Today, Meldrick reviews the Shanling EH2, a compact and affordable desktop 24-bit R2R DAC and 4.35W capable balanced headphone amplifier. It is priced at $369.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Shanling for their support.
Click here to learn more about Shanling products we previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
Shanling follows up their compact desktop EH1 DAC/amp with the new EH2, a more powerful and feature-rich desktop DAC/Amp built around an R2R DAC architecture.
Without complicated screens or onboard operating systems, the EH2 is touted as a simple-to-use unit that lets you focus on listening to music.
Coming in at $369, the EH2 faces some stiff competition, especially amongst recent R2R DAC/Amp releases such as the cheaper FiiO K11 R2R.
To see if the EH2 has what it takes to stand out from its peers, read my full thoughts and impressions below.
Features
At the heart of the EH2 lies a newly developed 24-bit R2R DAC module, a nod to Shanling’s legacy with the PCM1704 DACs used in models like the CD-T300 and HDCD-H24.
This resistor ladder design is renowned for producing a natural and musical sound, appealing to purists who value tonal authenticity.
Complementing the DAC is a robust headphone amplifier, utilizing BD139 and BD140 transistors, optimized for high-end full-size headphones.
The amplifier delivers up to 4.35W at 32Ω through its 4.4mm balanced output and 1.3W at 32Ω via the 6.35mm single-ended jack, ensuring ample power for a wide range of headphones.
Just like the EH1, the EH2 includes bass and treble tone controls. While hardware-level tone adjustments may not appeal to everyone, the ability to quickly and easily tweak the overall sound signature adds a unique layer of versatility to this category of devices.
Design
After reviewing the Shanling EH1 not too long ago, what stood out to me when initially unboxing the EH2 was how similar the two units looked.
The EH2’s footprint is essentially an EH1 with double the depth. Despite taking up more desk space, its low height ensures that the unit still fits in desktop computer setups or more complex Hi-Fi setups.
Just like the EH1, the EH2 has a slightly curved chassis that isn’t as extreme as those found in iFi audio’s ZEN line of desktop DACs and amps, but it does give the unit some visual flair at the expense of stackability with other rectangular amplifiers or streamers.
The shell has a black anodized aluminum finish that gives it a stealthy utilitarian feel. When placed on a countertop or in a Hi-Fi rack, the EH2 doesn’t stand out, simply blending in with the rest of the gear.
This deep black finish contrasts elegantly with the piano-black faceplate, which houses the unit’s knobs, dials, jacks, and control buttons. The gold-tone function labels on the faceplate add a subtle touch of sophistication, reinforcing its premium aesthetic.
Despite the glossy piano black finish, the faceplate resists fingerprints surprisingly well, requiring minimal upkeep during daily use. The rear panel is also crafted from anodized aluminum and neatly houses the various inputs, outputs, and switches.
I/O
The Shanling EH2 is equipped with a well-rounded selection of inputs and outputs, making it a highly adaptable desktop DAC/amp for various listening setups.
On the input side, the EH2 offers USB-C, coaxial, and optical connections, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of digital sources, from PCs and laptops to digital audio players and gaming consoles.
With support for UAC 1.0, Shanling equipped the EH2 with enhanced compatibility for most major gaming consoles such as the Switch and PS5, adding to the EH2’s value as a simple all-in-one device
Additionally, it features Bluetooth 5.2 with support for high-resolution codecs, including LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and AAC, enabling high-quality wireless streaming.
For output, the EH2 caters to both headphone and speaker users. It provides a standard 6.35mm single-ended headphone jack alongside a 4.4mm balanced output, giving users the flexibility to choose between different headphone terminations.
The rear RCA ports can be cycled between line-out and pre-out modes via the switch to the right of the RCA jacks. Being placed at the back of the unit makes them hard to reach during daily usage, especially when considering the EH2’s longer footprint.
However, I still prefer this configuration over the approach taken by other brands that require the user to go through multiple menu layers just to change this setting.
The inclusion of both RCA and 4.4mm balanced line outputs allows seamless integration with external amplifiers, powered speakers, or studio monitors, making it a versatile centerpiece for an audio setup.
Controls
The Shanling EH1 keeps things simple and easy to use, offering a refreshingly straightforward control layout compared to many other DAC/Amps in its price range.
At the center of the design is a large, smooth-turning volume knob, dedicated solely to adjusting volume.
Unlike some dials that also act as buttons or spin endlessly, this one has a clear stopping point at 5 and 7 o’clock, making it intuitive and precise to use. The knob feels solid and responsive, giving a satisfying sense of control.
Surrounding the volume knob is a vibrant RGB LED ring, which changes color based on the bitrate and file format of the incoming audio signal.
This feature acts as a real-time indicator, allowing users to verify that their high-resolution digital source remains unaltered throughout the playback chain—an invaluable tool for audiophiles who want to ensure bit-perfect transmission.
To the right of the volume knob, the EH1 includes a dedicated gain button, which toggles between high and low gain modes for better compatibility with sensitive IEMs or demanding full-sized headphones. Additionally, a separate power button is conveniently placed on the far-right side of the unit.
In addition to the volume knob, the EH2 features dedicated bass and treble adjustment knobs, a relatively rare inclusion in desktop DAC/Amps.
These allow users to fine-tune the tonal balance of their audio in real time, offering a convenient way to shape the sound signature without needing external equalizers or DSP software.
