EM5

The Shanling EM5 is a compact and powerful DAC and amplifier with integrated streaming capabilities. At its core is the AKM AK4493 DAC, featuring single-channel implementation and CPAF low-pass filtering. It supports high-resolution audio decoding, handling PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD256, and DSD512 via software, with MQA 8x hardware unfolding.

An FPGA controls the EM5’s digital processing, with a wide array of digital inputs including USB, coaxial, optical, and RJ45. Shanling’s ALGO technology ensures bit-perfect output, while their proprietary CPAF technology optimizes phase-aligned signal transmission for pristine analog audio.

The amplifier section is robust, featuring dual TPA6120A2 chips for the headphone output and dual Muse8920 op-amps for the pre-amp stage. The EM5 delivers ample power for both single-ended and balanced headphone connections, with selectable gain settings. It also offers balanced and single-ended pre-amp outputs with variable volume control, making it a versatile option for any high-end audio setup.

A standout feature of the EM5 is its streaming functionality, supporting both wired Ethernet and wireless connections via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor running a custom Android OS, it supports a variety of popular streaming apps such as TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Airplay. Bluetooth users will appreciate LDAC support for high-quality wireless audio.

In terms of design, the EM5 is sleek and modern, housed in a matte black aluminum chassis with gold accents. The top panel features a 4.7-inch 720p IPS touchscreen, paired with an elegant glass overlay that showcases the internal circuitry. Physical touch controls are included for seamless user interaction.

Connectivity options are plentiful, with a variety of headphone outputs on the front and an array of digital inputs and outputs on the rear. It also provides balanced and single-ended analog outputs. Storage-wise, the EM5 includes 32GB of internal memory, supports MicroSD cards up to 2TB, and offers USB Type-A for OTG flash drives. Additionally, it supports NAS and DLNA/Airplay for network-based storage, providing extensive flexibility for music access and storage.