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Lately, I have found myself looking at my old CD collection and considering a return to physical digital media. And wouldn’t you know it? There is a shiny new Walkman-style player on the market; the FiiO DM13 portable CD player provides the perfect balance between modern and retro Hi-Fi for cord-cutters who are thinking about plugging back in.
As a lifelong vinyl fanatic, this doesn’t feel like such a step backward. CDs are more robust and versatile than their analog counterparts, and a compact, portable CD player provides a convenient solution to accompany my existing stereo setup. So, what is so special about the FiiO DM13 in particular?
Bluetooth, Digital, and Wired Connectivity
Image downloaded from theStarscream Communicationswebsite.
Starscream Communications
A return to old-school media doesn’t have to mean a return to old-school technology. The FiiO DM13 offers the best of both worlds with its front-mounted 3.5-millimeter headphone output and a 4.4-millimeterbalanced output for a noise-free wired connectionon the analog side. It also features USB and S/PDIF digital outputs to play music, transfer music to a computer, or connect it to your Hi-Fi amplifier.
Furthermore, the FiiO DM13 has Bluetooth connectivity, making it compatible with soundbars, smart speakers, and, essentially, my wireless headphones. This reduces messy wiring on your desktop or in your living space while making the unit eminently portable and in keeping with the demands of modern music lovers.
Use of Advanced Audio Codecs
One of the most appealing benefits of CDs is that they provide high-resolution audio, unlike compressed formats such as MP3 and streaming services like Spotify (at least until Spotify finally releases the hi-res Spotify HiFi tier). The FiiO DM13 supports high-resolution Bluetooth codecs to ensure it transmits audio without significantly reducing sound quality.
These advanced audio codecs include SBC, APTX, APTX Low Latency, and APTX HD, meaning that the difference between your wired and wireless speakers or headphones should be barely discernible. While this may sound incredibly techy, the result is a better listening experience with a full frequency spectrum that should satisfy even the most ardent audiophiles.
Supports Multiple File Types
While I’d chiefly use the FiiO DM13 to play my currently redundant collection of store-bought CDs, it will play music across various file formats, including MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, and WMA. This makes the unit far more versatile than its early counterparts, like the Sony Discman, for a number of reasons.
For example, as a digital music creator, I can use the FiiO DM13 to load Audio samples in WAV format onto my hard drive using the player’s USB connection. It also means I can compile mixes of my favorite music in compressed formats and fit as many as 150 tracks on a single disc. This is a valuable feature if you listen to music on the go and don’t wish to carry a bunch of CDs around with you. Using the audio-out interface, you can also use the player to convert file types.
Long Battery Life
I plan to take full advantage of the FiiO DM13’s anti-skipping shock protection buffer and pair it with my Bluetooth motorcycle helmet on long bike rides. Thankfully, in addition to mains power, the unit has an integral battery that is good for eight hours of playback on a single charge.
This longevity means that the unit is useful for anyone who listens to music on the go. For example, commuters can use it while taking public transport, and holidaymakers who may not have internet access while abroad or at a remote destination can still have their music at hand.
Slick Design and a Compact Profile
As a child of the 1980s, I still remember when portable CD players were cutting-edge technology. Even then, they progressively got smaller with each passing year, often adopting a sleek, curvy profile that followed the curvature of the compact disc. With the DM13, FiiO has gone against the retro grain and produced a more modern-looking design with geometric lines that wouldn’t look out of place next to an Apple TV 4K on an entertainment unit.
While it is undoubtedly boxy, the FiiO DM13 is still compact enough to slip into a glove box or shoulder bag easily. It may not be the most portable compact disc player, even compared to much older units. Still, its impressive list of features and modern technology far outweigh the negatives concerning its size.
CD sales may beon the rise again, but whether the public will gravitate to a large-scale CD revival like it has with vinyl remains to be seen. However, as long as music streaming services charge sizable subscription fees and companies like FiiO continue to produce quality players like the DM13, we certainly can’t rule it out.
