Shanling SCD1.3 SACD/CD Player Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Streamer

[VinylValet]

Shanling: Terrible Reliability, Don't Stock Spare Parts and Won't Honor Warranty​

In addition they don't support their Chinese dealers like Shenzhen Audio with spare parts or even technical support.

This is based on my direct experience with a Shanling SACD1.3 purchased from Shenzhen Audio. It stopped reading discs (after about one minute, No disc error with any CD or SACD) after a month of moderate use.

I've been going back and forth with Shanling and Shenzhen Audio for over a month. What a cluster#%*@! Looks like I'm now the proud owner of a $1300 door stop. Perhaps, with the remaining parts that work, I can be the only entity in the world with spare parts! Contact me first when (not if) your SACD1.3 fails.

The problem is the smaller circuit board attached to the bottom of the transport mechanism. Really low quality wave soldering resulted in several pins of the large 1389 IC to lose contact after a month of use.

BTW, unless it's simple solder touch up of a bad circuit board, Shanling charges to do their warranty repairs (??!!) and also charges a steep return shipping fee.

Shenzhen Audio will honor the warranty only if you return the entire player. I guess since Shanling can't and won't supply spare boards, Shenzhen will attempt to fix the board. What if they can't? Then either company will charge return shipping. The total is close to the retail cost of the SACD1.3. Regardless of whether you send a bad circuit board and pay Shanling for "warranty" repair or the entire unit back to Shenzhen Audio, the whole process will take three to four months.

Live and learn. Never buying another Shanling product and will think long and hard before buying any audio gear directly from China. They don't have to stock spare parts like US companies. Customer service is something that the Chinese business model has yet to discover. Manufacturers don't talk to or support their dealers.

 

[Roland68]

Shanling: Terrible Reliability, Don't Stock Spare Parts and Won't Honor Warranty​

In addition they don't support their Chinese dealers like Shenzhen Audio with spare parts or even technical support.

This is based on my direct experience with a Shanling SACD1.3 purchased from Shenzhen Audio. It stopped reading discs (after about one minute, No disc error with any CD or SACD) after a month of moderate use.

I've been going back and forth with Shanling and Shenzhen Audio for over a month. What a cluster#%*@! Looks like I'm now the proud owner of a $1300 door stop. Perhaps, with the remaining parts that work, I can be the only entity in the world with spare parts! Contact me first when (not if) your SACD1.3 fails.

The problem is the smaller circuit board attached to the bottom of the transport mechanism. Really low quality wave soldering resulted in several pins of the large 1389 IC to lose contact after a month of use.

BTW, unless it's simple solder touch up of a bad circuit board, Shanling charges to do their warranty repairs (??!!) and also charges a steep return shipping fee.

Shenzhen Audio will honor the warranty only if you return the entire player. I guess since Shanling can't and won't supply spare boards, Shenzhen will attempt to fix the board. What if they can't? Then either company will charge return shipping. The total is close to the retail cost of the SACD1.3. Regardless of whether you send a bad circuit board and pay Shanling for "warranty" repair or the entire unit back to Shenzhen Audio, the whole process will take three to four months.

Live and learn. Never buying another Shanling product and will think long and hard before buying any audio gear directly from China. They don't have to stock spare parts like US companies. Customer service is something that the Chinese business model has yet to discover. Manufacturers don't talk to or support their dealers.

May I ask which country you are in or where you have to send the device back from?

 

[VinylValet]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I live in the USA.

 

[VinylValet]

After some coercion, Shanling agreed to provide the spare part to Shenzhen Audio who then shipped the board to me at no charge and free shipping. Thank you, Shanling.

Throughout the process, the Chinese dealer, Shenzhen Audio, went above and beyond. Since I'm a good bench tech, they helped me narrow down the problem to the 4" x 4" circuit board under the transport mechanism (poor wave soldering left some continuity issues with the big 1389 IC). We were both having trouble getting Shanling to provide a spare board but, in the end, Shanling demonstrated their desire to also provide excellent customer service.

Hopefully, my reliability issue was an anomaly. Otherwise the SACD1.3 is an excellent product and offers great value. Their new ET-3 CD transport is beating other more expensive options.

Here's the lesson learned. If you are going to buy a Chinese audio product like Shanling, Gustard, etc., never by on Chinese sites like aliexpress since you'll have to ship the entire unit back to China if there is an issue. They will service any unit under warranty at no charge but you'll have to pay the return shipping. DSL is really the only hassle free option to ship to China but very expensive. Should you have a failure, it's entirely possible that shipping both ways will exceed the retail price of the product.

