Introducing Shanling UA3 - Our first Portable USB DAC/AMP with brand new generation of AKM DAC!
Jun 1, 2022 at 2:12 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 139
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UA3 joins our highly popular line of UA models and it marks an important point for Shanling, as it will be our first model using a brand-new DAC from the relaunched line of AKM DACs.

For many years, AKM DACs were the core part of Shanling’s audio designs, as they played a crucial role in delivering our house sound to all our fans. But following the fire at AKM’s factory in 2020, we had to look for alternative solutions, being unsure about the AKM’s future. It affected most of our releases in 2021, but we managed to transition successfully, keeping the strict Hi-Fi standards we have been building up for past 34 years.

In early 2022, AKM relaunched their line of DACs and we immediately started working on new designs, diving into the possibilities of this updated generation of DACs. UA3 is first of these designs, utilizing a freshly released AK4493SEQ DAC, for the first time bringing the sound of AKM into our UA line of portable DAC/AMPs.

UA3 builds upon the popular UA2, but takes over some features from the UA5. Balanced output is now using the more robust 4.4mm connector, we added hardware buttons for volume or playback control and the power output was improved to match the UA5.

MSRP 109 USD/Euro

Available in June


Shanling UA3 – Portable DAC/AMP


  • Brand new AKM AK4493SEQ DAC
  • Dual Ricore RT6963 Headphone amplifier
  • Hardware Volume Control
  • 3.5mm Single-ended & 4.4mm Balanced Outputs
  • Standby Mode & overall more power efficient design
  • Up to 211mW @ 32 Ohm Output power
  • Compatible with Android, Windows, Mac and iOS. (Special lightning cable needed for use with iOS)
  • UAC2.0 and UAC1.0 mode compatible, for use with Nintendo Switch and other gaming systems or older devices.
  • Hi-Res support up to 32bit / 768kHz and DSD512
  • Universal USB-C Connector
  • Compatible with Eddict Player app
a6622347-cbed-41c9-84b6-0df972338443.jpg
UA3 photos (9).jpg
UA3 photos (8).jpg


 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Jun 1, 2022 at 9:55 AM Post #2 of 139
Excited to see how the AK4493SEQ DAC chip performs in this implementation. Does this mark the return of AKM? How has the production pause (due to the factory fire) affected AKM's capacity to design and produce DACs? I'll look forward to reviews comparing the UA3 to similarly priced dongles with ESS or Cirrus Logic DACs. Congrats Shanling on what looks to be another great product!
 
Jun 1, 2022 at 10:17 AM Post #4 of 139
Does it do MQA?
What is it's power rating?
 
Jun 1, 2022 at 12:36 PM Post #6 of 139
I have yet to hear an AKM source...I hope this is gonna be it. I have W2 and enjoying it, let's see how this turns out to be.
 
Jun 1, 2022 at 1:09 PM Post #7 of 139
Excited to see how the AK4493SEQ DAC chip performs in this implementation. Does this mark the return of AKM? How has the production pause (due to the factory fire) affected AKM's capacity to design and produce DACs? I'll look forward to reviews comparing the UA3 to similarly priced dongles with ESS or Cirrus Logic DACs. Congrats Shanling on what looks to be another great product!
Yes, this signals AKM...............a Phenix rising from the flames. They are back! This is part of their return to form. I should have one in a few days, will report back in this thread!
 
Jun 1, 2022 at 8:30 PM Post #9 of 139
Excited to see how the AK4493SEQ DAC chip performs in this implementation. Does this mark the return of AKM? How has the production pause (due to the factory fire) affected AKM's capacity to design and produce DACs? I'll look forward to reviews comparing the UA3 to similarly priced dongles with ESS or Cirrus Logic DACs. Congrats Shanling on what looks to be another great product!

AKM restarted their DAC segment in January this year, so far they announced three new models. You can check their News section for these updates:

https://www.akm.com/us/en/about-us/news/2022/20220207-ak4493sak4490r/

https://www.akm.com/us/en/about-us/news/2022/20220420-ak4499ex/

Does it do MQA?
What is it's power rating?

No MQA support on our UA Line.

:relaxed:
curious of it will beat my L&P W2 :smile:

Well, W2 ix 3x the price, so would be curious if UA3 beats it.
 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com
Jun 4, 2022 at 7:48 AM Post #12 of 139
Excited to see how the AK4493SEQ DAC chip performs in this implementation. Does this mark the return of AKM? How has the production pause (due to the factory fire) affected AKM's capacity to design and produce DACs? I'll look forward to reviews comparing the UA3 to similarly priced dongles with ESS or Cirrus Logic DACs. Congrats Shanling on what looks to be another great product!
I'm using the A&K SEM4 module which has 2x 4493SEQ DACs, and it sounds great.
 
Jun 5, 2022 at 10:28 PM Post #13 of 139
Is there Lighting cable in box?

No, we do not make or sell cable for use with iOS.

We recommend to look for cables that are stated to work for use with USB DACs.
 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com
Jun 6, 2022 at 10:27 PM Post #14 of 139
I'm using the A&K SEM4 module which has 2x 4493SEQ DACs, and it sounds great.
An admittedly challenging question to answer, but do you have any thoughts on how the 4493SEQ sounds in comparison to say the AK4497Q or AK4499EQ? I haven't done a spec sheet comparison between the DACs, and, also, I recognize implementation and amplification sources will affect how they sound... still... just wondering.
 
Jun 7, 2022 at 1:21 AM Post #15 of 139
An admittedly challenging question to answer, but do you have any thoughts on how the 4493SEQ sounds in comparison to say the AK4497Q or AK4499EQ? I haven't done a spec sheet comparison between the DACs, and, also, I recognize implementation and amplification sources will affect how they sound... still... just wondering.
Well it's not an easy thing to do. You can compare the devices that are utilizing these DACs, but implementations and amplifying circuits are different.

The only thing I can say is that 4493SEQ is a high performing DAC and it's not that far away from the 4499EQ. The A&K SE180, with the SEM4 module, is a very viable alternative to the SP2000 flagship if you don't have a huge budget.
 

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