REDUNDANT? Shanling ET3 & EH3 CD transport and DAC review

[@christopherorman5769]

A few thoughts. First, the PL200 apparently has distortion issues when used solely as a transport. Meaning, you are beholden to that DAC. The ET3, by comparison, is a pure CD transport. Second, the ET3 has upsampling that I know yields a better sound than the PL200. Third, the ET3, as a transport, from what I can tell beats out the Cambridge Audio CXC, the Audiolab 6000CDT (and 7000CDT while we are at it -- as well as the Evo), and even the Jay's Audio CDT. That is some serious company, making the ET3 an end game CD transport -- and it really will be about making sure you have the highest quality DAC and such at that point. Fourth, and this is wild to me, but the ET3 has USB audio out as well as USB audio input; making it pretty similar to the Urd in that respect. To summarize, I guess I am confused why, given the ET3 is a CDT, it would be compared to the EH3. I guess if you are considering the ET3's secondary benefits -- streaming stuff -- then I can see the point. But I think those buying the ET3 are doing so wanting the best CDT they can afford, with the streaming stuff being secondary "that's cool to have I guess" features. For those with CD collections like mine (and I still prefer CD over vinyl for a lot of my purchases), a device like the ET3 makes a lot of sense -- and at almost half the price of the Urd.

[@PassionforSound]

It wasn't compared to the EH3, they were discussed as a pair because that's how they're marketed by Shanling

[@christopherorman5769]

@@PassionforSound true --- that is a good point about how Shanling is presenting these two devices. I had forgotten about that. However, I suspect Shanling built these with overlap knowing the ET3 would sell more to those as a replacement for their Jay's Audio, et al, and so wanted to include those other bells and whistles (according to Musictek, they couldn't keep the ET3 in stock). One last thing I think bears noting is that in this day and age, you pay a significant cost to own a top loading CD player. The Jay's Audio is the only decent one I can think of, and it costs close to $3000. To me, top loading is the best system for listening to CDs. Slot loading players and trays fail -- and even sometimes scratch CDs. The ET3 avoids those pitfalls.

[@jkelley2091]

@@christopherorman5769 Love the vidio and both of you know a lot about this I have the ET3 and am getting the EH3 I only play CDs ans i love MQA. My question is , I have a Sennheiser AMBEO Max sound bar it evidently has 6 small DACs the only input that isn't being used is the YOSLINK so I'm thinking the Audio out with a 192Khz toslink converter would work if the Is2 don't shut off when the usb audio is used. My question ia will the EH3 override the DACs in the Sennheiser?

[@PassionforSound]

@jkelley2091 if you're sending the signal via optical, that's a digital signal so the DACs in the soundbar will be active to convert it. You'd have to use an analog connection like RCA or XLR to avoid that and be using the Shanling decoder.

[@jkelley2091]

@@PassionforSound thank you very much that is exactly what I was looking for. Maybe you can answer one more question. I’m also getting the EH3 so what would you recommend playing the CD in the ET3 as a regular CD I guess that would be on bypass and then let the EH3 do the upscaling? Or let both do the upscaling

[@carminedesanto6746]

Good afternoon ☕️❄️ Everyone has their favorite set up .. I went with the Denafrips Ares 12-1 being fed from both the Audiolab 6000CDT & Wiim Pro …and I’m good . With the DAC doing the heavy lifting…it’s literally the heart of your digital playback system. Great video 👍

[@simonrutter1535]

That's really interesting as I have the Audiolab 6000CDT and Wiim Pro as well and am seriously considering the Denafrips Ares 12-1 (currently have Schiit Audio Modius)

[@carminedesanto6746]

They’re a match made in heaven . That being said ..I run headphones and IEM’s . Current set up including the aforementioned gear . 2021 LCDX , Bryston BHA-1 Headphone amp/ pre amp..and a big ass comfortable chair 😆

[@simonrutter1535]

@@carminedesanto6746 I run headphones too - Focal Clear and HD600 through Schiit Asgard 3. I have a comfortable sofa🙂. With the Denafrips being a match made in heaven, it's going to be my next purchase now - thanks Carmine.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@simonrutter1535also Sen’s 650’s 😎

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@simonrutter1535Take Care

[@stephenmacks23]

I was tempted to buy the ET3 but went for the PL200 as i wanted something that i could just pop a cd in and press play. The ET3 is also cheaper in the UK with a discount code but you might have to wait for a few weeks for stock. I was experimenting with up sampling and noticed that the bass on my Hifiman HE-9 was better controlled and less boomy. And thats just using the USB audio pro app on my android phone casting to my Astell and Kern player.

[@PassionforSound]

I think the PL200 might be the better overall device based on some of the issues people seem to be having with the ET3 software. I'm glad you've found the upsampling to be helpful too - I'm definitely a fan of what it can bring to the sound.

[@stephenmacks23]

@@PassionforSound forgive my ignorance but on the PL200 outputs what does all line output mean?

[@PassionforSound]

That means the RCA and XLR are both running at the same time. You can also choose to run either or.

[@stephenmacks23]

@@PassionforSound why would you do this?

[@PassionforSound]

It you were running active speakers from one output, you'd want to turn that output off when not using them, but you might still want the other output for a headphone amp (for example).

[@aceofspades6667]

I2S output from is a big deal for many dacs so cool to see that.

[@PassionforSound]

I agree. 🙂🙂

[@carlitomelon4610]

Hm... A friend suggested the CDT3 when I was wondering how I could use the I²s input on my silver Denafrips Ares12th. Normally I just use the optical toslink inputs. Would that be worthwhile? There's lots of output options here. I'm interested! I wish Bluesound would add usb out and I²s to the node.. 🎵🎶🤔🎶🎵

[@mikeg2491]

A lot just depends on your dac specifically like the i2s input is supposedly a lot sharper and detailed on my gustard r26 while optical is a bit smoother sounding. Just have to research your individual model.

[@citytianyu]

I2S can be tricky because the wiring is not necessarily identical between different manufactors. If you don't play CD, you could also consider one of Denafrips' DDC, which may yield better result.

[@PassionforSound]

All great points here. If the ET3 matches the I2S input configuration of the Ares 12th (or if the Ares 12th has a configurable input (does it have dip switches for the I2S pin out?) then the ET3 could be great. I2S is generally a high quality option for connections and will carry higher sample rates than optical/coax, etc. of that matters. As others have said though, a lot depends on the DAC and I don't know the Ares 12th to comment on it specifically.

[@ferchur4833]

On the Shanling site it is mentioned that ET3 and EH3 use the CT7302CL chip to perform upsampling. I wonder if perhaps there is some hardware-based stand-alone device that uses this chip or similar to take a USB stream and up sample it, without needing to use software like HQPlayer. Of that kind, I only know Chord Mscaler, but it is way out of my price range.

[@PassionforSound]

That's an interesting question. For clarity, the upsampling occuring here isn't to the level of what HQ Player or the M-Scaler are capable of, but it's a nice improvement over regular PCM outputs based on what I'm hearing.

[@kennethoransky4881]

I'm more Interested in what you had to say about upsampling. I use the upsampling feature in JRIver Media Center. I found your description of the sound signature matches what I hear. I'd be interested in hearing your opinion of JRIver and in particular the upsampling feature.

[@PassionforSound]

That could be an interesting video. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@kennethoransky4881]

@@PassionforSound You're welcome!

[@LandsPlanes]

Hi! For you with IS better overall headphone for films soundtracks? Ananda Nano or Arya Stealth?

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough one, but I'd still take the Arya Stealth I think.

[@jkelley2091]

Love the vidio and both of you know a lot about this I have the ET3 and am getting the EH3 I only play CDs ans i love MQA. My question is , I have a Sennheiser AMBEO Max sound bar it evidently has 6 small DACs the only input that isn't being used is the YOSLINK so I'm thinking the Audio out with a 192Khz toslink converter would work if the Is2 don't shut off when the usb audio is used. My question ia will the EH3 override the DACs in the Sennheiser?

[@MrSidMuff]

How might the ET3 pair with a Chord TT2 and MScaler...would the upsampling be of benefit?

[@PassionforSound]

That's a great question and I wouldn't both with the ET3 in that setup because the M-Scaler is doing the same thing, but better. Just grab a PL200 or other quality transport and let the M-Scaler do the heavy lifting. 🙂🙂

[@michaelrobinson8241]

Great review, thank you. 2 questions. Did you prefer the upsampled streams, PCM and/or DSD, from the ET3 to the standard output from the PL200, or does the PL200 still sound better to you as a transport compared with upsampled ET3? Second, can the ET3 upsample USB input as the signal passes through? Thanks! Michael

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review! I do prefer the upsampled ET3 output over the PL200 output. I believe the ET3 will upsampled anything it plays (e.g. tracks from a hard drive) too.

