Chinese manufacturer Shanling wants to breathe new life into the Compact Disc with a new range that includes the Shanling CD 80 CD player, Shanling ET3 CD and network player and the object of this test, the Shanling CA 80 all-in-one amplifier.
A true all-rounder, the Shanling CA 80 hi-fi stereo amplifier plays CDs, can read audio files from a USB stick or hard drive, and incorporates an LDAC-compatible Bluetooth module to receive tracks from a smartphone, tablet or computer. With a power of 2 x50 watts into 8 ohms, it is able to power a pair of bookshelf speakers or small floorstanders. Available for €539, does the Shanling CA 80 manage to combine musicality and versatility?
Accessories
The Shanling CA 80 stereo hi-fi amp comes with a power cable, a quick start guide, a leaflet about the Shanling Eddict Player app, a warranty card and a remote control. Unfortunately, the latter doesn’t come with any batteries.
Presentation
Design
At 25cm wide, 5.2cm tall, 25cm deep and weighing only 2.8kg, the Shanling CA 80 hi-fi amplifier is a compact model that you can easily install anywhere in your home. It will fit in perfectly with an desktop hi-fi system, or in a living room where space is limited.
The Shanling CA 80 has an elegant, minimalist and retro design, reminiscent of the electronics of the 80s and 90s. Its robust chassis made entirely of black metal (also available in silver) provides a high-quality finish while effectively damping mechanical vibrations. The sides of the amp feature ridges that look like large heat sinks, while the top panel is decorated with the name and logo of the brand, as well as the MQA, Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless logos.
The front panel of the Shanling CA 80 hi-fi amp is simple, with a slot-loading CD player and several buttons. In the top right-hand corner is a small screen reminiscent of a fluorescent display, like the one on the Naim CD5si CD player, displays the volume level, the track number and the playback time in green. A small red dot indicates the selected source.
2 x 50-watt amplification
Equipped with a power of 2 x 50 watts into 8 ohms or 2 x 100 watts into 4 ohms, the Shanling CA 80 stereo hi-fi amp can easily power bookshelf speakers, and even small floorstanding speakers. To make the most of this power, the manufacturer has opted for class D polarized RT6863 modules.
These modules are accompanied by an ICE 100AS2 power supply from Danish brand ICEpower to maximize the current and the dynamics, ensuring a balanced music reproduction.
Philips + Sanyo CD player
One of the real highlights of the Shanling CA 80 amplifier is its built-in CD player, enabling you to listen to all your CDs, from standard discs to burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs. For this player, the Chinese manufacturer uses a Philips playback mechanism combined with a Sanyo HD860 laser head to guarantee an accurate and meticulous reproduction of every detail present in the recordings.
Bluetooth and USB playback
Thanks to its Bluetooth 5.0 module, the Shanling CA 80 can receive tracks from a smartphone, tablet or computer. During our test, we managed to pair the amp with our Android smartphone and an iPad easily and quickly. The Bluetooth module is compatible with the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, ensuring compatibility with many Bluetooth devices, as well as high quality wireless transmission. As a result, the Shanling CA 80 benefits from the Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification.
The Shanling CA 80 amplifier and player features a powerful ESS ES9219MQ DAC compatible with the majority of audio formats, including FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, OGG and AAC up to a very high definition of 32-bit/384kHz, as well as DSD and DXD files. Last but not least, the USB port on the Shanling CA 80’s front panel lets you play tracks stored on a USB stick or external hard drive.
Connectors
As a true all-in-one device, the Shanling CA 80 hi-fi amp lets you enjoy analog sources as well as digital music. On the rear panel is an RCA analog input that can be used to connect a streamer, TV or computer.
Also included is an RCA output to pair the Shanling device to a separate receiver, while an SPDIF optical output lets you connect an external DAC if you wish to bypass the amplifier’s built-in convertor. Lastly, the Shanling CA 80’s speaker terminals are compatible with banana plugs and spade connectors, as well as wide gauge cables.
Another plus for this Shanling CA 80 is the 3.5mm mini-jack headphone output on the front panel, which can be connected to a dedicated audiophile-quality headphone amplifier. Capable of delivering 130 mW of power into 32 ohms, and boasting a signal-to-noise ratio of 118 dB and a dynamic range of 119 dB, this Ricore RT6863 model can power a wide range of headphones and in-ear monitors, so you can enjoy listening sessions undisturbed.
