Introducing Shanling EC Zero T - Portable Tube & R2R CD Player

[Shanling]

EC Zero T represents a culmination of the latest trends in the portable Hi-Fi market, combining the biggest Shanling’s highlight features from the past two years.

​

In 2023 we released EC Mini, a battery-powered transportable CD player that started a resurgence of the whole category. EC Zero T follows in its steps, but fits the battery-powered CD player into a smaller and lighter body, with more advanced anti-shake and anti-skip systems, for true portable use in all conditions and movements.

Last year saw the first release of our first R2R DAC in almost two decades, with the EH2 Desktop DAC. This less common approach to DAC architecture keeps earning many sympathies among the modern hi-fi crowd and it has been fully established as a strong alternative to the classic Delta-Sigma chipsets. And it was a clear choice for the EC Zero T, managing to perfectly combine the natural-sounding R2R DAC with the pure CD playback.

And at the end of 2024 we released M8T, our flagship Android player and our first portable device with tube output. It quickly became known for its high-end sound quality and was especially praised for its distinctive sound changes between tube and transistor output. Now we are bringing the same JAN6418 tubes and output switching to the EC Zero T.

Available in May
MSRP at 589 USD
(USA pricing depending on the current conditions)

​

Key Features:

• In-house developed R2R module, featuring 192 0.1% precision resistors
• Non-Oversampling / Oversampling Modes
• Dual JAN6418 Tube Output & TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier
• Transistor / Tube Mode Output Switching
• Offering up to 1220mW @ 32 Ohm Output power
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm Headphone Outputs
• Dedicated 3.5mm & 4.4mm Line-Out
• Bluetooth V5.3 output supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX and SBC
• Coaxial / Optical SPDIF Output
• Active Magnetic CD Clamp
• Advanced Anti-Skip system for smooth playback on-the-go
• Custom CD Drive and System
• USB DAC Function supporting PCM 768 kHz / DSD512
• Built-in 5500mAh Battery, up to 8h of playback
• USB-C Power input for External Power Mode
• Aluminium chassis construction, with tempered glass panels.
• 1.68-Inch Colour screen with basic Interface
• Hardware buttons and Volume slider controls

​

Specifications

Dimensions: 158 x 150 x 28mm
Weight: about 669g
Screen: 1.68-inch LCD display
USB DAC Supports: 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
Bluetooth version: 5.3
Bluetooth transmit support: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC

​

3.5mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:

Transistor:
Low Gain: 57mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 330mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 47mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 268mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 116dB
Channel Separation: 79dB
SNR: 115dB
Noise: 111dB
Output Impedance: 4.7 Ω

4.4mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:
Transistor:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1220mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1087mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 117dB
Channel Separation: 103dB
SNR: 117dB
Noise: 108dB
Output Impedance: 6.6Ω

​

 

[Shanling]

EC Zero T will be displayed at our booth at High End Munich next week!
https://www.highendsociety.de/index.php/high-end-44.html

Find us in Hall 3 - Stand L05.

And if you come on Sunday afternoon, you can get one of the first units with a nice discount! (Cash Only)

 

[Menkau-ra]

Is this real?

 

[WailingBanshee]

I would gladly purchase but Munich is far from where I live!

Any idea if there will be availability at Canadian retailers or if this will show up in the official Aliexpress store?

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

EC Zero T represents a culmination of the latest trends in the portable Hi-Fi market, combining the biggest Shanling’s highlight features from the past two years.

​

In 2023 we released EC Mini, a battery-powered transportable CD player that started a resurgence of the whole category. EC Zero T follows in its steps, but fits the battery-powered CD player into a smaller and lighter body, with more advanced anti-shake and anti-skip systems, for true portable use in all conditions and movements.

Last year saw the first release of our first R2R DAC in almost two decades, with the EH2 Desktop DAC. This less common approach to DAC architecture keeps earning many sympathies among the modern hi-fi crowd and it has been fully established as a strong alternative to the classic Delta-Sigma chipsets. And it was a clear choice for the EC Zero T, managing to perfectly combine the natural-sounding R2R DAC with the pure CD playback.

And at the end of 2024 we released M8T, our flagship Android player and our first portable device with tube output. It quickly became known for its high-end sound quality and was especially praised for its distinctive sound changes between tube and transistor output. Now we are bringing the same JAN6418 tubes and output switching to the EC Zero T.

