Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Perhaps if you had it connected to a PC, you would have all the issues of computational needs of the PC. However it might be different with the ET-3. The good news however is when the HDD is connected to the ET-3, you can either play it using synch link or as a NAS using DLNA.DLNA compatibility is a big bonus.
As for HDD/SSD, I would not bother connecting it via USB to the CD player. In my experience it sounds better to serve files via DLNA, too. I expect you can play it through the ET3 that way as well. I tested this with 4-5 streamers, and all sounded better when the files were not served via local USB (local PCIe is another story). I guess it might be related to EM/RF noise / computation needs. But for some reason I mostly preferred Qobuz streaming vs local file streaming, and CD playback to Qobuz (16/44.1), but I guess my CD players were just better than my streamers.
Purely as a CD transport, how does the ET3 sound quality compare to other hot CD transports like the new Audiolab 9000CDT, ProJect RS2T, etc?
Shanling ET3 Firmware V1.6
https://en.shanling.com/article-CDUpdateDec23.html
Changes and fixes on ET3
1. Fixed issue with SRC switching channels.
2. Other optimizations.
https://en.shanling.com/article-CDUpdateDec23.html
Changes and fixes on ET3
1. Fixed issue with SRC switching channels.
2. Other optimizations.
Perhaps if you had it connected to a PC, you would have all the issues of computational needs of the PC. However it might be different with the ET-3. The good news however is when the HDD is connected to the ET-3, you can either play it using synch link or as a NAS using DLNA.
If you use the ET3 + USB-HDD to serve files via DLNA, that's okay (good if you say the ET3 supports that, since that's a low noise music server), but I was referring to playing back files from the HDD attached to the ET3 via USB: then, the ET3 needs to run its compute unit at full load, handling USB + drivers + buffering etc, plus the DLNA sw stack, and what I wanted to say is that in my experience that has been detrimental to the sound in all streamers I tried (all more expensive than the ET3). Direct USB storage connection is only for convenience IMHO. Local PCIe (e.g. M.2 NVMe) is far better, but still the SSD drives have a lot of noise which needs to be handled, so I'd still prefer isolated NAS, the simpler the better (e.g. Lumin L1 or such).
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Indeed. Good thing is ET-3 can run it both ways.If you use the ET3 + USB-HDD to serve files via DLNA, that's okay (good if you say the ET3 supports that, since that's a low noise music server), but I was referring to playing back files from the HDD attached to the ET3 via USB: then, the ET3 needs to run its compute unit at full load, handling USB + drivers + buffering etc, plus the DLNA sw stack, and what I wanted to say is that in my experience that has been detrimental to the sound in all streamers I tried (all more expensive than the ET3). Direct USB storage connection is only for convenience IMHO. Local PCIe (e.g. M.2 NVMe) is far better, but still the SSD drives have a lot of noise which needs to be handled, so I'd still prefer isolated NAS, the simpler the better (e.g. Lumin L1 or such).
One of the NAS I am able to run with the ET-3 is the Melco NAS that is quite separate in any event. ET-3 recognises the Minimserver database for the Melco as well.
mooster1223
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2015
- Posts
- 85
- Likes
- 88
Cable arrived today. I just hooked it up... IT WORKS!!! I honestly don't know what I'm doing here. I'll show you what I selected and what I'm getting at the dac. And, I haven't done any updates to the A26 or the ET3.MUCH appreciated! Let us know how it works out for you. More than likely, I can then follow suit [Deo volente].
When is the queue for matching your components? at check-out? [I was just over at the site.]
And, to answer your question about conveying what you're putting together. During checkout, there is a comment section. I listed the two components there. No issues. Took a couple days longer to get here than I expected but it was delivered by snail mail this afternoon.
Last edited:
pataburd
Headphoneus Supremus
The Shanling is a lot more versatile than the NuPrime and I have really been enjoying the ET3 with CD playback lately, as well.
However, will first have to a/b the ET3 vs. the [NuPrime] CDT-8 using the S.M.S.L. D400EX and AES/EBU or Toslink before finalizing the i2s cable.
The NuPrime has another strike against it, in that its upsampling went caput within a week after I got it [used].
Plan to set up the SMSL D400EX and the SMSL SP400 for formal testing--maybe tomorrow, Deo volente.
However, will first have to a/b the ET3 vs. the [NuPrime] CDT-8 using the S.M.S.L. D400EX and AES/EBU or Toslink before finalizing the i2s cable.
The NuPrime has another strike against it, in that its upsampling went caput within a week after I got it [used].
Plan to set up the SMSL D400EX and the SMSL SP400 for formal testing--maybe tomorrow, Deo volente.
By the way… it’s actually a good thing that ET3 use AirPlay1, because AirPlay2 does use AAC stream instead of ALAC, so AP1 is the only way to get lossless CD quality stream.
I know. It’s kind of counterintuitive that newer solution is less capable, but well… I guess Apple doesn’t care that much about audiophiles
I know. It’s kind of counterintuitive that newer solution is less capable, but well… I guess Apple doesn’t care that much about audiophiles
GibranHashim
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2017
- Posts
- 3
- Likes
- 10
Hi.
I may have missed it somewhere but I'm curious. I own an NAD M10V2. Is it possible to just connect the ET3 to the NAD or does it need to go through a DAC first then only the NAD? Many thanks in advance.
Gibran
I may have missed it somewhere but I'm curious. I own an NAD M10V2. Is it possible to just connect the ET3 to the NAD or does it need to go through a DAC first then only the NAD? Many thanks in advance.
Gibran
There is a DAC in your NAD. Just plug your ET3 to it via optical or coaxial cable
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Oh… that is interesting. I have not tried Airplay yet. So, it will stream out ALAC? Via Apple Music, I assume?By the way… it’s actually a good thing that ET3 use AirPlay1, because AirPlay2 does use AAC stream instead of ALAC, so AP1 is the only way to get lossless CD quality stream.
I know. It’s kind of counterintuitive that newer solution is less capable, but well… I guess Apple doesn’t care that much about audiophiles
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Some Tuesday evening chilling with the ET-3. DLNA streaming from Melco NA10. The SAEQ Hyperion Ge amplifier also has a wonderful lush signature that complements the Shanling house sound.
GibranHashim
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2017
- Posts
- 3
- Likes
- 10
Thanks so much for the answer!There is a DAC in your NAD. Just plug your ET3 to it via optical or coaxial cable
ExactlyOh… that is interesting. I have not tried Airplay yet. So, it will stream out ALAC? Via Apple Music, I assume?
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention.Exactly
For anyone who wants to understand this more, this is an interesting article and there is even a table setting out the combinations and permutations: https://darko.audio/2023/10/apple-airplay-isnt-always-lossless-sometimes-its-lossy/#:~:text=Put more simply, anyone streaming,enjoy lossless CD-quality streams.
pataburd
Headphoneus Supremus
Comparison [Shanling ET3 vs. NuPrime CDT-8 Pro] has begun: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/nuprime-cdt-8-cd-transport.897653/post-17864020
Users who are viewing this thread
Total: 5 (members: 0, guests: 5)