Shanling SMT1.3

High-End Streaming Transport

Your DAC Deserves a Serious Digital Source

The Shanling SMT1.3 is a dedicated high-end streaming transport created for one purpose: to deliver high-quality digital audio to an external DAC.

There is no built-in DAC, no analog output stage and no Bluetooth audio connection. Instead, Shanling has concentrated the design around the digital side of the audio chain — from streaming and network playback to digital processing and high-quality digital outputs.

For audiophiles who have already invested in a high-end DAC, the SMT1.3 offers a sophisticated way to build a dedicated streaming front end without replacing the DAC they already trust.

Streamer. Transport. Digital source. Nothing unnecessary.

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Designed as a True Streaming Transport

Many modern streaming devices combine a streamer, DAC, headphone amplifier and preamplifier into a single box.

The SMT1.3 takes a different approach.

It leaves digital-to-analog conversion entirely to your external DAC and focuses on providing a high-quality digital source.

This makes it particularly suitable for systems built around:

• High-end external DACs
• DAC + preamplifier combinations
• Separate power amplifiers
• Premium integrated amplifiers with digital inputs
• High-resolution stereo systems
• Roon-based music systems
• Large NAS-based music libraries

If you already own a DAC that you love, you don’t need another DAC.

You need a better source to feed it.

That’s where SMT1.3 comes in.

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Built With Digital Audio in Mind

The SMT1.3 has been designed with considerably more attention to the digital transport section than a typical general-purpose streaming device.

Its architecture combines a dedicated streaming platform, high-resolution digital processing, optimized digital output stages and multiple connection options.

The result is a flexible digital source capable of feeding your DAC through the connection that best suits your system.

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High-Resolution Streaming & Playback

The SMT1.3 is designed for high-resolution music playback, supporting demanding digital formats and high sample rates.

It supports playback of formats including:

• DSD
• DXD
• FLAC
• WAV
• AIFF / AIF
• ALAC
• APE
• DTS
• MP3
• AAC
• OGG
• WMA
• M4A
• AC3
• OPUS
• TAK
• CUE

High-resolution playback support extends up to:

PCM 32-bit / 768 kHz
DSD512

This gives the SMT1.3 enough capability to serve as a serious digital source for both high-resolution streaming and locally stored music.

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Extensive Digital Outputs

One of the strongest reasons to choose the SMT1.3 is its selection of digital outputs.

It can connect to your external DAC through:

I²S

A dedicated FPGA-controlled I²S output provides a direct high-performance digital interface for compatible DACs.

The I²S output also features configurable pin layouts to improve compatibility with different DAC manufacturers.

USB Audio

The SMT1.3 provides a high-resolution USB Audio output, allowing it to operate as a dedicated digital source for compatible USB DACs.

AES/EBU

For DACs equipped with professional-style balanced digital connectivity, the SMT1.3 provides AES/EBU output.

BNC

A dedicated BNC digital output provides another high-quality connection option for compatible DACs.

Coaxial & Optical

Traditional Coaxial and Optical SPDIF outputs are also provided, making the SMT1.3 compatible with a wide range of DACs and digital audio equipment.

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FPGA-Controlled I²S

For many high-end DAC owners, I²S is one of the most interesting features of the SMT1.3.

Rather than simply providing a generic I²S interface, Shanling uses FPGA control for the output.

The configurable I²S pin arrangement improves compatibility with different DAC implementations, which is particularly useful when pairing the SMT1.3 with DACs from different manufacturers.

For a high-end system, this gives you the flexibility to experiment with different digital interfaces and choose the connection that works best with your DAC.

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Spotify for Everyday Streaming

For users in markets where Spotify is the dominant streaming platform, the SMT1.3 remains a very practical choice.

The SMT1.3 does not provide native Spotify Connect.

Instead, Spotify can be accessed through the SMT1.3’s own Android-based user interface, using its built-in streaming environment. Playback can also be managed through Shanling’s Eddict Controller ecosystem.

