Shanling - UP2

Audio Used/Tested-
TIDAL Hi-Fi (Masters)
Deezer @44.1khz,
Spotify at Very High,
96/24 local playback.

Headphones -
Sennheiser 4.50btnc (with wire and ANC off),
Superlux HD681.

EQ-
SoundID (Flat) on Phone,
Reference 4 on Windows 10.

Seems to work as intended after the firmware update, noticable difference as compared to using the inbuilt dac on my OnePlus 6 and MSI Alpha 15. The Shanling Controller app seems to be a bit fiddly but works once you get used to it.
Some issues:

1) The LED doesnt light up red when being charged, but gets charged nonetheless.
2) When in USB Dac mode, you can only use it at 48khz.
3) In Android developer options, when LDAC is set as the preferred bluetooth codec, switching to 990/909kbps does not seem to work, it will get switched back to adaptive every time you close developer options (seems to be a problem with most phones running Android 10). All other codecs seem to be working fine.

very nice product i new to listening hi res audio and it works like charm ,there so much detail in listening , you hear more and understand more , i get around 6-7 hours of ldac (eq doesn't supports in ldac ) listening , to update its firmware you need todo it via windows computer ,i m using real me bud 2 on realme 7 pro its very nice and compact, but i don't know if its going to sound any better with iem's . pls help .

It was a great purchase, Delivery was super fast. I have Redmi K20 and it's connected LHDC (HWA) by default, you can change it to LDAC or any other codec if your phone supports it through Developers Option. Overall sound quality is great if have a great pair of Headphones or IEM but the App (Shanling Controller) is horrible. Firmware update through this app is a big pain, thus you have to update it manually through PC. Overall I want to thanks Headphone Zone team for helping me out from my confusion of choosing a budget Device like this.

My Gear: Sennheiser HD 599SE + Shanling UP2
Codecs heard: AptxHD, LDAC
Streaming service: Spotify Premium at "Very High" quality.

Personally, I do not have a point of reference, as this is my first AMP DAC. However, as far as being an Amplifier goes, it does the job perfectly well! 👍🏻👌🏻
The issues however are well noticable (and wanted to make me reduce my rating to 3, but at the given price, 4 is okay).
Issues:
1. The device comes with default firmware version of 1.2.5 which is extremely buggy. You WILL HAVE TO upgrade the firmware as soon as possible.
2. Firmware upgrade works only via PC. The Shanling Controller App fails each time you try to upgrade the firmware.
3. After upgrading, the volume remains the same as what it was the last time (thankfully), but the multi-functional button is absolutely unable to set the expected volume instantly.
For ex: If you turn the knob once clockwise, it will not increase the volume (you will have to turn it twice), but then if you turn the knob counter-clockwise, it will reduce the volume instantly.
This is the most irritating thing when the volume you wish is to be set.
4. There are occasional delays when starting to play a song, or when one song ends and another begins. This happens almost randomly, so it's hard to pinpoint to a specific time when it happens.

I may upgrade later on if the volume thing starts bothering me too much.

It's amazing Dac/Amp worth my single penny.....

Used it on Redmi note 8 pro with MI dual driver earphone and Sony 450. Not an audiophile, just a general and simple review.
Packaging--Great, Look and feel of the product great. The Volumn dial needs getting used to.
Connected via LDAC.
This thing gets loud, so loud you can definitely go deaf, doesn't distort though, is clean.
Has great clarity, mids and vocals are super clear and amazing sound staging. You will really enjoy the immersive music experience.
Really really not for bass heads. Absolutely lacks sub. Sure you get good punch, but it's like it's just there. That's it. You don't enjoy the bass, at all. Disappointed listening to tracks like - Say Nada, Axel hultnas Desert sounds, Trap queen or as simple as See you again, ( bass max on Spotify )
But the usability is many. I have a deck so it really enhanced the quality over wireless than wired.
If anyone has any tip on how to improve the bass , would help. 3.5 but 4 coz of its use.

Coming from a Shanling M0, I had high hopes from the new BT DAC AMP dongle, the UP2 from Shanling and I was not disappointed. Yes it would do you a world of good if you update to the latest firmware as the old one was quite buggy.
My phone , a RealMe 6 has no problem in connecting to the UP2 and using the highest quality LDAC codec, represented as a green colour in the LED indicator.
You can choose the quality in LDAC from your phone settings. The range is easily around 10 feet with LDAC before the sound stutters. Battery life is decent at around 7-8 hours with LDAC.

