Co-create the CD player

[will williams]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[D1N0##]

I would look at the shanling ET3 for inspiration. A round lid to drop in on the cd instead of a mechanical lid on springs or friction. As for the functionality, make two version.

1. an all out media system with streaming, cd, micro sd storage and/or usb-c input for external drives. digital and analog outputs anf bluetooth an WiFi that can be used as a preamp. No need for XLR, RCA is good enough.
2. a dedicated CD transport, no dac. Coax, Toslink, USB and I2S output (use the PS Audio pin out). Use an external power supply that has decent quality (doesn't cost two dollars for you, maybe a GaN-fet like you are selling for the V3/ZA3) , but can be upgraded. Sell the transport with and without the power supply included. Pay special attention to the clocking of the transport.

 

[jogama]

Hello Will,

• What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?

The reasonable price would be 250 to 350€, after the price of the specifications.

• In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?

On a hifi system / hifi amplifier, in the living room or in a bedroom.

• Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

No, you don't need this function.


You will need a remote control and a very good quality DAC.

 

[D1N0##]

The player seems pretty light to me. To reduce vibration I would like to see wall mounting holes on the bottom so wall mounting or mounting on heavy base of some sort is possible.

 

[will williams]

Hello Will,

• What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?

The reasonable price would be 250 to 350€, after the price of the specifications.

• In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?

On a hifi system / hifi amplifier, in the living room or in a bedroom.

• Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

No, you don't need this function.


You will need a remote control and a very good quality DAC.

thank you for you reply

 

[TomaszK]

A little late to the party but here are my 2 cents
1 Price: somewhere between 150 and 200 USD.
2. Use cases: Home stereo mostly.
Design concept looks interesting.and different. Would be nice to have this CD Player as a Transport only device to keep the cost down, with rca, Toslink, coax.outs, maybe wifi. And a decent Power Supply.

 

[Joseph E Smith]

Transport in the smaller format that works perfectly and has both coax and toslink outputs! And is attractive and compatible with other Fosi products - maybe offer in both black and silver/pewter finishes?

 

[Massimo]

HI,

Surely you feel the lack of a small-sized CD player to be used in a class 'D' system that has a good quality / price ratio.
The model you see in the sketch is quite comfortable and comes close to the style of Fosi Audio.
The thing that puzzles me is the mode of closing the lid which could create some vibration problems.
The play, stop, pause rev fwd buttons are fine. Prev and next would also be useful. Or a remote control that has these possibilities and also to select the desired song
I don't think you need a headphone output because it's useless.
Those who use the reader certainly connect it to an amplifier already equipped with a headphone output. Instead, a digital output preferably optical and an analog RCA output is also indispensable with jack - RCA adapter
The volume knob also seems superfluous. A power and song selection knob with any display might be useful.

1. The price depends on the type of reader, the type of power supply, the converter used and the mechanics. Considering the size, the competition and maintaining an adequate quality I would say from 180 to 250 euros.
2. I see the reader for use in a class “d” system where the user needs to optimize the spaces without sacrificing quality and aesthetics. It no longer makes sense to talk about portable CD readers. No one uses them anymore. This is also why the headphone output is useless
3. I don't think the balanced output is needed because musicians who use active speakers often connect them to a mixer or a professional sound card. Those who listen to music at home hardly use active speakers. The thing that I consider most important is instead the mechanics, a good converter, the right external power supply perhaps to keep it separate from the circuits and the lack of vibrations.

 

[Hansolid]

I like the top closing lid because it reminds me of a vinyl record player, however won't this cause issues for people who like to stack or rack these smaller hi fi products? I guess it will mean that this product will always need to be the one on the top shelf of the rack. It looks really good though, and I was just thinking about looking into purchasing an affordable CD player this week. Will have to see how this product develops....

 

[thirteenthcor]

I would like to see:

1. A small LCD screen similar to seven-segment setups. Not a big distracting bright screen. Similar to the Yamaha CD-S300 or Onkyo C-7030.

1(a).Preferably no use of blue LEDs anywhere on the build.

2. Internal P/S; don't make me have to manage hiding a brick. This also adds heft to the unit, which is nice.

3. All metal casing.

3(a). No big metal front plate that is larger than the body of the unit.

4. Decent remote that isn't the size of half a stack of playing cards; an actual long form remote. Consider the modern Yamaha and Onkyo remote design as an example.

5. Optical and digital outs only.

5(a). Onboard DAC unnecessary.

6. Tray or slot, not top loading.

6(a). No removable lid or something that can be lost/misplaced or create damage or collect dirt/debris. Don't try and reinvent the wheel. Tray/slot is fine.

7. Standby mode option controlled by remote.

8. Price point under $300

9. Beefy rubber feet so the unit won't slide when I insert a disc or push the tray closed.

10. Unit powers on when I touch the eject button, and closes the tray when I power the unit off.

11. Must come in the two basic colors: silver and black and for God's sake not two tone like the Denon DCD-50.

12. Small form factor ideal. 10"x10"x4" or something roughly similar.

I don't need a built in amp, DAC outs, or any of that. I have other devices handling that for me. I think at this point most people buying modern Hi-Fi audio have already made their decisions about who makes their DAC, their amp, their steamer etc. even Fosi audio makes these as separate components in many cases!