[@michaelrobinson8241]

Graz! @@PassionforSound

[@christopherorman5769]

I will add to this, and say in my experience using I2S output, the ET3's upsampling to DSD 512 is miles (and I mean miles) better than anything that comes out of the PL200 -- as a transport or using the internal DAC. The ET3's upsampling obviously helps with jitter, improves accuracy, helps with the soundstage a bit, and improves clarity. Saying that, the ET3's highest level upsampling is NOT available when using AES, optical, coaxial, or USB. USB has no upsampling. AES, optical, and coaxial are limited in how much they can upsample. Therefore, you are going to want a DAC with I2S capability (and check the pin placement on I2S as well to make sure the DAC is compatible) to maximize the ET3's upsampling. If you do, I don't think the PL 200 comes close to competing. If you are using I2S, then the ET3 can upsample as a "pass through" if you will to DSD 512. But if you go with AES, optical, or coaxial (or USB) you are limited in your upsampling.

[@shahidyt]

I was thinking the buttons on top were as bad design as the Apple Magic Mouse charging port 😂 Well, maybe that is going too far. I’d suggest to lay the CDT back a bit, so the buttons are accessible. Just create some wooden feet for the back to support the overhanging. I just ordered the ET3, plan to use with my Denafrips Ares2 and with my Xduuo TA-22 DAC/headphone amp

[@PassionforSound]

That's a good point about the buttons, but I don't think they're designed for stacking as much as a side-by-side setup.

[@jkelley2091]

Hi again, I have both and the reason you need them both is because the I2S cable is only compatible with each other you can only get the full potential of the up sampling if you have both. The other inputs only go to 192 or DSD64. I tried using the ET3 with Gustard A26 and the SMSL 400 es and the pins on the I2S don’t match up all the way.

[@PassionforSound]

I don't have it here anymore, but thought you could run USB out for the full upsampling.

[@jkelley2091]

@@PassionforSound not for CDs

[@jkelley2091]

@@PassionforSound also the EH3 does not decode MQA is needs THE ET3 to do that. But these are the only transports and DACs the have an up sample chip. Also the ET3 will not work with another MQA DAC unless you do a full decode. If you send it as core the renderer in the other DAC will just give to static. The SMSL D400 is compatible with the ET3 but not for DSD it will upusable PCM AND FULLY DECODE MQA to 365khz the ET3 only decodes to 176khz. It has taken my 3 months and watching your vid over and over to figure this out. The manuals are terrible

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing this clarity!

[@FantasticFung]

which one to buy? What do you recommend me? Which is better in sound, finished, no matter the price, smsl pl200 or shanling ET3 with its EH3? Thank you

[@PassionforSound]

ET3 with upsampling engaged is the best of those two. You don't need the EH3 because you can send the upsampled signal to any DAC.

[@FantasticFung]

Thank you so much…. one more double question, recommend me a DAC Dongle, no matter the price and lastly, recommend 3 Portable Dac options in the same way no matter the price, I was thinking about the chord mojo 2 with poly, but I'm hesitating because it's difficult to load it outside, I have not heard it in sound but if you tell me that it is one of the options I would analyze it, that is why I ask you for a recommendation of 3, I appreciate that you take the time to answer, I am a follower of your videos, thank you very much

[@PassionforSound]

That's actually easy. Best dongle (I've heard) is Questyle M15. Best portable I've heard is Mojo 2. Runner up on the portable is probably the EarMen Angel.

[@jkelley2091]

Can someone tell me why on all the sales material on the EH3 it only mentions the ES9039PRO DAC which does not decode MQA the DAC that does is the ES9039MPRO I impersonally don't think the EH3 decodes MQA on its own, I believe it is meant to be paired with the EH3 for MQA playback. Any thoughts?

[@PassionforSound]

I can't answer that one. I don't really pay any attention to MQA - sorry.

[@jkelley2091]

@@PassionforSound Ok thx

[@rofferdal]

The PL200 does not have I2S. That is the main thing. Do the EH3 have the same internal upsampling functionality as the ET3?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, the features of both devices are very similar in terms of upsampling, etc.

[@bikeman7982]

I think it costs very little for the manufacturer to add additional functionality. Having overlapping functionality helps them reach more customers.

[@PassionforSound]

That's true and I get that. It's the marketing of them always being shown together that makes it seem an odd choice.

[@brontes8659]

As a reviewer based in Australia, it would be so nice if you also shared the Australian price of the items you are reviewing!

[@PassionforSound]

I've started adding that on the bottom of the screen as text on recent and future videos 🙂. It's just an estimate though as prices vary a lot around the world.

[@brontes8659]

@@PassionforSound Great news, it is so good to see an Australian audiophile review channel. Great work, please keep it up. And I appreciate the AUD pricing as text, saves me having to google the item to see if its a viable buying proposition in Australia.

[@PassionforSound]

@brontes8659 my pleasure. Do be aware that I don't factor in the local retailer pricing and some them are a bit steep on their profit margins. In other words, expect to pay a little more than my estimates, but if it's too much more, you'll likely be better off ordering direct where possible.

[@brontes8659]

@@PassionforSound I am well aware of the Stralia tax at work which is very disappointing as I would like to support Australian retailers where possible, but sometimes they are taking the piss!

[@fatdoi003]

thanks Lachlan for reviewing the CD transport i've been looking for since the beginning... now just digging back to your memory, do you prefer the ET3 or the Schiit Urd?

[@PassionforSound]

From a pure CD transport perspective, the Urd is my favourite, but I haven't compared with the upsampling on the ET3 active and I've had to send back the ET3 now.

[@fatdoi003]

@@PassionforSound also an update on my Burson Voyager order..... seemed like it's a crowd funded project.... put the order in Nov and latest they're saying it'll be around early April... no very impressed so far

[@PassionforSound]

Who did you order through? It's definitely not crowd funded and I thought there were production units going out to people already so maybe demand has been higher than expected?

[@fatdoi003]

@@PassionforSound Chatswood Minidisc

[@fatdoi003]

@@PassionforSound also i didn't put down a deposit but paid in full so is my money dirtier than others so i need to wait for 1/2 year?? lol..... that's why my first Burson experience so far isn't that good.... plus there's zero communication from Burson unless I asked Minidisc to chase them up..... zero customer care on their flagship product... in comparison, team ZMF replied my emails promptly even for a headphone repair....

[@roberthart9886]

My ET3 (connected to Audio Alchemy DDP-1 via coax) does not respond well to upsampling . I can select it, but then cannot get back to seeing number of songs or play. Any ideas?

[@PassionforSound]

I had the ET3 on loan for only a short time so I don't have enough experience to assist. Sorry.

[@melbournechi-fiaudio4641]

Hi Lachlan, I agree with your assessment here. I also find it's pointless to run ET3 & EH3 as a stack as they do share lots of the same features. I think Shanling's intention is to run them side by side or put them on a rack so you can still access the physical buttons on the EH3. They are also promoting the I2S as the preferred connection between the two device and having a I2S-LVDS interconnect cable called L8 sold seperately.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Andy, that all makes sense. I definitely enjoyed the I2S the most with this setup. I can't recall if I emailed you (I'm sorry if I didn't!), but I'm guessing the ET3, EH3 and Nezha are back with you now. 🙂

[@melbournechi-fiaudio4641]

yes, they've arrived @@PassionforSound 🤝

[@PassionforSound]

That's good to hear. Sorry for my crappy communication at the moment!

[@danieloherrick6332]

Can the USB output on the transport be connected to a PC for ripping CDs Thanks

[@PassionforSound]

I don't believe so. (I don't have the unit here anymore to test it)

[@xThree65x]

Well done review! I have been looking at getting either a Shanling ET3 or the PL200. I have a Schiit Bifrost2 & Modius for DACs along with a Jotunheim 2 & Lyr 3 for amps. Based on my DACs and AMPs I currently own which of these would you suggest would be the better CD transport?

[@PassionforSound]

I would choose the PL200 for the simple reason that it's better than the ET3 unless you're using the upsampling feature. The Schiit DACs only accept up to 192kHz so there's not going to be much benefit from the ET3 upsampling with those DACs.

[@xThree65x]

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it!

[@xThree65x]

@@PassionforSound Sorry one more question, what if I just run it through my amp? Is the DAC in the PL200 or ET3 better then the BiFrost 2?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd probably stick to the Bifrost 2, but the nice thing is that you can test when you get it if you buy the PL200. The ET3 has no DAC so that's got to go via Bifrost 2.

[@xThree65x]

@@PassionforSound I just ordered my PL200 from Apos, it’s currently on sale for $589 until June 8th!

[@melodychest9020]

Nice critical points. Can the ET3 read SACD discs? And the PL-200?

