Synergy
Power/Efficiency
The Shanling EH1 is a decently powerful DAC/AMP for its size and price range. When plugged into DC power, the EH1 can deliver up to 1015 mW at 32Ω on its balanced output, and 399 mW per channel on the single-ended output (32Ω).
While this output power is commendable for a device of its size and form factor, it’s worth noting that its competitors such as the K11 and K11 R2R previously offered even greater power at even lower price points.
When paired with the Shanling EH1’s balanced output, it effortlessly drove the Sennheiser HD 580 Precision to satisfying levels at high gain with the volume set relatively low, easily handling larger full-sized headphones.
However, when paired to my R70x via its SE output, I found myself almost maxing out the amplifier, causing some distortion in the high end.
On low gain, the Shanling EH1 also excelled with in-ear monitors such as the Moondrop Blessing 3 and the Yanyin Canon II. With its low signal-to-noise ratio, the EH1 was able to adequately drive more sensitive IEMs without detectable hiss.
Pairings
The Shanling EH1 excels when paired with headphones and IEMs that favor a warmer-sounding source, while also making full use of the unit’s power output.
During my testing, the EH1 synergized well with the Audio-Technica R70X, enhancing its natural and organic sound presentation.
This pairing felt intuitive since I’ve always enjoyed using the R70X with warmer sources like my hybrid tube amplifier or the FiiO K11 R2R. I found that the additional warmth in the mid-bass region gave the R70x a weightier presentation, without sacrificing its good sound staging performance.
Through the Moondrop Blessing 3, I found EH1 to be quite enjoyable. I already enjoyed the stock sound signature of the Moondrop Blessing 3, but I appreciated the slight warmth added by the EH11.
It gave bass-heavy tracks a bit more excitement without sacrificing too much fidelity and staging performance in the mid-range and treble region.
The Canon 2’s V-shaped sound signature was muddied up by the additional warmth of the EH1. However, I found that adjusting the bass knob did alleviate this.
Select Comparisons
All comparisons were performed with the EH1 plugged into DC power, and the tone control knobs on their neutral setting unless otherwise stated.
FiiO K11
Technical
I was intrigued to find that both the original FiiO K11 and the Shanling EH1 utilize the Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chip alongside dual SGM8262 amplifiers.
However, the EH1 offers slightly lower power output, rated at 399mW and 1015mW @32Ω for its 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, respectively, compared to the original K11’s more robust 520mW and 1400mW @32Ω for the same outputs.
Despite these differences in power, the two devices share a remarkably similar feature set. Both include 6.3mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs on the front panel, as well as RCA and coaxial outputs on the rear for versatile connectivity.
The standout distinction for the EH1 is its inclusion of dedicated bass and treble tuning knobs, allowing users to fine-tune the overall sound presentation to their preferences, a feature that sets it apart from the original K11.
Design
Both units are constructed out of anodized aluminum and have a similar finish. However, the EH1’s shell follows Shanling’s new curved design, with both the top and bottom halves of the shell having gentle curves. Whereas the K11 has a square shell with rounded edges, like certain minicomputers.
Comparing the two side by side, the EH1 is taller and longer than the K11, however the K11 is wider and heavier.
Both units have stealthy designs and can easily fit into any audiophile setup. However, I found that the EH1’s lack of a screen and more unique silhouette gives it a cleaner aesthetic.
Performance
The Shanling EH1 offers a slightly stronger sub-bass presence compared to the original FiiO K11, but its warmth is most noticeable in the mid-bass region.
This added warmth gives bass guitars and synths a weightier, more atmospheric quality. For example, bass guitar lines in funk tracks feel more textured and satisfying with the EH1’s tonal enhancements, delivering a fuller low-end response.
However, the midrange performance of the Shanling EH1 falls short compared to the original K11. String instruments on the original K11 showcase better dynamics, detail, and texture.
While the EH1’s midrange can come across as thinner and more one-dimensional with the warmth sometimes masking the clarity of instruments.
Treble is another area where the original K11 has a clear advantage. The K11 delivers cymbals and chimes with greater air and detail, maintaining separation even in complex mixes.
The EH1 struggles with treble-heavy tracks, where cymbals and high-frequency instruments tend to blend, occasionally resulting in a harsher and less refined presentation.
However, by turning down the bass levels and increasing the volume, I found that I could tune the EH1 to sound much closer to the original K11. This opened up the mid-range quite a bit, but I still enjoyed the stock warm signature of the EH1.
iFi Audio ZEN DAC
Technical
The Shanling EH1 features a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chip paired with dual SGM8262 amplifiers, offering support for PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
In contrast, the iFi Audio ZEN DAC uses a Burr-Brown True Native chipset with a lower resolution support of up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DXD, and DSD256.
The EH1 is equipped with a USB-C input, while the ZEN DAC utilizes a USB-B connector. Both units share 6.3mm single-ended outputs, 4.4mm balanced outputs, and rear RCA outputs.
However, the EH1 includes an additional coaxial output, whereas the ZEN DAC provides an extra 4.4mm balanced output at the rear.
The EH1 delivers significantly higher power, with 399mW and 1015mW @32Ω on its 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, respectively.
In comparison, the ZEN DAC offers 280mW and 380mW @32Ω on its single-ended and balanced outputs, making the EH1 far more capable of driving demanding headphones.
Notably, the ZEN’s balanced output is less powerful than the EH1’s single-ended output, further highlighting the disparity in output strength.
