The Shanling MC-30, designed and manufactured in the PRC, combines a CD player, AM/FM tuner, and iPod dock (using a 3.5mm stereo jack) with a very basic yet reasonably easy-to-use integrated amplifier. The only catch is also the biggest hook: The integrated amp is a very-low-output single-ended design, thus limiting your choice of loudspeakers while at the same time enabling musical and sonic performance that's a bit more involving than usual.

Line-level gain is supplied by solid-state devices (a dual-mono pair of Burr-Brown op-amps, also used for voltage gain in the digital audio section), and each channel of the power amp is driven by a 6N3J dual-triode tube. The output section is a capacitor-coupled 6P1 beam tetrode operated in single-ended (thus class-A) mode for a total of 3Wpc.

Ive used this gorgeous system with various bookshelf speakers from Yamaha NX-E400, ARC050, Tannoy Mercury M1 and a pair of B&W601 speakers. What I've found is, don't skimp on speakers, this system can produce very high quality audio. Use the best speakers possible and you'll be aurally rewarded!

3Wpc goes a long way, and the more efficient your speakers, the easier it is for the amp to drive them.

Build quality is amazing, it's well built and heavy, especially at the back by the transformers.

Another option is to use it as a CD/pre-amp, connecting to a power amp or integrated amp of your choice if you want that valve cd sound but with more power.

Key Features and Specifications:

CD Player: Philips VAM-12 pick-up mechanism, CD-7II servo system, Burr-Brown PCM1738 DAC. Amplifier: Tube amplifier with 2x 6N3 dual-triode pre-amp stage and 2x 6P1 single-ended valve output stage. Tuner: High-quality FM/AM tuner with 80 station memory. Inputs: Auxiliary input for connecting extra sources. Output: Pre-out allows connection to an outboard amplifier or subwoofer. Power Output: 2x 3W RMS (1kHz). Dimensions: 266 x 385 x 143 mm (W x D x H). Weight: 7.8kg approx.

Free delivery to Wellington via SH1 on my next trip.