Shanling EC3 Compact CD Player - Silver

A Whole CD System on One Corner of a Desk

The EC3 is a complete CD player in a box 255mm deep and 68mm tall. It has a converter, line outputs, a digital output and a headphone jack, so a pair of speakers or headphones finishes it.

Discs load from the top. Lift the lid, place the disc on the spindle, and close it. There is no tray motor, which is the part of a small player most likely to give up first.

The drive is a Philips CD80 servo with a Sanyo HD850 laser, and an Ingenic X2000 processor runs the interface. A 1.6-inch IPS screen shows the track, and the whole thing weighs 2.4kg.

An ESS Converter and Real Numbers

Conversion is an ESS ES9219C, with an LTA8092 amplifier stage after it. The RCA outputs deliver 2.3 volts. They measure 116dB signal-to-noise and 116dB dynamic range, with distortion under 0.001%.

Frequency response runs from 20Hz to 20kHz within half a decibel. Those are figures a full-size player would be pleased with, from a machine that takes up less space than a hardback book.

The headphone jack has two gain settings: 20 milliwatts into 32 ohms on low and 70 on high, from an output impedance of 0.4 ohms. Sensitive in-ear monitors will stay quiet on that figure.

Who Is This CD Player Best For?

• Your listening happens at a desk — a full player with line outputs, a digital output and a headphone jack in 255 by 188 by 68mm leaves room for everything else.
• You use sensitive in-ear monitors — an output impedance of 0.4 ohms and a low-gain setting keep quiet passages quiet instead of hissing at you.
• You want a mechanism that lasts — top loading removes the tray motor, and a Philips CD80 servo with a Sanyo laser is a proper pairing rather than a generic drive.
• You may add a converter later — coaxial and optical digital outputs turn the EC3 into a transport, so it earns its place twice.
• Your phone has music on it too — Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC brings it in at full quality. Pair the EC3 with our bookshelf speakers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the RCA outputs to any line input on an amplifier or a pair of powered speakers. The internal ES9219C does the conversion and nothing else is needed.

Headphones go into the front jack. If you own a converter you prefer, the coaxial or optical digital output bypasses the one inside.

Pairs Well With

Building around the EC3? Here are some great companions:

• Bookshelf Speakers: Sized to match — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Integrated Amplifier: The other half of the system — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Headphones: For the front jack — see our Headphones.
• Interconnects: A clean run from the RCA outputs — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which converter is inside?

An ESS ES9219C, with an LTA8092 amplifier stage after it and an Ingenic X2000 processor running the interface.

What does it measure?

On RCA: 2.3 volts out, 116dB signal-to-noise, 116dB dynamic range, distortion under 0.001%, and 20Hz to 20kHz within half a decibel.

How much headphone power is there?

20 milliwatts into 32 ohms on low gain and 70 on high, from an output impedance of 0.4 ohms.

What outputs does it have?

A pair of RCA line outputs, coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital outputs, and a front headphone jack.

Does it take Bluetooth?

Yes. Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, so a phone or tablet can play through the EC3 at high quality.

What is the warranty?

Call us at 800-942-0220 and we will confirm the current Shanling warranty terms for this model before you order.

See It in Action

Forever Analog makes the case for the EC3:

And Shanling's own unboxing shows what arrives in the box:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about desktop systems, headphone output impedance, or adding a converter later? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.