Desktop and portable CD players and CD transports, compared by DAC chip, outputs, disc support and price.
SHANLING EC3 Top-Loading CD Player — read reviewA top-loading CD player with a Philips CD80 drive, an ESS ES9219C DAC chip, a headphone output, RCA line-out and optical and coaxial digital outputs, listed at $599 in white or black. Its page carries a specification section with weight, size and output figures.
SMSL PL100 Pro CD Player — read reviewA slot-loading CD player from SMSL with two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, XLR and RCA line outputs and 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, listed at $159 in black or silver. It suits buyers who want a CD source with a pre-amp function for active speakers.
FiiO DM15 AK4493S CD Player — read reviewA portable CD player with two AKM AK4493S DAC chips, 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm headphone outputs, CD ripping to a USB drive and Bluetooth, listed at $285.99 in four colors. It suits buyers who want a balanced output; the page gives 1100mW per channel at 32Ω on 4.4mm in Desktop Mode.
Moondrop DISCDREAM 2 Ultra CD Player — read reviewA portable CD player with two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs and a USB DAC mode, listed at $349.99. It suits buyers who want a balanced jack; the page text gives no battery or headphone power figure.
xDuoo CDM-10 Tube CD Player — read reviewA portable CD player with two CS43198 DAC chips, two JAN6418 tubes and a switch between tube and transistor tone, listed at $429. It has 3.5mm, 6.35mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks and a 6000mAh battery, and suits buyers who want a switchable tube stage.
SMSL PL200 MK2 CD Player — read reviewA desktop CD player, DAC and headphone amplifier in one unit, with an ES9039Q2M DAC chip, 1.5W per channel at 16Ω, XLR and RCA line-outs and Bluetooth V5.1, listed at $599. It suits desk setups that want one box for discs, USB and Bluetooth.
Moondrop DISCDREAM 2 CD Player — read reviewA portable CD player with a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC, a 3.5mm headphone output and a USB DAC mode, listed at $179.99. The page gives a 3500mAh battery and up to 9 hours of battery life, which suits listeners who want a battery-powered disc player for IEMs or earbuds.
SHANLING EC Mini CD Player — read reviewA transportable CD player that also plays files from a microSD card, with dual ES9219 DACs, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs and Bluetooth V5.0, listed at $359 in silver. It suits buyers who want discs, files and Bluetooth input in one box.
SMSL PL200T CD Transport — read reviewAn MQA-CD transport with I2S, AES/EBU, coaxial and optical digital outputs and a USB input that the page lists up to PCM 32bit/768kHz and native DSD512, at $499. It suits buyers who already own a DAC; the page text names no DAC chip or analog output.
DUNU CONCEPT R Portable CD Player — read reviewA portable CD player with a fully discrete R2R DAC section, a switchable Class A/AB amplifier rated about 1.3W per channel at 32Ω, 6.35mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs and a 12,000mAh battery, listed at $749.99. It suits buyers who want an R2R design in a portable body.