Acoustic evaluation of the UP4 Ver.22 was done through AKG's K 702 headphones, a device with a nominal impedance of 62 Ohm, using both the wireless connection, via Bluetooth, with a smartphone, as well as its ability to function as a USB DAC. In all cases, the gain was set to "High". The K 702 are headphones with a standard, single-ended, cable termination, so the corresponding, 3.5mm TRS output was used.
As already implied, the UP4 is not particularly easy to use, mainly due to its minimal user interface. This is solved by using the application, which gives access to all the available settings and is very well designed, easy to use, not giving rise to any difficulty even for the beginner. Through the Eddict Player, as it is named, the user has access to his music collection as well as to the device itself. It allows for tone adjustments, through a virtual graphic equalizer, channel balance adjustment, and digital filter selection with just a few gestures. The media player itself offers a standard (therefore recognizable and easy to use) environment, augmented, for those who want something different, with a virtual level meter, an idea we found very good and well implemented. Adjusted via the app, the UP4 feels good in the hand, with a clear-cut level control, so you can operate it without looking at it.
The first impression one gets when listening to the UP4 Ver.22 is of an amplifier with good driving capacity even for less than ideal headphones (the "correct" impedance would be one of 32 Ohm). It can produce high levels without audible compression and it sounds neutral, with good bass extension and low noise. Given its price and size, it is true that it exceeded our expectations in terms of sound behavior from the first minutes of listening, which should, of course, be considered a positive sign.

On to the details, UP4 offered a very good range towards the lowest end of the audio spectrum with no trace of any excess, a good feeling of loudness, good control, and proper delivery of impulse and detail. The result was impressive, when the recording included very low-frequency content, without being tiresome or distorting the overall balance, which was determined by the headphones themselves (the K 702 are a bit strict in the lows). This behavior was observed throughout the low-frequency range, resulting in the region being relaxed, fast, and well-scaled. Large acoustic instruments sounded well… large, and the rhythm section appeared full, fast, and with a pleasant feeling of rolling. If you like rhythmically intense music and have suitable headphones, you will be more than satisfied.
The midrange was rendered with proper brightness and transparency, and the amplifier lets the character of the headphones determine the final result (balanced, slightly soft, but detailed in our case). The UP4 Ver.22/AKG pair never tired us out, even at relatively high levels.
Towards the upper end of the audio spectrum, we got a good sense of space and air, slightly faster release times than what we are used to, but also a complete absence of roughness. The overall effect was particularly ear-friendly and pleasant.
Listening to binaural recordings, the amplifier showed no limitations in creating a correct, full, and detailed sound field, which - most likely - is due to the excellent channel balance and the good crosstalk we measured in the lab.
Bluetooth/aptX connection was made without any problems and the wireless streaming was of a standard, good quality with no drop-outs even at a relatively high distance between the source and the amplifier, in a home environment. Call quality was also very good, although, to be honest, today's smartphones don't have a quality problem per se in most circumstances.

Conclusion

With the UP4 Ver.22, Shanling manages to create a small device that is capable of… almost everything. We are dealing with a DAC/Headphone Amplifier with good battery life, and all the necessary features, which is supported by a high-quality app for managing both the device and a music collection. All the above are combined with high sound quality and good driving capacity for headphones intended for use with portable devices. The price ideally complements a full package. If you're looking for something good and portable, the UP4 Ver.22 is tailored for you! Highly recommended.

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