CD players are making a comeback, baby. As Gen Z embraced the 90s, they never experienced retro nostalgia like Nirvana, Tamagotchi and wired headphones, audiophile brand FiiO is here to capitalize on. The company’s new portable CD player DM13 is based on the blueprint of icons like the Discman. But it adds modern touches like high-quality wireless and a built-in battery, saving Gen Zers the pain of lugging around a small arsenal of AA cells to change every hour.
The FiiO DM13 follows the company’s retro reboots vinyl turntable and (for silly reasons). cassette player. The upcoming CD player sports a sleek design with a digital display on the front, creating a sharper-looking modern aesthetic than the junk we’re used to when we’re dealing with timeless music legends like Candlebox, Right Said Fred, and Squirrel of old Gen X. Walnut Zippers.
The DM13 supports 3.5mm single-ended 4.4mm balanced outputs for analog line-out listening. Supports wireless for those who prefer it high quality aptX HD and compatible with many Android phones and portable media players. (Apple uses the low-bitrate AAC codec, so iPhone owners get less impressive wireless audio. adapter.)
FiiO says the DM13 supports eight hours of playback per charge. It also has USB output and a special desktop mode that bypasses the battery and uses its main power at home.
The bad news for 90s retrophiles is that the DM13 isn’t available yet. After its official opening this weekend CanJam event in London, the CD Player will be available in September for $179 (£179 in the UK). It’s only starting to ship in silver, but FiiO says red, blue, titanium, and black options will arrive later in the year.