This means you can enjoy your everyday Spotify library directly from the SMT1.3 without requiring a separate phone-to-DAC streaming solution.

For users who primarily listen to Spotify but still want a dedicated high-end digital transport, this makes the SMT1.3 a particularly interesting proposition.

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Eddict Controller

Shanling’s Eddict Controller provides convenient remote control of compatible Shanling streaming devices.

With the SMT1.3 connected to your network, the Eddict ecosystem allows you to manage playback and access various functions from your mobile device.

Shanling continues to develop the Eddict platform and SMT1.3 firmware, with recent updates improving synchronization, network playback, USB Audio information and streaming functionality.

The SMT1.3 can therefore be operated either directly from its display or remotely, depending on how you prefer to use your system.

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Large High-Resolution Touchscreen

The SMT1.3 features a large 4.96-inch 1080P touchscreen, giving the device a proper standalone user interface.

This is particularly useful when you don’t want to depend entirely on a smartphone.

You can browse your music, select streaming services, manage playback and access system functions directly from the unit.

The large display also gives the SMT1.3 the feel of a dedicated Hi-Fi source rather than a small network accessory hidden somewhere behind your equipment rack.

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Network Music Playback

The SMT1.3 is designed to work with modern network-based music systems.

It supports network playback and integration through technologies such as:

• NAS
• SMB
• DLNA
• UPnP
• AirPlay 2
• Network music libraries

This allows the SMT1.3 to become the central digital source for a large personal music collection stored on a network drive or NAS.

Recent Shanling firmware updates have also continued to improve NAS, UPnP and network playback performance.

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TIDAL & Qobuz

For listeners who use high-resolution streaming platforms, the SMT1.3 supports Shanling’s integrated streaming environment and has received firmware updates adding features such as TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect.

These services can be particularly attractive for users who maintain large lossless and high-resolution streaming libraries.

For Bangladesh and other markets where Spotify is more widely used, however, the SMT1.3’s ability to access Spotify through its own Android-based environment makes it much more versatile than a device limited to TIDAL or Qobuz.

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Roon Ready

The SMT1.3 is designed to integrate into sophisticated network audio systems, including Roon-based setups.

For users who maintain large libraries and want advanced music discovery, organization and multi-room capabilities, the SMT1.3 can serve as the dedicated digital endpoint feeding your external DAC.

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Internal & Expandable Storage

The SMT1.3 provides 64 GB of internal storage and includes an M.2 SSD expansion slot.

External storage can be used for large local music collections, making it possible to keep a substantial high-resolution library readily available without depending entirely on online streaming.

USB storage can also be used for local music playback.

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Advanced Digital Processing

The SMT1.3 is more than a simple network bridge.

Its digital architecture includes dedicated processing for high-resolution playback and upsampling.

It supports advanced processing modes including:

All-to-PCM

and

All-to-DSD

with support for high-resolution PCM and DSD processing.

The platform has also received firmware improvements specifically targeting DSD64 through DSD512 upsampling performance.

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No DAC. By Design.

This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about the SMT1.3.

It does not contain a DAC.

And that isn’t a missing feature.

It is the entire philosophy behind the product.

If you already own a high-end DAC, the SMT1.3 lets you keep it at the center of your digital audio system.

The SMT1.3 handles:

Streaming → Processing → Digital Output

Your DAC handles:

Digital Conversion → Analog Signal

This separation allows you to choose the DAC according to your own preferences rather than being locked into the DAC built into a streamer.

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Why Choose a Dedicated Transport?

A dedicated streaming transport makes particular sense when the rest of your system is already built around high-quality digital components.

You may already have a DAC that provides the sound character, resolution and connectivity you want.

Replacing it with an all-in-one streamer/DAC simply because you need streaming capability doesn’t always make sense.

The SMT1.3 gives you another option:

Keep your DAC. Upgrade your digital source.

Its wide range of digital outputs also allows you to connect to different DACs and digital systems without having to replace the streamer every time your system evolves.

