Shanling EC Zero AKM CD Player DAC Review – Cheaper Is Actually Better

Shanling EC Zero AKM CD Player DAC Review – Cheaper Is Actually Better

Shanling EC Zero AKM is a $319 USD CD Player and USB DAC AMP with an AKM AK4493S DAC at the core, Dual SGM8262-2 Amplifiers, and an extended battery life up to 10 hours of continuous playback. Today we review the new AKM version of the Shanling EC Zero, and this review will also draw comparisons with the pricier Shanling EC Zero T that we’ve reviewed a couple of weeks ago.  

Introduction

Shanling decided to make a new AK version of the Shanling EC Zero T, and the new version might actually end up being better than the high-end one, as it has multiple improvements that make it more versatile, including a simpler DAC, simpler AMP stage, lower price, but a high driving power, low noise and the same exceptional CD player and USB dac functions as the bigger T versions. You can find Shanling products for sale on Amazon, and multiple HIFI sale channels. 

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Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4o6Vper

Build Quality – Design 

Shanling made the new EC Zero AKM with a couple of ideally downgrades but actual differences in comparison to the EC Zero T, and the list includes an AKM AK4493S DAC, which is comparable to the one found on Fosi Audio Q6, Cayin RU9, SMSL C100. this is theoretically a downgrade from the R2R DAC chip found on the T version, but we will explore down below how the sound differs, as the AMP also changed to a dual SGM8262-2 AMP combo, which is similar to the solution found on Shanling UP6, Shanling M3 Plus, FiiO DM13, Shanling EC Smart, Shanling M1 Plus, and Shanling Onix Alpha XI1. This is an AMP solution Shanling favors and is experienced in implementing. 

Battery life is improved and the new AKM version offers up to 10 hours of continuous playback, and a comparable output power when it is running on battery power. The impedance is lower for the new version, and it has low noise for improved compatibility with sensitive IEMs. Otherwise, the new AKM version of the EC Zero features the same inputs, outputs, features, design, UI, accessory compatibility. 

USB DAC – Subjective Usage

For half the price, the new AK version of the EC Zero offers basically the same usage experience as the original Shanling EC Zero, everything is the same including the output power, UI, buttons, everything is exactly the same. 

USB DAC response is instant and although this is a CD Player, it can be a versatile USB DAC and headphone amplifier that’s a pleasure to use with both headphones and IEMS. 

Sound Quality

Pairings – To test the Shanling EC Zero AKM, I have paired it with Raptgo LEAF D01, Palma DHS-1, KBEar Cepheus, Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced, Erzetich Thalia, Erzetich Mania V2024, TinHIFI T7, FiiO FT13, NFAudio NE4, Sivga Peng, Moritz Dragon, Crosszone CZ-8a Enhanced, Sendy Audio AIVA 2, Tangzu TianPeng, Soundz Flame, YanYin Canon PRO, Dunu Vulkan 2, Letshuoer Mystic 8, and HIFIMAN Isvarna.

At the high-end driving part, EC Zero has more than enough power for harder to drive headphones, including Palma DHS-1, and the signature also pairs really well, but at the low end of things, with sensitive IEMs, the new AKM version sounds much better, with a lower noise, lower distortion and better control. I love the way it renders bass and depth, much more in line with the old school Shanling sonic experience than the T version. 

Overall Signature – Shanling EC Zero AKM sounds deep, lush, full, fun and punchy. This is a total reset back to the original Shanling house sound, and it is enjoyable with all music styles, gives power to both male and female voices, it is beefy and ballsy, sounds powerful, and has no audible noise with IEMs, which makes it very easy to enjoy it both loud and quiet. Control is very good up loud, and there’s no bias towards increasing or decreasing volume relative to your current mood. It is versatile in sound relative to the music style, matches well with everything from rap to classical to metal to EDM and trance. 

Bass – Back to Shanling roots, EC Zero AK sounds deep and powerful, rounded and bass is powerful and punchy. It delivers a devastating blow at 20 Hz, and has power up to 250 Hz, everything in the bass department is strong and colorful, contrasty and rounded. I love the way EC Zero AKM handles both metal and rap, EDM and pop, it makes voices stand out, separate from the bass and gives bass a separate layer to play. I love the overall bass, it is warm and brings back memories to all the warmer, more bassy sounding shanling devices people fell in love with through the ages. 

Midrange – EC Zero AKM has a musical, fluid midrange with no grain, but with a strong and bold presence for both male and female voices, it seems to emphasise a bit more with deeper and lusher voices, both male and female, and has a more present lower midrange than upper midrange. The SGM AMP combo gives color and strength to deep sounds and also helps create a deeper soundstage. EC Zero AKM has strong layering, and has much less texture but also much lower THD and distortion than the T version, and while we all know that tube tech has an inherent added distortion to it, you have to keep that in mind, it is very real and obvious. 

Treble – At the top end, EC Zero AKM extends nicely up to 20 kHz, but it is by default a fairly smooth and clean sounding source. While not exactly bright, the extension is all there, so you can expect to hear air and resolution just fine, just not with a strong focus on it, and instead with a smoother, silkier top end. It has been a long time since I heard a source like this, so EC Zero AKM is a happy one. The T version is a bit more grainy due to the R2R chip and the Tube tech both of which can add grain. 

Dynamic Range And Textures – Dynamic range is actually a bit higher than on the T version as the AKM chip and SGM amps create a more dynamic sound, with more contrast and definition, although textures are surely simpler, less harmonically rich than those of the T version which is exceptionally rich. I personally prefer the AK version slightly, it sounds less grainy and less fatiguing, both of which I feel are desirable things, at least for rock, metal, pop and EDM as well as most new commercial music that I enjoy.  

Loudness Saturation Gradient – Shanling EC Zero T has no bias, it handles low volumes and high volumes equally well, although it seems to sound best right in the middle. Despite having a perfect control, it has a special sweetness and smoothness that is amplified when it is playing right at medium volumes, between 75 dB and 100 dB.  

Soundstage – EC Zero AKM is quite spatial and wide, but also deep. Separation is great both laterally and for layers, while it renders voices in a forward layer. Background layers are clean and well separated, and focus is placed equally on the size and layering of the soundstage. 

Value and Conclusion

For a rather low price of 319 USD you can have a CD Player, USB DAC and headphone amplifier, and EC Zero is a better value than the T version if you’re not absolutely set on having tube amps and R2R DACs. Also, the new version fights in a much more affordable market, and has competition that doesn’t get quite as competitive as the opponents of the T version, being an incredible value as most DAC AMPS that get this kind of sound don’t have the CD Player part like EC Zero AKM. 

At the end of the day, regardless whether you’re looking for a CD Player or a USB DAC AMP, powerful headphone amplifier with a balanced 4.4mm output, and if you want a deep, smooth, full sound with a beautiful midrange and smooth musicality, you will love the Shanling EC Zero AKM and you’ll find that it is a more versatile DAP than the higher-priced version that uses tube and R2R as baseline technologies. 

PROs

• Powerful headphone amplifier with low noise 
• Can work as a standalone soundcard / USB DAC AMP 
• 4.4mm balanced headphone output 
• Stable software and UI
• Excellent CD Player function 
• Versatile
• Deep, smooth sound with excellent instrument separation 
• Great price / performance ratio  

Cons

• I feel it will be misunderstood and underrated for its lack of R2R and Tube like the big T version 
• Volume control is not very exact as it is a slider that controls it 

Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4o6Vper

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Full Playlist used for this review

We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature.  I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5

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