Adding extra features and upping the price-point because of it, ends with me just surfing Zenmarket or eBay for some cheap DVD transport that isn't trash.

What I do need is a seamless, transparent CD transport at a reasonable price vs build, that never makes itself apparent in the system build.

I WANT to forget about this unit; that's the point. Sell me an affordable, seamless, inspired design CD transport and let me enjoy my collection!

I prefer buying tools and equipment that do individual things, very, very well, rather than anything that tries to do half a dozen things, all mediocre-ly deployed.

For external design, consider looking at the form factor of the Buckeye Amps, or the SMSL M400 DAC, the WiIM Pro streamer, or the Fosi Audio V3 Mono. I love those chunky switches!!

 

[jogama]

Any news about the project?

 

[megawatt]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!View attachment 75View attachment 76View attachment 77

What many cd players do not have is a polarity invert switch on the remote side too.. hope you guys at Fosi take this seriously, it would be an amazing feature along with a serious analog stage and linear power supply.

 

[megawatt]

Oh and no blue lights.. Amber would be best for digital read outs and or red.

 

[megawatt]

Hello Will,

• What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?

The reasonable price would be 250 to 350€, after the price of the specifications.

• In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?

On a hifi system / hifi amplifier, in the living room or in a bedroom.

• Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

No, you don't need this function.


You will need a remote control and a very good quality DAC.

It would be nice to have separate power supply, balanced outputs and a polarity invert switch on the remote with dac inputs.. no Bluetooth no streaming, just a decaded cd player with a slot for USB and hard drive files like a dj play does.. you can plug a hard drive in and it up loads real fast.. wav files, flac, etc.

 

[megawatt]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!View attachment 75View attachment 76View attachment 77

separate power supply, balanced outputs and a polarity invert switch on the remote with dac inputs.. no Bluetooth no streaming, just a decaded cd player with a slot for USB and hard drive files like a dj player does.. you can plug a hard drive in and it up loads real fast.. wav files, flac, etc.

 

[chris14]

What is happening with this project, and has a consensus on a specification been reached? Player[analog out] or Transport [digital out] ?

 

[whitwye]

As someone with a separate DAC already -- and as many other pieces of hardware have DACs already -- a transport, especially one which doesn't introduce pauses between tracks, and where the mechanical mechanism is easily serviceable, is what I'd be looking for.

 

[chris14]

Your choices may be dictated by the market, Fiio is releasing a portable CD player in September, internal battery, Bluetooth etc for ~$200. Much of the functionality is not needed, a quality transport with coax/optical out and internal or external power brick would be perfect to fit with existing components (DAC, Amp etc.). Gapless playback and information rich display and a quality remote are required.

 

[shiva shanker]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!View attachment 75View attachment 76View attachment 77

I am Shiva Shanker Prasad from India. Fosi Audio should design and develop very simple design of CD Player with Coaxial and Digital Output with dedicated 12 volt external power input. Cost should be around 150 $

 

[MmmikeyMike]

Don't know what the status of this is... seems I'm a little late to the party... but if you're still mulling over input: as some others said, make it a solid transport that does 1 thing well instead of multiple things poorly. No need for balanced, or even RCA, output - just coax and toslink, and maybe USB . It MUST have a remote, and not a tiny, easily lost and hard-to-operate one. No need for volume control either (unless that orange knob is meant to be for track selection?), USB input for hard drives or thumb drives. No delay added between tracks. And since all the other Fosi components are black, make it black. Unless that lid introduces absolutely no vibration risk, ditch it and go with tray-loading. Price point should be under 300 USD.

 

[Agster]

CD transport with functions similar to the newly released Shanking CR60. Price at or below Shanlings price.

Lift off lid rather than spring loaded.

Remote, and basic display showing track number.

Form factor, make same shape as ZA3/ZD3.

For me no DAC required, but may increase your sales if you include one - with the option to bypass via coax/toslink.

Most important, make sure this is a good quality transport. Anyone who has CDs already owns a CD player (I currently use a Sony DVD blueray player), so this needs to be better than the one they already have.

 

[gunshotwound]

While a quality transport is the most economical option, there aren't too many DAC/CD player combos out there.

If you make the transport that stacks with the za3 and zd3, I might get them all for a home office.

If you made them as part of a top-notch streamer/CD player/DAC, I would make that item the centerpiece of most my setups.