Controls
There are several ways to control the Shanling CA 80 stereo hi-fi amplifier. Firstly, it features a series of buttons on its front panel that allow you to turn the device on, select the source, play and pause music, skip tracks, set the volume, stop playback and eject the CD.
Secondly, the remote control included with the Shanling CA 80 also lets you manage all the essential functions. However, it lacks responsiveness, resulting in some latency when pressing buttons. What’s more, its lightweight plastic build doesn’t match the Shanling CA 80’s elegant finish.
Finally, the Shanling CA 80 amplifier and player is compatible with the proprietary Shanling Eddict Player for Android and iOS. The latter allows you to control the CA 80 and other devices from the brand, whilst also offering a DLNA and AirPlay compatible Hi-Res music player that supports a wide range of audio formats.
Key specs
Power: 2 x 50W into 8 ohms, 2 x 100W into 4 ohms
Integrated CD player
ESS ES9219MQ DAC
1x USB-A input (32-bit/384kHz)
Bluetooth 5.0 module: LDAC, SBC and AAC compatible
Certified Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless
Headphone amplifier
Listening conditions
For our review, we paired the Shanling CA 80 stereo hi-fi amplifier with the Q Acoustics 3030i bookshelf speakers using Viard Audio speaker cables. We also tested the amp with the Elipson Prestige Facet 8B bookshelf speakers. The Shanling amp and player was powered using one of the filtered sockets of the Taga Harmony PF-2000 power strip. We streamed Hi-Res tracks from the Qobuz app, and listened to several CDs.
Listening impressions
We began our listening sessions with Massive Attack’s album Mezzanine on CD. The Shanling CA 80 delivered a dynamic and neutral reproduction that left room for the sound signature of the associated speakers, without injecting any coloration. Right from the iconic introduction of the track “Angel”, the bass was energetic and swift, without any delay. The Shanling CA 80 amplifier and CD player brilliantly conveyed the intensity of this track.
With the song “The Chain” from Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album, also on CD, we were treated to clear, if slightly harsh, highs. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks’ vocals stood out from the rest of the track, but everything seemed to be covered by a light veil. So we decided to eject the CD and listen to the Hi-Res version of this track via Bluetooth. The difference was immediately apparent: the veil was lifted, and we enjoyed smoother highs as well as wider spatial imaging.
With Norah Jones’ song Cold Cold Heart, the Shanling CA 80 was impressive. Combined with the Elipson Prestige Facet 8B speakers, it beautifully conveyed all the emotion contained in the vocals, which were crystal-clear and perfectly centered in the soundstage. We really had the impression that the singer was on stage in front of us. In a completely different genre, with Polyphia’s instrumental track Playing God, each instrument was precisely positioned. Their contours were crisp, and we could even make out the faintest sound of fingers on guitar strings.
Compared to…
Marantz Melody X M-CR612: sold for €799, the Marantz Melody X M-CR612 amplifier is also very versatile. Like the Shanling CA 80, it is equipped with a CD player and a USB port to play digital music files. However, the Marantz model features an FM/DAB+ tuner, network and multi-room features, as well as a wider range of connectors and two sets of speaker terminals.
Amplification-wise, the Shanling CA 80 delivers 2 x 50 W into 8 ohms and 2 x 100 W into 4 ohms, compared with 2 x 60 W into 6 ohms for the Marantz Melody X. In terms of sound, the Marantz amp offers a somewhat less lively sound signature, with a little more coloration.
Who is it for?
The Shanling CA 80 amplifier is a well-rounded amplifier that will meet the needs of any music lover looking for an all-in-one system. With its CD player, Bluetooth module, DAC and multiple connectors, as well as its compact, lightweight format, it can become the heart of a hi-fi installation in the office or living room, even when space is limited.
Conclusion
With the Shanling CA 80 stereo hi-fi amplifier, the Chinese manufacturer offers an ultra-versatile device that favors simplicity. Its elegant design and compact format allow it to be installed in many different spaces, whether it’s a bedroom, office or living room hi-fi system. With its excellent CD player, Bluetooth 5.0 module, powerful ESS ES9219MQ DAC, USB port and headphone amp, it is an all-in-one solution for enjoying your entire music library.
The Shanling CA 80 offers a neutral yet lively sound, and will bring out the best of the various bookshelf or small floorstanding speakers you connect to it, without adding any coloration to the sound message.
We liked
- The compact, 90s retro design
- The natural, dynamic reproduction
- Its versatility
We would have liked
- For the buttons and app to have been more intuitive
- A better quality remote control (with batteries!)
