Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The FiiO DM15 costs $270. The xDuoo CDM-10 costs $429. I tested both — plus the FiiO DM13, Shanling EC Zero, Shanling EC Zero T, and Dunu Concept R — to find the best portable CD player for the money. The cheaper one wins. But the full story is more interesting than that.
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🎧 Gear mentioned in this video:
• FiiO DM15* — tinyurl.com/FiiODM15 or amzn.to/3Tu8sMk
• xDuoo CDM-10* — tinyurl.com/CDM10Global or (US) tinyurl.com/CDM10US or amzn.to/4wbu7Hz
• FiiO DM13* — tinyurl.com/FiiODM13US or amzn.to/44DATKf
• Shanling EC Zero* — amzn.to/4whFOfS
• Shanling EC Zero T* — amzn.to/4yywLIZ
• Dunu Concept R* — amzn.to/45idD4A
*affiliate link - thank you for your support!
──────────────────────────
💡 This video is sponsored by Dekoni Audio.
Use code PASSIONFORSOUND10 for 10% off your order:
👉 dekoni-audio.myshopify.com/discount/PASSIONFORSOUND10
──────────────────────────
In this video:
• Why the FiiO DM15's R2R DAC circuit gives it a more spacious, refined sound
• What happens to the DM15's soundstage when you plug in external 5V power (not good)
• How the xDuoo CDM-10's vacuum tubes and upsampling change the sound — and whether they're worth the price gap
• Where the Shanling EC Zero T and Dunu Concept R fit if you have more to spend
• Which portable CD player I'd actually recommend under $500
⏱ Chapters:
00:00 FiiO DM15 & xDuoo CDM-10 review
00:59 DM13 baseline
01:21 DM15 sound quality
03:18 Design & features (DM15)
05:03 CDM-10 design & features
08:44 CDM-10 sound quality
11:39 Other portable CD player options
13:14 Premium options
14:04 Final thoughts
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I'm Lachlan — musician, audio nerd, and your guide to making sense of the hi-fi world. I make videos about headphones, DACs, amps, and portable audio gear — no hype, just honest impressions.
YouTube Memberships: bit.ly/PFSMember
A huge thanks to YouTube channel members and those of you who leave super thanks on videos like this one. It genuinely helps keep the channel going.
#PortableCDPlayer #FiiODM15 #PortableAudio #Audiophile #CDPlayer #FiiO #xDuoo #Shanling #HeadphoneAmp
The FiiO DM15 costs $270. The xDuoo CDM-10 costs $429. I tested both — plus the FiiO DM13, Shanling EC Zero, Shanling EC Zero T, and Dunu Concept R — to find the best portable CD player for the money. The cheaper one wins. But the full story is more interesting than that.
──────────────────────────
🎧 Gear mentioned in this video:
• FiiO DM15* — tinyurl.com/FiiODM15 or amzn.to/3Tu8sMk
• xDuoo CDM-10* — tinyurl.com/CDM10Global or (US) tinyurl.com/CDM10US or amzn.to/4wbu7Hz
• FiiO DM13* — tinyurl.com/FiiODM13US or amzn.to/44DATKf
• Shanling EC Zero* — amzn.to/4whFOfS
• Shanling EC Zero T* — amzn.to/4yywLIZ
• Dunu Concept R* — amzn.to/45idD4A
*affiliate link - thank you for your support!
──────────────────────────
💡 This video is sponsored by Dekoni Audio.
Use code PASSIONFORSOUND10 for 10% off your order:
👉 dekoni-audio.myshopify.com/discount/PASSIONFORSOUND10
──────────────────────────
In this video:
• Why the FiiO DM15's R2R DAC circuit gives it a more spacious, refined sound
• What happens to the DM15's soundstage when you plug in external 5V power (not good)
• How the xDuoo CDM-10's vacuum tubes and upsampling change the sound — and whether they're worth the price gap
• Where the Shanling EC Zero T and Dunu Concept R fit if you have more to spend
• Which portable CD player I'd actually recommend under $500
⏱ Chapters:
00:00 FiiO DM15 & xDuoo CDM-10 review
00:59 DM13 baseline
01:21 DM15 sound quality
03:18 Design & features (DM15)
05:03 CDM-10 design & features
08:44 CDM-10 sound quality
11:39 Other portable CD player options
13:14 Premium options
14:04 Final thoughts
──────────────────────────
I'm Lachlan — musician, audio nerd, and your guide to making sense of the hi-fi world. I make videos about headphones, DACs, amps, and portable audio gear — no hype, just honest impressions.
YouTube Memberships: bit.ly/PFSMember
A huge thanks to YouTube channel members and those of you who leave super thanks on videos like this one. It genuinely helps keep the channel going.
#PortableCDPlayer #FiiODM15 #PortableAudio #Audiophile #CDPlayer #FiiO #xDuoo #Shanling #HeadphoneAmp
