Moondrop has revealed their new CD players, the Discdream 2 Ultra and Discdream 2, which are successors to the original Discdream model that was introduced earlier this year. These devices are designed for serious music lovers and have been developed with the expertise of a former Sony engineer, boasting thirty years of experience in the Discman sector, aiming to deliver a warm and refined audio experience.
Enhancements in the Ultra Model
The Discdream 2 Ultra CD player takes the original Discdream and the Discdream 2 to the next level by incorporating a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output powered by dual digital-to-analog converters (DACs). In contrast, the Discdream 2 features just a single DAC. The balanced output provides 222 mW at 32 Ω, reaching a maximum voltage of 2 Vrms. While playing CD music, the Ultra achieves a dynamic range of 93 dB and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.00177% at 1 kHz via the balanced headphone jack.
Versatile USB Sound Card Functionality
All Discdream models are capable of functioning as USB sound cards when linked to computers, whether they are PCs or Macs. In this configuration, they can handle PCM audio from 44.1 kHz up to 384 kHz, as well as DSD formats ranging from 2.8224 MHz to 11.2896 MHz. When utilized as a sound card, the Ultra delivers an impressive dynamic range of 131 dB, accompanied by a THD of 0.00058% at 1 kHz through the balanced headphone output.
Features and Pricing Details
Each Discdream 2 model is equipped with a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack and a combined 3.5 mm line out and optical line out jack, although they've omitted the microSD card slot and digital audio player (DAP) features found in the original Discdream. The 3.5 mm headphone output provides 112 mW for the Ultra and 123 mW for the Discdream 2 at 32 Ω, maintaining a maximum voltage of 2 Vrms.
The Moondrop Discdream 2 Ultra is priced at $289.99 (available on Amazon), while the Moondrop Discdream is listed at $149.99 (also on Amazon). Both models are anticipated to ship within a timeframe of 2-4 weeks. Meanwhile, those eagerly awaiting their Moondrop deliveries can enjoy some classic music on cassette tapes using the FiiO CP13 portable cassette player (found on Amazon).
