Shanling CD-T100 tube cd player. What do you think ?

drunkonjack · « **on:** 24 Dec 2003, 06:31 pm »

I want to get a good 2 channle system up and going and I was wondering if anyone has any imput on this player. I am looking into this one because I can skip the preamp stage and hook it right up to my Parasound HCA3600. I have Paradigm Studio 100 v.3's that I will also use with audioquest cables. Is this a good player for the money ? Has anyone used it ? Thanks for the help. over and out, Kurt.

HAHA · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Dec 2003, 08:41 pm »

I have been told it can be bought for around $1100 in China. That is about half the price here in Sweden. That price makes it much more likely it would be worth the price.

There is also a SACD model called SCD-T200 for just a little more.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2003, 10:03 pm »

I've had the chance to spend some time with this CD player. It does a lot of things very well; specifically, I think it has a very engaging midrange and does a great job at revealing harmonics and overtones. That said, I felt like it was a big sloppy on the lower frequencies, and depending on what kind of music you like, it may be too loose.

That said, I think it is competitive with CD players in its price range, so a lot will depend on personal taste and system synergy...

Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2003, 11:34 pm »

hi,

underwood hifi sell shanling cdp's which are modified. check out his store thru audiogon, he is very good to deal with.

regards

rod

bluesky · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 02:54 am »

Hi

My brother is going to China in a couple of moths on a business trip and I have asked him to look out for a good CD player, like the Shanling. I would like to know where is a good place or retailer for this. And yes, I know China is a very big place but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bluesky

Gordy · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 12:55 pm »

I have to second Rocket's recommendation of Underwood Wally, I've had two very good dealings with him, having bought an upgraded BPT 2.0 and a moded T-200. He is also the only source I am aware of that discounts a little as well...

PhilNYC · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 01:47 pm »

Quote from: bluesky

Hi

My brother is going to China in a couple of moths on a business trip and I have asked him to look out for a good CD player, like the Shanling. I would like to know where is a good place or retailer for this. And yes, I know China is a very big place but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bluesky

If he's in Shanghai, here's the address of an "audio mart":

Qufu Road International Audio Square.
Tel: 0086-21-63060264 ext 3383.

Basically, it's the top floor of a mall that is all audio stores (some high end, some not). I bought my Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 speakers here...

Note that if you're looking for a CD player for use in the US, you might need to request getting the power supply replaced (unless you are satisfied using an external transformer)...

Phil

TIC · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 04:45 pm »

Hey Drunk,

I was told by a VERY SUCCESSFUL Shanling dealer that the built -in volume control was "digital" and not analog. That means that the volume is controlled by "tossing out" bits. The general consensus is that digital volume control is not a good thing.

BTW, the previously mentioned dealer talked me out of the Shanling for that very reason.

I've now owned several digital front ends that had built-in volume control. I have been going CD-direct for a couple of years. Here is a list of the "cd-direct" pieces I've owned:

Theta Miles CD player(the balanced/RCA version is superior)
Cary CD-308 CD player
Monarchy Model 33 DAC/pre-amp
Birdland O'deon Lite DAC
Resolution Audio Opus 21

All of these units were very good. The RA Opus is by far the best, but also the most expensive. For value, a used Cary CD-308 for under $800 is a great deal.

I really wanted the Shanling for my tube amp based system because it looks SO COOL!!! But, when a dealer told me I wouldn't be happy with the built-in volume control, I listened!!! But, at the current low used price, I might consider it anyway!!

Enjoy,

TIC

bluesky · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 08:15 pm »

Hi PhilNYC

Thanks for that information. I am not quite sure of his itinerary but will let him know. His stories of Chinese manufacturing are quite eye opening. We tend to think of cheap sweat shops but what is happening is that they are using top quality components and their manufacturing base is so large that their buying power of raw materials and components is staggering, as is their economies of scale.

I read an intersting article some time ago in the 'Bulletin' magazine here in Australia............China has, or is approaching, having more millionaires than the entire adult population of Australia! Makes you realise the size of just their domestic market for high end audio and why they are capable of producing such good products.

I wonder how this will pan out over the next decade or two

Cheers

Ian

IanATC · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2003, 08:34 pm »

It is a beautiful looking player. It is (as mentioned) musical and engaging.
However, two things make it NOT worth it's price: (VS ah tjoeb 4000)

-Bass -not seismic , nor particularly great
-Focus..not the most detailed player for the price.

yes, IMO it does sound a bit rolled.

bluesky · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 12:29 am »

Hi TIC

A quick question if I may about the Shanling and it's volume control. If it is used with a preamp does this negate the problems with the on board volume control "tossing bits out"?

Also, if anyone has listened to the modded version, does this address the issues of being bass shy and lacking detail? Given the very extensive list of mods undertaken by PCX on behalf of Underwood Hifi, I would have thought you would end up with something pretty special. This is what has been stated in the reviews I have read of the modded version. I have wondered if a 'cheap' way of modding is to just add a good clock (without having all the extra expense of resistors, diodes and caps) would provide sufficient improvement that addresses most of the issues with detail and bass. Any comments from anyone?

Cheers

Bluesky

Rocket · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 12:56 am »

hi,

six moons have reviewed the underwood hifi modded shanlings.

they're a bit pricey for my budget, but i would love to have one just for the looks.

regards

rocket

fatherandsonaudio · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Dec 2003, 02:25 am »

We have a lot of experience with the Shanling as we were at one time a Shanling dealer (one of the first in fact).

The variable out is digital and I would NOT recommend anyone use this unit as a preamp. You will experience a significant loss of dynamics and resolution. To Shanling's credit, they NEVER intended, nor designed, the unit to be used as a preamp for non-headphone listening, but folks have done so anyway. So, if anyone is seriously considering the Shanling, plan on using it WITH a separate preamp, otherwise you will be less than pleased.

IanATC actually desribed the sound of the Shanling quite well. It is quite musical and has a very pleasant midrange presentation, but that is about it.

Basically, the Shanling has wonderful looks (I would find myself mesmorized many times by it's looks, especially with the lights dimmed

). But in the end, it turned out to not sound anywhere near as good as it looked.

With that said, I have heard that the various mods increase the players performance a great deal, but by the time you do this, the end cost will be far greater. And I can think of quite a few players that will beat it in the those "upgraded" price ranges.

Is it a "bad" player? Definitely not, in fact many folks like it very much, but you can do better for less money, IMHO. But, it sure is fun to look at

We do carry a player that costs less and we feel is superior to the Shanling (we dropped Shanling after hearing it, it was a no-brainer). I will not mention it here, as I do not want to "advertise" in the this forum. Feel free to contact me via email if anyone wants additional details.

Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio