Select Comparisons

The following comparisons to the MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra were completed in native CD playback mode and paired with a mix of the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII, the Vision Ears VE10, Campfire Audio’s Andromeda 2020, and the Audeze MM-500.

Shanling EC Mini

The Shanling EC Mini was launched towards the tail end of last year with our review of this unique device earlier this year.

Technical

Like the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra, the EC Mini is primarily a transportable compact CD Player.

Arguably, the top load system of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is preferable to the EC Mini’s slot load though I find the EC Mini’s faster read times and ‘auto scan on insert’ more intuitive than the stop and start scan system of the MOONDROP servo/control suite.

The EC Mini can also serve as a component CD player with an analog output though unlike the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra, the EC Mini has a more flexible dual SE RCA output with fixed and variable controls. The MOONDROP only has a fixed 2VRMS lineout but can give you a digital out via an optical port.

Both will dual as USB DACs capable of up to PCM 32BIT/385kHz and native DSD256, though the choice of DAC chipsets differs. MOONDROP uses a dual CS43131 DAC whereas Shanling has implemented a dual ES9219 chipset with additional MQA capability (if still relevant).

The EC Mini star card is its TF card storage capability, which, combined with a rich touch-sensitive software panel and Bluetooth means the EC Mini can transcend being just a CD player and become a media center with local playback capability.

Shanling’s battery life is variable due to the additional software and wireless features. The rated playback time is 25 hours from the MicroSD card and a maximum of 7.5 hours from the CD player, just a little short of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra’s 8-hour rating.

Both players have balanced amplification with average numbers. The EC Mini’s 240mW balanced and 140mW single-ended on a 32Ω load is not far removed from the MOONDROP’s 222mW and 112mW rating on the same load.

Design

If the EC Mini has the edge in the amount of features it offers, then the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra has the exterior design advantage.

The EC Mini looks more like a PC component for a tower converted to a standalone unit whereas the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra looks like a dedicated 80s’ retro CD player with cool styling.

The form factor of both is almost the same, with the EC Mini weighing around 500g more, courtesy of additional components such as the LCD panel. Neither is going to be your go-to choice for a portable ‘in the bag’ unit though taking it to the office for the day is probably exactly where both will excel.

I prefer top loading over slots. I always fear the day a slot loader will fail, leaving my beloved CD stuck in there. The EC Mini has never let me down for loading, and it is fast to read the discs, but it’s a noisy mechanism and not as elegant as the quiet-reading DISCDREAM 2 Ultra.

The Ultra does have its quibbles. The lid will not securely latch down, there is no automated sensor for reading the disc when the lid is down, and it will start on track one automatically when you press the play button to get it to read the disc.

Some will also prefer the EC Mini’s front-panel headphone jacks to the side ports on the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra, but I get why they are there. The front facia is beautiful without ports messing up the visuals.

I much prefer the control button layout of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra but I understand the mix of touch and discrete buttons on the EC Mini is more necessary given the depth of features available.

Performance

Despite using a low gain setting to avoid stressing the EC Mini upper treble, I still found its performance more V-shaped than the more neutral or flatter presentation of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra.

Monitors such as the Monarch MKIII easily picked up on the enhanced low-end weight and treble shine of the EC Mini. In contrast, the Ultra’s ‘straight-line’ almost sounded relatively tapered on both extremes.

There are some pros and cons for each player’s presentation. The EC Mini offers a stronger fundamental frequency which gels well with dynamic driver hybrids for high-impact recordings.

At the same time, the stronger upper treble enhances the timbral contrast creating a stronger perception of note definition and separation. However, percussion can also sound a bit splashier and leaner in weight.

The DISCRDREAM 2 Ultra’s sound signature is comparatively more mid-centric, with a smoother midrange timbre, less top-end splashiness, and less weight on the lows.

It does not create the same degree of staging depth or separation as the EC Mini but the balance in the highs is more percussion-friendly and vocals gain a little more presence and firmness.

There isn’t a huge difference between the two for resolution and dynamic range, but if you want perceived space and headroom, the EC Mini has the advantage. I recommend picking the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra if you want a more coherent midrange tonal quality.

FiiO DM13

The FiiO DM13 is positioned closer to the DISCDREAM 2 non-Ultra edition. We will have reviews of both entry-level models shortly but in the meantime, it’s worth seeing if there is a significant upgrade from the FiiO unit.

Technical

Despite the price difference, the DM13 has several overlapping features with the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra.

Both use dual Cirrus Logic chipsets for decoding CDs. The DM13 is equipped with the CS43198 version and the Ultra uses the CS43131 alternative which is the same decoder but with an integrated amplifier.

