Can you explain? Why the UP4 is problematic for the 3.5 port?

Is that usb mode? From the couple of comparisons I've read between the 2 they said the up4 was warmer. Honestly the treble on my btr5 is very extended. Lol now I want to compare. And is that balanced mode? It's funny how we all hear things differently- this is the only amazon review of up4- I...

Anyone here also have the Shanling UP4? I just received mine today, and I gotta say, first impressions are (on my DT 1770 PRO) clarity and imaging are better on the UP4. There definitely sounds to be more roll off in the top end on the BTR5.

at this point whichever comes out first gets my Money, thou I'm leaning toward the UP4 for the better Battery Life.

Shanling UP4 vs FiiO BTR5

Out of curiosity, what kind of headphone/IEM are you pairing with the UP4? I found the BTR5/ES100 to have way better sound than the UP4, but I'm wondering if I just picked a bad pairing?

I'm still in my early stages of listening to the UP4 on "Boost" gain mode (there's Low, High, and Boost) via Bluetooth (LDAC) and right now, I'm just running 3.5mm unbalanced with my DT 1770 PRO (250 ohms). I'll probably go balanced later with my ATH-MSR7b (with 8 core 4.4mm to 2.5mm balanced...

First, UP4 does NOT support EQ over LDAC. Secondly, it is not a problem per se on CSR8675, but simply because it is an outdated chip that is too slow to process EQ and LDAC at the same time.

Do you guys think which one should be bought; BTR5, ES100 or Shanling UP4? Tell us reasons, please.

The UP4 goes for $99 and has dual DAC mode for unbalanced 3.5mm connection. Balanced, however, is notably better on the BTR5. If you want the best SQ, then the BTR5 via balanced is the way to go. If you're OK with unbalanced 3.5mm, the Shanling UP4 for $50 - $60 less is a good alternative...

I think you're right on the 3.5mm mode. I can definitely say 3.5mm unbalanced is superior on the UP4. 2.5mm balanced does sound a touch more sparkle on the UP4 using my ATH-MSR7b, but a little smoother on the BTR5. Really, user preference here, especially depending on the type of headphones...

Do you think there is a problem with the CSR8675 chip? In the end, LDAC EQ worked on UP4 sort of.

Would like to have a thin case with a low profile shirt clip (similar to that of the Shanling UP4's)

All the phones in my sig, but most often with the Blons and Sonys recently. BTR5 sounded fine - really very similar to my ear (was just operation that bugged me). I've never had an ES100.

If you are going to use 3.5mm single-ended output only, I am more inclined to suggest Hiby W3 or even UP2. UP4 is kinda problematic.

I'm largely not. In all honesty I'll probably just hang onto the UP4, but it's sort of novelty and pure convenience. The thing is I rarely use BT. If I'm listening on the go I'm just plugged into my LG phone and I'm more than happy with the wired quad-DAC in that case. I get the appeal of BT...

Hello, I had a query. Is there a way to use the dual dac setup for the 3.5mm SE port? Same way as the UP4 has a dual dac mode?

It will be interesting to see how this is one is priced. Looks to have substantially more output power. I currently love my BTR5 though, sound quality is really good with IEM's. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kb-ear-audio-impressions-thread.912673/post-16581793

Is that on both L/H Gain on the BTR5? On some headphones the Low Gain seems weak even though the volume is fine, and switching to High Gain makes the sound "fill out" the sound stage. Hard to explain, it's something you have to play with on each set of headphones.

Here.

It is a hardware implementation that can not be changed.

Where did you buy it from? Hopefully, FiiO support will honor the warranty. If not, you could always try the Shanling UP4 or wait, since the prices for the BTR5 are getting jacked up due to supply/demand. I picked mine up for $129 (I think I originally saw it for $99) and now it's up to $159...

Ahh, I've heard that the boost mode on the 3.5 on the shanling is a dual dac mode while the fiio is using only one dac on 3.5. Maybe that's the difference, I like the balanced out quite a bit more than the SE out on btr5.

That was part of my 'fiddly' nitpicking. I can operate the UP4 without looking at it. The wheel is especially well done. Again, the FiiO is very good, I just got on with the other.

...when changing from DAC to BT and back again. BT headphones going outside have been cumbersome, and I'd rather take my IEM's with me much of the time, the BTR5 lets me use either easily. I hope my BTR5 keeps running well for a long long time...but I guess there's always the UP4 if it doesn't...