NEW SHANLING SM50 - Desktop network streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier with WiFi Bluetooth AirPlay 2 - Silver

Name: SHANLING SM50 - Desktop network streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier with WiFi Bluetooth AirPlay 2 - Silver
Brand: Shanling
SKU: SH-SM50-SILVER
Price: 412.99 EUR
Availability: InStock

Item number: SH-SM50-SILVER

NEW SHANLING SM50 - Desktop network streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier with WiFi Bluetooth AirPlay 2 - Silver

Item number: SH-SM50-SILVER

IN STOCK!

Delivered to you within 6-9 days

412,99 Eur

Points earned after purchase: 41,30 Eur

The SHANLING SM50 is a compact desktop network streamer that combines a music player, DAC and headphone amplifier in one device. Its touchscreen and responsive Linux system make it easy to explore your music library and access streaming services.

Built around the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC, the SM50 supports TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready and AirPlay 2. Alongside its 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm headphone outputs, RCA and XLR connections make it easy to integrate into a home hi-fi system.

An aluminium chassis, glass front panel and 4.5-inch display give the SM50 a refined presence on the desktop. With wired and wireless connectivity and flexible output modes, it brings your digital music sources together in one versatile component.

Exact color

Black

Silver

Gift

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Data
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NETWORK MUSIC STREAMER · DAC · HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Shanling SM50

The Shanling SM50 combines a network music streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier in one compact unit. It provides access to your own music library and streaming services. Connect headphones directly, or use its analogue outputs to connect an amplifier or active speakers.

Linux-based systemESS ES9039Q2MRCA and XLR3.5 mm and 4.4 mm

The Shanling SM50 is shown from the front with its display illuminated and two antennas attached. — The SM50 front panel and two antennas.

A COMPACT MUSIC HUB

The SM50 features an aluminium chassis with glass panels and weighs 1.7 kg. Its front panel houses a touchscreen, rotary volume control and two headphone outputs, while network connectivity is available through wired LAN or dual-band Wi-Fi.

The built-in DAC supplies an analogue signal through the RCA and XLR outputs, while USB and coaxial S/PDIF outputs can send digital audio to an external DAC. A dedicated USB DAC input adds direct computer playback alongside network sources.

4.5 inches1080p touchscreen

768 kHz / 32-bitLocal PCM playback

DSD512Local DSD playback

700 mW into 32 Ω4.4 mm output, high gain

The SM50 is shown beside a smartphone displaying a music list. — The SM50 beside a phone displaying a music list.

STREAMING AND SMARTPHONE CONTROL

The SM50's Linux-based system supports TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Roon Ready. TIDAL and Qobuz playback can be controlled through their own apps, while Eddict Controller provides smartphone control of the device and browsing of your local music library.

DLNA, AirPlay 2 and Squeezelite provide additional network playback options. Music stored on a NAS can also be accessed through SMB shares, and Wi-Fi supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

YOUR MUSIC LIBRARY IN HIGH RESOLUTION

Music stored on a USB drive can be played directly, with album selection handled through the Eddict Controller app. Local file playback supports resolutions up to 768 kHz / 32-bit PCM and DSD512.

In USB DAC mode, the SM50 accepts up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM and DSD256, while the coaxial digital output supports 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM. The resolution limits for local playback, computer input and coaxial output are therefore listed separately in the specifications.

The SM50 sits on a table beside a pair of headphones, with a sofa in the background. — The SM50 and headphones on a table.

The SM50 touchscreen displays album artwork and playback information. — Album artwork and playback information on the touchscreen.

TOUCHSCREEN AND PHYSICAL VOLUME CONTROL

The 4.5-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. The playback screen displays album artwork and track information, while the front-panel rotary control provides physical volume adjustment.

The interface offers several VU meter displays. These are optimised for local file playback and are unavailable in certain playback modes.

ESS DAC AND FPGA-BASED CLOCK MANAGEMENT

Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by an ESS ES9039Q2M DAC. This is one of the key differences between the SM50 and the AKM-based SM90 and SM1.3, as well as the R2R-based SM1.3R.

An FPGA supports digital signal processing and clock management, working with two separate clocks operating at 90.3168 MHz and 98.304 MHz. Shanling uses this architecture to improve timing accuracy and reduce jitter.

The image shows an integrated circuit labelled ES9039Q2M DAC. — The ESS ES9039Q2M digital-to-analogue converter.

Two clock modules are shown, labelled 90.3168 MHz and 98.304 MHz. — The 90.3168 MHz and 98.304 MHz clock modules.

TWO HEADPHONE OUTPUTS, TWO GAIN SETTINGS

The 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced outputs both offer low and high gain settings. In high gain, the manufacturer's rated output power is 182 mW into 32 Ω from the 3.5 mm output and 700 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm output.

In low gain, the rated output power is 46 mW into 32 Ω and 176 mW into 32 Ω, respectively. Output impedance is 0.4 Ω for the 3.5 mm connection and 0.8 Ω for the 4.4 mm connection; the manufacturer does not specify a THD+N threshold for the power ratings.

The SM50 is shown with the 700 mW into 32 Ω output power rating behind it. — The SM50 with its 700 mW into 32 Ω rating.

The SM50 rear panel shows RCA, XLR, coaxial, USB and Ethernet connections. — Analogue, digital and network connections on the rear panel.

