New Shanling A3000 integrated Amp...

[omegaspeedy]

Hi everyone, I'm seeking any advice on an amp for my setup here in New Zealand. I just bought some awesome Monitor Audio RS6's and driving them with a Cambridge Audio 540A. Its rated at 60watts @6ohms so pritty under powered. I'm after a larger sound stage and more detail. My source is Cambridge Audio 640C and Arcam T61 tuner. I have an opitunity to buy a Shanling A3000 intergrated amp. I've been looking at Music Fidelities A5 and A3.5 but the A5 is out of my finacial range and the A3.5 is only 150watts @ 8ohms so it might fall short later on.

My question is, has anyone had any experience with Shanling amps like the A3000? Could you tell me how good they are and how they would compare against the MF amps.

The Shanling has a valve pre-amp stage which appeals and seperate solid state mono block style setup after, rated at 200watts @8

Thanks for any help.

James

 

[Brett A]

Shanling A-3000

I recently bought a Shanling A-3000 and can't get over how much I'm in love with it. Are you still shopping, or have you made your purchase?

 

[bandphan]

I recently bought a Shanling A-3000 and can't get over how much I'm in love with it. Are you still shopping, or have you made your purchase?

what do you love about it>

 

[Brett A]

Depth, Space and Detail

I’ve had it in my two-channel system only for about six weeks, so it’s still burning in. I think the short answer to what I love about it is depth, space, and detail.

The longer answer: I find it produces a massive, deep soundstage with enough space around the instruments to practically walk through. The imaging is clear and detailed without ever being edgy or uncomfortable to the ears.

The thing really is built like a tank, with no obvious cheap parts or hasty assembly.

Nothings is perfect, and there are two things I can mention about this amp, one I is general about high power and/or gear that involves tubes: It hisses. Not loud enough to hear from the couch, only from within 18” of the mids-tweeters. The other is that the motor that drives the volume knob from the remote creates a slight RF buzz through the speakers. Again, this cannot be heard form the listening spot, but it’s there none-the–less.
Also, the sound has benefited greatly from an AC cord upgrade.

In the process of finding an integrated I could live with, I took home a Music Hall Maven (receiver), Cambridge Audio Azure 740A, and a Krell KAV400xi and the Shanling which was measuable better in my system than all the others. I was actually hesitant to buy the it because of its physical size (it’s become the centerpiece of my living room). But in the end, I realized I was buying for sound.

I too was curious about the MF 3.5, but did not want to buy one used and unheard. I'm still curious about MF integrates.

I’ve noticed a lot of web sites list an A 300. I can’t figure out why, I suspect it might be some kind of gray market activity. The manufacturer as well as the retail shops sell A-3000’s, not A-300’s. I chose to buy mine from real people at a real store where I’ll be sure to get a real guarantee.

If anyone starts an A-3000 owners club, I’ll be the first member.

Two-channel system: Rotel RCD 1070 > Siltech New York ICs> Shanling a3000 integrated w/AQ NRG 2 power cord>DIY cat5 speaker cable> B&W 683 floorstanders. Dedicated AC outlet, room acoustic and vibration treatments involved.
I have photos and info on Audio Asylum also as Brett A.

 

[Davemcc]

I took home a Music Hall Maven (receiver), Cambridge Audio Azure 740A, and a Krell KAV400xi and the Shanling which was measuable better in my system than all the others.

Which parameters did you measure to determine that the Shanling was better? Everybody forms an opinion, but few people take the time to measure and document the raw data that forms the basis of their opinion.

 

[gus6464]

Which parameters did you measure to determine that the Shanling was better? Everybody forms an opinion, but few people take the time to measure and document the raw data that forms the basis of their opinion.

How does one take an amp sounding better to them and document it in the form of raw data? That's like saying to prove that a speaker sounds better to you by showing data.

 

[Davemcc]

How does one take an amp sounding better to them and document it in the form of raw data? That's like saying to prove that a speaker sounds better to you by showing data.

He said the Shanling was measurably better. I was just curious about the parameters he used to measure that, unless "measurably better" is just a meaningless turn of phrase.

 

[fmw]

Perhaps he's found a way to measure depth, space and detail.

 

[Brett A]

He said the Shanling was measurably better. I was just curious about the parameters he used to measure that, unless "measurably better" is just a meaningless turn of phrase.

With the Shanling, my foot raised ¾ of an inch higher (on average) when tapping. You should have seen the research, my wife got down on the floor with a tape measure and we did 3 sessions of 25 min each with the same source material at 92db for each amp.

All seriousness aside, I used the phrase as a figure of speech. I beg your forgiveness.

 

[Haoleb]

Dont try and reason with these guys brett, It will get you nowhere. Nearly everybody here thinks all amps and cd players and nearly any electronic part of a system sounds exactly the same "when operating within its specifications"

 

[mtrycrafts]

I’ve had it in my two-channel system only for about six weeks, so it’s still burning in. .

What's burning in on an amp? How do you know when it is finished burning in and not out?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Dont try and reason with these guys brett, It will get you nowhere. Nearly everybody here thinks all amps and cd players and nearly any electronic part of a system sounds exactly the same "when operating within its specifications"

Well, no we don't say ALL at all even withing their design limits.
Some just imagine that we do for simplicity.

After all, some do sound very different, enough to detect under bias controlled protocols.

 

[Davemcc]

I've lestened to the Era D4 on three separate visits to my local store. Once using a Sherwood-Newcastle receiver, once with high end monoblocks/preamp and once with an integrated tube amp. Each time I thought they sounded great, but I'm not sure I could identify specific differences from one visit to the next.

I'm sure there were measurable differences between the setups, but I couldn't tell you they were audible without hearing each setup back to back. I'm OK with somebody saying that one piece of equipment sounds better that another. That's all I have to share here, experience and opinion. But if somebody takes the time and effort to measure the difference between equipment and is willing to share the results, I'll gladly take a look at the results.

 

[gus6464]

Sometimes there can be some hypocrisy in the forum in regards to amplification. Take for example Sony receivers. Every time you hear someone mention a Sony receiver the comments come flying how the section isn't good and all of the sort. "Get an Onkyo everyone says", in the case of budget receiver and the 605. Yet you look around all over the internet and see read about tons of people having problems with it as well as members of the forum. And they are still recommended left and right when you rarely read about any problems with Sony receivers which can be cheaper than the Onkyo and do what a person needs. As long as the Sony can deliver the power that's needed to power a speaker it shouldn't matter right? I have a very old Sony AVR that has worked flawlessly for me for 6 years now and only reason I replaced it was because I wanted a receiver with HDMI. It is now going to be used for a 2ch setup with 4ohm speakers (The receiver is 4ohm stable). And even now that I have my yamaha the sony still stayed cooler to the touch when pushing it hard. I paid $300 for it brand new too so it's not even considered mid grade like the Yamaha 661. I would put up a Sony DG810 or DG910 any day of the week against an Onkyo 605 in terms of reliability and build quality.

Then you have amp brands like Parasound and Rotel which are not considered cheap by any means yet no one complains about their price. But the second you bring up a tube amp it's a completely different story even if it's cheaper than the Parasound or Rotel. It is very well known that a tube amp will sound different than a SS one and sometimes the different sound turns out to be actually more pleasant to the listener. I heard some pretty bright Rega R1's connected to both tube and SS amps and while the SS amp made them unbearable, the tube actually improved their sound and got rid of a lot of brightness.

That Shanling is a pretty damn hefty unit (~60lbs) for it's price with gobs of power. It is only $200 more than the Emotiva RSP-1/RPA-1 combo and easily outclasses the other amps the OP was looking in terms of shear power. I never hear anyone complain about the Emotiva and people's opinions on it's "sound".

 

[gus6464]

I’ve had it in my two-channel system only for about six weeks, so it’s still burning in. I think the short answer to what I love about it is depth, space, and detail.

The longer answer: I find it produces a massive, deep soundstage with enough space around the instruments to practically walk through. The imaging is clear and detailed without ever being edgy or uncomfortable to the ears.

The thing really is built like a tank, with no obvious cheap parts or hasty assembly.

Nothings is perfect, and there are two things I can mention about this amp, one I is general about high power and/or gear that involves tubes: It hisses. Not loud enough to hear from the couch, only from within 18” of the mids-tweeters. The other is that the motor that drives the volume knob from the remote creates a slight RF buzz through the speakers. Again, this cannot be heard form the listening spot, but it’s there none-the–less.
Also, the sound has benefited greatly from an AC cord upgrade.

In the process of finding an integrated I could live with, I took home a Music Hall Maven (receiver), Cambridge Audio Azure 740A, and a Krell KAV400xi and the Shanling which was measuable better in my system than all the others. I was actually hesitant to buy the it because of its physical size (it’s become the centerpiece of my living room). But in the end, I realized I was buying for sound.

I too was curious about the MF 3.5, but did not want to buy one used and unheard. I'm still curious about MF integrates.

I’ve noticed a lot of web sites list an A 300. I can’t figure out why, I suspect it might be some kind of gray market activity. The manufacturer as well as the retail shops sell A-3000’s, not A-300’s. I chose to buy mine from real people at a real store where I’ll be sure to get a real guarantee.

If anyone starts an A-3000 owners club, I’ll be the first member.

Two-channel system: Rotel RCD 1070 > Siltech New York ICs> Shanling a3000 integrated w/AQ NRG 2 power cord>DIY cat5 speaker cable> B&W 683 floorstanders. Dedicated AC outlet, room acoustic and vibration treatments involved.
I have photos and info on Audio Asylum also as Brett A.

I think the the A 300 is the chinese model. Take a look here:
http://www.nysound.com/exec/servlet/CategoryServlet?action=productdetail&itemID=shl-2015-01013&formID=0

This site imports chinese amps and other electronics directly from China. I even found some US companies that sell rebadges of the same exact gear for 5-10x more.

 

[Brett A]

I think the the A 300 is the chinese model.

By Chinese model, do you mean not intended to leave China? You may be onto something there.

I contacted NY Sound to ask if I could stop by their address pick up an "A300" at their price and said they only ship. I think they are just brokering orders from China (as you said) and don't actually stock anything.

From what I hear and read, many audiophiles are weary of equipment that is made anywhere but the US or England. It seems though that the Chinese are beginning to prove themselves respectable when it comes to high end audio. B&W has recently built a factory there.

BTW, this Shanling was an upgrade from the Rotel I was using.

 

[gus6464]

By Chinese model, do you mean not intended to leave China? You may be onto something there.

I contacted NY Sound to ask if I could stop by their address pick up an "A300" at their price and said they only ship. I think they are just brokering orders from China (as you said) and don't actually stock anything.

From what I hear and read, many audiophiles are weary of equipment that is made anywhere but the US or England. It seems though that the Chinese are beginning to prove themselves respectable when it comes to high end audio. B&W has recently built a factory there.

BTW, this Shanling was an upgrade from the Rotel I was using.

Yeah there is some amazing equipment on that site at ridiculous prices. I am absolutely in love with this integrated. There is an american company that rebrands the same exact one and resells it for $7000.

Korsun V6i ($929 shipped)

Preamplifier-section
Frequency: 5Hz-20KHz 0.5dB
S/N: 100dB
Maximum Input Voltage: 12Vrms (THD 0. 1%)
Distortion: 0.01% (10Hz～20KHz, 1.5V)
Amp-section
Output Power: 2×150W (8Ω) 2×300W (4Ω)
Frequency: 5Hz～20KHz ±1dB
Distortion: 0.2%（20～20KHz，250W 8Ω）
S/N: 116dB
Others
Power Supply: 1500W(MAX)
Size: 434mm(W)×180mm(H)×440mm(D)
Net Weight: 25.5Kg
Shipping Weight: 30Kg

 

[fmw]

Gus, you may be overreacting a little. Nobody criticized the amplifier. Nobody said it sounded bad. Nobody considered it a poor value. Personally, I've never seen one. We may make a little fun of the audiophile language. In my case that's fair because I'm a recovered audiophile myself and used terms like that in the past.

One of the biggest problems on forums like this one is that people state opinions based on what they have read rather than what they have experienced. I, for one, consider the Onkyo 605 to be a piece of junk. Since I own one and have personal experience with it I have a right to that opinion. I view the Emotiva line with a raised eyebrow. I've never owned one so I don't make any comments because I don't have any experience with them. I do know some things about the industry and the importing business and that's where the raised eyebrows come from.

Some people hate Sony because Sony is a successful and aggressive company. It is a curious reason to hate a company but not uncommon. Personally, I don't see a thing wrong their products and would buy one of their products well before I bought an Onkyo or an Emotiva. I even own a Sony product (Blu Ray player) and consider it well made, reliable, attractive and a great performer. It is a brute compared to my HD-DVD player.

I have a Chinese made product - Oppo DVD player - and it is a good product and a great value. Most of my other gear was made somewhere in Asia. The only American products I have are center and surround speakers. The only English products I have are my main speakers and my subwoofer. I certainly wouldn't be one to make comments about country of origin.

All comments and opinions are welcome. However, if you post an opinion, you're going to get some comments and, perhaps, some debate. That's the nature of internet forums.

 

[B3Nut]

Have you taken a sledgehammer to that 605 yet?

Sad to see the current Onk line giving so much trouble...almost seems like they rushed a not-quite-finished product to market. Did they get bought by Microsoft and not tell anyone?

TP

 

[fmw]

No. As entertaining as it would be, I'm going to sell it on Ebay and get a couple of hundred bucks instead of the entertainment. Maybe I should have videotaped a sledge hammer destruction and posted on You Tube.