FiiO DP11 Brings Affordable CD Playback To A HiFi System
FiiO has introduced the DP11, a compact desktop CD player and transport with an internal DAC, analogue and digital outputs, and a current price of $169.99 in the US.
It is aimed at listeners who want to bring a CD collection into a modern HiFi system without buying a full-width player. The DP11 can connect directly to an amplifier or active speakers, or work as a transport with a separate DAC.
Quick Reference
- Product: FiiO DP11
- Type: Compact desktop CD player and digital transport
- DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198
- Outputs: Stereo RCA, AES, coaxial and optical digital
- Extra Feature: Rips CDs to USB storage as WAV files
- Current Price: $169.99
Built For A HiFi System
The DP11 uses a tray-loading CD mechanism and measures 213 x 230 x 67mm, making it considerably smaller than a traditional full-width CD player. A 3.71-inch screen shows playback information, and a remote control is included.
Unlike FiiO’s portable CD players, the DP11 is designed to stay on a desk or equipment rack. Power can come from its internal mains supply or an external 12V DC supply.
One Player Two Ways To Connect
A built-in Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC converts the digital information on a CD into an analogue signal. The stereo RCA outputs can therefore connect the DP11 directly to an integrated amplifier or a pair of active speakers with a suitable analogue input.
AES, coaxial and optical digital outputs let the player send the original digital signal to a separate DAC or an amplifier with a digital input. In this setup the DP11 acts as a CD transport, while the connected equipment handles the conversion to analogue.
Ripping CDs To USB
The USB connection can be used to rip music from a CD directly to USB storage in lossless WAV format. This creates uncompressed digital copies that can be moved to a computer or music library, although users will still need to organise track names and album information themselves where required.
USB can also turn the DP11 into a digital interface for a computer, phone or tablet, adding another use for the internal DAC and digital outputs.
What The DP11 Does Not Include
There is no headphone socket, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi streaming or SACD playback. Anyone wanting to listen through headphones will need an amplifier with a headphone output, a separate headphone amplifier or suitable active speakers.
That focused feature list makes most sense for someone who already owns an amplifier or active speakers and wants an inexpensive way to add CD playback.
Price And Availability
The FiiO DP11 is currently listed at $169.99 in black or silver. UK and European pricing has not yet been confirmed in the available launch information.
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