A big differentiator is the DM13’s lack of USB DAC capability meaning you only get CD bit and sample rate decoding. You do have digital output similar to the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra with optical and an additional coaxial output on the rear panel of the DM13.

The DM13’s ace has Bluetooth transmission capability up to aptX HD meaning TWS and wireless headphone users can connect to the CD player reinforcing its portable pitch. That is something I wish the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra offered.

For pure feature count, the MOONDROP unit comes second to the DM13 which boasts a coaxial output, a balanced lineout, and USB CD ripping which I know many modern audiophiles will welcome.

Battery life is a claimed 10 hours for the DM13 which is 2 hours more than the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra. However, given the wealth of features on the DM13, it’s hard to get to 10 hours so I see no advantage here.

The main DM13 Dmode feature allows for a direct USB connection, bypassing and saving battery life for long listening sessions. There is still a charging situation with DMode from my testing so far so it’s not a completely battery-free scenario.

Lastly, both have headphone amplification but the DM13 is more powerful at 660 mW compared to just 222 mW for the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra.

The DM13 should be able to handle more demanding headphones but as you will find out in the performance section below, the MOONDROP has the cleaner sound quality.

Design

The DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is the bigger of the two players and far less portable. Yes, both cassis are indeed aluminum so I would rate both builds as quite durable.

However, the aesthetics of the MOONDROP finish are next level and I get a vibe that this is where you pay most of the premium over the blander FiiO offering.

Side by side, the DM13 looks very conservative. Granted, my black sample doubles down on the low-profile visual but I suspect I would think the same with the silver version. The transparent lid DM13 is probably the one you should go for to enhance the bling factor.

Speaking of lids, the functional latch for the DM13 gives it a big portability advantage over the loose lid of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra. I wish MOONDROP would put some sort of catch and automated sensor to spin up the CD when inserted, something which the DM13 has.

Both have LCDs and do their job ok but I find the DM13 version a bit busier and not as stylish looking as the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra version. It’s a similar situation for the controls with the DM13 functional and similar to the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra but not as stylish.

Also, the DM13 lid must remain closed for playback and playback controls since the buttons are on the lid. That’s fine for portable use but also explains why the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra controls are on the front and not the top since you can keep the tray lid open during playback.

It’s a similar thought process for the headphone jacks with the DM13 ports on the front panel to keep the portability aspect optimal and the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra on the side and more in keeping as a component within a desktop setup.

Performance

Despite similar DACs, the dynamic range and general height and width of the DM13 are not as impressive as the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra using the VE10, which is a fairly sensitive monitor.

If anything the DM13 lacks a similar level of extension and presence in the highs, shifting the tonal balance more to the even harmonic warmer side and injecting a bit more upper bass and lower midrange warmth.

That does give it more timbral saturation and a slightly smoother more rounded tone but there is a comparative lack of note definition and air compared to the Ultra.

The narrower staging quality of the DM13 diminishes its impact and immersion to the point where I found myself constantly pushing the volume-up button to subjectively match the range and clarity of the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra performance.

The additional power of the Dm13 in balanced mode is an advantage with more demanding headphones. Neither will drive the MM-500 as well as a full-blooded desktop amplifier but it did sound juicier and more powerful with the DM13 and perhaps a little too clean and undercooked with the weaker DISCDREAM 2 Ultra balanced output.

I would say the DM13 is a good performer at its price point but its warmer low-end makes it more suited to brighter headgear. Whereas the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra has an edge in clarity and dynamic range best suited for mainstream or technically more capable IEMs.

My Verdict

The MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is a transportable CD player bathed in an endearing mix of modern internal functionality and retro-inspired exterior design lines.

It makes for a fun device and shows that with a bit of love and care you can produce a device that appeals to both the young and old in equal measure.

MOONDROP seems to understand this recent ‘retro-revisited’ lust for physical media among modern audiophiles. It looks like it was plucked off a shelf from the 80s alongside a side order of some A-ha CDs and a Rubik’s Cube.

All of the joy of the above would be nothing if the performance sucked and thankfully that is not the case. The Ultra is a smooth and balanced sounding CD player, a thoroughly modern sounding device but not an overly digital sound either.

The USB DAC is not quite as vivid as the native CD performance but the file quality will play a role in that. The optical output didn’t impress me as much either but that might just depend on your receiving DAC.

Otherwise, if a transportable and cool-looking CD player is ‘your bag’, then the MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra will provide a pleasant and welcome addition to your collection.