SHANLING EC SMART CD Player

The Shanling EC Smart is an affordable, high-performance CD player with an atypical, resolutely modern design. With its vertical format, the EC Smart accommodates CDs just behind its control panel, which can be rotated. Everything is designed to be extremely easy to use, with no need for complicated settings or adjustments.

At the heart of this design gem is a renowned optical drive, the Sanyo DA11. The audio circuit uses a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC capable of delivering precise, faithful sound reproduction.

Connectivity couldn't be simpler. The EC Smart can be used with either a pair of active speakers or an amplifier, thanks to its rear line output in 3.5mm jack format (RCA adapter supplied). The player also benefits from a dedicated headphone output on the side, also in 3.5mm jack format, associated with a headphone amplification stage carried by an SGM8262 chip.

The modern EC Smart also features Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, so it can be paired with Bluetooth speakers for convenient wireless installation.

Thanks to its compact design and predominantly aluminum construction, the EC Smart fits easily into most interiors. What's more, although it's designed to be used mainly vertically, the bottom bracket can be removed, and the CD player can simply rest on its rear rubber feet, for horizontal installation.

When it comes to power, the Shanling EC Smart aims for even greater ease of use, since it requires only a standard 5V USB power supply and can therefore be powered by any phone charger, by the USB port on a computer or certain televisions, and even with a suitable portable battery.

Control of the unit is via the front control panel, featuring touch-sensitive buttons, or via the supplied infrared remote control.