Shanling UA5 - Portable USB DAC/AMP || 4.4mm Balanced Output || Hybrid Battery Power || Independent Volume Control || 235 USD / Euro
Jan 11, 2022 at 9:00 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 94
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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.

 
Last edited:
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com
Jan 12, 2022 at 6:54 AM Post #2 of 94
With UA5, we will be adding some brand-new elements into our UA line of small portable DAC/AMPs. Here are first three big changes:


- Switching to combination of 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm Balanced. With its growing popularity and more robust construction, we are glad to implement the 4.4mm output into UA model. Putting it in line with our Bluetooth amplifiers, portable and desktop players.


- Adding a volume wheel for direct volume control. You no longer need to rely on the volume control of your smartphone or computer, UA5 provides more precise volume setting and many will appreciate the “analog experience”.


- Monochromatic OLED Display. Allowing for settings adjustments directly on the DAC/AMP, without any need for additional apps. And keeping you clearly informed about current sampling rate, volume level, gain setting and battery level.


We will bring you more details about the UA5 over next few days.

84e6c4c242b45b79d82de5d74b574b7.jpg
🤯
 
Jan 12, 2022 at 6:21 PM Post #4 of 94
I love the Shanling house sound and this product is more than welcome.
Well though, original and strong design! congrats to the product/design team.

Just concerned by the current pricing politics of the company that is often on top of the market :/
This took me away from M9, M800 and EM5 need a lot of software polish.

Hope this product will make Shanling shine and accessible again.
 
Jan 12, 2022 at 9:02 PM Post #5 of 94
Shanling UA5 – Hybrid powered USB DAC/AMP

UA5 will be our first portable DAC/AMP with a build-in lithium battery, that allows it to run in special “Hybrid 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 also automatically switch to this mode when the battery runs too low.

Build with two ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DACs and dedicated Ricore RE6863 amplifier, UA5 is our best sounding Portable DAC/AMP.

1d2296c645de0b0e04421b181d95857.jpg
 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com
Jan 13, 2022 at 2:38 PM Post #6 of 94
Like everything about the UA5, but not sure on the Ricore RT6863 Op-amp. Need to see how this measures and sounds. Looking forward to comparing this with the E1DA 9038D and 9038S, which I consider the Benchmark of portable USB DAC-amps.
 
Jan 13, 2022 at 7:38 PM Post #8 of 94
Like everything about the UA5, but not sure on the Ricore RT6863 Op-amp. Need to see how this measures and sounds. Looking forward to comparing this with the E1DA 9038D and 9038S, which I consider the Benchmark of portable USB DAC-amps.

We used the same amplifier in our UA2, you can look up information on that one too.

Does it have Bluetooth?

No.
 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com
Jan 13, 2022 at 8:26 PM Post #11 of 94
Finally an interesting USB dongle from Shanling. Definitely will be getting one when it comes out.
 
Jan 14, 2022 at 5:10 AM Post #13 of 94
Shanling UA5 – Hybrid powered USB DAC/AMP

UA5 will be our first portable DAC/AMP with a build-in lithium battery, that allows it to run in special “Hybrid 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 also automatically switch to this mode when the battery runs too low.

Build with two ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DACs and dedicated Ricore RE6863 amplifier, UA5 is our best sounding Portable DAC/AMP.

1d2296c645de0b0e04421b181d95857.jpg
Seems to be smart and interesting features.
Does it have?
1. Adjustable gain?
2. Any filters?
3 EQ trough App?
 
Jan 14, 2022 at 8:18 PM Post #14 of 94
Seems to be smart and interesting features.
Does it have?
1. Adjustable gain?
2. Any filters?
3 EQ trough App?

1. Yes, adjustable gain.
2. Yes, there is bunch of filters for DAC.
3. Not fully implemented yet, waiting for app update, but should be coming soon.
 
Shanling Have any question about our players? Just PM me or send me email. Stay updated on Shanling at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/Shanling-Audio-603230783166845/ https://twitter.com/ShanlingAudio https://www.instagram.com/shanlingaudio/ http://en.shanling.com/ frankie@shanling.com

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