[Shanling]

​

With UA5, we are pushing our UA line into a bit different category. While UA1 and UA2 worked nicely as simple USB Audio dongles, UA5 is quite a bit closer to your bigger portable DAC/AMPs.

UA5 adds volume wheel for an independent volume control, small screen for an easy access to multiple settings directly on the device, full-size 4.4mm balanced connector instead of fragile 2.5mm, fully balanced audio circuit, SPDIF digital output for use with other DACs and special Hybrid battery Power mode, to reduce battery drain from your smartphone.

UA5 provides a better sound quality for your smartphone and a better user experience when connected to your computer.


Key features

• Monochromatic 1.44-inch OLED display, giving access to multiple settings directly on the UA5, without any need for an app on the phone.
• Volume wheel for an independent volume control. Also serving as a menu navigation.
• 3.5mm Single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced outputs.
• Possible to switch between full USB Power and Hybrid Battery Power mode. In Hybrid mode, DACs and amplifiers are using clean power from the build-in 220 mAh battery.
• Fully balanced circuit with two ESS ES9038Q2M DACs and two dedicated Ricore RE6863 amplifiers.
• Digital SPDIF coax output through 3.5mm connector.
• 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 a Nintendo Switch and other gaming systems or older devices.
• Hi-Res support up to 32bit / 768khz and DSD512
• Output power 137 mW @ 32 Ohm SE // 211 mW @ 32 Ohm Balanced.
• USB-C Connector. USB-C to USB-C cable and adapter to USB-A included in the packaging.
• Available in black or red anodized aluminium.

UA5 will be available at our international distributors in March.

MSRP 235 USD/Euro

​

Hybrid Batter Power mode

When enabled, certain sections of UA5 will still be running on USB power, like USB Controller and FPGA. But the crucial parts of DAC and amplifier will instead use a cleaner power from the battery.

In our testing, this set-up proved helpful in three scenarios:

• Consistent analog performance and noise floor, independent from the quality of USB power of the connected device.
• Reduced power drain from the connected device, which can be crucial when running it with smartphone.
• Reduced power demand allows for a compatibility with certain devices, that are normally unable to provide enough power for USB DAC/Amps.

UA5 is of course capable of running in a standard USB Powered mode, in which the battery is completely disconnected and all sections of UA5 runs out of USB power. UA5 will automatically switch to this mode when the battery runs too low.

Protective leather case will be sold separately. Available in 3 colors, 15 USD.

​

 

[crabdog]

​

With UA5, we are pushing our UA line into a bit different category. While UA1 and UA2 worked nicely as simple USB Audio dongles, UA5 is quite a bit closer to your bigger portable DAC/AMPs.

UA5 adds volume wheel for an independent volume control, small screen for an easy access to multiple settings directly on the device, full-size 4.4mm balanced connector instead of fragile 2.5mm, fully balanced audio circuit, SPDIF digital output for use with other DACs and special Hybrid battery Power mode, to reduce battery drain from your smartphone.

UA5 provides a better sound quality for your smartphone and a better user experience when connected to your computer.


Key features

• Monochromatic 1.44-inch OLED display, giving access to multiple settings directly on the UA5, without any need for an app on the phone.
• Volume wheel for an independent volume control. Also serving as a menu navigation.
• 3.5mm Single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced outputs.
• Possible to switch between full USB Power and Hybrid Battery Power mode. In Hybrid mode, DACs and amplifiers are using clean power from the build-in 220 mAh battery.
• Fully balanced circuit with two ESS ES9038Q2M DACs and two dedicated Ricore RE6863 amplifiers.
• Digital SPDIF output through 3.5mm connector.
• 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 a Nintendo Switch and other gaming systems or older devices.
• Hi-Res support up to 32bit / 768khz and DSD512
• Output power 137 mW @ 32 Ohm SE // 211 mW @ 32 Ohm Balanced.
• USB-C Connector. USB-C to USB-C cable and adapter to USB-A included in the packaging.
• Available in black or red anodized aluminium.

