Selected Comparisons
The following selected comparisons to the Shanling EC Zero AKM were completed using a mix of the Austrian Audio Composer, Volk Audio’s ÉTOILE, Vision Ears VE10, and Empire Ears ESR MKII (all in balanced output mode).
Shanling EC Zero T
The Shanling EC Zero T was launched in mid-2025 and was picked as our Top Gear 2025 Award for Best CD Player.
Technical
A lot of comparative discussion has already been completed throughout this review, so I will focus on the key points here only.
The biggest differences between these two CD players are the choice of DAC and the amplification options. The rest of the components are quite similar, including the CD mechanism, servo, BT capabilities, and I/O.
The EC Zero AKM reverts to delta-sigma for decoding with an AKM 4493S single-chipset, and the EC Zero T uses a 24-bit R2R implementation. Both can decode up to DSD512 and PCM 32-bit/768kHz via their respective USB-DAC modes.
And because these are different DACs, there are also different filter choices for the user to pick from. My preference is for the EC Zero T’s NOS/OS filter suite. You have fewer choices than the 5 inside the EC Zero AKM, but the effect of the filters are more noticeable.
The EC Zero AKM also lacks the EC Zero T’s dual operational amplifier modes with transistor-based opamps as opposed to the EC Zero T’s user-controlled choice of transistor or dual JAN6418 tubes.
Both have DC inputs, but the resulting maximum power output from the EC Zero AKM opamps is lower at 836mW into a balanced 32Ω load compared to 1220mW on the same balanced 32Ω load.
The one key benefit of the EC Zero AKM’s PO output is its sub-ohm output rating. The EC Zero T’s 4-6Ω PO ratings make it less suitable for general IEM use and geared more to higher impedance, more demanding headphones.
Design
The form factor of both players are almost identical, save for the color scheme I have for my particular samples and the dual tube window for the EC Zero T on the front display area.
There is a slight weight difference with the EC Zero lighter at 575g compared to the EC Zero T’s 669g, which I presume is component-based, such as the R2R resistors and the additional amplification circuitry for the tube mode.
The EC Zero AKM settings menu is different. There are some core features retained, such as the dual gain stage, channel balancing, output mode, and screen brightness levels.
However, the switch to an AKM chipset means the filter options are changed from 2 to 5, and the lack of tubes means there is no amp mode option.
Both CD players have similar CD mechanisms and servo performances, with matching top-loading articulating lids and side panel locks.
You will find no differences either on the rear and front panels, with both offering 3.5mm and 4.4mm PO outputs, rear panel USB-C ports for data and charging, as well as separate connections for digital and analog line-level (fixed Vrms) outputs.
BT pairing and performance work in the same manner on both players, though I did note that the labeling on the rear panel has changed from “Digital Out” to “SPDIF Out” on the EC Zero AKM.
Battery life favors the EC Zero AKM with an average of 10 hours for CD playback as opposed to around 7-8 on the EC Zero T (depending on amplifier mode).
Performance
Two very different sound signatures, even if matched in solid-state mode, the difference is very clear. However, due to these differences, some matchups clearly favored one player over the other.
In one corner is the EC Zero T, a smoother-sounding CD player with enhanced bass and vocal bloom, and some definite analog overtones in playback with my tested IEMs and headphones.
In the opposing corner is the EC Zero AKM, a cleaner, punchier-sounding player, with heightened contrast, comparatively less warmth, and arguably a more ‘digital’ sound with a drier tone from the same tested gear.
Both players have a solid black background with sensitive gear. However, I do wonder if impedance skew is a factor with some of my IEMs.
Pairings such as the Vision Ears VE10 and Volk Audio ETOILE sounded too rounded and slightly fuzzier in the mids compared to the more incisive and clearer performance of the EC Zero AKM.
Both of these IEMs have a warm or analog lilt in their coloration, so it could also just be the tonal output of the pairings. You can get them cleaner and more dynamic-sounding by switching to an OS/Transistor mode.
It was noticeable when switching to a cleaner headphone, such as the Composer, the EC Zero T sounded richer and more composed and involving compared to the more digital sound of the EC Zero AKM.
The Composer is an easy-to-drive but brighter set of headphones, so the tonal matchup with the lusher sound of the EC Zero T makes sense. And consequently, the EC Zero AKM feels more like a clarity counter to warmer-tuned headgear.
Shanling EC Mini
The Shanling EC Mini was the company’s debut portable CD player, launched in late 2023, and represented a mix of local and streaming playback rolled into one unit.
Technical
The EC Mini is more than a portable CD Player to such an extent that traditional CD Player fans might see the top-loading, silent-running EC Zero AKM as the superior option.
The Philips slot-loading CD drive of the EC Mini is quite noisy, generating fears of stuck disks that fail to read or physical scraping, as well as being difficult to clean.
The top-loading mechanism of the EC Zero AKM is more accessible, though CDs are not fixed in place, so tipping it upside down will result in playback interruption.
