[Kiats]

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?

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.

 

[Biskup]

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.

 

[zolkis]

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]

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).

Indeed. Good thing is ET-3 can run it both ways.

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]

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.]

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.

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.

 

[pataburd]

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.

 

[Pan Varox]

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

 

[GibranHashim]

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

 

[Pan Varox]

There is a DAC in your NAD. Just plug your ET3 to it via optical or coaxial cable

 

[Kiats]

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

Oh… that is interesting. I have not tried Airplay yet. So, it will stream out ALAC? Via Apple Music, I assume?

 

[Kiats]

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]

There is a DAC in your NAD. Just plug your ET3 to it via optical or coaxial cable

Thanks so much for the answer!

 

[Pan Varox]

Oh… that is interesting. I have not tried Airplay yet. So, it will stream out ALAC? Via Apple Music, I assume?

Exactly

 

[Kiats]

Exactly

Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention.

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]

Comparison [Shanling ET3 vs. NuPrime CDT-8 Pro] has begun: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/nuprime-cdt-8-cd-transport.897653/post-17864020