UA5 will be available at our international distributors in March.

MSRP 235 USD/Euro

​

Hybrid Batter Power mode

When enabled, certain sections of UA5 will still be running on USB power, like USB Controller and FPGA. But the crucial parts of DAC and amplifier will instead use a cleaner power from the battery.

In our testing, this set-up proved helpful in three scenarios:

• Consistent analog performance and noise floor, independent from the quality of USB power of the connected device.
• Reduced power drain from the connected device, which can be crucial when running it with smartphone.
• Reduced power demand allows for a compatibility with certain devices, that are normally unable to provide enough power for USB DAC/Amps.

UA5 is of course capable of running in a standard USB Powered mode, in which the battery is completely disconnected and all sections of UA5 runs out of USB power. UA5 will automatically switch to this mode when the battery runs too low.

Protective leather case will be sold separately. Available in 3 colors, 15 USD.

​

This looks incredible. What a beautiful design!

 

[billbishere]

I was all about it till i saw the price... holy crap. If this were a $99 device it would be killer but, no way am I paying over $200

 

[Hyde00]

I was all about it till i saw the price... holy crap. If this were a $99 device it would be killer but, no way am I paying over $200

I think it's trying to compete with the top 3 (L&L W2 / Lotoo S2 / Cayin RU6) dongle at the moment. In that case I think it's within the ballpark in terms of price.

As for sound..... we'll find out later lol.

 

[billbishere]

I think it's trying to compete with the top 3 (L&L W2 / Lotoo S2 / Cayin RU6) dongle at the moment. In that case I think it's within the ballpark in terms of price.

As for sound..... we'll find out later lol.

yah - i dont know much about the dongle game. looks like on paper its good.

 

[nuze]

A bit late to the game but if it is better sounding than the W2/S2/RU6 then it is big. Will watch this one.

 

[Unseen Aura]

Not one for dongle upgrades, but having owned both Red & Cobalt Dragonfly's, it's not a bad jump, esp taking into account all the extras definitely not in the Dragonfly department. Looks wise is clearly a step up though, even with the optional accessory for extra charge, however, personally would be better off with that included, and likely not go for it as it's extra.

 

[PACSman]

Does it offer a line-output? $200 might be ok if it can outperform the other premium dongles. Otherwise, it is a me-too and too-late type product. The leather case looks nice and seems reasonable at $15, but I wish it were included as I sometimes procrastinate purchasing cases and then have an oops moment and regret an inadvertent scratch or damage to the unit.

TL;DR, looks interesting; reserving judgment.

 

[HiFlight]

I suppose I will be unable to resist this to compare with my RU6 and M12!

 

[Hyde00]

I suppose I will be unable to resist this to compare with my RU6 and M12!

Sorry to derail a bit, I have RU6 coming in but I'm always intrigued about M12. If I already have RU6 coming is it worth it for me to try M12 too? In general I like airy treble, forward female vocal and punchy bass, current dongle is Dragonfly Red.

But yeah I'm assuming UA5 should be up there along with W2/S2/RU6.

 

[jmwant]

Excellent design. I love the volume wheel on my Q1

 

[kadinh]

*sigh*

will need to get both the ua5 and ru6 now....

 

[abitdeef]

Just realized, it kind of looks like a luxury lighter. I mean besides the little screen.

 

[Shanling]

Does it offer a line-output? $200 might be ok if it can outperform the other premium dongles. Otherwise, it is a me-too and too-late type product. The leather case looks nice and seems reasonable at $15, but I wish it were included as I sometimes procrastinate purchasing cases and then have an oops moment and regret an inadvertent scratch or damage to the unit.

TL;DR, looks interesting; reserving judgment.

There is no dedicated line-out circuit on UA5.

We might add "Line*-out mode" with fixed volume at later date, as other manufacturers did.

 

[oldkid]

Mini toslink and Nintendo Switch compatibility are the key selling points for me, but I'm trying not to buy more dongle DACs