Shanling - UP4

Balanced Bluetooth DAC & Amp

Sale price₹ 7,999 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 9,999
Discontinued
This product is permanently discontinued by the manufacturer and continues to live on in Headphone Zone's Museum.

Unfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔

While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
58%
(11)
26%
(5)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
11%
(2)
S
Subhas (Kolkata)
Good hardware, serious quality control issue

The Shanling - UP4 unit delivered to me has significant channel imbalance: the right channel output is much less than the left one. I had to return it to you for a replacement. I assume that you have professional equipment able to accurately measure and quantify individual channel outputs, demonstrating the defect quickly and conclusively.

Once the problem was identified, the UP4 device was thoroughly examined and its sound output was exhaustively compared with similar hardware, namely, Fiio BTR5 and Shanling's own UP2.

SOURCE USED:
1) Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
2) Pioneer External Blu-ray Writer
3) Richard Strauss: Elektra Blu-ray with DTS-HD Master Audio 96 kHz/24-bit
4) Various 24-bit/192 kHz FLAC files

The UP4 device has a very noticeable sound output difference between the channels, readily identifiable even by a casual listener. The left channel sound output is about 30% louder than the right channel. The device has been tested over many hours of listening paired with several IEMs, over-ears and on-ears. None of my other bluetooth/desktop DACs suffer from this defect.

I am disappointed in Shanling but trust you to take care of the problem by replacing the malfunctioning device. Eagerly waiting to hear from you.

A
Amit Sharma (Mumbai)
A capable bluetooth DAC with iff-ish USB connectivity

I received the unit from headphone zone within 48 hours, full marks to them for that at least. The story thereafter took a turn for the worse though.

I ordered this unit as a birthday gift to myself and was really excited when I received it within 2 days of ordering. I immediately wanted to try it out so after I read the manual and the website I paired my phone (Asus ROG II) to this unit to give it a spin. I listened to music over Spotify and USB Audio player Pro and wasn't too impressed with the output of the FLAC files compared till I turned on the dual-dac mode. That kind of opened up the soundstage a bit and increased the separation between the instruments. I think the BT 5 iny phone definitely helped when paired to this unit. I haven't got a chance to measure the battery life yet but it aes impressive considering I had to charge it after 3 days of continuous listening.

Now comes the disappointing part, the wired (USB-C) connectivity with phones. I tried it with a Xiaomi Mi A1, Asus ROG II andy laptop. I used the cable supplied with the unit and even a Smart Smith USB 3 Gen 2 (10gbps certified) cable but it just refused to work. My Xiaomi Mi A1 and laptop recognised the shanling and allowed me to manually route audio through it. It showed the shanling selected but no sound came out of the earphones.

I immediately decided to report this to headphone zone and opted for the 7-day return policy but no matter what I tried the website threw up an error saying I could only a aio of this option within 7 days of ( I purchased this device on 5 Oct, it was delivered on 7 Oct and this case was logged on 7 Oct itself). Extremely disappointed with this. I will definitely be more careful purchasing stuff going forward.

P
Partha Bhattacharjee (Kolkata)
Worth buying

First of all thanks to headphonezone for promptly allowing me to upgrade my order from UP2 to UP4. They were very fast and accommodative and the gadget reached me on the third day.
About the device, its small and versatile. Supports a lot of codecs for listening to High-Res files. Sounds deep and crisp but smooth. Mid range is also clear. Overall experience is smooth and non fatiguing. One good thing is that it updated its firmware in OTA through Shanling app indicating that it is from a newly manufactured lot (as earlier versions do not update over OTA as gathered from the net). Now its running on V1. 3. The connectivity is fast and it can remember connections with 2 BT devices.
The app is a bit amateurish. When connected it shows a DISCONNECTED(when actually it is connected) button which should read DISCONNECT actually. BT codecs are chooseable and is only limited by the transmitting device. I used with my LG V20 and POCO F1 with LG sounding smoother and POCO with a little more shimmering highs. Enjoyed on both. Adequate power to drive my AKG K712 pro through unbalanced out.
I need to buy a balanced cable now for my detachable earphones. Planning to make a DIY one as balanced cable are costly.
Can anybody confirm the 2.5mm configuration for Shanling. What I gathered from net is R-, R+, L+, L- for TRRS pins respectively.
Regards
Partha

S
Sayantan Koley (Howrah)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
This is for a beginner like me who want to taste audiophilia and functionality at the same time

Well, at first I didn't trust headphonezone. I've ordered on 13th. But surprisingly it got delivered on 15th. From that day I'm listening to this. And trust me , it's awesome . I wanted less bassy, more crispy, focused vocal. I get that without eq ing . I'm listening in my android with LDAC codec and with my windows PC using the USB DAC. I've paired it with HIFIMAN HE400SE, which is a planar magnetic headphones. We know that a planar magnetic headphone is not easy to drive. But Shanling UP4 can beautifully do its job. Although , You can't use USB DAC thing with your smartphone (at least Samsung m51), as one of headphone gurus said to me that some smartphones are not compatible . Anyway, with apple music and yt music , I'm having a fantastic listening experience. Currently I'm using the unbalanced cable with UP4 , but in future I'll definitely taste sound using balanced cable and UP4.

HI Sayantan Koley,
We are so happy you took out time & elaborately reviewed the product. We are sure this will help our customers to make an even better & informed decision.