Available in May
MSRP at 589 USD
(USA pricing depending on the current conditions)

​

Key Features:

• In-house developed R2R module, featuring 192 0.1% precision resistors
• Non-Oversampling / Oversampling Modes
• Dual JAN6418 Tube Output & TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier
• Transistor / Tube Mode Output Switching
• Offering up to 1220mW @ 32 Ohm Output power
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm Headphone Outputs
• Dedicated 3.5mm & 4.4mm Line-Out
• Bluetooth V5.3 output supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX and SBC
• Coaxial / Optical SPDIF Output
• Active Magnetic CD Clamp
• Advanced Anti-Skip system for smooth playback on-the-go
• Custom CD Drive and System
• USB DAC Function supporting PCM 768 kHz / DSD512
• Built-in 5500mAh Battery, up to 8h of playback
• USB-C Power input for External Power Mode
• Aluminium chassis construction, with tempered glass panels.
• 1.68-Inch Colour screen with basic Interface
• Hardware buttons and Volume slider controls

​

Specifications

Dimensions: 158 x 150 x 28mm
Weight: about 669g
Screen: 1.68-inch LCD display
USB DAC Supports: 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
Bluetooth version: 5.3
Bluetooth transmit support: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC

​

3.5mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:

Transistor:
Low Gain: 57mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 330mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 47mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 268mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 116dB
Channel Separation: 79dB
SNR: 115dB
Noise: 111dB
Output Impedance: 4.7 Ω

4.4mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:
Transistor:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1220mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1087mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 117dB
Channel Separation: 103dB
SNR: 117dB
Noise: 108dB
Output Impedance: 6.6Ω

​

The EC Zero T tube CD player looks like a very interesting product!

For the past few decades so many critics of the compact disc have said that this format no longer has any appeal. The same mindset was commonplace in the 1970's, when solid state amplifiers were said to be superior to their tube predecessors. The same belief applied to compact discs replacing vinyl albums and CD players replacing turntables.

Ironically enough, tube electronics are more popular than ever, as are turntables and vinyl albums. The demise of the compact disc has also been greatly exaggerated,
as many different audio manufacturers continue to offer new CD players that can often be integrated into other parts of their digital audio systems.

The audio enthusiast has never before had so many different components to choose from!

 

[BlueA]

The demise of the compact disc has also been greatly exaggerated,

This product only address those collectors with large CDs references. It's a byproduct only.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

This product only address those collectors with large CDs references. It's a byproduct only.

The point is that CD players will continue to be manufactured because there's a need for them.

 

[BlueA]

The point is that CD players will continue to be manufactured because there's a need for them.

The point is the demise of CD market is complete, more so than vinyle...

 

[Scubadevils]

Sounds fantastic and would be a likely purchase - does it support gapless playback? That is a massive flaw in the EC Mini and absolutely a dealbreaker if not supported in this.

 

[mungster]

Nice

 

[Sonic Defender]

The EC Zero T tube CD player looks like a very interesting product!

For the past few decades so many critics of the compact disc have said that this format no longer has any appeal. The same mindset was commonplace in the 1970's, when solid state amplifiers were said to be superior to their tube predecessors. The same belief applied to compact discs replacing vinyl albums and CD players replacing turntables.

Ironically enough, tube electronics are more popular than ever, as are turntables and vinyl albums. The demise of the compact disc has also been greatly exaggerated,
as many different audio manufacturers continue to offer new CD players that can often be integrated into other parts of their digital audio systems.

The audio enthusiast has never before had so many different components to choose from!

Solid state wasn't just said to be superior, it is superior to valves. That doesn't mean that a person can't prefer the distortion introduced by valve circuits, clearly many people do prefer it.

For myself, an R2R design provides so many additional physical points of possible failure or drift in specifications that I wonder what the appeal is. Again, clearly there is actually appeal.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing impressions when people actually start using this. While I personally would not see a need for this, I think it is very intriguing nonetheless.

 

[FlacPak]

Love the design reminds me of those 80s & 90s black/gold Sony stereo setups.

 

[TinyBlackPixel]

EC Zero T represents a culmination of the latest trends in the portable Hi-Fi market, combining the biggest Shanling’s highlight features from the past two years.

​

In 2023 we released EC Mini, a battery-powered transportable CD player that started a resurgence of the whole category. EC Zero T follows in its steps, but fits the battery-powered CD player into a smaller and lighter body, with more advanced anti-shake and anti-skip systems, for true portable use in all conditions and movements.

Last year saw the first release of our first R2R DAC in almost two decades, with the EH2 Desktop DAC. This less common approach to DAC architecture keeps earning many sympathies among the modern hi-fi crowd and it has been fully established as a strong alternative to the classic Delta-Sigma chipsets. And it was a clear choice for the EC Zero T, managing to perfectly combine the natural-sounding R2R DAC with the pure CD playback.

And at the end of 2024 we released M8T, our flagship Android player and our first portable device with tube output. It quickly became known for its high-end sound quality and was especially praised for its distinctive sound changes between tube and transistor output. Now we are bringing the same JAN6418 tubes and output switching to the EC Zero T.

