Shanling’s SCD1.3 is an CD/SACD player with virtual VU meters

If you wished that Shanling’s EC3 and ET3 CD spinners supported SACDs but you don’t – understandably – have the €18K to splash on the Chinese manufacturer’s uber high-end CD-T35 disc player, then you’ll want to pay strict attention to the newly announced SCD1.3 that plays CDs, SACDs and does AirPlay/UPnP/Bluetooth streaming.

Unlike the ET3, EC3 and CD-T35, the SCD1.3 is not a top-loader. For its optical disc playback, the SCD1.3 connects a MediaTek ME1389EE system-on-a-chip to a Sanyo HD870 laser to read CDs and SACDs from a slide-in/slide-out drawer. A dedicated button on the front panel allows for easy switching between the SACD and CD layers of hybrid discs.

Internal D/A conversion was reportedly inspired by Shanling’s flagship M9 Plus DAP with a combination of AKM’s AK4499EX and AK4191 chips in play. Digital volume control comes from a MUSES8920 chip so that the SCD1.3 can be used as a pre-amplifier. Single-ended RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs sit on the back panel; Shanling says that it has voiced the SCD1.3 to be “highly detailed, with a vast and precise soundstage, yet adding a bit of warmth and smoothness for the classic Shanling sound.” We can also tap the SCD1.3’s internal DAC using its USB, TOSLINK and coaxial inputs.

On digital outputs, we get TOSLINK, coaxial and I2S (but no USB). An FPGA running custom code makes the I2S’s pin-out user selectable in software with 10 options to choose from. The unit’s operating system runs on the Ingenic X2000 platform, as found in the ET3 and EC3. And that operating system also handles the SCD1.3’s streaming functionality (UPnP, AirPlay, USB storage), upsampler (up to PCM 768kHz or DSD512), Bluetooth input (LDAC, aptX HD, AAC) and front-panel 5″ touchscreen, which the (very low-res) promotional photographs shows as capable of virtual VU meter display. Move over, Eversolo!

Now for the wrinkle: SACD disc playback is downsampled to PCM88.2kHz when dispatched to an external DAC via the SCD1.3’s digital outputs. That’s because Sony, the inventor of the SACD, mandated each disc’s data layer be encrypted. Companies like PS Audio have long since cracked the code with its SACD transports selling for many thousands of dollars.

Pricing on SCD1.3 has been set by Shanling at a more reasonable US$1279. Shipping begins at the end of January. Your choice of black or silver.

Further information: Shanling