Shanling EH1 Desktop Headphone DAC/Amp - Silver

Real Knobs, Real Power, Real Simple

Plenty of desktop DACs bury their settings in apps and menus. The Shanling EH1 puts them on the front panel instead: a volume dial plus separate bass and treble knobs, on a curved aluminum desktop DAC and headphone amp about six inches wide. No screen, no app, no manual required.

Inside, a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC handles PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512, feeding dual SGM8262 amplifier chips that deliver up to 1,015mW from the 4.4mm balanced output and 399mW from the 6.35mm jack (into 32 ohms, with a 5V supply). High and low gain settings match it to sensitive IEMs and full-size headphones alike.

The tone controls are the standout at this price. Rather than digital EQ, the bass and treble knobs let you warm up a lean recording or tame a bright one by feel, the way hi-fi gear used to work.

More Connections Than Its Size Suggests

A single USB-C port carries audio and power from your computer, or you can add an external 5V supply for maximum output. Around back, RCA outputs switch between fixed and variable level, so the EH1 can feed powered speakers as a preamp, and a coaxial digital output can even pass the signal to another DAC down the road. It comes in silver or black, weighing under a pound.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Meldrick of Headfonics scored the EH1 8 out of 10 in a December 9, 2024 review, describing it as a "natural-sounding DAC/AMP with a slight tilt towards the warm end," where "bass guitars and synths have a very satisfying and lush tonality," "male vocals have a very strong sense of authority and weight," and a "relaxing treble presentation... minimizes fatigue."

Who Is This DAC/Amp Best For?

• You want desktop sound without desktop complexity — plug in one USB cable and adjust everything with real knobs.
• You like to season to taste — analog bass and treble controls are rare at any price, let alone $229.
• You own balanced headphones — the 4.4mm output delivers over a watt of power.
• If you want Bluetooth or a display, the EH1 keeps things wired and screen-free — a streaming DAC suits you better.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your computer, phone, or tablet to the USB-C input; it handles audio and power together, or add a 5V supply for full output. Headphones plug into the 4.4mm balanced or 6.35mm jack. The RCA outputs, switchable between fixed and variable, feed powered speakers or an amp, making the EH1 a compact system hub as well as a headphone amp.

Pairs Well With

Building your desktop setup? Here are some great companions for the EH1:

• Headphones: IEMs and full-size headphones both suit its two gain modes — see our Headphones.
• Powered Speakers: Use the variable RCA outputs for a complete desk system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Cables: A quality USB or RCA cable completes the chain — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How powerful is it?

Up to 1,015mW balanced and 399mW single-ended into 32 ohms when using a 5V power supply.

Do the tone controls change the digital signal?

No, the bass and treble knobs work in the analog domain, adjusting the sound without digital processing.

Does it have Bluetooth?

No. The EH1 is a wired USB DAC/amp.

Can it feed powered speakers?

Yes. The RCA outputs switch between fixed and variable level, so it works as a preamp.

What formats does it support?

PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512.

See It in Action

Tone Deaf Monk shares his hands-on impressions of the EH1:

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Learn More

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