I want to sound a note of caution with the UA5. Shanling has confirmed (on the UA5 head-fi thread) that they have a bug affecting some Android devices where the UA5 will not work unless you first start playing the music source before plugging in the UA5 - that is, just plugging in the UA5 and start up your music (like with any other dongle DAC) will not work. Also, after you do this and get music to play, if there is no music playing for a period of time, you will need to unplug the UA5, restart music, then plug the UA5 back in. My Samsung S22 Ultra is affected by this bug (unfortunately that is the device I really need the UA5 to work properly with). I can confirm that my HiBy R6 Pro works correctly (so not all Android devices are affected by this bug), and my iPad also has no problems with the UA5. Also, the S22 Ultra works well with the Lotoo S1 and L&P W2, so it is unlikely the phone (and as I have noted Shanling’s engineers are already aware of and investigating the source of the issue). Just thought you should alert your viewers.
It happens to my UA3 too connecting to Poco F1. Needs to play the music on Hiby first after connecting, and enable usb exclusive mode. But mine disconnects after a min or 2 after entering usb exclusive mode. And disconnects after that.
Just reporting my setup: Shanling UA5 + Sony XBA-N3 (with moondrop spring tips) + UAPP bit-perfect. Nice... Definitely kills my previous dac-amp FiiO Q3 and iBasso DC03
Thank you David. I know we are talking about different price points here but would you recommend getting the ua3 over the Hiby fc3? I don't need anything crazy. Just something that can improve upon my phone performance thats not too draining on the battery
Hello, just got this UA3 for use with an iphone 12. I must say the challenge is the usb-c to lightning cable. the one that came with my iphone doesn't pass digital stream audio probably just charges and moves files. I opted for the original Apple USB3 lightning camera adapter. BUT note that if you don't power the adapter, it limits digital stream to the DAC to 44.1/48 khz (blue light on UA3), once the adapter is powered then I can get UA3 to show other sampling rates. I'm curious if special short cables like Fiio LT-LT1, Cayin cs-l2c, Penon Audio, OEAudio Digital Cable would work? The sound from uA3 is very good. I also tried pentaconn 4.4 to dual XLR and plugged the UA3 straight into my pre-amp like a source and works great into my amp and speakers. So I don't need a desktop DAC.
Hi chief I’m looking to buy ua3 to try out AkM dac chips on my 13 pro max, any apple lightening connection to usb c did work with Ua3 dac, does this dac can be used for Apple Music, some other website video claimed only can access Spotify. I will be using Truthear hexa and some hires FiIO Iem. Ur valuble input will be helpful😊
Hi, is the link 2 bal better than ua3 in your opinion? and what about moondrop river? I want to buy just one dac to end it all but also don't wanna spend unnecessarily.
@@PrimeAudioReviews Hey! Thank you for replying. Could you help me clarify a few things further.. I have Fiio FH3. I find them a bit harsh in mids using with apple dongle. Do you think link 2 will pair better than ua3. Since ua3 is cheaper and has an AKM dac. Won’t it pair better to tame the mids?
Is it disconnection? I have the similar problem which it stops playing music after 1 or 2 mins. Then I check its battery saving, permissions and other settings every time but can't find the right solution... BTW, I don't want to use Eddict Player because of its tendency to emphasize mid-high frequency. I prefer HibyMusic.
@@TakezoTM Yes, even the latest firmware (1.0.07 i think), still doesnt fix this on my phone. It only works on UAC 1.0 (24bit 96khz max on hiby), by holding middle button while connecting, but buttons will not be functional.
Android will be only choice at this moment if u wanna fully utilize Eddict player with shanling UA series dongle. On iphone eddict player juz a music player without the USB tweaking features.
Have you tried restarting the source (phone/pc?) If that doesn't fix it then you might have to look into returning it/getting a replacement unfortunately.
@@PrimeAudioReviews ah great to hear that , it's even more powerful than the UA3 , very interested to hear how it drives planars . BTW did you drive the S12 off of something > 500 mw ? if so how much of its potential compared to something like the Shanling UA3 with 210mw ? Thankful . Keep the videos coming .
I want to sound a note of caution with the UA5. Shanling has confirmed (on the UA5 head-fi thread) that they have a bug affecting some Android devices where the UA5 will not work unless you first start playing the music source before plugging in the UA5 - that is, just plugging in the UA5 and start up your music (like with any other dongle DAC) will not work. Also, after you do this and get music to play, if there is no music playing for a period of time, you will need to unplug the UA5, restart music, then plug the UA5 back in.
My Samsung S22 Ultra is affected by this bug (unfortunately that is the device I really need the UA5 to work properly with). I can confirm that my HiBy R6 Pro works correctly (so not all Android devices are affected by this bug), and my iPad also has no problems with the UA5.
Also, the S22 Ultra works well with the Lotoo S1 and L&P W2, so it is unlikely the phone (and as I have noted Shanling’s engineers are already aware of and investigating the source of the issue).
Just thought you should alert your viewers.
It happens to my UA3 too connecting to Poco F1. Needs to play the music on Hiby first after connecting, and enable usb exclusive mode. But mine disconnects after a min or 2 after entering usb exclusive mode. And disconnects after that.
Would you say this DAC is fully compatible with iPhone devices?
Just reporting my setup: Shanling UA5 + Sony XBA-N3 (with moondrop spring tips) + UAPP bit-perfect. Nice... Definitely kills my previous dac-amp FiiO Q3 and iBasso DC03
Would you say this would be better than DC04 and would it be compatible with the Xenns Up?
Does work with an iPhone ?
