Overview
The Shanling MCD1.3 is a CD player and DAC built around the AKM AK4499EX DAC with an AK4191EQ modulator, an Ingenic X2000 platform and a touch screen. It supports MQA-CD, plays from USB drives, and streams over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it works as both a disc player and a digital hub.
The analogue outputs are balanced XLR and single-ended RCA, with a 6.35 mm headphone output that delivers up to 1120 mW into 32 ohms. Digital outputs include I2S over HDMI, coaxial and optical, so the MCD1.3 can also feed a separate DAC.
It measures 280 x 280 x 96 mm, weighs 5.7 kg and comes in silver or black.
DAC and amplifier stages
The AK4499EX and AK4191EQ combination supports PCM up to 32 bit and 768 kHz, native DSD up to DSD512 and MQA and MQA-CD, with distortion below 0.0005% (-122 dB). An XMOS XU316 USB interface carries the same resolutions from a computer.
Two MUSES8920 amplifiers handle the line outputs, which Shanling describes as soft-sounding, while a TPA6120 drives the headphone output with more power. The RCA output is 2.5 Vrms and the XLR output 5 Vrms, with a dynamic range of 119 dB and 122 dB respectively.
Disc playback
A Philips SAA7824 decoder and a Sanyo DA11 laser handle CD playback, and the MCD1.3 acts as an MQA full decoder for MQA-CD. Shanling's dual power supply design separates the system and Hi-Fi sections to reduce interference.
Digital outputs and I2S
The I2S output via HDMI is optimised with an FPGA and is compatible with 10 different HDMI I2S pinouts, so it connects to a wide range of external DACs. Coaxial and optical outputs handle PCM up to 24 bit and 192 kHz.
Streaming and control
Wi-Fi gives DLNA, AirPlay and NAS access, and Bluetooth 5.0 receives with LDAC, aptX HD and AAC. The Eddict Player app controls playback from a phone or tablet, and a remote control is included.
Using the MCD1.3 in a system
With balanced XLR outputs at 5 Vrms and RCA outputs at 2.5 Vrms, the MCD1.3 connects directly to a power amplifier or active speakers, with the MUSES8920 preamplifier stage providing volume control. Use XLR if your amplifier has balanced inputs and a short, quiet cable run.
If you already own a better DAC, the I2S output over HDMI, coaxial or optical lets the MCD1.3 act as a transport only. The FPGA-controlled I2S offers 10 pinout modes, so check which mode your DAC expects.
For late-night listening, the 6.35 mm headphone output offers up to 1120 mW into 32 ohms on high gain and 153 mW into 300 ohms, covering both sensitive and demanding headphones.
Where the MCD1.3 sits in the Shanling range
The Shanling SCD1.3 uses the same chassis and DAC and adds SACD playback, and the Shanling SM1.3 is the same DAC in a streamer without a disc drive. The MCD1.3 is the CD-only player with the flagship AKM DAC.
What is included with the MCD1.3
- Shanling MCD1.3 CD Player DAC
- Power cable
- Remote control
- USB-A to USB-B cable, 1.5 m