Shanling EM5 Streamer, DAC, Headphone Amp & Pre-Amp

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Күн бұрын

Shanling EM5: 🇦🇺 bit.ly/EM5MCA 🌏 bit.ly/EM5Lin
A review of the Shanling EM5 DAC, headphone amp and streamer including how it performs across all different functions, the issues I found and a comparison with the Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro.
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00:00 Introduction
00:47 Glamour video
01:31 Specs & features
03:29 Device tour
05:14 Display screen
07:47 Some other issues
12:09 Sound quality
12:38 EM5 as an all-in-one
14:02 EM5 DAC performance
15:28 Shanling EM5 vs Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro
20:58 Final conclusions
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#audiophile #audioreview #streamer

Пікірлер: 46

@PL4Y3R_0n3- Жыл бұрын

I’m an EM5 owner, and there was a slight issue with what you were saying about the source button. After the update, it went from a button you press to a button you have to hold. That’s not to say that it isn’t an incredibly backwards change, but it does work if you hold it.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Ah! Thanks for letting me know. It's a shame that wasn't more clearly communicated somehow.

@PL4Y3R_0n3- Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound the only reason I know is because the button in the pulldown menu was so poorly communicated I kept mashing the source button on the screen until I ended up holding it down and it worked. It’s finicky and sometimes the button will move instead of being pushed.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, the movement makes a whole new layer of challenge for long pressing.

@amirarsalannassiri3680 Жыл бұрын

I really like your reviews; very Aussie, indeed! You don't beat around the bush. Bravo! I'm happy they listened to your suggestion of a tilted screen in the newer EM7 model.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Glad you like the reviews! I don't think I can take credit for the EM7 as I'm pretty sure it was in production before my review came out 🙂

@InazumaLuke Жыл бұрын

Hi! I purchased the EM5 and I found exactly what you described. Thank you very much for your review which effectively helped me in choosing of a new DAC/AMP (etc). The EM5 sounds great and I' really enjoining it. I also like its aesthetic a lot and I don't mind too much the ergonomics of the screen. At the same time though, as you mentioned, the software bugs are really annoying and the need to reboot the device every now and then it is something that this machine shouldn't have at all. Finally, it's too bad that the v-meeters only work with local files. Again, everything was reported in your review.. But then again, I think I will bear these annoying matters as I really love the sound and the utility to play my music without connecting the EM5 nothing else than to my headphones. Thank you once again for your work, and rock on!

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

So glad you're enjoying the EM5. It is a shame about the software, but it's such a great sounding unit!

@markettle231 Жыл бұрын

The EM5 is a great device. Sound performance is really good and for the money does an amazing job. Shanling do regular firmware updates, some work, some break things!

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

I agree. Overall I think it's great, just with a few slightly annoying quirks

@aceofspades6667 Жыл бұрын

It's close .. give it another 3 years and this the v2 or v3 of this will be an exceptional product. The price point and hardware superiority is undeniable.. just a bit of polishing in UI and product design to really complete the product.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

I agree. The EM7 model seems to have a tilting screen so that could be a big step closer

@iikatinggangsengii2471 8 ай бұрын

@asan1050 Жыл бұрын

ThanksMuch!

@tdfmike3915 15 күн бұрын

Hi, I know the review has been done quiet a while now bit Im considering the em5 as a way to listen to 2 headphones when Im traveling or when my wife doesnt want to come to my desktop😂 I was planning an driving the hedd2 and lcdx with it at the same time and using it as a wifi output for my hq player. Any thoughts if that is possible? My guess is if its a wifi device and has an asio codec it should work. Habe there been newer all in one solutions released? It looks the em5 and matrix are the prime choices but the amp of the matrix could have problems driving the hedd2

@PassionforSound 13 күн бұрын

I believe the EM5 should have no issues in a setup like that and it's probably one of the better choices available, but I haven't tried the new Matrix products.