Though both are delta-sigma DACs, the dual ES9219 chipset inside the EC Mini is older than the EC Zero AKM’s AK4493S DAC. Decoding rates are lower at PCM 32BIT/385kHz and native DSD256 compared to 768kHz and DSD512 when used as a USB-DAC.
Both have DAC filter options, but delta-sigma filters tend to have a subtle rather than overt influence on the sound signature of both CD players.
The EC Mini’s dual RT6863 opamps are weaker than the EC Zero AKM’s SGM8262 op-amp output for headphone users at 240mW balanced and 140mW SE on a 32Ω load. If you have more demanding headphones, the EC Zero AKM’s balanced 836mW high-gain DC-powered ceiling is preferred.
Both have Bluetooth, but only the EC Mini supports LDAC, which the EC Zero AKM should have had. Both players have analog lineouts. The EC Mini has a traditional dual RCA SE pre-amp, and the EC Zero AKM offers 4.4mm and 3.5mm fixed Vrms alternatives.
The features the EC Mini has that the EC Zero AKM lacks are a memory card slot for local file playback and Eddict App integration, giving it a modern audiophile digital media slant.
Design
No question the EC Zero AKM has the more evocative external design. The EC Mini feels like a carry-over from Shanling’s previous desktop streamers with a decidedly non-descript boxy design, a halfway house between a desktop player and a 1-DIN head unit.
The EC Zero AKM embodies the modern retro craze with greater passion and commitment, while also addressing a few shortcomings in the EC Mini Design, including a transparent lid top-loading mechanism and a screen and set of controls that are visually closer together.
The EC Mini has a larger 2.3″ screen compared to the 1.8″ EC Zero AKM alternative, and it can also display more information. However, given that it offers a much deeper digital media experience, it’s handicapped by the amount of swiping to access everything.
For simple CD playing, the options on the EC Mini are straightforward enough, though the read speeds from this laser seem slightly slower than the newer mechanism inside the EC Zero AKM.
Quick access controls on the front-facing panel are at an angle that is slightly obscured on the EC Mini when closed up. I prefer the top-down control suite for the EC Zero AKM in terms of legibility.
Both have 4.4mm/3.5mm PO ports at the front with optimal sub-ohm impedance ratings for IEMs compared to the 4-6Ω level of the EC Zero T’s output.
Both players have independent USB-C charging and data transfer ports on the rear panel, though the EC Mini’s switch is for in-vehicle mode, a feature not included on the EC Zero AKM.
Performance
Since both are resistor and delta-sigma-based CD players, the differences are more nuanced than the EC Zero T comparison.
The major difference I hear with my tested gear is a more dynamic and aggressive sound from the EC Zero AKM, with the EC Mini delivering a slightly more relaxed presentation, particularly through the mids. The EC Mini’s bass punch and density are also slightly lighter.
With IEM pairings such as the VE PRO and VE10, I tended to sway more to the EC Mini to retain good clarity and prevent the bass from becoming too dominant. That can happen a bit with the EC Zero AKM’s punchier, deeper sound.
Mind you, the EC Zero AKM’s more prominent vocal imaging helps counter that really well, but at times some R’n’B recordings became too much about the bass and vocals, whereas the EC Mini can sound a little more balanced across the board.
That can work against the EC Mini, however, with headphones such as the Composer, which sounded a little flat in the mids and lacked the same excellent fundamental frequency level as the EC Zero AKM.
I preferred the AKM’s pairing with gear that was already balanced and not too bass-heavy. It provides slightly better dynamic range and definition than the EC Mini with stronger vocal and lower-treble focus.
MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra
The MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra was launched in 2023, but didn’t get traction until early 2024 due to some manufacturing issues with their debut DISCDREAM CD player.
It was also selected as our Top Gear 2024 Best CD Player Award Co-Winner, along with the SMSL PL200.
Technical
The DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is more of a true portable CD player, and as such, I would see it as a direct competitor to the EC Zero AKM. Especially given that the price points are much closer to each other than the EC Zero T.
I would consider the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra’s dual CS43131 DAC implementation a bit more ‘vanilla’ than the AKM4493S inside the EC Zero AKM. I have seen it used in several other affordable decoding releases, down to sub-$100 dongle DACs.
Whilst both have a USB-DAC feature, the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra’s decoding limits are lower at PCM 32BIT/384kHz and DSD256 compared to the EC Zero AKM’s 768kHz and DSD512 capability.
The Ultra has no Bluetooth, dedicated pre-amping, or line-out capability. However, it does have an SPDIF output similar to the EC Zero AKM, so both units can act as pure transports, but only the EC Zero AKM can fit into a HiFi system with its analog line-out.
Both units have balanced and unbalanced PO jacks (3.5mm and 4.4mm), but at 222mW@32Ω (balanced) and 112mW@32Ω (single-ended), the Ultra is the weaker of the two for power and will not be as useful as the EC Zero AKM for more demanding headphones.
Both have CD mechanisms with decent read speeds, but they operate a little differently. The Ultra will not automatically play when you close the lid, but will spin and play with the lid open once you manually press play. It will automatically play a CD if you switch from its PC mode to CD Player mode.
The EC Zero T will automatically read when the lid is closed, but you have to press play to start playback, and it will automatically stop when you open the lid.
Design
The DISCDREAM 2 Ultra exterior aesthetics are a key advantage when viewing these two CD players from afar.
It is one of the most beautifully designed portable CD players on the market, with a brushed aluminum top grill plate, transparent glass underneath, and huge 80s’ 80s-style button controls with an OLED display panel on the side.
The EC Zero AKM has some nice finishing with its transparent top-loading lid mechanism, blocky retro physical buttons, and volume slider. However, it does not have quite the immediate impact of the Ultra’s finish.
There is some pragmatism in the EC Zero AKM design that the Ultra misses, though. For one, the top-loading lid has no lock mechanism. You will need to buy an additional carry bag to keep it in place when on the go.
The Ultra also has a tight spring-loaded spindle, which can make me a little wary when pressing down on the CD in terms of durability. However, unlike the EC Zero AKM’s gentler resting mechanism, CDs will not move if you hold the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra upside down.
The Ultra has a wider form factor but is slightly shallower in depth and shorter in height. In truth, neither of these devices are diminutive, but outside of FiiO’s DM13, most modern portable CD players are fairly bulky.
The Ultra UI is simple and easy to understand. It does not have Bluetooth, pre-amp, filters, and gain controls, so its screen readout is legible but minimalist compared to the EC Zero AKM’s brightly colored screen and menu options.
Its 3500mAh battery is smaller than the 5300mAh one inside the EC Zero AKM, with an inferior 8 hours of playback time from the Ultra compared to 10 hours.
Performance
The DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is the more linear and neutral-sounding of the two players. The EC Zero AKM has a punchier, dare I say it, more ‘musical’ character with a slightly smoother and warmer tuning with my tested IEMs.
You get more depth and power from the EC ZERO AKM’s low-end performance with vocal imaging that bit further forward, sounding more impactful in the process.
The DISCDREAM 2 Ultra takes a little off the lows, though I would not define it as rolled-off, just not as fulsome in the sub-bass response of IEMs such as the ETOILE or the VE Pro.
The MOONDROP player shifts the emphasis up a bit more to the mids and highs, though it’s not a harsh tone, more of a reference-like neutral timbre with excellent staging width and air.
I felt the EC ZERO AKM was not as wide or airy-sounding; there is a little bit of comparative treble attenuation, and not quite as much sheen on its midrange coloration, hence the smoother tone.
The staging dimensions are more vocal and bass first, with supporting instruments tucking a little more behind as a result. This is the one area the DISCDREAM 2 Ultra has a noticeable advantage over the Shanling tuning and would be my pick for slightly more detailed and precise recordings.
Power, and thus dynamic range for more demanding headphones, lies with the EC Zero AKM. The MOONDROP comes up a bit short with planars such as the DCA NOIRE XO, whereas you can hear the same headphones sound more impactful with the EC ZERO AKM.
My Verdict
The Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD Player is an enticing counter to the higher price tag of the flagship EC Zero T. It delivers a high-energy, cleaner, punchier sound signature, and with a sub-ohm output impedance rating, it has a stronger focus on IEM users.
It does not have quite the same depth of features as the EC Zero T, missing the tubes and using delta-sigma chipsets instead of the ‘star of the hour’, R2R.
However, it still has many of the features that made the EC Zero T our Award winner for 2025, such as the great design, a fast reading top-loading CD mechanism, gapless playback, and a wide range of output options.
I think if the budget is a little tighter or you are primarily an IEM user, the EC Zero AKM is the right choice, and for once, that means saving some money. Not a bad way to go in 2026.
Shanling EC Zero AKM Technical Specifications
Core Audio Specifications
- DAC Chip: AKM AK4493S
- Amplifier Chips: Dual SGM8262-2 Op-Amps
- USB DAC Support: Up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512
- Output Power (4.4mm Balanced): Up to 836mW @ 32Ω (with external power)
- Output Power (3.5mm Single-Ended): Up to 213mW @ 32Ω (with external power)
- THD+N (4.4mm): 0.0004% (Balanced)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (4.4mm): 119 dB (Balanced)
Features & Connectivity
- CD Playback: Custom mechanism with active magnetic clamp, supports CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MQA CDs.
- CD Ripping: 1x speed to WAV format on a FAT32 USB drive.
- Bluetooth: Version 5.3, supports aptX Adaptive, aptX, and SBC.
- Outputs: 3.5mm headphone/line, 4.4mm balanced headphone/line, Coaxial/Optical SPDIF.
- Inputs: USB-C for charging/data, external power.
- Battery: 5500mAh, ~10 hrs CD playback, ~18 hrs Bluetooth.
Physical & Design
- Dimensions: Approx. 158 x 150 x 28.6 mm.
- Weight: Approx. 575g.
- Display: 1.68-inch LCD.
- Controls: Tactile volume slider, physical playback/menu buttons, button lock.
- Chassis: One-piece metal body with tempered glass.
