Shanling UA5

The Shanling UA5 is a portable USB DAC and headphone amplifier designed to enhance the sound quality of smartphones, tablets, computers, or game consoles. For particularly convenient operation, the UA5 features a volume knob, allowing users to adjust the music volume without having to pick up the playback device. The volume knob also serves to navigate the menu, which is very easy to do thanks to the integrated 1.44-inch display. Two ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips ensure efficient decoding of the audio signal and extremely precise sound reproduction. This architecture also allows for playback of high-resolution audio files in PCM up to 32-bit and 768 kHz or in DSD up to DSD512. For operational amplification, two Ricore RE6863 chips have been used, guaranteeing minimal noise and the lowest distortion. The Shanling UA5 can be connected to a smartphone, tablet, or laptop via the USB-C port. To enable use with a PC or game console, a USB-C to USB-A adapter is included. Users wishing to connect the UA5 to an iPhone or iPad will need to purchase a USB-C to Lightning cable separately. For headphone connections, the Shanling UA5 features both an unbalanced 3.5 mm and a balanced 4.4 mm socket. The UA5 offers two operating modes: in Full USB Power mode, it draws power entirely from the connected smartphone, tablet, or computer. In Hybrid Battery Power mode, however, the DACs and operational amplifiers of the UA5 are powered by the internal 220 mAh battery. This reduces the load on the smartphone's battery and ensures a consistent, clean power supply. The Shanling UA5 is elegantly crafted, extremely compact, and serves as a minimalist and practical solution to significantly enhance sound quality.