[Shanling]

Easiest way to add wireless audio into your Hi-Fi system

Many audiophiles already discovered practicality and freedom of the wireless connectivity through the world of portable audio. Yet implementing it into their home set-ups can be often too expensive, or lacking in connection and sound quality.

At Shanling Audio, we decided to take our vast experience in designing and manufacturing both the high-end Hi-Fi and portable Bluetooth products, combining it all into one machine for the home audio. Offering one simple device, that will add the convenience of wireless audio into your headphone, desktop or stereo speaker set-ups. Providing you with top-quality Bluetooth connectivity and great sound, all at affordable price.

Availability: November 2020

MSRP: 169 USD / Euro

Hi-Fi Sound By using dedicated Hi-Fi ESS Sabre ES9218P DAC and amplifier, BA1 offers an impressive sound quality and will be an equal partner for your speaker or headphone rig.

Ultimate Bluetooth Connectivity Combining the Bluetooth 5.0 with the support of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, BA1 utilizes current wireless audio to its fullest potential.

Wireless Hi-Res Thanks to the support of LDAC codec, BA1 is capable of a Hi-Res playback over Bluetooth, supporting resolution up to 24 bit / 96 kHz.

Great with Speakers BA1 easily fits into any stereo speaker set-up, simply connect BA1 to your amplifiers or active monitors with a pair of RCA cables.

At ease with Headphones BA1 offers a dedicated headphone output, designed for use both with full-size headphones and sensitive earphones.

Digital Output With the digital optical output, BA1 can be used as a pure digital source for your current Hi-Fi DAC or receiver.

USB DAC BA1 can be connected to any computer to serve as a high-quality external sound card. And thanks to the plug-n-play design, setting it up is simple and instantaneous.

Companion App Available for Android and iOS, giving you total control over all settings.

Specification:

Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm CSR8675, Bluetooth 5.0

Supports: LDAC, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX, AAC, SBC

Hi-Res: Up to 24 bit / 96 kHz with LDAC

DAC/AMP: ESS Sabre ES9218P

Outputs: 3.5mm Headphone jack, RCA Line-out, Digital Optical Out

Output power: Headphone jack - 1.41V / RCA Line-Out - 2.0V

SNR: - 115 dB

Channel separation: 73dB

USB DAC: Plug-n-play setup, up to 16/48

Power supply: USB powered, 5V/1A. Power supply not included in packaging.

Dimensions: 120 x 100 x 26 mm

Weight: 205g

 

[meringo]

Product request: Balanced version of this with XLR outs. I'd love to use this in my studio space.

 

[Makiah S]

Product request: Balanced version of this with XLR outs. I'd love to use this in my studio space.

This and without the headphone out or even USB data Input

That and there's a dozen or so All in Ones around this price point. I don't understand why this is marketed as a "blu-tooth" product when it's just another dac/amp all in one... just with Blu-tooth

 

[meringo]

This and without the headphone out or even USB data Input

I only see RCA outs?

 

[silent-circuit]

I only see RCA outs?

Headphone out is on the front.

 

[meringo]

Headphone out is on the front.

Still not balanced / XLR for monitors. I want to bring LDAC to my XLR monitors. My product request stands lol

 

[LoryWiv]

I have a product request as well: A device similar to this that transmits BT 5.0 with these high quality codecs. There is an abundance of BT receivers and so few transmitters. Those that exist install as soundcards, pretty neat idea, but mostly limited to 16 Bit / 44.1 kHz stream output. I want to output my up-sampled audio from HQPlayer to wireless headphones in at least 24/48 or 24/96. Even those that claim AptX HD compatibility only output 16/44.1. The solution that comes closest is Avantree DG60, newest version of which does output 24/48, but it has some quirks like stereo channel reversal I can't solve as yet. The other BT transmitter box solutions all require a coax. or 3.5 mm input from a player or PC, not the solution I seek.

So please, manufactures: Develop and market a high quality PC USB audio adapter (soundcard function) with the best BT 5.0 codecs. Many audiophiles have their main music collection on a PC and I anticipate there would be a great market for a USB audio adapter that would let us stream (transmit) BT from FooBar, HQP or the PC music player of their choice out to wireless speakers or headphones! I'll be waiting eagerly with my credit card!

BTW if anyone knows of such a solution please share!!! Also if there is a more appropriate forum to post this product request /suggestion in, kindly feel free to re-direct me as I recognize this is a bit off topic.

 

[Shanling]

This and without the headphone out or even USB data Input

That and there's a dozen or so All in Ones around this price point. I don't understand why this is marketed as a "blu-tooth" product when it's just another dac/amp all in one... just with Blu-tooth

It's marketed as Bluetooth receiver, as it's prime functionality. USB input is secondary, as it's limited to 16/44 or 48.

Still not balanced / XLR for monitors. I want to bring LDAC to my XLR monitors. My product request stands lol

Well, BA1 has digital optical output, so you can connect it to some cheap balanced DAC with optical in and then run that to your speakers.

 

[Makiah S]

It's marketed as Bluetooth receiver, as it's prime functionality. USB input is secondary, as it's limited to 16/44 or 48.

Well, BA1 has digital optical output, so you can connect it to some cheap balanced DAC with optical in and then run that to your speakers.

Well here's two "receivers" that seem to focus in on just blu-tooth,

Option 1

Option 2 Even has XLR Out!

An both options are limited to just Blutooth input with Analog Line Outs. Hard to speak the quality of either one but at least option one and 2 both bring something different but important to the table, 1 focuses on "increased range" and 2 has Pro Line Outs...

An then there's BA1 which has both USB Data In and a Headphone out... so I mean... prime functionality but with the inclusion of additional functions. Why drive up the BOM with secondary features if it's marketed primarily for Blu-tooth

Could a product with XLR outs AND better "range" be launched at the same price point if the unnecessary secondary functions where dropped?

I mean iFi has their Zen Blue which has the same APTx and LDac plus 4.4mm balanced line output... how neat is that. It's also got both digital Coaxial and Optical Outputs... so I can add LDac to an existing high performance DAC... and it's $129... Huh @meringo I guess Zen Blue is what your looking for, the 4.4mm to 3pin XLR Cables are a bit specific but there it is!

So my point again is why add in secondary functions when the Prime Function could have been more fleshed out? Especially when a competing product is both cheaper and has everything your missing...

Maybe you guys will have success in markets where iFi doesn't distribute as easily, but it bums me out to think about how much better this maybe could have been at or near it's announced price! Tho I dunno, maybe I'm just not within the demographic you guys are trying to capture...

 

[Shanling]

@Mshenay Thanks for your feedback.

Each of these devices offers different mix of features, I'm sure each of them will find their matching audience.

 

[Trancefreak]

I agree, a high end LDAC transmitter in one of these would separate it from the abundance.

Really, sometimes I just want to use my TV, HTPC or HiFi with my Sony WH1000XM2's.

 

[Soundizer]

Agree. Need better BT transmitters from reputable manufacturers.

 

[cleg]

My video about BA1

 

[Ichos]

Hello dear friends,

I had the opportunity to review the BA1 and I am very satisfied with it.
Thank you @Shanling for the opportunity.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/shanling-ba1-desktop-hi-fi-bluetooth-receiver.25120/review/26731/

Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for reading.

 

[Ultrainferno]

In today's article, we review the BA1 on Headfonia. An article by @Aerosphere
https://headfonia.com/shanling-ba1-review/