Shanling’s New EC Play Proves the CD Isn’t Dead Yet

Shanling’s EC Play is the firm’s latest compact portable CD player aimed at listeners who still value physical media but want the convenience of modern wireless and high-resolution audio features.

Billed as the smallest CD player Shanling has produced so far at 142 x 125.1 x 26 mm, the EC Play follows the valve-equipped EC Zero T and EC Zero AKM, but takes a more lifestyle-focused approach with an emphasis on portability, simplicity and everyday usability.

Shanling says the launch lands at a time when younger buyers are increasingly embracing physical media, ownership and an alternative to streaming, a trend reflected in the growth in CD sales.

Weighing just 418g, the aluminium-bodied player is designed for use at home, at work or on the move. Finish options include Feather Green, Onyx Black and Moonlight Silver.

At the heart of the EC Play is Shanling's active magnetic clamp system, adapted from the brand's earlier EC models. According to the company, the mechanism continuously adjusts pressure and positioning on the disc to improve playback stability while reducing vibration and mechanical noise.

Meanwhile, a custom transport developed by Shanling's CD engineers also supports gapless playback across CD, CD-R, and CD-RW formats.

For audio duties, Shanling has specified a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC paired with dual SGM8262 headphone amplifiers.

You get both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, along with selectable gain to better match different wired headphones. The balanced 4.4mm output is rated at up to 700mW into 32 ohms, which should give the player enough drive for everything from sensitive in-ear monitors through to more demanding full-size headphones.

There is also a 3.5mm coaxial SPDIF digital output for adding CD playback to a hi-fi system, compatible speakers or a soundbar.

Wireless functionality comes courtesy of Bluetooth 6.0, with the EC Play able to work as either a transmitter for wireless headphones and speakers or a receiver for streaming from a phone or tablet.

Receiver mode supports LDAC, AAC and SBC, while transmitter mode supports SBC. The unit can also serve as a USB DAC, with support for PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256.

Power comes from a 3450mAh battery claimed to deliver up to 12 hours of playback, making this Shanling's longest-lasting portable CD player to date.

The EC Play is available now, priced at US$199 | €220 | £209.

For more information visit Shanling