Despite the ease of streaming music, many people still cherish physical media. There’s something special about owning CDs and vinyl records, especially for audiophiles and collectors. Recently, Shanling introduced a standout portable CD player called the EC Zero AKM.
This player isn’t just for CDs; it also connects to Bluetooth devices like headphones and speakers. You may wonder why anyone would play CDs only to send the audio through Bluetooth, which can lower quality. Shanling addresses this by including AptX support, a higher-quality Bluetooth audio format. While it isn’t completely lossless, it provides clearer sound than standard Bluetooth. Plus, it has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm output jacks for all your sound equipment.
One impressive feature is its battery life. The EC Zero lasts up to 10 hours when using wired playback and an incredible 18 hours via Bluetooth. It also comes with USB-C ports for charging, but here’s the fun part: you can rip CDs to your computer in real-time while connected. Ripping a standard 70-minute CD takes… you guessed it, 70 minutes. This allows you to own your music files, adding a personal touch to your collection.
What makes the EC Zero AKM even cooler is its role as a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). DACs enhance audio quality by converting digital signals into rich sound. This model supports high sample rates of up to 32 bits at 768kHz, far surpassing the standard 16 bits at 44kHz used in CDs.
Shanling also added an “active magnetic clamp” to stabilize the CD while playing, minimizing noise and maximizing sound quality. It’s all designed to elevate your listening experience.
From a design perspective, this device looks sleek and modern but has a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of old tape recorders. It features physical buttons for easy control and a digital display for track information. However, that level of style and substance comes with a price tag of $320, which might make some think twice. But for many music lovers, the investment could be worth it.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital, products like the EC Zero AKM remind us of the tactile pleasure of music. For those who value both quality and nostalgia, this portable CD player is a compelling choice.
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