New Shanling EC Zero AKM is peak value and quality for portable CD Players Review vs. FiiO Dm13, EC Zero T, Moondrop Discdream 2 Ultra

*More information, videos and photos of this product in review above

I think I started my audio lover career at the twilight of cassette players. I personally never liked cassette players, I think they were a portable necessity of their age, but just could never translate well into the future once newer and greater things arrived.

But what brought me to this stage of life was my love of portable CD players. I used to listen to music so much that often I would fall asleep with music still playing on my earphones, and I would just dream music. I loved that I could walk with my favourite CDs and compilations — it was magic to me.

Later I organically just translated to MP3 players, as they were more convenient, smaller, and easier to access. But I never forgot the feeling of physical media, the booklets, the connection with music like that. And that passion did not disappear as one of the first reviews on this channel was a turntable and CD player.

Let`s talk about value, price and market for this device

And now figuring out that we live in small resonance of CD players, and that we have new modern ones with great DACs — portable CD players on the horizon — I just wanted to review ECT Zero which is creating bigger waves on the market.

But is that just banking on nostalgia, my nostalgia, or is there a place and space on the market for this kind of gear? And how much does it bring to this market?

Well, I can confidently say it is a great product, especially this new ECT Zero AKM. It is much cheaper than the previous ECT Zero T, making it affordable for people who really want something like this but are on the fence about whether they should invest their money in this fad.

In reality, ECT Zero T is a better device, but I will speak about that a little bit later. But as 580 dollars is not something you would invest because it is retro or nostalgia or whatever. In that price range you have really great and decent CD players to buy that offer much more versatility and maybe a tad bit more quality.

But at 300 dollars, how much is this new one, this becomes much better value. As this is a great-sounding CD player, and you can drink coffee or mulled wine on your terrace and just enjoy your great CD collection and read lyrics from the booklet. It is a great feeling, and one that does not compromise a lot.

So for 300 you get a portable CD player, you can use it as a pure DAC and connect your external player via USB, you can rip CDs, and get a really great AKM chip. While not a top-of-the-line AKM chip, this is still from their 449 lineup of Velvet Sound chipsets. So still very premium and a great DAC.

It is nice-looking as well, and you can add line in and line out. So you can connect your active speakers to this as well, and there is also a headphone output which is presumably the primary way to use this device. At least I used it like that. It is 836 milliwatts in 32 ohms via balanced connections and 213 via single-ended.

But you can use it via battery only, or in a desktop mode where it will set in pass-through mode not damaging the battery — a common problem in this kind of device. So yeah, they even thought about the scenario where you use this purely as a desktop CD player. As this is a switching power supply, you can even add your own more quality linear power supply to this device. It is also a great plus.

But I would definitely wish that you get a remote, as anything that does not have a remote and I have to rise from my couch to interact with it breaks the immersion for me. It is not a big fault as desktop use is not the main thing for this player, but I would love that.

And while I am still on the subject of what I would love — that tracks and songs are displayed on that small screen they have. For example, the screen could be a touchscreen, and you can swipe left and right to see time remaining, and on a second swipe to see the names of the songs. While now the screen is useful, it is too small, and I could only wish somehow for it to be bigger and better. Also, controls to use the CD player are easy and intuitive, but everything else not so much. There just are not enough buttons, and navigating through DAC filters, balance, gain level, and audio output and using it is really difficult and has a big learning curve.

It is equipped with a 5500 mAh battery, which in my extended use was giving me healthy 5 to 6 hours of runtime, which is really decent.

And not to forget also that this device is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 which means your portable comfort can even be larger with even fewer wires. Just chill and listen and enjoy.

Something I find amazing, this day and age, is how these portable players are constructed. For example, to have fewer vibrations at the motor and carrying level, you need to have a bit of an advanced mechanism for shielding, anti-static, anti-skating, and vibrations. And no matter how much I carried it with me, and I did that a few times I wanted to walk with it, it never showed signs of stutters or jitter. Which is such an amazing feat that I had to compliment it here.

So this is a lot of things for this value, so I definitely think this is a killer value product, even if you are part of the nostalgia-desired market or not. This is just a good product.

Sound Quality

But how does this product even sound? Is it good purely as a sonic product? I can easily say yes, but I have to mention that most of my testing was done via headphones. I also used it as a desktop CD player, but I realized that is a case that not many people are going to use it.

This is an AKM sound through and through, and I used 3 types of headphones and IEMs to test them. I chose to go with a bit darker, more balanced, and bright just to see how they react to this CD player. There have not been any additional DACs or additional linear supplies in the mix, just pure sound out of the box.

The sound is energetic and upbeat. There is an obvious emphasis on detail at the top to push your earphones further. It is made to give a more agile presentation. Which means your upper mids and treble are going to be specifically detailed. You can definitely notice more percussions, and how they separate. And even synth/clavi/moog when it goes to that upper registry you see how it just pops out.

