We’re taking a look at the $159 USD Shanling UA6 flagship USB DAC/AMP dongle in this two-page article.
Disclaimer: Shanling provided the UA6 in exchange for our honest review. We thank them for the opportunity.
Shanling
Established in 1988, Shanling has over thirty years of experience in high-fidelity audio. Shanling’s broad portfolio ranges from classic home hi-fi systems to modern portable devices, including DAPs, DAC/AMPs, headphones, and earphones.
On Headfonia, we have reviewed many Shanling products, and you can check those articles through this link. Today, we will look at their latest addition to the UA family, the Shanling UA6, their newest flagship of the lineup.
Shanling UA6 – Flagship Portable USB DAC/AMP
Shanling’s UA series represents their lineup of portable DAC/AMPs, including models like the UA1+, UA2, UA3, UA4, and the former flagship UA5. The UA6 is the latest addition and now takes the flagship title.
For the first time in their dongle lineup, Shanling has used a quad DAC configuration, utilizing four Cirrus Logic CS43131 chips. This configuration delivers 360mW@32Ω output through the 4.4mm balanced output, providing ample power on the go. The UA6 also introduces Shanling’s new Hybrid Power System 2.0, featuring an onboard 220mAh battery designed to address a common problem with portable DAC/AMPs. Many smartphones fail to provide sufficient power to advanced portable dongles, resulting in reduced performance compared to when connected to a PC. Rather than power-capping to get around this obstacle, Shanling chose to solve the problem by incorporating a dedicated power source. We’ll talk more about this in the upcoming sections.
The UA6 retails for 159 USD on Shanling’s official Aliexpress store and is also available on well-known retailers such as Linsoul.com and HiFiGO.com. Here are the specs and highlights:
- x4 Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs
- Hybrid Power System 2.0 (Enhanced Compatibility with Smartphones)
- Advanced Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator
- 3.5mm: 112mW@32Ω | 4.4mm: 360mW@32Ω
- Output Impedance: 4.4mm – 1.2Ω | 3.5mm – 0.6Ω
- UAC 1.0 / 2.0 Modes + Eddict Player App Support
- 32-bit 768kHz & DSD512
- SPDIF Coaxial Output
- 1.3-inch Color Display
- Machined Aluminum Chassis with Anodized Finish
- Available in Silver and Black
Packaging & Accessories
The packaging of the UA6 has a design that stands out from the usual. The UA6 comes in a compact and lightweight blue-ish gunmetal box with a rainbow coating effect. The front of the box features an image of the UA6 and the product name in chrome lettering, while the back features technical specifications in black lettering that’s a little hard to read due to the coating.
Upon opening the box, we are greeted by the UA6 securely nestled in a foam compartment with a separate section underneath for the accessories. Inside this compartment, you’ll find a simple unbraided USB-C to USB-C cable with a soft cable jacket, a USB-A male to USB-C female adapter, Hi-Res certification stickers, a quick start guide, a warranty card, and a booklet introducing Shanling’s other products.
Design & Build Quality
At first glance, the UA6 resembles a miniaturized version of a Shanling DAP. The familiar anodized aluminum chassis meets tempered glass, resulting in a sleek and aesthetic device with sharp lines and a cubical design. Shanling has placed the USB-C input port on the top of the device, while the earphone outputs are located on the bottom. Despite its premium build, the UA6 feels surprisingly lightweight for its quality, weighing just 35 grams, which is about the same as a single rechargeable AA battery.
While it’s not the most compact device, it’s not overly large for a dongle with an integrated battery and four DAC chips. There are three rectangular buttons on the right side of the device, and as someone who’s grown tired of the ubiquitous rounded button designs, I really like the change of scenery. Shanling has done an excellent job with the tactile feedback of these buttons. They provide a satisfying amount of feedback while maintaining a smooth press, and the buttons are virtually silent when clicked, enhancing the overall premium vibe.
In terms of design, I can confidently say that I’m quite impressed with the UA6. While a slightly narrower chassis might have been ideal, the protruding structure on the back, streaked sides, the anodized finish, and the adherence to Shanling’s signature design language, all combined with high-quality materials, make this a well-executed product design-wise.
While I found the design of the UA5 to be slightly more compact, I didn’t notice any significant differences in convenience between the two during use. Overall, the UA6 has an impressive build quality and design, just like always. Shanling has an admirable track record regarding the design of their devices.
Shanling UA6 – Comparative Sound & Performance Evaluation
The Shanling UA6 diverges sharply from Shanling’s traditional house sound as it can easily be labeled as a highly resolving, neutral dongle. It delivers a sterile, analytical, and flat presentation, a clear departure from the warmer, richer, and more bodied usual Shanling signature. This more revealing sound signature makes synergy crucial, as the UA6 is unforgiving with poorly mastered tracks and analytical IEMs. While it excels in transparency and detail retrieval, the presentation could benefit from added warmth and body to make the overall experience more engaging and musical.
Looking back at Shanling’s lineup, the UA3 leaned towards a smooth and forgiving sound, while the UA5 struck a nice balance between warmth and transparency. The UA4 followed with a punchy low-end, textured mids and a slightly softened/smoothened treble region, offering a richer tone with good musicality. However, the UA6 takes a completely different route, aiming for a flat, somewhat dry signature that reveals every nuance in the track, including highlighting imperfections. This makes the UA6 an excellent tool for mastering or critical listening, but it may leave those seeking a more enjoyable musical sound disappointed.
The sound part continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: Shanling, UA6 DAC/AMP, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, Comparative Sound
Page 2: Sound Detail, Power Output, Hybrid Power System 2.0, Comparisons, Last Words
