Shanling ET3 EVO Digital Transport

Shanling ET3 EVO — A Compact CD Transport for Your DAC

The ET3 EVO is Shanling's top-loading CD transport, built for one job: feeding a high-quality digital signal to an external DAC. It has no DAC or analog outputs of its own.

Shanling calls the ET3 its best-selling CD transport. The EVO adds a new look: a dark grey chassis, carbon-like texture on the front panel and CD cover, and a shiny red control wheel. Inside, Shanling optimized the power supply and digital transport circuit for "a slight gain in overall audio transparency."

Five Digital Outputs

Alongside coaxial, optical and AES/EBU, the ET3 EVO adds I2S and USB outputs. I2S and USB carry up to 768 kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD512. Coaxial, optical and AES/EBU carry up to 192 kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD64.

Top-Loading Philips Drive

Discs load from the top onto a Philips SAA7824 CD drive with an HD850 laser. It reads CD, CD-R and CD-RW, and supports MQA-CD.

Upsampling and Network Playback

A CT7302CL chip offers All-to-DSD or All-to-PCM upsampling. Beyond discs, the ET3 EVO plays files from a USB drive and streams over dual-band Wi-Fi with DLNA and AirPlay. It accepts Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, AAC and SBC, and can act as a NAS server for a connected USB drive.

How the ET3 EVO Fits Your System

The ET3 EVO sits between your discs and your DAC. Connect it to the DAC with whichever digital output the DAC accepts, and the DAC feeds your amplifier as usual.

It will not work on its own with an amplifier or powered speakers that only have analog inputs. You need a DAC, or an amp or speakers with a matching digital input. I2S is not standardized across brands, so check your DAC's I2S input before using that connection.

Who Is This CD Transport Best For?

• You already own a DAC you love — the ET3 EVO lets that DAC do the converting for your CDs
• Your DAC has I2S or USB inputs — both carry up to 768 kHz PCM and DSD512, beyond standard S/PDIF limits
• You have files as well as discs — USB drive playback, DLNA, AirPlay and Bluetooth input are built in
• Space is tight — the case is just 188 mm wide and 255 mm deep
• You want a CD player with analog outputs — this is not the one; it is a digital-only transport

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Choose the output your DAC accepts: I2S, USB, AES/EBU, coaxial or optical. Connect it with the matching digital cable.

Join your Wi-Fi network for DLNA and AirPlay, or plug in a USB drive for file playback. Use the front wheel and buttons, the included remote, or Shanling's companion app.

Pairs Well With

Building around the ET3 EVO? Here are some good companions:

• DACs — the ET3 EVO needs one to make sound
• Interconnect cables — coaxial, AES/EBU or USB, depending on your DAC
• Integrated amplifiers — the next box after your DAC
• Bookshelf speakers — to finish a compact desktop system

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate DAC?

Yes. Shanling developed the ET3 EVO as a pure digital transport, so a DAC does the conversion.

What changed from the original ET3?

A new dark grey look with a red control wheel, plus power supply and digital circuit optimizations. Shanling says the EVO otherwise keeps the same features as the ET3.

Which discs will it play?

CD, CD-R and CD-RW, with MQA-CD support.

Can it play music files?

Yes, from a USB drive, including DSD, FLAC, WAV and many other formats. It also streams over Wi-Fi with DLNA and AirPlay.

What does the upsampling do?

The CT7302CL chip can convert everything to DSD or to PCM before it goes to your DAC.

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Learn More

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