As a USB DAC, I had no problems in connecting to my Windows 10 laptop but couldn't make it work with my Android phone. On Spotify Gaana I was hard pressed to find significant differences using LDAC Vs Wired DAC mode, with a slight advantage to the wired mode. But with Tidal and a revealing IEM like Ety ER2XR, the wired DAC Amp mode is significantly better.

The Shanling Android app is quite bad and did not work for updating the firmware.

Sound is well extend at both ends with a warm smooth sound over all. Micro details are not really it's forte but the over all sound quality is more than acceptable especially in LDAC and wired DAC AMP mode. The mic works well with calls , no issues there.

A very good buy especially at the cost HPZ is selling it at. Highly recommended.

This thing is tiny! Built is superb. Clean, transparent sound with deep bass extension & a hint of added warmth. Hi-Res Bluetooth audio codecs & the built-in mic works great. I've been using it with my iBasso IEMs & they sound superb. I also love the fact that these can used as a portable USB DAC & Amp with a windows PC. The firmware update process(using PC) is unnecessarily complex & the Shanling control App is just terrible. EQ, Filters, Gain Setting, nothing seems to work & the UI is just bad.

Okay, first to start with... The device itself. It is a handy little thing that makes such a big difference. The difference in sound quality is clear to even the most u conditioned ears. There is a significant gain the moment you plug in this device compared to your phone. And all this without even using the High Gain mode (which can be tweaked from the Controller App that needs to be downloaded). Soundstage is wide but do not expect a 3D experience. The instruments are aptly clear and sound well-positioned. The ESS Saber provides good enough clarity for consumption with IEM's/headphones. Use the High Gain setting to 5ake advantage of the real amplification feature. Bass get punchier, mids are well mixed-in and highs are cleay distinguishable and in right frequency (some sound too tinny.. But not this one here). Even if you don't have a very premium headset, this one is going to give you more worth out of them that you bargained for. For most casual listeners, this will be Audio Heaven!! Totally go for it and compared to the price, there is much more that you would get in value. You would not be able to come up with one thing to complain about from it.

Really satisfied with the overall output and perfomance. Every headphone's true potentiial is unleashed.

Although it supports different codecs, If you phone doesn't support that you will be screwed. If you phone supports LDAC and Aptx it will lock onto LDAC by default. You have to go to developer option and Manually change. Even if it supports Aptx Low Latency I found that gaming through this won't be a good idea.I played pubg using UP2 using Aptx LL and LDAC, still a there is tiny lag. It's not a deal breaker because the Latency depends on many factors ( Which smartphone you are using , Interference between other singnal etc) But I still didn't get the perfect latency while gaming. For media it's Perfect for me. I plugged my V-Moda Crossfade LP2 and that tiny thing packs quite punch 😊 I would give a five star if I got perfect latency while gaming

Shanling - UP2

My V moda XS provide better sound and punches

Shanling - UP2

Well it's a small wonder.

Didn't lots of such products but I can say it Drives my M6 pro in style. It's portable and now I can use my IEMs with multiple devices and they sound lot better now. Battery is quiet efficient for daily usage.

This DAC is definetely worth it.

Pros
Exceptional Sound Quality
Drives bigger headphones
Good battery life
Small form factor

Cons
None for me yet

Nothing much to say here. If you have read some online reviews about this wonder then you will get a sense of deja vu. I also have the same experience. Good amount of power for IEMs even demanding ones. Uncoloured sound with outstanding technicalities. Great clarity, Soundstage and Seperation. Just one thing at the end, Get it!

This just acts as a Bluetooth dongle or adapter that can be clipped or hung just like that. Whereas the inside is housed a dedicated dac and amp that just boosts sound like original. It brings out the best from my KZ Zsx, Sen HD 598 CS or the V Moda XS which I got recently. Perfect for anything. Especially to connect my v Moda while paired with a smart tv, 2 of us can watch through the headphones, 1 via v Moda and v Moda itself connected to Shanling UP 2.

As for music it’s so neutral or flat or so balanced that it brings the best of the connected iem or headphones by amplifying or a log. High level or low volume both are a treat to ears.

Connected my v30+ with this , it immediately asked about , you want LDAC ,Aptx HD
I selected Yeah!!!

Here goes Booom!!! , UP2 uttering almost same Quality audio as legendary Quad DAC of Now gone LG, great work Shanling,

Thanks HPZ for making available this gem at Lighting speed delivery (3 days in Covid Times)

PS : Now since LG gone , somebody should carry forward Quad DAC legacy ( Raghav, hope you are listening 💥)