[naka9]

I wonder how many members participating in this thread use the ET-3 and how many have a problematic unit…
It will be interesting (especially for the brand) to know if the problems are more software or hardware (drive) related.

 

[Tyre80]

I wonder how many members participating in this thread use the ET-3 and how many have a problematic unit…
It will be interesting (especially for the brand) to know if the problems are more software or hardware (drive) related.

I've had it since last summer and I don't have a problematic unit, it's a good device. Just a little disappointed by the firmware updates that have not yet fixed problems on native features of the device, such as the incompatibility with many DLNA apps on both Android and Windows platforms. Perfectly compatible apps, for example, with small 90 euro streamers such as the Wiim mini. I see some in this thread asking for new features, I doubt they will ever come if the native ones haven't been fixed yet.

 

[Kiats]

I wonder how many members participating in this thread use the ET-3 and how many have a problematic unit…
It will be interesting (especially for the brand) to know if the problems are more software or hardware (drive) related.

No issues. Happy with the ET-3 for my use cases.

 

[Pjotr27]

I have my unit now for three months and still happy with it. Works nice and great sound through I2S ( use VandenHul cable). Better lows as with my Proceed PDT2. Last weekend I tried the upsample options but in my case I prefer no upsampling. Much more natural sounding. Would be great of the display had also a dim option (now it is on or off). Didnt use the stream option or bluetooth. Uwe ET3 only as cd drive.

 

[petzibaer]

I got the ET3 after watching a Darko review. Bought it because it is a top loading and neat looking cd player. Using coax at the moment, I think it sounds good enough for me. I am happy with it. When I finally figured out which DAC I want I will most like use the USB out.

As for streaming I have Sonos, Wiim and Bluesound and they all provide a more stable better user experience. If you are looking for streamer look somewhere else.

 

[Tyre80]

As for streaming I have Sonos, Wiim and Bluesound and they all provide a more stable better user experience. If you are looking for streamer look somewhere else.

That's exactly how it is. And it's a pity, with a little effort this device could have become a complete player capable of being the only audio source of a system. Instead, it will most likely remain just a very good Cd transport.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

That's exactly how it is. And it's a pity, with a little effort this device could have become a complete player capable of being the only audio source of a system. Instead, it will most likely remain just a very good Cd transport.

Shanling is famous for adding functionality after the initial release. Too early to lose hope.

 

[VNVNation]

I wish they'd make an "ET-2"; the CD transport minus the streaming functionality. Put a nice simple display on it rather than the currently hideous one (as discussed on this thread) and job done.

 

[Tyre80]

Shanling is famous for adding functionality after the initial release. Too early to lose hope.

I honestly don't expect them to add new features, I just wish the native functions, the ones with which the device was born, worked properly. DLNA doesn't work with most apps.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

I honestly don't expect them to add new features, I just wish the native functions, the ones with which the device was born, worked properly. DLNA doesn't work with most apps.

After purchasing several Shanling products, almost none of them work 100% as advertised at launch.

Shanling is not alone. I just saw a Hiby player advertise Apt X adaptive as available by update "soon" T+A promised on their $1600 BT ANC heaphones LDAC capabilities that later they retracted. I think it's the new norm to rush a product to release and let the early adopters do the final testing.

 

[Kiats]

It is interesting to hear all the complaints because the ET-3 does not quite conform with a particular frame of reference. I will just offer a different perspective.

For context, for Roon, I actually use the iFi NEO Stream as a NAA for HQPlayer, or the Eversolo DMP A6. I suspect I am more familiar with the Shanling way of implementing streaming because of the M30 and of course the Shanling DAPs as well.

I actually have no issues with the DLNA streaming but then again, I use it to play music from the attached HDD or from my minimserver library of music on my Melco NAS. I also use DLNA to play music from QQ Music via their iteration of DLNA known as QPlay.

When I only want to stream from the attached HDD, I will use SyncLink to play from it.

I also use the AirPlay functionality. Which is great for someone on iOS. Darko had explained in an article how AirPlay offers streaming at 44/16. So, I get the UI of iOS and playback through the convenience of the ET-3.

For BT, I tend to use android devices like android based DAPs to do so. Here I get LDAC streaming.

There is, of course, the CD player. Which offers me the option of upsampling. I do enjoy the upsampling options. I have the Holo Spring 3 KTE connected via I2S and the Bricasti M1 connected via coaxial. I also like how my CDs sound off it.

So, for that price point, the Shanling ET-3 is a great little player for my use cases.

If all you want is a simple CD player, I recall that Shanling has a range of offerings in that space as well.

 

[Tyre80]

After purchasing several Shanling products, almost none of them work 100% as advertised at launch.

Shanling is not alone. I just saw a Hiby player advertise Apt X adaptive as available by update "soon" T+A promised on their $1600 BT ANC heaphones LDAC capabilities that later they retracted. I think it's the new norm to rush a product to release and let the early adopters do the final testing.

That's the way it is, and not just in the audio industry. It can be, after all, the ET3 is competitively priced. Except that it came out in July 2023, we are in February 2024. 'Early adopters' is perhaps no longer suitable as a term.

 

[VNVNation]

If all you want is a simple CD player, I recall that Shanling has a range of offerings in that space as well.

But not a simple CD Transport. Sometimes a 'jack of all trades' is a master of none.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

That's the way it is, and not just in the audio industry. It can be, after all, the ET3 is competitively priced. Except that it came out in July 2023, we are in February 2024. 'Early adopters' is perhaps no longer suitable as a term.

Fair point. Is 6 months considered a mature product? I don't know.

It took Chord 6 years to get the Poly mostly right.

 

[Kiats]

But not a simple CD Transport. Sometimes a 'jack of all trades' is a master of none.

You missed the point: if all you wanted was a CD Player, there are other offerings in that space from Shanling.

Well, the ET-3 serves my use cases very nicely.

Anyway, will let @Shanling offer his views when he's back from the Chinese New Year break.