any phone or tablet (LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC).
• Digital outputs: I²S, USB and coaxial, covering everything from vintage hi-fi and simpler USB-only DACs to the high-end I²S protocol.
• Analogue outputs: RCA and XLR, as a line output or a preamp, ideal for active speakers, headphone amplifiers or power amplifiers.

Timeless elegance, refined craftsmanship

The robust 9.5mm-thick CNC-machined aluminium chassis gives a solid base and helps reduce vibration and noise; the whole player weighs about 10kg. For stable, even disc reading, the top-loading drive uses a precisely weighted CD puck, as the high-end market demands. A 5-inch touchscreen runs Shanling’s in-house system with a pure focus on music playback, for a responsive, intuitive interface, and a dedicated transparent window gives a direct view of the pair of glowing tubes.

Companion app

Control the SCD3.3 with its touchscreen, buttons or remote, or download Shanling’s Eddict Player for Android or iOS for comfortable remote control of USB drive playback, with easy browsing by folder, album, artist and more, and access to a range of settings.

Good to know

• The Shanling CT90 is a CD-only transport; the Shanling EH90 uses the same R2R DAC design with a headphone amplifier.