Fully balanced
Two ES9038Q2M DACs and two dedicated Ricore amps.
SHANLINGDONGLE DACCustomer reviews (0)
Shanling UA5 Portable Balanced Hi-Res USB-C DAC & Headphone Amp Dongle
A big DAC/amp in dongle form.
A fully balanced USB-C dongle with dual ES9038Q2M DACs, a volume wheel, an OLED display and a hybrid battery mode.
Regular price
£279.00
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
THE AMP3 DIFFERENCE
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Shanling UA5 Portable Balanced Hi-Res USB-C DAC & Headphone Amp Dongle
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MEET THE UA5
A big DAC/amp in dongle form.
A fully balanced USB-C dongle with dual ES9038Q2M DACs, a volume wheel, an OLED display and a hybrid battery mode.
Easy control
A volume wheel and 1.44-inch OLED for settings without an app.
Hybrid battery
Reduces drain on your phone, with SPDIF out and 4.4mm balanced output.
Read the full description
The Shanling UA5 takes Shanling’s UA line of USB DAC/amps a big step forward, closer to a portable DAC/amp than a simple dongle. Two ESS ES9038Q2M DACs and two Ricore RT6863 amplifiers form a fully balanced circuit with 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, a volume wheel and OLED screen give you independent volume and every setting without an app, and a unique hybrid battery mode powers the audio circuit cleanly while taking load off your phone.
Hi-fi in the palm of your hand
A wheel for independent volume control, a monochrome OLED display for all the extra settings, a robust 4.4mm balanced connector and the hybrid battery mode take the UA line to a new level.
Hybrid battery power
The UA5 adds a small 220mAh battery dedicated to its analogue audio circuit of DACs and amplifiers, giving up to 6 hours of clean power and consistent sound whatever device is powering it. In hybrid mode the DACs and amplifiers run from the battery while the USB controller and FPGA use limited power from the USB connector; in USB mode everything runs from the USB port, like a normal dongle. When the battery runs out, the UA5 switches to USB mode automatically and charges, switching back when it is charged or reconnected. A full charge takes about 30 minutes.
Two ES9038Q2M DACs, two RT6863 amplifiers
The ES9038Q2M DACs, adopted from Shanling’s portable players, give a slightly warmer, natural sound with top-level resolution and detail, and PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512, with seven selectable digital filters. Two RT6863 amplifiers complete the fully balanced circuit and supply proper driving power. Shanling’s own FPGA and a precise crystal oscillator process all PCM and DSD data accurately, and the output is designed for an extremely black, noise-free background.
3.5mm, 4.4mm and coaxial
Use the 3.5mm output for everyday headphones (137mW into 32Ω) or the 4.4mm balanced output for the UA5’s full potential (211mW). The 3.5mm socket also works as a USB-to-coaxial S/PDIF converter up to 24-bit/192kHz, a high-quality link between a phone and a hi-end home DAC or receiver, especially useful for older hi-fi without a good USB input (it needs a matching 3.5mm TRRS coaxial cable).
Any cable, any device
The UA5 comes with a premium copper USB-C to USB-C cable, and its standard USB-C socket takes any cable you like to suit your phone, computer or iOS device. Hold the volume wheel while connecting to switch to UAC 1.0 mode, for a Nintendo Switch, other games consoles and a wider range of devices.
Controls
With the screen on: press to turn the screen off, turn the wheel for volume, double-press to lock the volume, and hold for 2 seconds to open the settings, where a press moves to the next setting, turning changes it and holding for 2 seconds exits. To reset, bring up the volume screen, hold the wheel for 4 seconds for the service menu, then hold for 2 seconds.
| DACs and amps | 2 × ESS ES9038Q2M · 2 × Ricore RT6863 · FPGA · 7 digital filters |
|---|---|
| 4.4mm balanced | 211mW @ 32Ω (2.6V) · SNR 116dB · DNR 120dB · THD+N 0.0005% · separation 110dB · 1.6Ω |
| 3.5mm | 137mW @ 32Ω (2.1V) · SNR 121dB · DNR 122dB · THD+N 0.0005% · separation 77dB · 0.8Ω |
| Frequency response | 20Hz–50kHz (−0.5dB) |
| Formats | PCM 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512 · coaxial out 24-bit/192kHz |
| Battery (hybrid mode) | 220mAh · about 6h (3.5mm) · 3h (4.4mm) · about 30 minutes to charge |
| Size and weight | 68 × 27 × 13.5mm · 29g · 1.44-inch OLED |
Good to know
- iPhones and iPads with Lightning need a separate Lightning to USB-C cable.
- In the box: UA5, USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter and user guide. Shanling’s PU leather case is sold separately.
- For Shanling’s eight-DAC dongle, see the UA6 II.
In the box
- Shanling UA5 DAC/Amp
- USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- User guide
Downloads
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- DAC
- 2 × ESS ES9038Q2M
- Headphone outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended · 4.4mm balanced
- Output power
- 211mW @ 32Ω balanced · 137mW @ 32Ω single-ended
- Frequency response
- 20Hz–50kHz (−0.5dB)
- Hi-res support
- PCM 768kHz/32-bit · DSD512
- Battery
- 220mAh (hybrid mode) · about 6 hours (3.5mm) · 3 hours (4.4mm) · full charge in about 30 minutes
- Screen
- 1.44" OLED
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 121dB (3.5mm) · 116dB (4.4mm)
- Distortion (THD+N)
- 0.0005% (both outputs)
- Output impedance
- 0.8Ω (3.5mm) · 1.6Ω (4.4mm)
- Crosstalk
- 110dB (4.4mm) · 77dB (3.5mm)
- Size (H × W × D)
- 68 × 27 × 13.5mm
- Weight
- 29g
- Amplification
- 2 × Ricore RT6863
- Digital outputs
- S/PDIF coaxial (3.5mm)
- Inputs
- USB-C
- Power
- USB power or hybrid mode (220mAh internal battery)
- Finishes
- BLACK
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change. Battery life varies with use and settings.
The press, on the UA5
Independent ears.
Their verdict.
A different perspective on your next listen.
02 / Expert reviews
it has lots of features besides having one of the best sounding component stages with a clean output
Louis
Read reviewHeadfonia
features great technology under its hood and has awesome design along with stellar build quality
Yagiz
Read reviewSelected excerpts from published reviews. Scores are each publication’s own. Follow the links for their full verdicts.
FROM FELLOW LISTENERS
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
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Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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