 

[Palupalu]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

4. Transport only would be fine

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!View attachment 75View attachment 76View attachment 77

1 Price point 100 euro
2 As a player near the Fosi amp
3 Just as a deck no amplification with optical out and rca or 3,5 mm jack.
4 orange spindle weight is a must no slot

 

[will williams]

Don't know what the status of this is... seems I'm a little late to the party... but if you're still mulling over input: as some others said, make it a solid transport that does 1 thing well instead of multiple things poorly. No need for balanced, or even RCA, output - just coax and toslink, and maybe USB . It MUST have a remote, and not a tiny, easily lost and hard-to-operate one. No need for volume control either (unless that orange knob is meant to be for track selection?), USB input for hard drives or thumb drives. No delay added between tracks. And since all the other Fosi components are black, make it black. Unless that lid introduces absolutely no vibration risk, ditch it and go with tray-loading. Price point should be under 300 USD.

Hi
I’m really happy to receive the suggestions you’ve provided.
Currently, the CD player is under development and is expected to launch in April 2025. Many of your ideas align with ours.
However, we will still keep a volume knob on the device, as it makes the operation more straightforward and convenient.

 

[will williams]

4. Transport only would be fine


1 Price point 100 euro
2 As a player near the Fosi amp
3 Just as a deck no amplification with optical out and rca or 3,5 mm jack.
4 orange spindle weight is a must no slot

Thank you for your suggestions. These features are already in the process of being implemented.

 

[will williams]

While a quality transport is the most economical option, there aren't too many DAC/CD player combos out there.

If you make the transport that stacks with the za3 and zd3, I might get them all for a home office.

If you made them as part of a top-notch streamer/CD player/DAC, I would make that item the centerpiece of most my setups.

Yes, this model will be a combination of a DAC and CD player, leveraging our R&D strengths in the Hi-Fi field.

 

[will williams]

Your choices may be dictated by the market, Fiio is releasing a portable CD player in September, internal battery, Bluetooth etc for ~$200. Much of the functionality is not needed, a quality transport with coax/optical out and internal or external power brick would be perfect to fit with existing components (DAC, Amp etc.). Gapless playback and information rich display and a quality remote are required.

Our positioning for this CD player is focused on compatibility with FOSI’s DACs and amplifiers, so it’s likely not going to be portable.

The gapless playback feature is a must.

 

[will williams]

I am Shiva Shanker Prasad from India. Fosi Audio should design and develop very simple design of CD Player with Coaxial and Digital Output with dedicated 12 volt external power input. Cost should be around 150 $

Yes, it agrees with our idea.

 

[will williams]

CD transport with functions similar to the newly released Shanking CR60. Price at or below Shanlings price.

Lift off lid rather than spring loaded.

Remote, and basic display showing track number.

Form factor, make same shape as ZA3/ZD3.

For me no DAC required, but may increase your sales if you include one - with the option to bypass via coax/toslink.

Most important, make sure this is a good quality transport. Anyone who has CDs already owns a CD player (I currently use a Sony DVD blueray player), so this needs to be better than the one they already have.

We will try our best to make the CD player better. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[Wownoflutter]

Hey guys,
We've been getting a lot of feedback from users expressing the need for a CD player, and we're gearing up to develop this product in 2024. Currently, the CD player is in the early stages of functionality definition, and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Let's collaborate and create this CD player together. Below is an initial product sketch for your reference.

Additionally, we'd like to confirm a couple of points:

1. What do you believe would be a reasonable price point for this CD player?
2. In which scenarios do you envision using it most frequently?
3. Do you need a balanced TRS output interface to connect to active speakers?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

I would happily pay around $200+ for this done right. For my scenario I would put a premium on small form factor. Less than 9 inches wide, and two inches high. I would prefer straight a/c power with no battery. If using a power brick, the cord needs to be long enough so the brick can be put on the floor with the player at desk height. If not slot loading then lid with no hinge so it could be potentially placed under a shelf and a cd loaded without repositioning the player (removable lid?). Outputs - RCA out, USB or 3.5mm so that I could connect it to my Audioengine powered speakers. If you’re going to include a remote, then please make it easy to get a replacement. You know it needs to be reliable, and you guys are the experts when it comes to sound.

Thank you for taking this on!!

 

[will williams]

I would happily pay around $200+ for this done right. For my scenario I would put a premium on small form factor. Less than 9 inches wide, and two inches high. I would prefer straight a/c power with no battery. If using a power brick, the cord needs to be long enough so the brick can be put on the floor with the player at desk height. If not slot loading then lid with no hinge so it could be potentially placed under a shelf and a cd loaded without repositioning the player (removable lid?). RCA, USB or 3.5mm so that I could connect it to my Audioengine powered speakers. If you’re going to include a remote, then please make it easy to get a replacement. You know it needs to be reliable, and you guys are the experts when it comes to sound.

Thank you for taking this on!!

THX

 

[fosi_userbcn]

very impressed with the new look gear coming out as of october 2024, and i've been looking all over for a good CD transport without success - we need to play our "old cd's" as well as the digital streaming! please make one in the same size and style as your ZA3/ZD3, which is a winning and solid, quality look and feel. It needs a reliable front loading "slot" mechanism (so it can be stacked), good damping, matching quality outputs to your amps, basic but functional controls and display (just enough to work with). price is 160-180€. keep up the quality guys - you are killing it.