Additionally, the ZEN DAC includes a TrueBass feature, which boosts the lower frequencies for a fuller sound. The EH1 offers more comprehensive tone control via dedicated bass and treble tuning knobs, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their preference.
Design
While both units have a curved metal shell, the iFi ZEN DAC’s more aggressive curves and is more polarizing than that of the Shanling EH1, which may appeal to users who prefer a more aesthetic and elegant look. The iFi ZEN DAC has an aluminum body that is slightly curved with a silver color scheme,
While both the Shanling EH1 and the iFi ZEN DAC occupy a similar footprint on a desk, I find the EH1 more accommodating for stacking a separate amplifier on top, thanks to its flatter design. This makes it a bit more versatile in multi-device setups.
Both devices feature an RGB color ring around the volume knob to indicate the sample rate of the audio file being processed, which adds a practical and visually appealing touch.
The iFi ZEN DAC, however, has a larger, more premium-feeling volume knob, which gives it a slight edge in terms of tactile experience. That said, the EH1’s volume knob, while smaller, is well-constructed and durable enough to handle daily use without issue.
Performance
Both the iFi ZEN DAC and the Shanling EH1 proved capable of driving the Moondrop Blessing 3 IEMs with ease.
The ZEN DAC showcased a punchier sub-bass response with a deeper and more impactful delivery compared to the EH1. The EH1 offered a more laid-back, smooth tonal character, with bass guitar and synth presentations sounding lush and velvety.
The midrange and treble performance further highlighted the differences between the two units. The EH1 provided a more resolving presentation, with individual strums and cymbal strikes possessing greater clarity and precision. The ZEN DAC, while competent, lacked the level of detail retrieval offered by the EH1 in these regions.
The ZEN was just outclassed when testing full-sized headphones like the Audio-Technica R70X. The EH1’s superior power output allowed it to deliver a more articulate and balanced presentation across all frequency ranges.
Sub-bass and upper treble regions were particularly improved on the EH1, whereas the ZEN DAC struggled to maintain their presence and clarity.
With its ability to drive both IEMs and full-sized headphones effectively, the Shanling EH1 surpasses the iFi ZEN DAC in versatility. Still, the ZEN remains competitive when focusing solely on IEM performance, particularly for listeners who prioritize bass impact and quantity.
FiiO K11 R2R
Technical
While both units make use of a pair of SGM 8262 amplifiers, the K11 R2R pairs this with a fully differential 24-bit R2R array, whereas the EH1 simply makes use of a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chip.
Despite having the same amplifier chips, the K11 R2R has a higher power output of 460mW and 1300mW @32Ω on 3.5mm SE and balanced 4.4mm respectively, compared to the EH1’s 399mw and 1015mw on 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL.
The Shanling EH1 and K11 R2R share a similar array of features, with both devices being equipped with 6.3mm single-ended and 4.4mm BAL outputs on the front panel, along with RCA and coaxial outputs on the rear.
Both units can switch the RCA outputs between Pre-Out and Line-Out modes, opening up further synergy with powered speakers. What sets the EH1 apart is its addition of dedicated bass and treble tuning knobs, allowing for more intricate tuning.
Design
Since the FiiO K11 R2R has an identical shell to the original K11, the design comparisons are very similar as well. Both units feature anodized aluminum construction with a similar high-quality finish.
The Shanling EH1 adopts Shanling’s curved design, with smooth, flowing contours on both the top and bottom of the shell, offering a sleek and modern look. In contrast, the K11 sports a boxier design with rounded edges, reminiscent of certain compact desktop computers.
When compared directly, the EH1 is taller and longer, while the K11 is wider and heavier. Both devices have understated, stealthy aesthetics that blend seamlessly into any audiophile setup.
However, the EH1’s lack of a screen and its distinctive curved silhouette lend it a cleaner, more minimalist appearance, setting it apart visually.
Performance
Both the Shanling EH1 and the K11 R2R share a warm-leaning sound signature characterized by rich, full bass lines and robust male vocals. The EH1 refines this warmth with slightly improved detail retrieval and a cleaner treble presentation.
Cymbal strikes and chimes on the EH1 exhibit a touch more high-end sparkle, giving the treble a bit of extra clarity and finesse. While neither unit emphasizes treble energy, the EH1 maintains better detail and tonal accuracy in the upper frequencies.
In the midrange, both units convey a similar tonal warmth that enhances lower-pitched vocals and synthesizer tones.
That said, the EH1 excels in delivering these elements with greater precision and texture. Vocals have more energy to them on the EH1, adding an extra layer of depth to the overall mix.
My Verdict
In the hyper-competitive sub-$200 DAC/AMP market, the Shanling EH1 integrated Dac and headphone amplifier differentiates itself by mixing decent power and decoding capabilities with unique hardware bass and treble tuning knobs.
The ability to power the unit with just one USB-C cable is a nice versatility bonus, but it must still be plugged into DC power to maximize its power output.
Topping out at 1015mW balanced output power it doesn’t beat out the more powerful yet more affordable K11. However, it does excel in letting the listener tune their listening experience.
If you are in the market for an affordable DAC/AMP and value versatile tuning options over getting the highest possible power output, the Shanling EH1 is a decent option worth considering.
Shanling EH1 Specifications
- DAC/AMP Chip: Cirrus Logic CS43198/dual SGM 8262
- Output Power: 399W@ 32Ω (SE), 1015mW @ 32Ω (BAL)
- Input(s): USB Output: 6.3 mm SE, 4.4 mm BAL, RCA, Coaxial,
- Playback USB: 32bit/768kHz, DSD512
