Shanling MCD1.3 Multifunctional CD Player - Black

Numbers a CD Player Does Not Usually Reach

The balanced output measures 122dB signal-to-noise and 122dB dynamic range, with distortion below 0.0005%. The single-ended output manages 119dB on both counts. Those are figures you expect from a converter costing more than this whole player.

They come from AKM's flagship pairing, the AK4499EX with the AK4191. Frequency response runs from 20Hz to 40kHz within a tenth of a decibel, on every output the MCD1.3 has.

The disc side is a Philips SAA7824 drive with a Sanyo DA11 laser. It reads CD, CD-R and CD-RW, and it decodes MQA-CD with the full four-times unfold rather than a partial one.

A Headphone Amplifier That Means It

The front jack delivers up to 1.1 watts into 32 ohms, and 153 milliwatts into 300 ohms. Output impedance is under 4.7 ohms. Those figures will drive demanding headphones rather than just making a noise in them.

Everything is run from a 5.1-inch touchscreen on Shanling's Ingenic X2000 platform. Wi-Fi adds AirPlay and DLNA playback, and Bluetooth 5.0 handles a phone or a tablet without another box.

Analog outputs are balanced XLR at 5.0 Vrms and single-ended RCA at 2.5 Vrms. Digital outputs are I2S over HDMI, coaxial and optical. The case is 280mm square, 96mm tall, and 5.7kg.

Who Is This CD Player Best For?

• You listen to quiet recordings — 122dB signal-to-noise on the balanced output puts the noise floor somewhere you will never find it, whatever the room is doing.
• Your headphones are hard to drive — 1.1 watts into 32 ohms and 153 milliwatts into 300 ohms mean planars and high-impedance dynamics both get what they need.
• You own MQA-CDs — full four-times unfolding is built in, so that corner of the collection plays as intended instead of as a plain CD.
• Your amplifier is balanced — XLR at 5.0 Vrms carries a long cable run to a distant amplifier while rejecting whatever the cable picks up.
• You may add a converter later — I2S, coaxial and optical outputs turn the MCD1.3 into a transport. See our digital-to-analog converters.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Take the XLR outputs to a balanced amplifier, or the RCA pair to any line input. The internal AKM pair does the conversion and the touchscreen handles the rest.

If you would rather use your own converter, I2S over HDMI carries the most, with coaxial and optical alongside. Wi-Fi brings AirPlay and DLNA into the same box.

Pairs Well With

Building around the MCD1.3? Here are some great companions:

• Integrated Amplifier: The other half of the system — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Headphones: There is real power waiting — see our Headphones.
• DAC: For the I2S output — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Interconnects: Balanced XLR keeps the path balanced — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which converter chips are inside?

AKM's AK4499EX paired with the AK4191, the same flagship arrangement used in Shanling's SACD player.

What does it measure?

122dB signal-to-noise and dynamic range on XLR, 119dB on RCA, distortion below 0.0005%, and 20Hz to 40kHz within a tenth of a decibel.

Which discs does it play?

CD, CD-R, CD-RW and MQA-CD with full four-times unfolding.

How much headphone power is there?

Up to 1.1 watts into 32 ohms and 153 milliwatts into 300 ohms, from an output impedance under 4.7 ohms.

What digital outputs does it have?

I2S over HDMI, coaxial and optical, so the MCD1.3 can feed an external converter whenever you want it to.

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.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about converter chips, MQA-CD, or driving headphones from a disc player? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.