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A Serious Digital Front End

The SMT1.3 is designed to sit at the beginning of a serious Hi-Fi system.

A typical setup can be:

Spotify / TIDAL / Qobuz / NAS / Local Music

↓

Shanling SMT1.3

↓

External High-End DAC

↓

Preamp / Integrated Amplifier

↓

Power Amplifier

↓

Speakers

This approach gives every component a clear role.

The SMT1.3 handles the digital source.

Your DAC handles conversion.

Your amplifier handles amplification.

Your speakers handle the music.

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Key Features

Pure Streaming Transport

Designed specifically to provide digital audio to an external DAC.

No Built-In DAC

The SMT1.3 intentionally leaves digital-to-analog conversion to your preferred external DAC.

High-Resolution Playback

Supports up to PCM 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD512.

FPGA-Controlled I²S

Configurable I²S output for improved compatibility with different DAC implementations.

USB Audio Output

High-resolution USB digital output for compatible DACs.

AES/EBU, BNC, Coaxial & Optical

Extensive digital connectivity for virtually any modern DAC.

Large 4.96-inch 1080P Display

Standalone touchscreen control without needing a smartphone for basic operation.

Spotify Access

Spotify can be accessed through the SMT1.3’s own Android-based environment and controlled through the Eddict ecosystem. Native Spotify Connect is not supported.

Network Streaming

Supports network music playback through NAS, SMB, DLNA/UPnP and other network-based sources.

Expandable Storage

64 GB internal storage with M.2 SSD expansion and USB storage support.

Eddict Controller

Remote control and management through Shanling’s companion application.

Continuous Firmware Development

Shanling continues to improve the SMT1.3 platform through firmware updates, adding and refining streaming, network, playback and control functionality.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Shanling SMT1.3
Product Type	High-End Streaming Transport
Built-in DAC	No
Analog Output	None
Bluetooth	Not Supported
Native Spotify Connect	Not Supported
Display	4.96-inch 1080P Touchscreen
Internal Storage	64 GB
Storage Expansion	M.2 SSD
External Storage	USB Storage
Maximum Supported Storage	Up to 2 TB
Digital Outputs	I²S, USB Audio, AES/EBU, BNC, Coaxial, Optical
I²S	FPGA-controlled / configurable
Maximum PCM	Up to 32-bit / 768 kHz
Maximum DSD	Up to DSD512
Upsampling	PCM / DSD processing
Network Playback	NAS, SMB, DLNA / UPnP
Streaming	Spotify via built-in environment, TIDAL, Qobuz and supported services
TIDAL Connect	Supported via firmware
Qobuz Connect	Supported via firmware
Roon	Supported
Remote Control	Shanling Eddict Controller
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi network connectivity
Operating Platform	Android-based Shanling streaming platform

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Who Is the SMT1.3 For?

The SMT1.3 is an excellent choice for listeners who:

Already own a high-end DAC
and want a dedicated digital source.

Want to build a separates-based digital system
where streaming and DAC conversion remain independent.

Have a large NAS or local music collection
and want a dedicated interface for accessing it.

Primarily use Spotify
but want something more sophisticated than a basic Bluetooth or consumer streaming solution.

Want multiple digital outputs
to accommodate different DACs and future system upgrades.

Want I²S connectivity
for use with a compatible high-end DAC.

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The Digital Source Your DAC Has Been Waiting For

The Shanling SMT1.3 isn’t trying to replace your DAC.

It is designed to work with it.

With high-resolution streaming, extensive network functionality, dedicated digital processing, FPGA-controlled I²S, USB Audio, AES/EBU, BNC, coaxial and optical outputs, the SMT1.3 provides a flexible and sophisticated digital front end for serious Hi-Fi systems.

And because there is no built-in DAC, no analog output stage and no Bluetooth audio section, the SMT1.3 remains focused on what matters most to a dedicated transport:

Getting your digital music to your DAC with precision.

Shanling SMT1.3

High-End Streaming Transport

Keep your DAC. Upgrade your source.