Shanling - UA1 Plus

Been using them for almost a year now and must say, it's one of the best dacs at this price if not the best. The sound it produces is peppy and musical, with good amount of detailing and instrument separation. Was able to hear all those instruments for the first time in all my favourite songs which I never heard before, it's a kind of magic. Best for someone with very tight budget but wants to explore into the world of decent and cheap dongle dacs for the first time.

It's quite a solid DAC dongle for the price. The build quality is pretty good and so as the app features.

The ability to set filters, volume steps and gain controls and all are good.

But I have few issues with the DAC. The DAC already cuts signal when the 3.5 mm jack is twisted, which is something even my Apple dongle didn't had even after using for years.

There is occasional noise floor or hissing sound with IEMs.

Also I am quite annoyed by the LED lights during night, although it's a nitpick.

Overall it's quite good for the price.

Please add status for "MICROPHONE PASS THROUGH" status for every mobile DAC.
UA1 plus does NOT support Inline headphone mic pass through.

This is a beginner review:
I used it for first time and realised what I am missing in the music. I have never heard so much details in songs with my phone inbuilt DAC, even my IEM started sounding better and full energetic.
I also it for playing some game and ohh man the stereo seperation is on next level you will listen every footsteps with a doubt.

application support, clean background noise, first class build quality, warm sound, great portability, comfort.

super speed delivery by @headphonezone received in 1 day

This dac is very powerful for IEM's. I would suggest to keep the volume at the lowest when start listing then adjust the sound accordingly. Although it's a very good DAC. I tried alac,flac and wave with DSD. They sounded wonderful.

I am using shanling ua1 plus for a month, with my offline flac playlist.
Sound output = flat, very sharp. (this is my first DAC, I am happy it doesn't boost any treble / bass). One thing I like is, bass is more defined, sub / lower end of bass you can feel them in ears.

for a average person, this dac will sound like ~10% better than their laptop, but we know it is more than that 😏

Headphone jack `clips` with iem, so older iem with loose a connector still won't disconnect easily.

Windows OS needs a Driver, get it from official site
I use foobar2000 + ASIO / WASAPI push / event / exclusive as output for bitperfect output.

Linux: Strawberry player with ALSA + hw output
(making playlist is little tough)

Andoid: Eddict player + USB output + DSD (native) output
they also have some DAC settings.

And yea, plug and play is supported as well, quite handy ~

Have I faced any issues so far?
Yes, one issue. sometimes, DAC just *hisses* and refuses to play any audio. Happens in random regardless of the OS. Reconnecting the DAC will fix it. But annoying when that happens

Years of waiting for that type of music when in 2000 there was introduced the Sony HiFi component system it still in my mind,but difference was not understand by me that why those systems was different from cassette players with which I was trying to get that type of music with no success.Then came to know the actual difference of the media and hardware used for reproduction of High Resolution music.But now by your's help and efforts I finally got the experience of that technology after more than 20 years.Thank You Very Much Raghav and the team Headphone Zone.The product Shanlig UA1 Plus and KZ ZSN Pro X help me to explore that experience.Basically I did not expect so much difference,but it's miracle for me now I can hear many difference in music which was unable to hear on those cassette players and even in my PC speakers.I hope you and your team will serve us in future also.

Design and Build Quality:
The Shanling UA1 Plus embodies a sleek and compact design, showcasing a brushed aluminum chassis that exudes a premium feel. Its compact form factor makes it an ideal companion for both desktop setups and on-the-go listening. The sturdy build instills confidence in durability, and the thoughtful placement of ports and controls ensures convenience without compromising aesthetics.

Audio Performance:
At the heart of the UA1 Plus is its ability to deliver a transformative audio experience. Equipped with an ESS Sabre ES9219C DAC chip, this tiny powerhouse unveils an impressive level of detail and clarity. The sound signature is characterized by a pristine balance across the frequency spectrum.