Available in May
MSRP at 589 USD
(USA pricing depending on the current conditions)

​

Key Features:

• In-house developed R2R module, featuring 192 0.1% precision resistors
• Non-Oversampling / Oversampling Modes
• Dual JAN6418 Tube Output & TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier
• Transistor / Tube Mode Output Switching
• Offering up to 1220mW @ 32 Ohm Output power
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm Headphone Outputs
• Dedicated 3.5mm & 4.4mm Line-Out
• Bluetooth V5.3 output supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX and SBC
• Coaxial / Optical SPDIF Output
• Active Magnetic CD Clamp
• Advanced Anti-Skip system for smooth playback on-the-go
• Custom CD Drive and System
• USB DAC Function supporting PCM 768 kHz / DSD512
• Built-in 5500mAh Battery, up to 8h of playback
• USB-C Power input for External Power Mode
• Aluminium chassis construction, with tempered glass panels.
• 1.68-Inch Colour screen with basic Interface
• Hardware buttons and Volume slider controls

​

Specifications

Dimensions: 158 x 150 x 28mm
Weight: about 669g
Screen: 1.68-inch LCD display
USB DAC Supports: 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
Bluetooth version: 5.3
Bluetooth transmit support: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC

​

3.5mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:

Transistor:
Low Gain: 57mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 330mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 47mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 268mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 116dB
Channel Separation: 79dB
SNR: 115dB
Noise: 111dB
Output Impedance: 4.7 Ω

4.4mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:
Transistor:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1220mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1087mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 117dB
Channel Separation: 103dB
SNR: 117dB
Noise: 108dB
Output Impedance: 6.6Ω

​

If I was heavy into CD players I'd get this in a heartbeat.

 

[senorx12562]

The output impedance is kinda high.

 

[jamato8]

EC Zero T represents a culmination of the latest trends in the portable Hi-Fi market, combining the biggest Shanling’s highlight features from the past two years.

​

In 2023 we released EC Mini, a battery-powered transportable CD player that started a resurgence of the whole category. EC Zero T follows in its steps, but fits the battery-powered CD player into a smaller and lighter body, with more advanced anti-shake and anti-skip systems, for true portable use in all conditions and movements.

Last year saw the first release of our first R2R DAC in almost two decades, with the EH2 Desktop DAC. This less common approach to DAC architecture keeps earning many sympathies among the modern hi-fi crowd and it has been fully established as a strong alternative to the classic Delta-Sigma chipsets. And it was a clear choice for the EC Zero T, managing to perfectly combine the natural-sounding R2R DAC with the pure CD playback.

And at the end of 2024 we released M8T, our flagship Android player and our first portable device with tube output. It quickly became known for its high-end sound quality and was especially praised for its distinctive sound changes between tube and transistor output. Now we are bringing the same JAN6418 tubes and output switching to the EC Zero T.

Available in May
MSRP at 589 USD
(USA pricing depending on the current conditions)

​

Key Features:

• In-house developed R2R module, featuring 192 0.1% precision resistors
• Non-Oversampling / Oversampling Modes
• Dual JAN6418 Tube Output & TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier
• Transistor / Tube Mode Output Switching
• Offering up to 1220mW @ 32 Ohm Output power
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm Headphone Outputs
• Dedicated 3.5mm & 4.4mm Line-Out
• Bluetooth V5.3 output supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX and SBC
• Coaxial / Optical SPDIF Output
• Active Magnetic CD Clamp
• Advanced Anti-Skip system for smooth playback on-the-go
• Custom CD Drive and System
• USB DAC Function supporting PCM 768 kHz / DSD512
• Built-in 5500mAh Battery, up to 8h of playback
• USB-C Power input for External Power Mode
• Aluminium chassis construction, with tempered glass panels.
• 1.68-Inch Colour screen with basic Interface
• Hardware buttons and Volume slider controls

​

Specifications

Dimensions: 158 x 150 x 28mm
Weight: about 669g
Screen: 1.68-inch LCD display
USB DAC Supports: 768kHz/32bit, DSD512
Bluetooth version: 5.3
Bluetooth transmit support: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC

​

3.5mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:

Transistor:
Low Gain: 57mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 330mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 47mW@32Ω
High Gain: 158mW@32Ω
High Gain: 268mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 116dB
Channel Separation: 79dB
SNR: 115dB
Noise: 111dB
Output Impedance: 4.7 Ω

4.4mm Headphone Output:

Output Power:
Transistor:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1220mW@32Ω (DC power)

Tube:
Low Gain: 195mW@32Ω
High Gain: 551mW@32Ω
High Gain: 1087mW@32Ω (DC power)

THD+N: 0.02%
Dynamic Range: 117dB
Channel Separation: 103dB
SNR: 117dB
Noise: 108dB
Output Impedance: 6.6Ω

​

Why not some buffers to lower the output impedance?

And, is there any shipping to the US. Such a mess with the tariffs or will the cost be 11 or 12 hundred?

Would have loved to have seen some Korg tubes used. Yes, they are more expensive but do such a great job! The tubes you uses are good but I do like the Korg, when done right and such a long life. Looks exciting though. And shipping to the US?

I have around 4,000 CD's and some very desirable. Would love to hear them on this and channel them through the A-10 stat amp and HE-90 or using the Sony MDR-10. Good stuff!