So, buy from a US dealer or don't buy at all. Too risky. Shanling also urges the same in the warranty section of their website (linked and please read carefully).

Shanling Warranty - Please Read.

 

[Yuhasz01]

After some coercion, Shanling agreed to provide the spare part to Shenzhen Audio who then shipped the board to me at no charge and free shipping. Thank you, Shanling.

Throughout the process, the Chinese dealer, Shenzhen Audio, went above and beyond. Since I'm a good bench tech, they helped me narrow down the problem to the 4" x 4" circuit board under the transport mechanism (poor wave soldering left some continuity issues with the big 1389 IC). We were both having trouble getting Shanling to provide a spare board but, in the end, Shanling demonstrated their desire to also provide excellent customer service.

Hopefully, my reliability issue was an anomaly. Otherwise the SACD1.3 is an excellent product and offers great value. Their new ET-3 CD transport is beating other more expensive options.

Here's the lesson learned. If you are going to buy a Chinese audio product like Shanling, Gustard, etc., never by on Chinese sites like aliexpress since you'll have to ship the entire unit back to China if there is an issue. They will service any unit under warranty at no charge but you'll have to pay the return shipping. DSL is really the only hassle free option to ship to China but very expensive. Should you have a failure, it's entirely possible that shipping both ways will exceed the retail price of the product.

So, buy from a US dealer or don't buy at all. Too risky. Shanling also urges the same in the warranty section of their website (linked and please read carefully).

Shanling Warranty - Please Read.

Reason I will not buy Chinese made audio gear. Unreliable hardware and shoddy support service.

 

[VinylValet]

Shanling has an official store on Amazon, the best way for folks in the US to buy their product with little or no risk.

@Yuhasz01 After my recent experience, I don't blame you.

 

[ChenHui]

Shanling: Terrible Reliability, Don't Stock Spare Parts and Won't Honor Warranty​

In addition they don't support their Chinese dealers like Shenzhen Audio with spare parts or even technical support.

This is based on my direct experience with a Shanling SACD1.3 purchased from Shenzhen Audio. It stopped reading discs (after about one minute, No disc error with any CD or SACD) after a month of moderate use.

I've been going back and forth with Shanling and Shenzhen Audio for over a month. What a cluster#%*@! Looks like I'm now the proud owner of a $1300 door stop. Perhaps, with the remaining parts that work, I can be the only entity in the world with spare parts! Contact me first when (not if) your SACD1.3 fails.

The problem is the smaller circuit board attached to the bottom of the transport mechanism. Really low quality wave soldering resulted in several pins of the large 1389 IC to lose contact after a month of use.

BTW, unless it's simple solder touch up of a bad circuit board, Shanling charges to do their warranty repairs (??!!) and also charges a steep return shipping fee.

Shenzhen Audio will honor the warranty only if you return the entire player. I guess since Shanling can't and won't supply spare boards, Shenzhen will attempt to fix the board. What if they can't? Then either company will charge return shipping. The total is close to the retail cost of the SACD1.3. Regardless of whether you send a bad circuit board and pay Shanling for "warranty" repair or the entire unit back to Shenzhen Audio, the whole process will take three to four months.

Live and learn. Never buying another Shanling product and will think long and hard before buying any audio gear directly from China. They don't have to stock spare parts like US companies. Customer service is something that the Chinese business model has yet to discover. Manufacturers don't talk to or support their dealers.

Always prioritize choosing Amazon because they have perfect after-sales service. You can even return the product to Amazon after many years of use (of course, I do not endorse this practice). But undoubtedly, Amazon is the best for customers.

 

[Doc_Octopus]

I would like to point out, because it is a choice that leaves me perplexed, that SACD playback is not gapless but there is a 2-3 second pause between one song and another.
Problem that does not arise when listening to normal CDs.

 

[Doc_Octopus]

The remote control no longer works (or rather, it only works a few centimeters away). I changed the batteries and did the tests recommended by the seller.
I am waiting for answers from the seller. Is there any universal remote control that can be used with Shanling products?

 

[Lux_ury]

To be fair Amazonian only ever refund monies and half the time only pick up the goods.
As for Chinese stuff parts is an issue I own Haier washing machines, great machines and excellent value except getting parts.
Rule of thumb only spend whatever you think you don't care about loosing and use PayPal.