Shanling UP5 - Our new flagship portable Bluetooth DAC/AMP

[mico1964]

Mine was delivered today.

The Play button just protrudes from the surface of the case (less than 1mm), but when you press it the tactile and acoustic (click) feedback are the same as those of the multifunction button combined with the volume wheel.

 

[PhonoPhi]

I now use Fiio BTR5 (and BTR3K) and Shanling UA2 (both do many things great, and some - not), so I am wondering whether UP5 can serve as a meaningful upgrade.

So few questions regarding this are:

1) How does the sound/rendering compare to BTR5 and UA2 in a DAC mode? Specifically, does it do treble gentler and mids fuller like UA2?

2) Would it be any difference compared to BTR5 in a BT mode?

3) How long can UP5 operate balanced in a DAC mode without charging?

 

[Shanling]

I now use Fiio BTR5 (and BTR3K) and Shanling UA2 (both do many things great, and some - not), so I am wondering whether UP5 can serve as a meaningful upgrade.

So few questions regarding this are:

1) How does the sound/rendering compare to BTR5 and UA2 in a DAC mode? Specifically, does it do treble gentler and mids fuller like UA2?

2) Would it be any difference compared to BTR5 in a BT mode?

3) How long can UP5 operate balanced in a DAC mode without charging?

1) UA2 is using very different analog circuit, not something that can be replicated on UP5.

2) While they are using similar DAC/AMP, there are always differences in sound.

3) I don't think we have any measurement for this yet.

 

[PhonoPhi]

1) UA2 is using very different analog circuit, not something that can be replicated on UP5.

2) While they are using similar DAC/AMP, there are always differences in sound.

3) I don't think we have any measurement for this yet.

Thank you for your answer.

Please let us know about these measurements, since the DAC mode is commonly used, and this number is important.

It would be great to know how you see/feel/present the difference in sound of UP5 - after all it is all about the difference in sound (an alternative point of view in the science forum that all DACs must be transparent and thus should sound the same )

 

[Ab10]

UP5 owners, please post your product pictures - Screen Function / Ports / Any lights - Real Pictures Please...
Getting your MQA unfolded at UAPP....Like Tidal + UAAP + UP5 (via USB) = Pictures. etc etc

 

[ClieOS]

Can't get MQA to work so far.

 

[Strifeff7]

Can't get MQA to work so far.

Sound comparison vs btr5 please,
thank you,

 

[ClieOS]

Sound comparison vs btr5 please,
thank you,

First impression on UP5 is a bright, hollow and echoey sound, which I suspected is caused by unstable firmware. At this point I think the firmware is not polished enough to be judged on. I'll wait for firmware update before taking any serious listening.

 

[Jwin]

Single and Dual DAC, affecting playback through 3.5mm Output.

Does it means the dual and single mode setting only affect the 3.5mm unbalanced? And the 4.4mm and 2.5mm are always in dual DAC so the setting is not relevant?
Because when I'm listening through 4.4mm output and switch to D setting, the songs all sounds like mono recordings, so narrow!
Is this a glitch?

 

[Shanling]

Does it means the dual and single mode setting only affect the 3.5mm unbalanced? And the 4.4mm and 2.5mm are always in dual DAC so the setting is not relevant?
Because when I'm listening through 4.4mm output and switch to D setting, the songs all sounds like mono recordings, so narrow!
Is this a glitch?

Dual DAC setting should be affecting just a 3.5mm output.

I will check with software team on this. I know we should have firmware update coming soon.

 

[Ab10]

Can't get MQA to work so far.

Ohh No.....I'm only interested to buy this product over my BTR5 is the MQA capabilities for Tidal via UAPP - This will be my first MQA DAC, Don't want to invest in any premium dongle.....Also looks like the recent Tidal Native App in Andriod Recognize MQA certified DAC and Bypassing the Andriod Sound Stack.

 

[Shanling]

Firmware Update for UP5 now Available V1.5.6

Download from Google Drive

UP5 V1.5.6 Update list:

• Added charging indication when charging UP5 while powered off.
• Improved performance while using USB input.
• Fixed issue causing volume changes when switching from Bluetooth to USB.
• Fixed issue causing muted output.
• Fixed charging issue when used at too low battery level.
• Adjusted low battery warning.
• XMOS Update (not available over OTA)
• Other fixes

 

[Shanling]

Can't get MQA to work so far.

Ohh No.....I'm only interested to buy this product over my BTR5 is the MQA capabilities for Tidal via UAPP - This will be my first MQA DAC, Don't want to invest in any premium dongle.....Also looks like the recent Tidal Native App in Andriod Recognize MQA certified DAC and Bypassing the Andriod Sound Stack.

MQA support not yet available, will be added through firmware update later.

 

[brazy001]

Ok. Just got mine today and have updated the firmware so the timing was good.

On My listen before upgrade I didn't get the bright echoey sound like has been mentioned above. I remember having a similar problem with DACs plugged into the PC sounding different and found it was some baked in audio software program adding some kind of reverb... I digress.

I understand another post re non-tactile button click of play button. It works fine but it's noticeable compared to the very 'clicky' wheel button.

Compared to ibasso dc04 I use for wired it is noticeably fuller (warmer?). This is apparent to me using Spotify so am not running lossless. This is also wired dc04 vs LDAC UP5.

I will probably need to compare to ua2. I am interested in shanling comment above re different because analogue circuitry?
From memory the ua2 is also on the organic side of presentation. Of course keeping in mind different purposes with Bluetooth.

Form factor is top notch, display reminds me exactly of the btr5, menu easy to navigate.

On my only try I couldn't get USB to work and would stay connected through Bluetooth. Probably user error here.

Adding pic as requested.

 

[brazy001]

Another pic with screen display: