Shanling UA6 II Launches With 8 CS43131 DACs

The Shanling UA6 II was launched in mainland China last Tuesday (June 16). Offering performance comparable to the Shanling UA7 portable DAC/amp, the UA6 II stands out for its use of eight Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips. Users can switch between four- and eight-DAC operation modes, each delivering a distinct sonic presentation. Below are all the details about Shanling’s latest dongle DAC release.

Update (July 30): The Shanling UA6 II is now available internationally for US$219 and can be purchased through the Woodes Store on AliExpress.

UA6 II Features Eight CS43131 DACs

The UA6 II is the world’s first dongle DAC to incorporate eight CS43131 DAC chips. According to Shanling, the goal of this design is to reduce background noise and distortion across the entire frequency range. The result, the company claims, is superior resolving power in complex musical passages featuring numerous instruments and/or vocal tracks.

Shanling states that operating eight DACs in parallel provides a “blacker background” and “clearer detail retrieval.” The company explained the effect as follows:

“Microdetails are no longer masked by electrical noise, significantly improving the device’s ability to reproduce low-level sounds. At the same time, the increased dynamic headroom allows transients to be rendered with greater naturalness and control: high-intensity passages remain free from compression, while softer passages stay well-defined and intelligible.”

What Does the UA6 II Sound Like?

According to the Weibo user “Single-Ended Purist,” the UA6 II delivers a “smooth and rounded” sound signature when operating in its eight-DAC mode. He notes that despite its highly detailed presentation, the sound “never becomes fatiguing or aggressive.” With all eight DAC chips active, the device was described as follows:

“Percussion instruments and acoustic double basses are reproduced with remarkable liveliness. Vocals exhibit excellent definition along with a full-bodied, rich character. The treble sounds smooth and delicate.”

His conclusion regarding the eight-DAC mode was:

“The reverberation of orchestral instruments is rich and convincing, while microdynamics are highly expressive. Works such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, which combine technical virtuosity with lyrical expression, become particularly enjoyable to listen to.”

When switching to the UA6 II’s four-DAC mode, “Single-Ended Purist” reported that the sound became more defined and incisive. However, he also noted that the “sense of expansiveness decreased, resulting in a more compact presentation with faster attack and recovery.”

According to “Single-Ended Purist,” the four-DAC mode delivers a more engaging listening experience with electronic music and movie soundtracks.

How Does the UA6 II Compare to the UA7?

Shanling also provided a brief comparison between the new UA6 II and the UA7. It is worth noting that while the UA6 II uses only transistor-based amplification, the UA7 incorporates a tube amplification circuit.

For this comparison, the UA6 II was evaluated in eight-DAC mode with high gain enabled, while the UA7 was tested with its tube mode activated and high gain selected. Overall, the UA7 offers greater dynamics and musicality, whereas the UA6 II delivers a cleaner, more neutral presentation.

In terms of timbre, the preferred option will largely depend on individual taste. The UA6 II presents a more direct sound, offering greater treble clarity and more solid bass reproduction. The UA7, by contrast, provides a more colored and immersive tonal character with a smoother, more rounded presentation.

Regarding soundstage performance, the UA7 offers greater depth than the UA6 II.

Shanling UA6 II: Specifications

General Specifications

• Chassis Material: Aluminum alloy and tempered glass
• Colors: Orange, Silver, and Black/Orange
• DAC Chip: 8× Cirrus Logic CS43131
• Dimensions: 6.2 cm × 3.0 cm × 1.3 cm
• Display: 0.95-inch OLED screen
• Eddict Player app support
• Selectable 4-DAC or 8-DAC operating modes

Audio Specifications

• Native Playback Support: PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD512
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), 3.5 mm Single-Ended Output: 128 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), 4.4 mm Balanced Output: 133 dB
• Output Power, 3.5 mm Single-Ended Output: 107 mW @ 32 Ω
• Output Power, 4.4 mm Balanced Output: 365 mW @ 32 Ω

Release Date, Pricing, and Availability

The Shanling UA6 II is now available internationally in Orange, Silver, and Black/Orange for US$219 through the Woodes Store on AliExpress.