[@PassionforSound]

No, both are CD players/transports only with no SACD ability

[@melodychest9020]

@@PassionforSound Thanks, do you know of a good CD Transport that does SACD and has AES/EBU XLR output?

[@PassionforSound]

I don't. Sorry!

[@roig8578]

Have you looked into the SHANLING SCD1.3? It does not have a AES digital output, but it has an I2S one.

[@robhowell7525]

Hi Lachlan, I think it is worth mentioning that although you were supplied these units by an Australian company, you quoted the prices in US dollars as you normally do. When seeing the Australian price it came as quite a shock and a vivid reminder how much difference there was. As always I love your honesty in your review.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Rob, yes, it's a big hit when we see the price difference in USD vs AUD. I am often shocked that the secondhand price for gear in AUD is often the same number as the RRP in USD so it's a BIG difference. Glad you like the reviews! 🙂🙂

[@ProjectOverseer]

PL200 redefining CD playback the right way 💿

[@PassionforSound]

I don't know, the upsampling from the ET3 is great! (I would still choose the PL200 though)

[@viencarlodiego8842]

is this better than urd then?

[@PassionforSound]

I don't think so. The upsampled output is nice and might give the Urd a run for its money, but I prefer the Urd overall.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

@@PassionforSound how so?

[@PassionforSound]

I prefer the loading mechanism and DDC/digital hub features of the Urd. The upsampling can be done by the M-Scaler in my system as well so that factors into my decision too. I'm not suggesting it's a clear cut decision.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

@@PassionforSound is there a sound difference tho? Just between the urd and shanling?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. The Urd was the best of the lot when I tested the SMSL PL200 vs the ET3 (no upsampling) and the Urd. I haven't compared the Urd and ET3 with the ET3 upsampling.

[@1donjuego]

I get the view that upsampling from a CD may produce better sound. However, the claim that upsampling makes the sound “more accurate” makes no sense to me at all. Perhaps it sounds more accurate, but you cannot improve on data accuracy by guessing at more samples.

[@PassionforSound]

It's more accurate in the timing of the reconstructed signal. Upsampling is like doing the same somes as non-upsampling only going to more decimal points with your answers. You're correct that no data is added.

[@areks.6101]

Beside great reviews, i like your shirt😂

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you like it! 😁

[@jakobgooijer]

Changing T-Shirts in the blink of an eye 😉

[@PassionforSound]

Did I?

[@SpaceEncounter]

Just read the threads of these two devices on Head-Fi and then you will learn that all owners are pretty frustrated due to so many technical issues. So sad 😂

[@PassionforSound]

That's a real shame to hear ☹️

[@goodforwatch]

best t-shirt ever😂

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you like it! You can get it in the merchandise shop here on KZbin or via the link in the description. 🙂🙂

[@WoodstockG54]

I would never buy their products again, after the way they dealt with my issue with a $3000 Canadian sacd 11 player 20 years ago. I had two and both broke within a 7 month. They wouldn’t fix them. I never got my money refunded. F them.

[@PassionforSound]

Who are you talking about?

[@WoodstockG54]

@@PassionforSound Shanling. That was an experience I had with them around 20 years ago. I’ve contacted various people over the years that modify equipment, to see if they could fix it, and they all said no to taking it on.

[@PassionforSound]

Wow! That's not good to hear. Based on some.of the comments about the software issues on these units (which I didn't personally experience so couldn't discuss), it might be a company to steer clear of.

[@michaelcorlet2998]

Wow.complicated.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, it is a bit.

[@gorandjurdjevic4959]

On ET3 nothing work as they say, except cd playback and sound is little bit vocal dull .Dont bay this unfinished product. Dlna not working, upsamping hahahah, airplay dropout

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, the Shanling software can be a little quirky. I didn't have a setup to test some of those specific features so I'm sorry to hear that there have been issues beyond the CD functionality (which is solid).

[@mohdpazli]

Everything work just fine for me

[@blueaquilae]

A very incomplete review. As an owner I can warn you about Shanling sofware bugs and total absence of followup.

[@PassionforSound]

I can only discuss what I've experienced during my time with the device and I had no issues (which doesn't invalidate your experiences)

[@blueaquilae]

@@PassionforSound Quite surprising. Amazon feedback, Android and App Store, Headfi, Headphonia, etc all specify the software problems and non working features. I'm concerned with your reviews if you don't find any basics flaws like this will all due respect to your work.