Introducing Shanling SCD1.3

Throughout the year 2023, Shanling brought out an impressive range of CD players, from the unique ECMini, over the innovative ET3, to the Ultra High-End CD-T35.

And what can be a better follow-up to these CDs, than a proper SACD player?

Introducing Shanling SCD1.3 SACD Player

Shanling SCD1.3 shines as a High-End DAC playing SACDs, but it was designed as a multifunctional source component for a wide range of Hi-Fi setups. Apart from SACDs, you can enjoy playback from local USB drives, convenient Bluetooth streaming or even DLNA, Airplay and NAS support. And while its single-ended and balanced outputs will be matching partners for many audiophile amplifiers or active speakers, the included digital inputs can feed even better DACs, taking advantage of the new advanced I2S support.

Now, let us guide you through its range of features one by one.

Starting at the titular SACD playback, SCD1.3 utilizes the MediaTek ME1389EE system alongside the Sanyo HD870 laser in tray style mechanism, fully unlocking the capabilities of the High-Resolution SACD discs and serving as well for standard CDs. And for Hybrid SACDs, there is a dedicated button for easy switching between SACD and CD layers.

Sound tuning of the SCD1.3 was based on the Shanling M9 Plus, with the flagship AKM AK4499EX + AK4191 DAC system at its center. Highly detailed, with a vast and precise soundstage, yet adding a bit of warmth and smoothness, for the classic Shanling sound. With highly precise volume control and MUSES8920 acting as the pre-amplifier, SCD1.3 can be paired directly with power amplifiers or active speakers, for a simple and high-quality 2-channel speaker setup.

When it comes to digital outputs, SCD1.3 is the first Shanling model to adapt a new advanced I2S system, featuring a dedicated FPGA circuit for further adjustability of I2S output. This special feature offers significantly improved compatibility with DACs across the market, at the launch already including 10 of the most common I2s HDMI pinouts. And for simpler DACs, there is the classic combination of coaxial and optical SPDIF. Note: SACD disc playback will be converted to PCM 88.2 kHZ for digital outputs.

For its multifunctional roles, SCD1.3 runs the latest generation of Shanling’s MTouch system, powered by the Ingenic X2000 platform and controlled through a 5-inch touch screen. The new generation of MTouch offers improved speed, more accurate response to touch controls and simplified UI, further adjusted for the role of the CD player. MTouch also unlocks the wireless capabilities of SCD1.3, a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver function with the support of LDAC, aptX HD and AAC, alongside Wi-Fi connectivity, bringing in DLNA, Airplay and NAS functions.

And for situations when the resolution of SACD is still not enough, the Hi-Res capabilities of SCD1.3 go all the way up to 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD512. Either connect SCD1.3 to a computer, utilizing its high-performance XMOS XU316 USB input, or just plug a USB drive directly into the USB port on the front panel, for pure lossless local playback directly on the SCD1.3.

MSRP 1279 USD

Available at the end of January 2024

Additional Specification

Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 9.6 cm

Weight: 6.6kg

Controls: Touch Screen, Physical buttons + Volume Wheel, Remote Control, Companion app for iOS & Android

Display: 5-Inch LG Touch panel 854 x 358

Digital Inputs: USB Drive, USB DAC, Coaxial, Optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth 5.0: Support LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC

Digital outputs: I2S, Coaxial, Optical (SACD playback limited to PCM 88.2 kHz)

Line-out/Pre-Out: RCA & XLR

RCA output

Output level: 2.5Vrms

Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (-0.1dB)     

THD+N: 0.0005%

Dynamic Range: 119dB

Signal-to-noise ratio: 119dB       

XLR Output

Output level: 5.0Vrms

Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (-0.1dB)     

THD+N: 0.0005%

Dynamic Range: 122dB

Signal-to-noise ratio: 122dB

Headphone Output

Amplifier: TPA6120

Output Power: 1.1 W @ 32Ω // 153 mW @ 300Ω

Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (-0.1dB)

THD+N: 0.001%

Separation: 75dB@32Ω

Dynamic Range: 122dB

Signal-to-noise ratio: 122dB

Output Impedance: 4.7Ω