So yeah, they are insightful players. And that is good for also vertical soundstage, as it truly will help your headphones, if they are talented, to open more soundstage. It is a neutral soundstage expansion and will help your headphones a lot.

But also it is not that much of a V-curved sound like I expected. Note the presentation is very expressive and entertaining which means balance and tonality are not going to be present that day in the listening room. There’s a sensation of directness and positivity to the way these players deliver music, a sensation of engagement that some similarly priced alternatives forgo in an effort to sound somehow more ‘accurate’.

But the biggest surprise to me is the bass. Bass had attack, bass had reach, it had presence.

There was cohesion in it which I did not expect. Just great kick, great drive, great momentum created by this bass. And this is not the warm aspect of sound, this bass is very contained, some might even say lean. But that precise, detailed, and great attack is definitely something which complements the sound so much.

Soundstage is great, but think about it for a second. There is a lot of detail and textures, you can visualize in your head the placement of instruments on stage. It helps for soundstage perception to expand. And with great open-back headphones, the soundstage is really good. But it will be your headphones which are going to dictate this.

Midsection is decent, but this is a very upbeat, energetic presentation. Don’t expect vocals to lead the fray, or to have smooth vocal deliveries or a lot of transparency and space. They have a decent midsection which was a surprise — it has enough space and transparency to help headphones. But they are juggling this energetic treble and bass, and it trails behind. It just does not have enough breath and room for that amazing midsection, nor will the vocal sound that amazing. It is just how it does.

Now this all should be taken with a certain grain of salt. This is a player, and as a player, it is always a conductor and someone who prepares raw material for your headphones. It is your headphones that are going to be the ones driving the sound mostly. But will some strengths or faults be even more exemplified is what the CD player does. So think about how you pair this device to get the best sonic signature possible with that synergy.

Alternatives

Now I had great pleasure at SIAS 2025 to listen to a large variety of devices. Among them were Fiio DM13, Moondrop Discdream 2 and Discdream 2 Ultra, and EC Zero T with R2R DAC. While not ideal conditions, there were a lot of things I could right away pick up and compare. One more note: I had previous experience with EC Zero T that my friend owned.

vs. Fiio DM13

Now I want to start with Fiio DM13, as I think if you are on the fence, you are not certain if this portable fad is for you or not. DM13 is an amazing value device. It comes for 180 euros and as such it is really hard not to try your luck with this kind of device.

One thing I realized is that Fiio can easily be a competitor to EC Zero T, and I know that sounds strange and unlikely. But there is a companion DAC K13 R2R, which can ideally stack on each other. And you get a superb R2R DAC with this portable CD player. And together they cost almost the same as EC Zero T.

But how about solo as a device — how does it compare to EC Zero AKM? Well, it is 120 or 140 dollars cheaper. It costs around 180 dollars. It has a weaker but really decent DAC, it has a much weaker headphone output, and has fewer inputs and outputs. But it sounds really decent, and in the price range of 180, you get a good CD player with a good DAC. Honestly, I don’t know if even desktop CD players in that price range are this good. I will not talk more about it, as probably I am going to buy it really soon and review it. But trust me, it is worth the money, even though EC Zero is a more capable device with better sound, DAC, etc.

Vs Shanling EC Zero T

But how about the more expensive EC Zero T? Well, this device looks identical, but in reality, they are completely different devices. EC Zero T has an R2R DAC, and for headphone output, it can use tubes. This is a really unique combination that gives an extra interesting flair to these portable devices. It has a little bit less output if you use tubes, but if you use solid-state drive via DAC it has 1280mW in 32 ohms which is more than the AKM version.

But battery size, and inputs and outputs are the same. And yet the sound is completely different. I cannot emphasize enough that even though they look alike how different they sound.

R2R is very rich in presentation, but also a very much balanced device. It is a very lush sound, with emphasis on warmth even though it tries to remain in the realm of balance. Personally, I prefer a lot of tubes as output — it gives this lush, neutral sound a bit of weight and darkness, which makes the sound more pulsing and galloping and fun.

It is a wonderful cocktail of sounds, but I can also see that the AKM variation can be more for you. As this is a pretty detailed and upbeat presentation and more punchy. It has a more revealing sound. But reality is that Zero T is a more cohesive and more musical sound. It is more open, and has a better midsection and great vocal reproduction.

Now is that worth 260 dollars more? Well, that is all on you. But it is a superb device.

vs. Moondrop Discdream 2 Ultra

I had a great time at the SMSL booth at SIAS, and I had time reserved at their listening area, completely separated from crowds. And there they had 2 and 2 Ultra to listen among many other gear. Now Moondrop Discdream 2 is my favourite design out of all, but I will focus on Discdream 2 Ultra here.

Firstly, it is a much sturdier box and feels like it is built from better materials. It feels like it will last for a long time. But also it is a heavier box. In reality, it is not that much heavier — around 125 grams — but when I was carrying it it felt for some reason even heavier.

