This is the first time I am preferring solid state to tubes. This is huge news. One subwoofer with its speakon connection significantly changed everything (in addition to other gear, including an MU2 and a PowerZone). However, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t try the tube amp again. I did, and while I enjoyed music with tubes, I quickly went back to solid state. So yeah, this is huge!!!
Yes it’s almost the end of the month of the 27 day cycle time for tubes again I guess. 
Soon the Gat will be out again and back to solid state. lol
One day he might get a 333 and break this cycle. At least the crossover is gone I think.
You can scroll up to dispell the “this is the first time” comment.
First time today maybe.
Has been out and demoted to the 2nd system. Hasn’t been back to the main system.
Demotion aka time to sell! Lol
Almost one full month. The 523 preamp has been the mainstay since July 31, and for the foreseeable future. Now that my system has THIS level of clarity, there’s no going back.
This is a possibility.
The 523/534 already did this. It took the MU2 instead of Panasonic and Front Row Reserve interconnect instead of AQ MacKenzie, plus REL instead of Infinity. Future power cables when I can afford them
They sound fantastic. I hear them frequently at a local dealer. I have mostly listened to the blues and modern straight forward jazz during visits. The last time the entire front end was Burmester. Sitting there I wished it was mine…. alas, no.
Tough crowd
Last night rather than lying awake I inserted my tube amp for some late night listening (read that low volume). That’s the little tube amp’s essential virtue.
It sounded wonderful. But the new solid state monoblocks do late night listening much better.
That was a (surprising) first for me.
Amazing tech for the money.
Sounds good also…?
Very good, I’d say. I wasn’t expecting such high quality. The configuration where it performs best is with I2S, and it seems like this was the design goal, according to the manufacturer. There are 10 pinout modes to match any DAC on the market. The construction is finely crafted, with quality components, including the very sharp 1080p Sharp display. If you’re familiar with Eversolo products (to make an ‘Eastern’ comparison), this is much better in my humble opinion. After all, Shanling isn’t a young company; they must have gained experience over the years. The price is very reasonable, well under $1,000.
Can you use an external DAC with this kit?
Enjoy.
It’s a pure streamer; there’s no built-in DAC, so you don’t need one externally. There’s also a model with an onboard DAC, called the SM 1.3.
Usually that means you need to connect the streamer to a DAC. I am not sure I follow.
The point of my question is that I love the PSA DACs using their I2S inputs and was curious about this product line’s compatibility with PSA I2S inputs.
Cheers.
It will probably work fine if connected to a PS Audio DAC in I2S mode.
I am guessing because of the clarity, even at low volumes?
