Tag: portable CD player

October 18, 2025
Shanling EC Zero: Portable CD Player with Bluetooth 5.3 & Hi-Res DAC
Key Takeaways
1. The Shanling EC Zero AKM is a portable CD player featuring an all-digital architecture, built on the design of the EC Zero T.
2. It includes an AKM AK4493S DAC and dual amplifiers, offering high-resolution USB DAC functionality and Hi-Fi CD playback.
3. Enhanced playback stability is achieved with a magnetic clamp to minimize noise and vibrations, and users can rip CDs to USB drives as WAV files.
4. Connectivity options include wired headphone and line out options, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities and an optical SPDIF jack for home theater systems.
5. The player has a 5,500 mAh battery providing up to 18 hours of wireless use, and it features a metal body with a 1.68-inch color LCD display, priced at $319.
The Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player has been introduced, offering a range of features that are perfect for those who love CD and high-resolution music. This new model is built upon the foundation of the EC Zero T, which is a portable CD player that utilizes tubes for output circuitry (available for purchase on Amazon), but the EC Zero AKM opts for a more straightforward all-digital architecture.
Impressive Technical Specs
It boasts an AKM AK4493S DAC paired with dual SGM8262-2 amplifiers. This setup allows the EC Zero AKM to function as a USB DAC while also delivering Hi-Fi CD playback. In CD mode, the frequency response ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and in USB DAC mode, it stretches to 20 Hz up to 40 kHz. The player has a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 117 dB and a total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) of 0.0005% or less, depending on the selected output.
Enhanced Playback Stability
To ensure smooth playback regardless of orientation, discs are secured during use with a magnetic clamp that minimizes mechanical noise and vibrations. Additionally, users can rip CDs to a USB flash drive, saving them as uncompressed WAV files.
Connectivity Options
The EC Zero AKM provides wired headphone and line out options through 3.5 mm single-ended or 4.4 mm balanced connectors, in addition to wireless Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities with aptX Adaptive, aptX, and SBC codecs. It can also connect to home theater systems via its optical SPDIF jack.
Battery Life and Design
Powering the portable EC Zero AKM is a 5,500 mAh battery, giving it up to 10 hours of use with wired headphones and up to 18 hours with wireless headphones. Alternatively, it can be powered using a 5V, 2A USB-C power source.
The player has a metal body with a tempered-glass lid, weighing 575 g (1.27 lbs.) and measuring 158 x 150 x 28 mm (6.2 x 5.9 x 1.1 in.). Near the front edge, you will find a 1.68-inch color LCD display positioned adjacent to the volume slider and control buttons.
Pricing and Availability
The Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $319, while the PU leather carrying case is priced at an MSRP of $39. Both items can soon be found in the Shanling store on Amazon US, according to the latest news from Shanling.
Source:
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Tags: High-Resolution Audio, portable CD player
May 4, 2025
Shanling Launches Portable CD Player with Vacuum Tubes and R2R DAC
Key Takeaways
1. Shanling has launched the EC Zero T, a premium portable CD player aimed at audiophiles, competing with the FiiO DM13 CD player but at a higher price point of $589.
2. The device features Shanling’s own R2R type DAC for high fidelity sound and includes JAN6418 vacuum tubes, enhancing its premium appeal.
3. It offers versatile connectivity options with analog outputs (3.5 mm and 4.4 mm), Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX adaptive support, and a USB-C port for use as a DAC.
4. To combat vibrations that can cause skipping, the EC Zero T includes a specialized servo system, motor, and a magnetic mechanism for securing CDs.
5. The EC Zero T weighs 669 grams due to its solid CNC-milled aluminum construction, with a battery life of 8 hours via 3.5 mm output and up to 20 hours when using Bluetooth.
After the comeback of portable cassette players, portable CD players have recently become trendy again. Riding on this wave, Shanling has unveiled the EC Zero T, a somewhat premium product packed with features that are bound to catch the attention of many audiophiles. This device will rival the FiiO DM13 CD player, although it comes with a noticeably higher price tag.
About Shanling
For those not familiar with the brand, Shanling is a Chinese manufacturer known for making CD players since the late 1990s. In recent years, they have also introduced budget-friendly yet highly rated digital music devices, like the M1 Plus, which currently retails for $199 on Amazon.
Notable Features
With the EC Zero T, Shanling has crafted its own R2R type DAC, which is known for its linearity and high fidelity (though the actual noticeable difference is up for debate due to many other factors). Additionally, the device features a pair of JAN6418 vacuum tubes that are intended to elevate its premium status. These tubes are said to be shock and vibration resistant, and like many tube-based products today, they are visible through a small window.
Analog outputs are available through two line level ports, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm, which allows a broader range of headphone compatibility. There’s also Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX adaptive support, and you can use the USB-C port to connect it as a DAC for external devices like laptops.
Addressing Vibrations
Vibrations pose a challenge for all CD drives, as even the slightest misalignment of the laser can lead to skipping, similar to issues with vinyl records. Shanling asserts that they have integrated features to combat this, including a specialized servo system and motor. They also introduced a magnetic mechanism to secure the CD, moving away from the bead-type clamp you might recall from older laptop CD drives.
Design and Battery Life
Although designed for portability, the EC Zero T is quite weighty at 669 grams, attributed to its construction from solid CNC-milled aluminum. It boasts a battery life of 8 hours when using the 3.5 mm output, and up to 20 hours when connected via Bluetooth.
The EC Zero T is priced at $589 and will be available shortly through authorized sellers in the US and Europe. You can already place a pre-order with a UK-based retailer.
Source:
Link
Tags: portable CD player