Shanling ET3 - Dedicated Digital CD Transport, With USB Drive and Wi-Fi Support

[DrDen]

Thanks for reply @DrDen, I have done a cursory overview and it appears the issues are related to Network play, USB Drive play, and I2S. I am just using the ET3 as a transport as I have a Roon server connected to my network for all of my streaming needs so I will assume I am good to go for my use case. Have a good night!

Unfortunately, the glitch does appear only when playing CD about 67 minutes. No streaming or I2S in my case. USB drives are trouble free as well.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Unfortunately, the glitch does appear only when playing CD about 67 minutes. No streaming or I2S in my case. USB drives are trouble free as well.

OK I am using this to play CD's through from beginning to end as I would do with vinyl to get away from the scatteredness of streaming (just a change of listening habits for now to keep things fresh) and I am not having any CD playback issues using Coax to my Eversolo DMP-A6 G2, should I try USB to confirm?

 

[Weber]

If you are in the warranty call the company you bought it from. They should be able to handle the problem. Shipping it back to China is going to be a pain because of the tariffs.

 

[DrDen]

I’ve been using only coaxial and USB outputs (my DAC has only these inputs and I2S input that is incompatible with Shanling).
The glitch takes place on both.
I’m not alone, so I’d like to get a definite reply from Shanling. No vendor can make the things clearer.

 

[Weber]

I use mostly the coaxial output. This is because I have a Anti-cable 6.3 digital coaxial cable. It's a silver/gold combo cable. It's the best cable I have for using the et3 transport.

 

[DrDen]

The I2S was always my first choice until I got the ET3. Since it doesn’t work with my DAC, I have decided to try a USB. My DAC has pretty good USB input, many say it’s as good as I2S, and I tend to believe it. No-name cheap cable from some of old computer accessories does sound better than WW Silver Starlight 8 0.5m coaxial.

 

[Weber]

I've tried a few different USB cables in the past. I'll stick with my digital coaxial cable. I'm using a Border Patrol dac.

 

[DrDen]

Seems like USB DACs have progressed significantly.

 

[fidgeraldo]

I am just using the ET3 as a transport

I'm using it the same way, only for listening to CDs, and there's a glitch around 65 minutes or so, minimal, but it's there.

Cheers!

 

[OneEyedHito]

I'm using it the same way, only for listening to CDs, and there's a glitch around 65 minutes or so, minimal, but it's there.

Cheers!

Thanks. I haven’t heard it yet, so do I need to let a cd play through for 65+ minutes to hear it or is it once it’s been on for 65 minutes, and is a it a glitch in the matrix style glitch or does it stop playing for instance?

 

[fidgeraldo]

Thanks. I haven’t heard it yet, so do I need to let a cd play through for 65+ minutes to hear it or is it once it’s been on for 65 minutes, and is a it a glitch in the matrix style glitch or does it stop playing for instance?

Just play the CD on repeat. The glitch is very minimal, just a millisecond glitch, and sounds like "ks" sort of.
I am not bothered by it, but I don't care about gapless, too; in fact, I like gaps.
So, perhaps I'm just a very tolerant person.

But the thing Shanling doesn't respond to fixing the issue is not something they can be proud of.

Cheers!

 

[OneEyedHito]

Just play the CD on repeat. The glitch is very minimal, just a millisecond glitch, and sounds like "ks" sort of.
I am not bothered by it, but I don't care about gapless, too; in fact, I like gaps.
So, perhaps I'm just a very tolerant person.

But the thing Shanling doesn't respond to fixing the issue is not something they can be proud of.

Cheers!

Thanks for the details. Much appreciated. Customer service is job #1 in my opinion. Will keep eyes peeled for solution and ears peeled for glitches.

 

[Weber]

I have played many cds of 74 minutes long. I have had no problem doing it.

 

[amrutmhatre90]

I am using the Shanling ET3 for past year and more with Gustard R26. I am quite happy with it.
Sounds excellent and musical. Form factor is a plus.

Here are some of my observations:

• Place your ET3 on flat surface which doesn't tilt on any side even by a small mm. Any tilt and it will screech and skip.
• Did not notice 65-67 skip or glitch ever. Yet, will try again today.
• USB sounds aweful, my preferred outputs are i2s > AES > Coax. Yes, I have made my own custom Gustard R26 to ET3 i2s cable. You can find the pinout diagram on previous posts. Currently running coax to hegel h390 and digital out to R26 coax. Hegel as DDC.
• I wish it gets roon certification, I don't have a streamer. Directly using LAN for R26 with Roon HQP.

 

[Weber]

I bought it just for CD play back. I got it from Music Teck. It beats the pants off the Audio Labs 6000 I had. I used this CD transport till it died. It only lasted about two years. But I spin around 25 or more hours a week. Retirement life has it's advantages.