LINE SOURCE, PREAMPLIFIER AND DIGITAL TRANSPORT

The RCA and XLR analogue outputs can operate in line-out or preamplifier mode. The specified line output level is 2.4 V over RCA and 4.9 V over XLR, while USB and coaxial S/PDIF outputs can send digital audio to an external DAC.

The rear panel includes a dedicated USB-B input for computer use in USB DAC mode, alongside two USB-A ports and an Ethernet connection. The Bluetooth 5.2 input supports LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs.

WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE SM RANGE?

The SM50 offers a Linux-based system, an ESS DAC and two headphone connection types. The SM90 provides an Android 12 platform, dual AK4493S DACs, an internal SSD slot and an HDMI ARC input, while the SM1.3 uses an AK4499EX and AK4191EQ combination, a larger display and an I²S digital output.

The SM1.3R builds on the SM1.3's features but uses an in-house 24-bit R2R converter with 212 resistors specified at 0.01% accuracy. The related SMT1.3 is a dedicated digital transport designed for use with an external DAC, whereas the SM50 also provides built-in analogue and headphone outputs.

Key differences between the SM50 and three other SM models with built-in DACs
FEATURE	SM50	SM90	SM1.3	SM1.3R
Operating system	Linux	Closed Android 12	Closed Android 12	Closed Android platform
D/A conversion	ESS ES9039Q2M	2 × AKM AK4493S	AKM AK4499EX + AK4191EQ	In-house 24-bit R2R
Display	4.5-inch, 1080p	4.96-inch, 1080p	5.8-inch, 1080p	–
Documented local storage options	USB drive	USB drive, internal SSD slot	64 GB internal memory, M.2 SSD slot	Internal SSD slot
Analogue outputs	RCA, XLR	RCA, XLR	RCA, XLR	Based on the SM1.3 feature set
Key distinction	3.5 mm and 4.4 mm headphone outputs	HDMI ARC input	I²S output, 6.35 mm headphone output	R2R DAC with 212 precision resistors

A dash indicates a specification that has not been independently verified for that model, rather than the absence of a feature.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SYSTEM AND CONTROLS

Linux; Eddict Controller; 4.5-inch touchscreen with 1920 × 1080 resolution; rotary volume control

DAC AND CLOCKS

ESS ES9039Q2M; FPGA; 90.3168 MHz and 98.304 MHz

NETWORK PLAYBACK

TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, DLNA, AirPlay 2, Squeezelite, NAS/SMB

NETWORK AND BLUETOOTH

Ethernet; 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 5.2 input: LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC

LOCAL PLAYBACK

Up to 768 kHz / 32-bit PCM and DSD512

USB DAC AND COAXIAL OUTPUT

USB DAC: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM and DSD256; coaxial output: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM

FILE FORMATS

DSD, DXD, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF/AIF, DTS, MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, ALAC, MP2, M4A, AC3, OPUS, TAK; CUE support

CONSTRUCTION AND WEIGHT

Aluminium chassis with glass panels; 1.7 kg

ANALOGUE OUTPUT COMPARISON

Manufacturer specifications for the Shanling SM50 headphone and line outputs
PARAMETER	3.5 MM	4.4 MM	RCA	XLR
Output type	Single-ended headphone	Balanced headphone	Line out / pre-out	Line out / pre-out
Output power, high gain	182 mW into 32 Ω	700 mW into 32 Ω	–	–
Output power, low gain	46 mW into 32 Ω	176 mW into 32 Ω	–	–
Output voltage, high gain	2.40 V into 32 Ω	4.73 V into 32 Ω	–	–
Output voltage, low gain	1.21 V into 32 Ω	2.37 V into 32 Ω	–	–
Line output level	–	–	2.4 V	4.9 V
THD+N	0.0005% (A-weighted, 1 V)	0.0006% (A-weighted, 2 V)	0.0004%	0.0004%
Signal-to-noise ratio	123 dB	123 dB	122 dB	122 dB
Dynamic range	122 dB	123 dB	122 dB	122 dB
Channel separation	78 dB	104 dB	120 dB	120 dB
Output impedance	0.4 Ω	0.8 Ω	–	–
Frequency response	20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.5 dB)	20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.5 dB)	20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.5 dB)	20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.5 dB)

Power ratings are specified into a 32 Ω load; the corresponding THD+N threshold is not provided. The separately listed THD+N figures should not be interpreted as the measurement thresholds for maximum output power.

A dash indicates a value that is either not applicable or not specified. The manufacturer's table does not detail the measurement conditions for the line outputs' THD+N figures.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

PLAYER

1 × Shanling SM50 network music streamer

POWER CABLE

1 × mains power cable

USB CABLE

1 × USB cable; connector types are not specified in the accessories list

ANTENNAS

2 × screw-on antennas

QUICK START GUIDE

1 × SM50 quick start guide

A power cable, USB cable, two antennas and printed documentation are arranged side by side. — Cables, two antennas and printed documentation.

CARE AND USE

Avoid extremely hot, cold, dusty or humid environments, and keep the device away from liquids. Leave space around the chassis for ventilation, and protect it from drops, scratches and impacts.

Do not use chemicals or cleaning agents to clean the device. Switch it off before connecting or disconnecting cables. Before listening through headphones, check the volume and gain settings, then start at a low volume and gradually adjust to your preferred level.

Manufacturer

Shanling

Exact color

Silver

Model

SM50

Bluetooth

Yes

EAN

6972835394422

Item number

SH-SM50-SILVER

Weight

2,7 kg/piece

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