Shanling launches EC Play portable CD player and DAC

Shanling has introduced the EC Play, a compact portable CD player that combines disc playback with DAC and headphone-output functions. The launch is aimed at listeners who still use compact discs but want a player designed around portable rather than rack-based use.

The EC Play sits in Shanling’s continuing CD player line and is positioned as a battery-powered model for everyday carry. It supports pressed CDs as well as CD-R and CD-RW discs, and uses an active magnetic clamp system adapted from Shanling’s previous EC models.

Beyond disc playback, the unit can operate with wired headphones, send digital audio to another system, work as a USB DAC, and handle Bluetooth transmission or reception. That gives the EC Play a broader role than a simple portable transport while keeping the core product focused on CD playback.

Key specifications

Disc support

CD, CD-RW and CD-R

DAC chip

Cirrus Logic CS43198

Amplification

Two SGM8262-2 amplifiers

Inputs

USB DAC mode up to 384 kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD256

Outputs

3.5 mm single-ended headphone, 4.4 mm balanced headphone and 3.5 mm SPDIF coaxial

Bluetooth

Version 6.0; receiver mode supports LDAC, AAC and SBC; transmitter mode supports SBC

Battery

3450 mAh, rated for up to 12 hours

Dimensions

142 x 125.1 x 26 mm

Weight

About 418 g

Finish

Black, Silver and Green

Shanling lists the EC Play as available from early May, with official MSRP at $199 USD / €220 and a note to check dealers for USA pricing. What Hi-Fi? lists UK pricing at £209 and says the player is available now.

Sources

- audioXpress - Shanling Launches Interesting Portable CD Player and DAC
- ecoustics - Shanling EC Play Portable CD Player Gives Gen Z Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC, and a Reason to Touch Physical Media
- What Hi-Fi? - Forget the vinyl revival, Shanling's latest CD player wants to bring the "Discman" to Gen Z