SHANLING EM5 is a full-featured high-end DAC/Headphone Amplifier with a wide range of different connectors including balanced XLR and 4.4mm. It can also be used as a DAC and preamp when paired with a separate power amplifier or powered speakers.
DAC AK4493 + OPA2211
EM5 conversion stage is based on the excellent AK4493 chip. This generation of AKM 32-bit DACs features Velvet Sound™ technology as well as OSR Doubler filtering. It guarantees extremely low distortion with a wide dynamic range.
Integrated into the Android system, the DAC supports up to 32-bit 384 kHz sampling rates and native DSD256 (+ software support for DSD512), while ensuring minimal noise levels as well as clear audio reproduction.
The digital-to-analog circuitry is accompanied by Panasonic Polymet tantalum capacitors, which provide power filtering and therefore help improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Finally, the analog signal at the output of the DAC circuit contains the OPA2211 operational amplifier: a remarkable component regularly used in filtering/buffering of very high-end DACs.
Enormous
Connectivity Integration options and ways to transfer digital audio to the EM5 are numerous. Its digital circuitry is available via USB input, coaxial input, optical input. It also has wired network connectivity (RJ45) and is even capable of reading files from USB drives.
Wireless connectivity is not left out as the EM5 can receive audio streams via built-in WiFi (2.4 and 5G) and two-way Bluetooth 4.2. As such, Shanling’s EM5 is compatible with DLNA and Airplay standards and supports Bluetooth high-definition audio streaming (LDAC).
The EM5 headphone amplifier and preamplifier
has a very interesting connection for a centralized audio installation. It has no less than three different headphone outputs (6.35mm single-ended/4.4mm and balanced 4-pin XLR), as well as two pre-amplified analogue outputs on RCA and XLR connectors.
The headphone output stage is capable of delivering a comfortable 540 mW @ 32 ohms (SE) versus 1620 mW @ 32 ohms (balanced). It takes advantage of an extremely clean and dynamic signal thanks to two TPA6120A2s.
Its preamp output uses two Muse8920 reference op-amps.
Touch Interface and Android
Housed in a beautiful 4.7-inch HD touch screen, Shanling EM5 displays beautiful colors. Offering an optimal visual experience, this screen provides an intuitive and simple user interface.
The touch interface makes it easy to manage your Android distribution (customized and closed) and take advantage of the many streaming apps already available to use your favorite streaming services.
DSD 256 and MQA x8
EM5 supports very high resolution files. It’s capable of reading and getting the most out of DSD files up to DSD256 (512 when using software), and also supports MQA 8x decoding. The latter format allows you to reproduce sound as close as possible to the quality of the original recordings, with a limited file size.
Characteristics:
- DAC chip: AKM AK4493
- Amplifier: Headphone 2x TPA6120A2
- Preamp: 2X Muse8920
- Clock Generators: KDS Crystal Oscillator
- Filtration: Panasonic tantalum capacitors, OPA2211
- Inputs: USB, coaxial, optical, RJ45, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Outputs: Digital: Coaxial, Optical / Analog: Jack 6.35mm, Jack 4.4mm, XLR 4 pins, RCA, XLR
- Headphone Amplifier Power: Single ended – 540 mW @ 32 ohms
- Balanced – 1620mW @ 32Ohm
- PCM sampling rate: 32/384
- DSD256 native, DSD512 software
- 8x MQA
- OS: Android (custom)
- Display: 4.7 inch HD touch screen
- Color: black or silver
Price: $849