The adjustments are subtle yet effective, providing added depth to bass frequencies or bringing more airiness to the treble region without overwhelming the natural character of the music.
Packaging & Accessories
The EH2 comes in a simple brown box with an outline of the device on the front and specifications on the back. The EH2 comes packaged with essential accessories to get users started right out of the box.
Included are a USB-C to USB-A cable for data connection, a 12V power adapter to ensure the amplifier operates at its full potential, and a user manual to guide through setup and operation. While the accessory set is basic, it covers the necessities for most users.
Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions were made with the Sennheiser HD 580, Audio-Technica R70X, Modhouse Argon MK3, and Moondrop Blessing 3 my main headphone and IEM pairings.
Unless otherwise specified, all tests and comparisons on the EH2 were completed on its OS setting and with the treble and bass knobs set to their neutral position.
NOS vs OS
The rear of the unit has a simple switch that sets the unit into either NOS (Non-Oversampling) or OS (Oversampling) modes, each shaping the listening experience differently.
NOS mode delivers a wider, more atmospheric soundstage with a warmer tonality, making it ideal for relaxed listening.
However, this comes at the expense of instrument separation, as bass becomes softer and more diffused, while treble is slightly less emphasized and more prone to sibilance.
In contrast, OS mode presents a cleaner, more focused sound with crisper treble and improved harmonic detail, enhancing the presence of cymbals and other high-frequency elements.
The soundstage becomes narrower and more intimate, but imaging is more precise, allowing instruments in the bass and treble regions to be better defined in both placement and resolution.
In more bass-guitar-dependent disco and funk tracks, I found myself gravitating towards the NOS setting, since I found that this gave tracks a lush tonality that enhanced overall enjoyment.
This did not come as a surprise since I usually listen to such tracks via notoriously warm sound hybrid tube amplifiers.
For most genres of music, I opted for the more clean and technical sounding OS setting. Despite having a narrower sound stage and better resolution performance, I still found that its sound signature had a slight warm tilt that gave tracks a natural sound signature.
Bass
Like most R2R DAC/Amps I’ve tried, the EH2 has a warm yet natural-sounding sound signature with very slight sub-bass emphasis and a satisfying velvety presentation of mid-bass sounds.
When paired with my Audio-Technica R70X in more modern complex Hip-hop or pop tracks, I found myself turning up the bass knob around 10 degrees since I was looking for a bit more impact.
However, with my Modhouse Argon, I found myself turning it down, demonstrating the EH2’s clean sub-bass presentation that does not color the headphone’s presentation too much.
The EH2’s warmer tuning lends bass guitars and synths a rich, full-bodied character, creating a more immersive and laid-back listening experience.
This warmth contrasts with the cleaner, more analytical presentation of sources like the FiiO K11, making the EH2 particularly enjoyable for those who prefer a more musical and organic sound.
I was impressed with how the EH2 can play back deep bass guitar strums without overpowering the harmonics, giving them a better sense of tactility and detail. In more complex tracks, I found that this improved my perceived instrument separation performance.
In melodic pop and rock tracks, the combination of a well-textured sub-bass and a slightly elevated mid-bass adds depth to the music. This tuning enhances the EH2’s dynamics, making tracks sound both natural and engaging without sacrificing clarity or balance.
Mids
The warmth in the bass subtly carries over into the mid-range, giving male vocals a rich, authoritative presence that enhances their depth and smoothness.
This quality makes the EH2 particularly enjoyable for my usual suite of 80s funk and disco, where horns and synths gain added vibrancy and weight without disrupting the overall tonal balance.
Surprisingly, I found this slight emphasis in the lower mid-range pleasing even in typical modern pop music. The EH2 can expertly deliver thick and dynamic male vocals and lower-pitched keys, without overpowering airier and resolving instruments in the upper mid-range.
This gives tracks a more exciting tuning that can deliver good note weight and impact, without overpowering string harmonics and more minute details in the mid-range.
Treble
With a natural sound signature that leans warm, the EH2 delivers a smooth and laid-back treble presentation that helps reduce listening fatigue, particularly in simpler tracks. However, compared to more neutral sources, it doesn’t emphasize micro-details or air as much.
During my testing, I never encountered any sibilance with the EH2 on its default settings. In most pop tracks, the treble felt well-balanced, providing enough presence without making chimes and cymbals sound overly sharp or distracting.
For more complex tracks featuring layered cymbals and chimes, I found that slightly reducing the bass and increasing the treble by 5-10 degrees helped enhance micro-details, though the effectiveness of this adjustment varied depending on the track and genre.
In well-mastered, simpler recordings, the treble plays its role in complementing the overall mix without calling too much attention to itself.
Staging & Dynamics
On its own, the EH2’s imaging performance is decent to good. But what I found to be more impressive was how good its imaging performance was compared to most warm-leaning DACs and amps I’ve tried.
I usually find that the warmer presentation of treble elements causes a decrease in the ability to pick out individual instruments, but I did not encounter this when testing the EH2.
The EH2’s soundstage is fairly competent compared to its peers. While it doesn’t artificially expand the staging of more intimate headphones, nor does it restrict the openness of wider-sounding pairs, it maintains a well-balanced spatial presentation.
It effectively reproduces a 360-degree soundscape, ensuring a natural and immersive listening experience without exaggerating or constraining the perceived space.
With its warmer turning, instruments in the bass region have very good dynamics and tactility. They never overpower the mix, delivering deep note weight with impressive dynamics in the mid-range and treble.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
