Shanling SCD1.3 Multifunctional SACD Player - Black

An SACD Player That Will Let the DSD Out

Almost every SACD player converts the disc inside and hands you analog. The DSD layer is not allowed out over ordinary digital connections. The SCD1.3 has an I2S output, and I2S will carry native DSD straight from the disc.

So you can use the player as it comes, or send the SACD layer to a converter you rate more highly. Coaxial and optical outputs are there as well for simpler DACs.

The drive is a MediaTek ME1389EE with a Sanyo HD870 laser, reading SACD, CD, CD-R and CD-RW. The whole thing weighs 6.6kg in a case 280mm square and 96mm tall.

AKM's Flagship Pair, and a Touchscreen

Conversion runs on AKM's flagship arrangement, the AK4499EX paired with the AK4191. A MUSES8920 handles the stage after it. This is the chipset AKM built for its own top-tier designs, not a mid-range part.

Outputs are balanced XLR and single-ended RCA, with a 6.35mm headphone jack on the front panel. That last one means the SCD1.3 can be a complete system for a single listener, with nothing else needed.

A 5.1-inch touchscreen runs on Shanling's Ingenic X2000 platform. Wi-Fi brings AirPlay, DLNA and NAS playback. Bluetooth 5.0 covers LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC, so a phone connects at full quality.

Who Is This SACD Player Best For?

• You have an SACD collection and a good DAC — the I2S output carries native DSD off the disc, so those discs are no longer locked to the chip inside the player.
• Your amplifier takes balanced inputs — XLR and RCA are both fitted, so the SCD1.3 suits whatever you own now and whatever replaces it later.
• You listen on headphones too — a 6.35mm output on the front means late-night sessions need nothing else plugged in.
• You also stream — Wi-Fi with AirPlay, DLNA and NAS, plus Bluetooth with LDAC, means the disc player is the network player as well.
• You want to use your computer through it — the USB input takes PCM to 768kHz and DSD512. See our integrated amplifiers for the rest of the system.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the XLR or RCA outputs to your amplifier and the SCD1.3 is a complete player. The internal AKM pair does the conversion, and the touchscreen handles everything else.

To use your own converter, take I2S over HDMI for native DSD from an SACD, or coaxial or optical for a simpler connection. Ethernet or Wi-Fi brings in the network.

Pairs Well With

Building around the SCD1.3? Here are some great companions:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which discs does it play?

SACD, CD, CD-R and CD-RW, through a MediaTek ME1389EE drive with a Sanyo HD870 laser.

Can it send DSD to my own converter?

The I2S connection carries native DSD from an SACD to a compatible converter, which is unusual and is the main reason to choose this player.

Which converter chips are inside?

AKM's AK4499EX paired with the AK4191, with a MUSES8920 in the stage after it.

What outputs does it have?

Balanced XLR, single-ended RCA and a 6.35mm headphone jack, plus I2S, coaxial and optical digital outputs.

Does it stream?

Wi-Fi covers AirPlay, DLNA and NAS playback, and Bluetooth 5.0 adds LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC.

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

No English-language review of the SCD1.3 has been published. This one, from Japan, is the most thorough available — English subtitles are switched on for you:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about SACD and DSD, I2S connections, or matching a player to your amplifier? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.