John Darko
This isn’t a new story. The product in question hasn’t even been (formally) announced. So far, we’ve only seen a social media video teaser and a public outing at September’s Shenzhen Audio Show. By all accounts, the internal design isn’t quite finished. So — let’s call it a (ahem) ‘concept’ that should see the light of day in early 2025.
I’m talking about a new (trans)portable CD player called the Concept R from Chinese manufacturer DUNU. This is one of a new breed of Sony DiscMan hat tips whose headphone outputs have been built with audiophile sensitivities and whose digital outputs talk to home-based hi-fi setups. I already have the Moondrop DiscDream 2 Ultra im Haus in Berlin and the FiiO DM13 is on its way. (How else to facilitate side-by-side comparisons?)
https://www.instagram.com/dunu_topsound/p/DAKuMczPKJ1/?img_index=1
Instead of the sleek aesthetic minimalism of the FiiO and the Moondrop, DUNU’s Concept R is larger, extended by a bank of physical controls that lends it more of a retro-futuristic vibe. Volume control comes from the ‘pitch slider’ located at the bottom right of the top plate. Look long enough at the other control buttons and you’ll see more vague visual similarities to Technics’ turntables.
The differences don’t end there.
According to DUNU, this will be the world’s first (trans)portable CD player to offer 24-bit R-2R ladder DAC decoding. The D/A conversion will come from a “fully differential four-channel balanced discrete resistor R2R decoding circuit” built with 192 high-precision resistors. Hello Audiophile Catnip™️. The Concept R will also (apparently) push up to 1.3 Watts into a pair of connected headphones via a choice of 6.35mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced sockets.
Interestingly. DUNU is promising switchable Class A and Class A/B operational modes and the unit’s USB output takes care of connections to third-party DACs.
The Concept R’s price remains very much TBC so consider this a heads-up (and nothing more). So I’ll leave you to ponder this: if the compact disc is dying as a format, why are so many hi-fi manufacturers introducing new CD players?
Further information: DUNU
https://www.instagram.com/dunu_topsound/reel/DAJDdOVhEc0/