But to cut to things that matter, they are similarly priced. So they are going head-to-head with each other. And in my experience, I just like EC Zero AKM more. It has a stronger headphone output, it has far more inputs and outputs, and I think the DAC is just a bit more capable. Discdream 2 Ultra sounds good. And if you really dislike the sonic signature of EC Zero AKM, then the more balanced and laid-back approach of Discdream 2 Ultra definitely allows a more clinical, transparent approach. It gives more space around instruments to breathe. But it is just not so fun or entertaining, even though vocal reproduction is really nice — very spacious. So I would definitely recommend listening to both as they are similarly priced.

DAP vs Portable CD Player/Conclusion

I am happy like a child with this device. Ever since I got it, I have been listening to it nonstop, reviving my childhood nostalgia with it. I just love this device, and for me, it is worth it.

But will that be for you? Well, unless an abundance of inputs and outputs you search, and a bit more quality laser mechanism and servo system — you get a lot with this device: good laser, great DAC, great portability with lots of different use cases. It is a great detailed sound, it is very punchy, energetic, and forward. So you get a lot for this 320 dollars. I think this is not in any way connected with nostalgia or retro vibes, etc. This is a great quality device which has a lot to offer in this price range.

Just try this and spin your favourite CDs, you will enjoy it. Carry this with you on breaks, on travels, in the park, while you wait for your kids to arrive from school. It is a great alternative for your DAP, which is still the best portable choice as it is much lighter and can decode much larger 24-bit files or DSDs. But also I think CDs are easier to find and buy than 24-bit audio or DSDs. And there are not many DSDs in the world to be honest, but you can use this also as a USB DAC hub to play 24-bit and DSDs — it is also an additional alternative for flexibility.

But as interaction, just insert disc — it is a really fast and intuitive way of listening to music. And discs sound just awesome, the connection you get with them is priceless and everything feels more in tune with you and the music you love — fewer obstacles, just you and the music you love. I love portable CDs.

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Keep daydreaming, and see you on the next video!

Pros

Sound Quality

• Energetic and detailed sound — very lively and engaging presentation.

• Excellent treble and upper-mid detail — percussions and high-register instruments sound crisp and well separated.

• Strong bass performance — tight, impactful, and well-controlled; adds energy and drive without being boomy.

• Okay soundstage and imaging — helps headphones open up and enhances spatial perception.

• Versatile DAC quality — AKM 449 “Velvet Sound” chipset delivers a refined, premium sound for this price.

  
  

Build, Features, and Functionality

• High value at $320 — significantly cheaper than the $580 Zero T model, yet still very capable.

• Excellent build quality — attractive design, well-built chassis, solid construction.

• Multiple inputs and outputs — supports line-in, line-out, headphone out, and USB DAC use.

• Balanced and single-ended headphone outputs — 836 mW (32 Ω, balanced) and 213 mW (single-ended).

• Desktop and portable modes — battery or pass-through operation; battery protection in desktop mode.

• Bluetooth 5.3 — allows wireless listening for more convenience.

• Excellent anti-vibration and servo design — no skipping or jitter even when moving.

• Decent battery life — 5500 mAh battery gives 6-7 hours of playback.

• Ripping CDs and digital playback — supports modern digital use-cases beyond physical playback.

  
  

Value and Market Position

• “Killer value” for the money — premium sound and features at a mid-range price.

• Good entry into modern portable CD players — appeals to both nostalgic users and new listeners.

• Not just nostalgia-driven — stands on its own as a genuinely capable and fun-sounding device.

Listening Experience

• Fun and musical sound — engaging, lively, and emotional presentation.

• Strong synergy with open-back headphones — helps deliver great depth and air. Also works well with balanced and little bit warmish headphones

• Simple enjoyment factor — intuitive, disc-based listening experience that feels personal and immersive.

• Revives physical connection to music — tactile and nostalgic appeal without sacrificing sound quality.

  
  

Cons

Usability and Interface

• No remote control — breaks immersion during desktop use; inconvenient for couch listening.

• Small screen — not very functional; doesn’t display track names or detailed info.

• Difficult menu navigation — limited buttons, unintuitive control layout, steep learning curve for advanced settings.

• Non-touchscreen — limits interaction and convenience for track selection and browsing.

Sound Limitations

• Midrange slightly recessed — vocals and mid frequencies lack warmth and body.

• Energetic tuning can sound aggressive — less tonal balance, more focused on excitement rather than clarity and transparency.

• Not the most “audiophile accurate” — trades some naturalness for fun and forward sound.

• Instruments and vocals little bit buried - It could give vocals and instruments a bit more room to breath and space. The soundstage also not being the most widest.

Feature Gaps

• No included remote or app control — missing modern convenience.

• Screen functionality underdeveloped — could show more playback info or metadata.