Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player launches with CD ripping, 4.4 mm balanced output, Bluetooth 5.3, and Hi-Res Audio USB DAC

The Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player has launched with a multitude of features for CD and high-resolution music enthusiasts. The EC Zero AKM is based on the company’s EC Zero T, a portable CD player using tubes for its output circuitry (sold here on Amazon), but with a simpler, all-digital design.

An AKM AK4493S DAC is coupled with dual SGM8262-2 amplifiers, allowing the EC Zero AKM to act as a USB DAC and support Hi-Fi CD playback. The player has a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz in CD mode and 20 Hz to 40 kHz in USB DAC mode with a signal-to-noise ratio of 117 dB or greater and a THD+N of 0.0005% or less, depending on the output used.

Discs are stabilized during playback in any orientation, even while walking about, with a magnetic clamp helping reduce mechanical noise and vibration. CDs can be ripped to a USB flash drive as uncompressed WAV files.

The CD player supports wired headphone and line out connections via either 3.5 mm single-ended or 4.4 mm balanced cables, and wireless Bluetooth 5.3 connections using the aptX Adaptive, aptX, and SBC codecs. It can also be connected to home theater components using its optical SPDIF jack.

The portable EC Zero AKM is powered by a 5,500 mAh battery that provides up to 10 hours of runtime with wired headphones and up to 18 hours of runtime with wireless headphones. It can also be powered by a 5V, 2A USB-C power supply.

The metal-body player topped by a tempered-glass lid weighs 575 g (1.27 lbs.) and measures 158 x 150 x 28 mm (6.2 x 5.9 x 1.1 in.). A 1.68-inch color LCD display is positioned near the front edge by the volume slider and control buttons.

The Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player has an MSRP of $319, and its PU leather carrying case has an MSRP of $39. Readers can also look for both to arrive in the Shanling store on Amazon US.