{"product_id":"shanling-sm50-compact-streaming-music-centre","title":"Shanling SM50 Compact Streaming Music Centre","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Shanling SM50 is a compact music streamer with its own DAC and headphone amplifier, and Shanling’s smallest and most affordable streamer so far. It plays Tidal and Qobuz through their Connect apps, is Roon Ready, streams from AirPlay 2, DLNA or your NAS, and plays files from a USB drive. An ESS ES9039Q2M DAC handles up to 32-bit\/768kHz and DSD512, and the balanced 4.4mm output gives headphones up to 700mW, all in a case just 53mm tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/sm50-silver-desk.jpg?v=1792137565\" alt=\"Shanling SM50 in silver on a desk between two bookshelf speakers\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStreaming, without the clutter\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than Android, Shanling built the SM50 on a lean Linux-based streaming system, which it says is more streamlined and quicker to respond. It’s the same platform Shanling uses in its ONIX XMT20 streamer. Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect let you choose music in the Tidal or Qobuz app and play it in full quality on the SM50, while Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, DLNA and Squeezelite cover most other ways of playing music around the home. Your own library can come from a NAS on the network or a USB drive plugged into the back. You can browse on the 4.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, or from your sofa with Shanling’s Eddict Controller app.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/sm50-black-living-room.jpg?v=1792137571\" alt=\"Shanling SM50 in black on a side table, played from a phone\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eESS conversion with dual clocks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConversion is by ESS’s ES9039Q2M DAC, with two crystal oscillators (90MHz and 98MHz) for the two families of sample rates, so 44.1kHz-based and 48kHz-based recordings each run from a clock made for them. The SM50 plays PCM up to 768kHz\/32-bit and DSD up to DSD512, and reads DSD, DXD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DTS, MP3, WMA, AAC, M4A, OGG, MP2, AC3, OPUS and TAK files, with CUE sheets. Shanling quotes up to 123dB signal-to-noise and distortion as low as 0.0004% on the line outputs; the full figures for each output are below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor headphones and for a hi-fi system\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two dedicated headphone sockets on the front. The 4.4mm balanced output delivers up to 700mW into 32Ω on high gain (176mW on low), and the 3.5mm output 182mW (46mW on low), with output impedance below 0.8Ω and 0.4Ω, so low gain suits sensitive in-ear monitors and high gain suits full-size headphones. At the back, balanced XLR (4.9V) and RCA (2.4V) outputs work as a fixed line-out into an amplifier, or as a volume-controlled pre-out straight into a power amplifier or active speakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/sm50-black-headphones.jpg?v=1792137578\" alt=\"Shanling SM50 in black on a table beside headphones, with VU meters on its screen\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMore than a streamer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SM50 also works as a DAC for your computer: plug it in through the USB-B input and switch to USB DAC mode. A Bluetooth 5.2 receiver with LDAC and aptX HD plays from phones and tablets, and the USB and coaxial digital outputs can send the stream to an external DAC if you already have one you love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasured, output by output\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShanling publishes a full set of figures for each of the four outputs. The headphone outputs have two gain settings; the figures below are at high gain, with low gain in brackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch\"\u003e\u003ctable style=\"min-width:600px\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e4.4mm balanced\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e3.5mm\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eXLR\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRCA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutput\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700mW @ 32Ω, 4.73V (176mW, 2.37V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e182mW @ 32Ω, 2.40V (46mW, 1.21V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.9V line level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.4V line level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTHD+N\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.0006% (A-weighted @ 2V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.0005% (A-weighted @ 1V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.0004%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.0004%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDynamic range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e123dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSignal-to-noise\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e123dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e123dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChannel separation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e104dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e78dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNoise level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e108dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e112dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e109dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e114dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutput impedance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt; 0.8Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt; 0.4Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e20Hz–40kHz (−0.5dB), every output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat the numbers mean in use: 700mW from the balanced socket drives most full-size headphones, though the most demanding planar models may want a dedicated amplifier. An output impedance below 1Ω keeps the tonal balance of multi-driver in-ear monitors as designed, because their impedance changes with frequency. The XLR output runs at about twice the RCA level, as balanced connections usually do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree ways to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA headphone system on your desk.\u003c\/b\u003e Stream, browse on the screen and listen through the 4.4mm or 3.5mm socket on the front. Choose low gain for in-ear monitors and high gain for full-size headphones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA streamer for the hi-fi you already have.\u003c\/b\u003e Set the RCA or XLR outputs to line-out and connect them to your amplifier, which keeps control of the volume. If you have a DAC you love, send it the stream from the coaxial or USB digital output instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA streamer and preamp in one.\u003c\/b\u003e Set the outputs to pre-out and connect a power amplifier or a pair of active speakers directly. The SM50’s knob, touchscreen or the Eddict Controller app then sets the volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePart of Shanling’s 50 series\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SM50 is the same size as Shanling’s other 50-series components, about 19 × 20cm, so it sits neatly beside the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shanling-cd50-compact-desktop-cd-player\"\u003eShanling CD50\u003c\/a\u003e CD player for a compact streaming and CD system on a desk or shelf. Its aluminium case and glass panels come in black or silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eConnections\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStreaming\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, DLNA, Squeezelite, NAS · dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4\/5GHz) and wired Ethernet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHeadphone outputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.4mm balanced (700mW @ 32Ω) · 3.5mm (182mW @ 32Ω), front panel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLine outputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eXLR balanced (4.9V) · RCA (2.4V), line-out or pre-out\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDigital inputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB-B (USB DAC mode) · Bluetooth 5.2 (LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDigital outputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoaxial S\/PDIF · USB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUSB-A\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo sockets, for USB drives and USB digital output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eControl\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, volume knob, Eddict Controller app\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains (AC 100–230V), built-in power supply with a power switch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e188 × 205 × 53mm, including the stand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/sm50-silver-rear.jpg?v=1792137584\" alt=\"Shanling SM50 in silver, rear panel with RCA and XLR outputs, coaxial, USB, Ethernet and mains connections\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpotify Connect isn’t on Shanling’s list of services. From an iPhone, iPad or Mac, Spotify can play through AirPlay 2; from other phones, use Bluetooth (LDAC or aptX HD where your phone supports it).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-out mode controls the volume of a power amplifier or active speakers from the SM50. Use line-out with an amplifier that has its own volume control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe two aerials on the back are for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A wired Ethernet connection is there if your Wi-Fi is weak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant Android and more apps, or a bigger screen? See the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shanling-sm90-streamer-dac\"\u003eShanling SM90\u003c\/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shanling-sm1-3-desktop-streamer\"\u003eShanling SM1.3\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse all our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/streamers\"\u003emusic streamers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Shanling","offers":[{"title":"BLACK","offer_id":62836619608451,"sku":"SHANLINGSM50-BLACK","price":559.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"SILVER","offer_id":62836619641219,"sku":"SHANLINGSM50-SILVER","price":559.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/sm50-black-front.jpg?v=1792137598","url":"https:\/\/www.advancedmp3players.co.uk\/products\/shanling-sm50-compact-streaming-music-centre","provider":"amp3","version":"1.0","type":"link"}