The bass response is tight and controlled, providing a solid foundation without overwhelming the other elements. The midrange is articulate, allowing vocals and instruments to shine with remarkable precision. High frequencies sparkle with clarity, revealing nuances and intricacies in the music that might go unnoticed with standard audio interfaces.

The UA1 Plus supports high-resolution audio playback up to 32-bit/384kHz, ensuring that it can faithfully reproduce the subtleties of your favorite tracks. Its low noise floor contributes to a clean audio signal, making it an excellent choice for both critical listening and professional applications.

Connectivity:
Versatility is a key highlight of the Shanling UA1 Plus. It features a USB-C connector, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices, from laptops to smartphones and tablets. The plug-and-play design simplifies the setup process, making it accessible for users of all levels of expertise.

Additionally, the UA1 Plus incorporates a balanced 2.5mm headphone output, a feature not commonly found in DACs of this size. This inclusion caters to audiophiles who prefer balanced connections for their headphones, further expanding the versatility of the device.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Shanling UA1 Plus DAC impresses with its stellar audio performance and thoughtful design. It strikes a harmonious balance between portability and audiophile-grade sound quality. Whether you're an enthusiast looking to enhance your home setup or a professional seeking a reliable DAC on the go, the UA1 Plus stands out as a formidable contender in its category. Shanling has once again demonstrated its commitment to delivering premium audio experiences in a compact form, making the UA1 Plus a noteworthy addition to any audio enthusiast's arsenal.

coming from CX 31193 this is definitely a big upgrade. Build quality of the product is good and quite lightweight and made of aluminium. overall it's definitely an upgrade. comes with type c to type c, if you have older iphones you need to buy lightning to type c cable separately. one button control is difficult to use and extra power otuput might be advantageous.

As a beginner audiophile gone for this DAC and with CCA - PLA13 experiencing great sound. For the price point this is best and beginner audiophiles can go for this without second thoughts.

Already raised a return request as dac not working and shared videos on mail also for the same.
DAC purchase become a nightmare now..

Shanling UA1plus delivers a really decent amount of power and extremely clean and distortion free audio at this price point also with a detachable cable which is really surpricing.

Dear Team at Headphone Zone,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude and share some thoughts following my recent purchase of the Shanling UA1 Plus through your platform. More than just a transaction, this experience—like every one I've had with Headphone Zone—has been part of an ongoing journey of discovery, and for that, I am truly thankful.

My first step into the world of in-ear monitors began with the KZ CCA C12 a few years ago. Since then, I’ve experimented with a wide range of products from brands like JBL, Skullcandy, Sennheiser, Philips, Sony, and even Apple’s AirPods Pro. While each had its own appeal, it was only through your guidance that I came to understand what true audio immersion could be.

Your recommendations led me to Audio-Technica and into the finer aspects of IEMs. And now, with the Shanling UA1 Plus, you've opened the door to the world of DAC/AMPs—an element I didn’t realize I was missing in my mobile audio setup, despite having invested nearly a lakh in gear. The difference is night and day.

I’ve since ordered the KZ KEX Pro for temporary use, as I continue building toward my next goal: a planar IEM like the Letshuoer S12 Pro. Each product you suggest brings not just improved sound, but a better understanding of what to listen for and why it matters.

In every sense, you have been more than a retailer—you’ve been my teacher. There’s little I can do to repay the depth of knowledge and joy you've brought into this passion of mine, but I remain deeply grateful.

With warm regards and sincere thanks,
Rajadurai M

The Shanling UA1 Plus is too cute and it hardly weighs anything! But it gets the job done perfectly. Comes in a neat package, delivers good sound and clarity with whatever basic IEM you are going to use. Welcome yourself into the Shanling universe with this one and prepare to nibble at their other great offerings down the line as you make your musical journey.

I just got my package and I'm loving it, it has some caviats like the single button scheme is a bit clunky and the led indicator doesn't always get synced with the quality of the audio but aside that it's a wonderful experience and hopefully a long lasting too

Pretty neutral dac, small factor easy to carry around