Shanling SMT1.3 Compact Flagship Desktop Streaming Transport Launches with Android 12 and 768 kHz Upsampling

The inclusion of a dedicated upsampling and format-conversion stage via the CT7302CL also reveals a deliberate internal signal hierarchy. Upsampling is handled before the final digital outputs, implying that Shanling expects users to tailor the digital feed to the downstream DAC rather than rely on the DAC’s own digital filters. The limitation of upsampling on USB outputs is telling: it hints at a more direct, bit‑transparent USB path, while the non-USB outputs appear optimized for Shanling’s internal processing and clock management. For users leaning toward AES/EBU or I2S, this suggests the SMT1.3 is intended as a central digital “shaper,” not just a file sender.

From a broader market perspective, the SMT1.3 reflects a growing split in high-end streamers: some brands chase ever-larger touchscreens and app ecosystems, while others focus on mechanical integrity and signal routing. Shanling’s aluminum enclosure, internal SSD accommodation, and emphasis on multiple legacy digital interfaces point to the latter camp. It feels engineered for racks where external DACs, reclockers, and word-clock-sensitive systems still matter—an approach likely to resonate with listeners who value controllable digital topology over minimalist, app-only playback chains.