Shanling EH1 Desktop Headphone DAC/Amp - Black

Two Knobs, Two Jacks, and No Menus

The Shanling EH1 is a desktop converter and headphone amplifier. One USB-C cable from a computer, a phone or a tablet is all it needs, and your wired headphones go in the front. There is no screen, no menu and no app to learn.

That is deliberate. Shanling built this one around real controls rather than software, in a curved aluminum case about six inches across. It sits on a desk or a nightstand and takes up almost nothing.

Bass and Treble, on Actual Knobs

Separate bass and treble controls sit on the front panel. Treble swings ten decibels either way and bass six, so a thin recording gains weight and a bright one calms down. Leave both centered and the EH1 passes the balance through untouched.

Power Enough for Most Headphones

A Cirrus Logic CS43198 does the converting, handling PCM up to 32 bits and 768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Behind it sit two SGM8262 amplifier chips, one feeding each of the two headphone outputs on the front.

The 4.4mm balanced jack delivers up to 1,015 milliwatts into 32 ohms when the EH1 is running from its 5V DC supply. The 6.35mm jack handles a standard plug at up to 399 milliwatts, which is plenty for most headphones on a desk.

It Does More Than Headphones

The RCA output switches between a fixed line level for an amplifier and a variable level for powered speakers, so the EH1 can act as the volume control for a small system. A coaxial digital output passes the signal on to another converter.

Power comes over the same USB-C cable that carries the music, or from a separate 5V DC supply when you want the full balanced output. The case measures 156 by 90 by 36.5mm and weighs 392 grams.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Headfonics called the EH1 "the first desktop DAC/AMP I have tested that comes with bass and treble tone controls." Its list of strengths opened with the obvious one: "Enhanced tuning flexibility with bass and treble hardware controls."

The second strength on that list was how little the EH1 asks of a desk: "Can be powered and connected with just one cable." That is the whole appeal of a unit built this way, and it is why it suits a crowded desktop.

Who Is This DAC/Amp Best For?

• You want to fix a recording, not your whole system — two tone knobs let you add weight to a thin album or take the edge off a bright one in a second, with no app open.
• Your desk is short of space — six inches across and one cable in, so the sound improves without the desk filling up with boxes and power supplies.
• You own more than one pair of headphones — 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm jacks sit side by side, so both pairs stay plugged in and nothing needs an adapter.
• You also run powered speakers — switch the RCA output to variable and the EH1 becomes the volume control for the desk, which saves buying a preamp.
• You want room to grow — the coaxial digital output lets a better converter take over later while the EH1 keeps doing the switching. Browse our DACs when that day comes.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run a USB-C cable from a computer, a phone or a tablet to the digital input. The EH1 can take its power from that same cable, or from a 5V DC supply when you want the balanced output at full strength.

Headphones go into the 6.35mm or 4.4mm jack on the front. Set the RCA output to line or preamp before you connect an amplifier or powered speakers, and use the coaxial output if you are feeding another converter.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions:

• Headphones: Both plug types are covered — see our Headphones.
• Speakers: The variable output suits a powered pair — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Cables: A short RCA run off the desk — see our Interconnect Cables.
• DAC: The coaxial output feeds a bigger converter — see our DACs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect a phone?

By USB-C cable. The EH1 takes its audio over USB, so a phone or tablet connects with a cable rather than over the air.

How much power does it deliver?

Up to 1,015 milliwatts into 32 ohms from the balanced jack with the 5V DC supply, and up to 399 milliwatts from the 6.35mm jack.

What do the tone controls do?

Treble adjusts ten decibels in either direction and bass six, both in the analog domain rather than by software.

Can it drive powered speakers?

Yes. Switch the RCA output to preamp mode and the volume knob controls the speakers.

What resolution does it handle?

PCM up to 32 bits and 768kHz, and DSD up to DSD512, through the Cirrus Logic CS43198.

What is the coaxial output for?

It passes the digital signal on to another converter, so the EH1 can act as a source and switcher in a larger system.

See It in Action

AV Atmos covers the EH1's launch and what is inside it:

And Tone Deaf Monk lives with one on a desk:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about DACs, headphone amplifiers, or building a desktop system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.