Editor's take: Once upon a time, portable CD players were among the coolest gadgets you could own. Then the iPod arrived, ushering in the era of digital music. Today, streaming and smartphones dominate the scene. But what if you're not sold on digital music and miss the experience of physical media? Fret not, as Chinese high-fidelity audio company Shanling's latest offering could be what you've been missing.
The EC Zero AKM Portable CD Player is, at its heart, a portable optical disc player. It features an AKM AK4493S DAC for smooth and natural sound that supports PCM 768kHz / DSD512, as well as a pair of SGM8262 amplifiers. Shanling went with an active magnetic design that continuously adjusts the position and pressure on the disc to reduce unwanted vibrations and skipping.
The unit supports wireless Bluetooth playback, but there are also a pair of audio jacks – 3.5mm and 4.4mm – should you prefer a corded option.
The built-in 5,500mAh battery is good for up to 10 hours of wired headphone playback or up to 18 hours when using Bluetooth. Optionally, you can connect a USB-C power adapter for extended listening sessions with increased power output.
Another nifty feature is the ability to rip CDs directly from the player. Simply connect it to a computer via USB-C cable, press record in the audio software, and the rip will initiate in real time (for example, a 74-minute-long album will take 74 minutes to rip).
The player is constructed using a single metal chassis, and has a tempered glass lid. You also get physical buttons, and even a lockout to prevent accidental button presses while on the go. An unobtrusive 1.68-inch LCD provides album and playback information.
Pricing is set at $329.99 directly from Amazon, and the first wave of deliveries are set to go out later this month. Diehard audiophiles and those that simply yearn for yesteryear might have a hard time passing this one up, especially those with a large CD collection and few modern solutions for portable playback.