What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
13 AUG 2007
Shanling MC-30
Shanling specialises in unusual creations, and the MC-30 is one of them. It’s a mix of acrylic, aluminium and rather unsubtle blue lighting.
Build quality is superb at the money – if the MC-30 cost twice the price, we’d still be impressed. The metal remote is similarly pleasing, and, again, puts the efforts of many much more expensive rivals to shame with its quality look and feel.
This unit is described by Shanling using the rather archaic term ‘music centre’. In fact, it’s home to a CD player, amplifier and an FM/AM tuner. There’s also what looks like an iPod dock behind the CD mechanism, but it’s only a cradle. Connecting your iPod to the MC-30 requires a short 3.5mm-jack cable.
Paltry power figure
Let’s get our main complaint out of the way first: the MC-30 has a claimed power output of just 3 watts per channel, and that’s a generous estimate. Either way, huge sound pressure levels and big dynamic shifts aren’t on offer. Using efficient speakers (90dB or above) in a smallish room results in reasonable volume, but don’t expect any more.
Get past the volume issue, and there’s much to admire. This is a sweet and fluid CD player, and Amy Winehouse’s vocals on Back to Black shine through, attitude intact. There’s no lack of body or articulation, just an easy flow and a great deal of refinement.
Bass controlled well
Low-level dynamics are delivered skilfully, and detail levels are pleasing, too. Performance from the radio is similar, though we noticed some background hiss even with the best possible signal.
The MC-30 is a very capable product. If Shanling could just up the power without spoiling the sound – and include DAB – it could challenge the class champs. As it is, it has to settle for a comfortable four stars.