V
Vivek.N (Chennai)
Great BT reciever / DAC

This is my first audiophile product and I'm really loving it. Tried using through various sources like Laptop, Android & I Phone and it's working great with all the devices. Sound out put is best when connected through Ldac codec mode


Chi-Fi
Excellence

1 Year of
Warranty

Best Suited for Portable Use
Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth

With headphone jacks now becoming a relic of the past, these headphones and devices will connect to your phone wirelessly, rather than a cable. Bluetooth connectivity with devices offers wireless freedom and fuss-free usability with top-quality sound. The freedom to use these headphones and devices with Bluetooth make talking and listening to music on the go easy. Headphones and devices with Bluetooth connectivity are designed for all-day wear, making them ideal for frequent users both inside and outside a work environment.


2.5mm
Balanced Output

Pair with Laptop via USB

A majority of people use a laptop as the primary source device to listen to music or watch movies. Since the laptop is an essential part of the audio chain there are headphones and devices designed to work a laptop or computer system flawlessly. With the availability of USB connectivity, it becomes easier to pair various devices like an Amp, DAC or even headphones without worrying about drivers or any additional piece of software.


ESS Sabre ES9218P
Dual DAC Chip

Upto 160mW @ 32Ω
Power Output

Battery Capacity of
550 mAh

UP4 is one of my favourite DACs to use on the go. It's easy to use, to listen to hi-resolution music from a smartphone, and it's super compact and yet powerful enough to drive any portable headphone and IEM. There are several Bluetooth DACs available right now, but the UP4 is perhaps the best performer in the segment.
RAGHAV SOMANI

About RAGHAV SOMANI

Raghav Somani is the Founder & CEO of Headphone Zone. An avid audiophile and musician since 2008, his choice of headphones include STAX Electrostats, Audeze LCD 3, and for music on the go, the JH Audio Roxanne + Astell&Kern SP1000 is never too far away. On his playlist, you'll find A.R. Rahman, Michael Jackson, and the Eagles.

SIZE ISN'T A PROBLEM IF YOU'RE GOOD AT IT

Shanling's iconic minimalistic design is evident in its Bluetooth amplifier — The UP4. It’s a combination of a beautiful aluminium frame and 2.5D glass panels that adds elegance. You can connect your Shanling UP4 to just about any device for the high-end audio quality.

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Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4
Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4

OFFERS HI-RES AUDIO, WIRED OR WIRELESS

The Shanling UP4 enjoys added credibility with the 'Hi-Res Audio' and 'Hi-Res Wireless Audio' certification from the Japan Audio Society. You can trust it with high-resolution music.
UP4

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Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4
Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4

USES APTX, APTX HD, LDAC, LHDC FOR HI-RES SEAMLESS AUDIO REPRODUCTION

The UP4 houses a CSR8675 Bluetooth chip. This chip ensures stable connectivity along with lower latency and high resistance to any disturbance. With just one touch you can pair it with any device that supports NFC. It also supports LDAC, HWA, LHDC and aptX HD which reproduces high-res audio even when streaming audio wirelessly. Stay connected!
UP4

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Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4
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HOUSES A DUAL DAC FOR FLAWLESS HI-RES WIRED AUDIO

If you are using your Shanling UP4 with a 2.5mm jack or even with the standard 3.5 mm jack output, you won't miss on the powerful sound output. Thanks to the Dual-DAC mode, it employs two ESS Sabre ES9218P audio chips which facilitate crystal-clear, high-resolution sound output along with power efficiency.

Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4
Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4

GAIN AND DIGITAL FILTER OPTIONS TO TWEAK YOUR MUSIC LISTENING EXPERIENCE

Personalize your music with the dedicated mode button. This button has gain and digital filter settings which will slightly modify your overall music according to your preferences. Need an external sound card for your laptop? Connect Shanling UP4 to your laptop or computer as a USB DAC/AMP using nothing but just a USB-C connecter cable.

Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4

TOP NOTCH NOISE CANCELLATION TECH FOR CLEARER CALLS

You can even make & take calls with the Shanling UP4. This is all thanks to the Knowles SiSonic microphone and latest 8th generation cVc noise cancellation tech. Your calls are now clearer with minimal background noise.

Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4

SHANLING'S CONTROLLER APP TO TAKE ABSOLTUE CONTROL OF YOUR UP4

Take your Shanling UP4's wirelessness up a notch with the Shanling Controller. This nifty app lets you control playback as well as set-up your UP4. You also get added functionality like equalizer, filter & gain support, OTA updates and more.
Get the Shanling Controller App here.

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Headphone-Zone-Shanling-UP4
1 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Shanling - UP4 comes with a 1 Year warranty from Shanling that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Shanling's warranty in India.

Setting the Standard for Audio Excellence Since 1988

Founded in 1988 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Shanling has been a key player in the audio industry for over 30 years. Specializing in audio products, it gained recognition for its Hi-Fi stereo amplifier and expanded into Hi-Res portable music players, amplifiers, headphones, DACs, and more. Committed to innovation and integrity, Shanling incorporates patented technologies like SONY LDAC, Hi-Res from the Japanese Audio Association, and others, ensuring top-notch product quality. Renowned for its dedication, Shanling has become a trusted name in the industry, prioritizing customer satisfaction.

Over the years, Shanling has maintained strong relationships with high-end manufacturers, solidifying its position as one of the most respected companies in the audio industry. The spirit of innovation and dedication to quality continues to drive Shanling as it evolves and expands its range of audio products, catering to the needs of audio enthusiasts worldwide.

Explore Collection
VGP Awards

Wireless Headphone amplifier

VGP Awards
Dec, 2019

Headphonesty

"The Shanling UP4 is a great DAC/AMP for audiophiles who are looking to improve the sound quality and balanced output for their smartphone at a reasonable price."

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SoundPhile Review

"The Shanling UP4 is almost a Swiss army knife in terms of features offered and it's a great companion to one's every need when it comes to mobile DACs."

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Audiophile on

"The UP4 is a great little device for those people who have a good set of earphones or headphones yet don't want to go down the expensive external DAP route."

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