Thank you David. I know we are talking about different price points here but would you recommend getting the ua3 over the Hiby fc3? I don't need anything crazy. Just something that can improve upon my phone performance thats not too draining on the battery
I would only recommend spending the extra money if you use or plan to use the balanced output. Otherwise, the FC3 is still a fine DAC.
@@PrimeAudioReviews Should I buy Shanling UA2 Plus or Shanling UA3??
I'm really confused about which one to buy, please help me out.
Any chance ur gonna review iBasso dc06? Confused between Ua3 and dc06, but the new akm chip is very tempting
Tempotec E44 vs UA3? Which is better? For planars like S12
Hello, just got this UA3 for use with an iphone 12. I must say the challenge is the usb-c to lightning cable. the one that came with my iphone doesn't pass digital stream audio probably just charges and moves files. I opted for the original Apple USB3 lightning camera adapter. BUT note that if you don't power the adapter, it limits digital stream to the DAC to 44.1/48 khz (blue light on UA3), once the adapter is powered then I can get UA3 to show other sampling rates. I'm curious if special short cables like Fiio LT-LT1, Cayin cs-l2c, Penon Audio, OEAudio Digital Cable would work? The sound from uA3 is very good. I also tried pentaconn 4.4 to dual XLR and plugged the UA3 straight into my pre-amp like a source and works great into my amp and speakers. So I don't need a desktop DAC.
its work used another cable now?
I see that Shanling just released the L3 short cable for iphone. So it’s another option i guess.
Hi chief I’m looking to buy ua3 to try out AkM dac chips on my 13 pro max, any apple lightening connection to usb c did work with Ua3 dac, does this dac can be used for Apple Music, some other website video claimed only can access Spotify. I will be using Truthear hexa and some hires FiIO Iem. Ur valuble input will be helpful😊
Which is a better pairing between shanling ua3 and earmen eagle for Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 32 ohms variant for orchestral music?
For orchestral go with the earmen eagle.
interesting reviewed I will definitely got one
Hey mate just wondering would take the ua3 or the btr3k with dual ak chips?
I would take the BTR3K all day. I much prefer Bluetooth DACs over dongles.
Hi, how does it compare to the fiio ka3? Worth selling the ka3 and get this instead?
Only if you want the extra features.
Hi, is the link 2 bal better than ua3 in your opinion? and what about moondrop river? I want to buy just one dac to end it all but also don't wanna spend unnecessarily.
I think the Link2 Bal is better overall but the difference in audio quality is pretty small. Link2 Bal treble is a little airier and soundstage wider.
@@PrimeAudioReviews Hey! Thank you for replying. Could you help me clarify a few things further..
I have Fiio FH3. I find them a bit harsh in mids using with apple dongle. Do you think link 2 will pair better than ua3. Since ua3 is cheaper and has an AKM dac. Won’t it pair better to tame the mids?
@@siddharthtandon7588 UA3.
I just got the UA3
For the UA3, when using Hiby exclusive mode, do u find frequent disconnection on ur smartphone? Like after 1 min or 2
Is it disconnection? I have the similar problem which it stops playing music after 1 or 2 mins.
Then I check its battery saving, permissions and other settings every time but can't find the right solution...
BTW, I don't want to use Eddict Player because of its tendency to emphasize mid-high frequency. I prefer HibyMusic.
@@TakezoTM Yes, even the latest firmware (1.0.07 i think), still doesnt fix this on my phone.
It only works on UAC 1.0 (24bit 96khz max on hiby), by holding middle button while connecting, but buttons will not be functional.
It is not a ua3 problem, hiby player is the problem
Android will be only choice at this moment if u wanna fully utilize Eddict player with shanling UA series dongle. On iphone eddict player juz a music player without the USB tweaking features.
Comment for da algorithm
Streak count: 151
You sound pretty tired in your intro.
Aaand I finished schooool btw.🥳🥳🥳
University, I'm coming!!!
speaking of which more dac indeed better, you can have one for each device eg. tv, consoles, pc etc, so that each gives best sound possible
My UA5 won't let me access the settings. I press the button but nothing happens. Can someone help please?
This happened to me once when I was fiddling with it in my pocket. Unplugging and then reconnecting fixed it for me. Hasn't happened again since.
@@PrimeAudioReviews Tried that and nothing happens.
Have you tried restarting the source (phone/pc?) If that doesn't fix it then you might have to look into returning it/getting a replacement unfortunately.
@@PrimeAudioReviews Yes tried everything. Managed to access it a few times but can't switch between options. Think the button might be broke.
Do you think ua3 will handle the letshuoer s12?
Yes, of course, it will.
Same question , Also curious about how the Moondrop Dawn fares into this .
@@blitz6167 I will begin testing the Dawn soon.
@@PrimeAudioReviews ah great to hear that , it's even more powerful than the UA3 , very interested to hear how it drives planars .
BTW did you drive the S12 off of something > 500 mw ? if so how much of its potential compared to something like the Shanling UA3 with 210mw ?
Thankful . Keep the videos coming .
@@blitz6167 I just received the S12 yesterday but I haven't opened the box yet!
Just wanna know moonriver2 vs ua5 and Ru6
Hows the battery drain on the ua3?
It's about the same as S9 Pro and ka3.
Jcally ap90 has the same chips at around €70 there is only one review on RUclips and no reviews on headfi etc
Is UA3 better than M12?
What the hell is an M12?
@@PrimeAudioReviews questyle m12 he meant.. I personally wonder m15 ,too versus shanling ua5 . Haven't you heard the brand yet ?
Excellent breakdown!
Can shangling ua3 can drive Hifiman Edition xs?
I haven't had a chance to try the XS.
Красава. Честно сделал обзор)