Shanling ET-3 CD Transport Review - Golden Schlong Worthy

Is the update over Wi-Fi feature supposed to be working? It always says U-drive not available and I need to update via usb drive.

 

Same. I ended up using the local update. It said no U drive at first for local too, then the second time it worked. @Bina

 

Website suggests you still need a usb drive to download the file. I suspect it operates similarly to the usb drive from the computer.

 

I sold my black ET3, but after figuring out some issues with my system overall I got the feeling the ET3 had more to offer that I wasn't hearing before.

I ordered a silver version (silver is the way to go with this guy, I love the contrast with the black glass).

I'm glad I have one again. I'm also taking a more sane approach to listen to CDs when I feel like it, and stream when I want to find and explore new music.

I find AES can be a hair bit sharp up top with lower quality AES cables, that USB cleans up (at least with a Schiit dac with Unison). Playing with different AES/EBU cables can adjust this and really bring it to life. Carbokab 225 is my favorite most revealing and clean cable so far. Ridiculous plankton retrieval and blackground (hearing hiss on the album that did not come through with Belkin or Gotham cable). You can DIY one for about $25.

There is a crazy good synergy with Unison and this CD transport's USB out. A hair more plankton as @purr1n mentioned, but also full and satisfying. I must enjoy the "tube-like" sound of Unison. I could see folks enjoying one over the other depending on component synergy. Nothing irritates me with this setup.

I did end up returning my Urd as it had a few minor issues and I just plain enjoyed using the Shanling more. This is my first top loader and I really enjoy removing the top and placing cds in. The Urd's sliding tray felt kind of janky.

For half the price, this unit is an easy choice for a CDT. If it was Roon ready I could sell my streamer and be set.

 

I like the fact the ET3 has USB. Also it seems to be well made and at a more affordable price point. I wonder how it compares with some of the new more expensive CD transports like the Project RS2T or Technics?

 

Appreciate your update. Good to hear from someone who has seen both the black and the silver. I have a black one and while I think it looks very nice, I may get my second one in silver based on your comments. My System 1 has all silver components while System 2 has all black components. So having a silver and a black makes sense. While I am really enjoying the AES, going to try the USB at some point. But the Yggdrasil in the system does not have the unison upgrade yet. Plan to do that when I upgrade to Yggdrasil+. System 2 does have a black Yggdrasil+ with Unison. But it still has the Cambridge CXC. Really looking forward to replacing it with an ET3. Also agree with you on the enjoyment of using a top loader. The quality of the metal and glass makes the ritual a real pleasure. Never thought I would get a transport like this for under $1k.

 

I only use DH Labs Silver Sonic D-110, which I have in three different lengths depending on setup. I agree that AES cable will make a difference, and I settled on this cable after reading a few SBAF posts and listening to a few different cables many years ago. That said, I still think there can be a synergy between the source and the DAC. As an owner of both Urd and the Shanling, I did not realize this until recently.

I use Shanling and a very old Theta Data almost universally, and particularly like their synergy with Yggdrasil (do not think it makes a difference with the chip, but I currently have an A2). When using either of these with my Wavelight, I hear the sharpness that you reference, which I do not hear from Urd. My gears, my ears, and still a topic that I know very little about. Just adding what I hear in case others feel or hear similarly.

I work with S/W everyday, and I'm wondering if my slight glitch, which seems like a S/W hiccup, matches yours. In setup prep for a meet, I had Urd connected via USB into Bifrost 2 (OG). Sometime during my setup testing, I got to a point where essentially the Urd locked up. Power-cycle and it's back, and the issue never re-occurs during the test session. A similar thing occurred during the meet. I had the Urd connected via both COAX and USB to the same Bifrost 2, and at one point a friend mentioned he heard no sound via the USB. We flipped back and forth a few times (changing the Urd output and matching the Bifrost 2 input), and eventually just power cycled the Urd. The sound came back for him and everyone following were able to flip to their heart's content for the rest of the 5-hour meet.

And in case anyone asks, I too think the Shanling is a slightly more "reference" sound - only preferring the Urd to combat the synergy issue I noted above, with my ears with my gears.

 

Yes I had those same issues where I needed to power cycle the Urd to get sound back. In both the same instances you mentioned.

The Shanling annoys me as I'm unable to connect it to wifi unless I put my router into compatibility mode, with I won't do. It seems to not like routers with WiFi 6 capability even if they also provide a 2.4 band. An ethernet port would have been great to have. I just use it as a CDT and pretend the wireless features don't exist.

I appreciate your thoughts on AES cables. I was surprised to hear a difference myself. I use a Yiggy A2 as well as my main DAC.

Synergy is key and I could see someone enjoying both the Shanling and Urd very much in different setups. Both are excellent sounding players.

 

Does this Shanling transport use an updated version of the Sony Pro drive?

 

Manufacturer's product page states the following:

- Philips SAA7824 CD Drive
- Sanyo HD850 Laser

 

It needs connected USB drive (with some space) even for the OTA update, as it needs to use it for the firmware download.

I'm sorry for this, I will make sure to make it more clear in the update instructions.

Will see what I can do

Also, not officially "Portable", we prefer to call it "Transportable". Playing CDs while walking is not ideal for its CD Drive unfortunately.

 

Now make a cassette player that records to wav 16 / 24 .wav Thank you!

 

Did you find this to be the case with just CDs or are the streamed files (DLNA/Qobuz/Tidal/Roon) also affected (in a positive way it appears)?

 

I have a separate streamer and use Roon. I will try and report back.

 

Wut?

 

maybe the lesson is that good design is timeless? LMAO

 

I mean, it's hard to be much more original with that form but they are different enough and that silver/black looks great.

 

Oh my, this transport/streamer is making me reevaluate the need to spend big bucks on streamer. I regularly use Linn Akurate DS Katalyst and Emm Labs NS1 as streamers and this one was close based on an initial listen. Linn has a similar sonic profile to ET3 and it has finer details and higher resolution and more micro contrast. But honestly they are close based on initial listens

Minor nits : 1. digital out cuts off between tracks under DLNA when there is a switch in sample rate. I can hear a minor pop/noise when I switch tracks with different sample rates. 2. songs don't auto advance to next track under DLNA - in other words I have to manually press next track in the DLNA player.