@PL4Y3R_0n3- Жыл бұрын

I made a discovery today. I know originally the USB A port on the back was just for external storage, but while I was in the settings I saw settings for USB out. Apparently they added that with a firmware update. Currently have USB going out to my Sony PHA-3.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Oh wow! That's pretty cool. Thanks for letting us all know 🙂🙂

@duncanmcintosh9881 Жыл бұрын

Maybe I missed it but does it have a remote??

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

I actually didn't specify so you didn't miss it. There's no remote because both the Eddict app and Wifi casting of the display to your phone take care of remote duties (unfortunately)

@ramilubani1752 Жыл бұрын

What does SRC in the menu mean ???

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

I don't have the device here anymore to check. Hopefully it's in the manual? (It's not "source" is it?)

@xray111xxx Жыл бұрын

Here is where it makes it easy. HDMI video out. If you want send it to an external video monitor. Still use your mobile device to navigate, but you wouldn't have to be on top of it if you could hook it up to a TV or monitor for a larger external view. I would love those VU meters on my TV for instance. The EM5 has me most curious. It answers the questions I have always had for an in all in one elegant solution without the I own your soul price. I would be happy to give up the screen on top, if they give me a wireless remote, or fly this from my tablet or phone, and display on my TV instead. The screen on top unless I am right on top of it is useless. If they built the EM-5NS for no screen and let you connect HDMI out to your TV, I would be all in. Others quicks and all. Nothing is perfect, and an all in one has a harder job than more isolated dedicated devices. I like the idea of the EM-5. It is so close as my right one. The screen on top or not.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

The EM7 might be the answer I think because it has a flip-up screen. Still no visuals on an external monitor (other than the wifi casting feature)

@patrickmccrank8414 Жыл бұрын

Okay I have a question. All the menus are in Chinese.. I think. What is the step by step to get English? Anybody please 🙏

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

That's not good! I don't have one here anymore to help you. Good luck! Hopefully someone can assist

@patrickmccrank8414 Жыл бұрын

Got it. Another reviewer, "hxos plus", did a review where he was showing the options. It took some fiddling around. When you get to the menu, you can't just tap on English. You have to drag it to the top of the list of languages. Really an odd setup. Hopefully I'll get to try this unit out later. Still it would have been nice to have the user manual included. Can't even find one on line. What a joke.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Glad you found a solution!

@HermanBarardJr Жыл бұрын

Is the streamer roon ready?

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Good question. I don't think it was at the time of testing, but you could probably run the Roon app or Roon Arc app on it.

@frederf69 Жыл бұрын

Why use a streamer?; my PC is my main source, which I also stream from. Good review though, thanks 👍

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

There's an argument that dedicated streamers can sound better (depending on if you have an audio USB card or a DDC for your computer). Also, for some people, a product like this is great for use in say a living room where they might not want a computer.

@spamcan9208 Жыл бұрын

A convenience oriented desktop device with no stand up screen at this price point is a fundamental failure imo. Even if it's not built into the main unit itself (understandably so,) they could have designed a separate detachable stand with usb touch display. An added benefit would be the ability to place it elsewhere on your desk by switching to a longer usb cable.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

That would have been a great design choice! I believe the EM7 offers a flip-up screen to address this issue, but I don't know what else it offers and/or the exact pricing

@HungryEatNow Жыл бұрын

What a mouthful...

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Shanling EM5?

@HungryEatNow Жыл бұрын

@Passion for Sound ultimate all in one 😆

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Sure is. If only the screen popped up

@aRc11-11 Жыл бұрын

Not ready for primetime quite yet.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

What's that? The EM5?

@aRc11-11 Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound I really hate buggy software, then an update makes it worse? Yes, the EM5 needs work.

@aceofspades6667 Жыл бұрын

@@aRc11-11 I had a Fiio Dac a few years back and very similar UI experience that made it less than perfect. I tried a recent one and they have improved it a great deal. I imagine the Shanling team will do the same over the next 3 years or so.

@PassionforSound Жыл бұрын

Apparently, the update changed the source button to a long press function instead of short press, but it was either not communicated well or not communicated at all. ☹️