Shanling CD50 Compact Desktop CD Player

Compact, Focused CD Playback

The Shanling CD50 is a compact desktop CD player designed for listeners who want straightforward, high-quality playback from their physical music collection.

As the first model in Shanling’s new 50 Line, the CD50 combines a dedicated CD mechanism, integrated Hi-Fi DAC and powerful headphone amplification within a space-saving chassis. It is ideal for desktop headphone systems, compact speaker setups or traditional Hi-Fi systems where space is limited.

The CD50 is deliberately focused on CD playback. There are no wireless connections, streaming apps or unnecessary digital inputs to complicate the experience. Simply load a disc and enjoy your music.

Compact Desktop Design

Measuring just 188mm wide and 53mm high, the CD50 is considerably easier to accommodate than a conventional full-width CD player.

Its aluminium construction and glass front panel provide a clean, classic Shanling appearance, with a choice of black or silver finishes. The understated design allows the CD50 to fit neatly alongside a headphone amplifier, powered speakers or other compact desktop equipment.

A 2.2-inch front-panel display presents clear playback information while also providing access to the player’s settings.

Reliable Tray-Loading CD Mechanism

Drawing on almost three decades of experience designing and manufacturing CD players, Shanling has equipped the CD50 with a familiar tray-loading mechanism and HD850 laser.

The tray mechanism makes discs quick and easy to load while providing smooth operation and accurate disc reading. The CD50 supports standard CDs as well as compatible CD-R and CD-RW media.

Gapless playback allows live albums, classical recordings and continuous mixes to play naturally without unwanted pauses between tracks.

Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC

At the heart of the CD50 is the proven Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC, a well-regarded converter used throughout the audiophile world.

Shanling combines the DAC with carefully selected components, including Rubycon capacitors chosen specifically for the audio circuit. The CD50 follows Shanling’s established approach to sound tuning, delivering a balanced and natural presentation designed for smooth, enjoyable listening.

Powerful Headphone Amplification

The CD50 features a pair of SGM8262-2 amplifier chips powering dedicated 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs.

The 3.5mm connection delivers up to 210mW at 32Ω, making it suitable for a wide range of earphones and efficient headphones.

For more demanding headphones, the 4.4mm balanced output increases the available power to 830mW at 32Ω. A selectable gain setting provides additional flexibility when moving between sensitive in-ear monitors and full-size headphones.

With its integrated DAC and headphone amplifier, the CD50 can operate as a complete personal CD listening system without requiring additional equipment.

Flexible Analogue and Digital Outputs

The CD50 can also be easily integrated into a speaker-based Hi-Fi system.

Its rear RCA connection can operate as either a fixed-level line output or a variable pre-amplifier output. This allows the CD50 to connect to an integrated amplifier, powered speakers or a separate power amplifier.

Coaxial and optical digital outputs are also provided for listeners who want to use the CD50 as a dedicated CD transport with an external DAC.

This combination of headphone, analogue and digital outputs makes the CD50 suitable for a wide variety of desktop and home audio systems.

Convenient Controls

Physical buttons on the front panel provide direct access to playback, volume and settings.

The included IR remote control offers convenient operation from across the room, particularly when the CD50 is being used with speakers.

Additional settings include selectable gain, digital filters and user-interface themes, allowing the listening experience to be adjusted without compromising the player’s deliberately straightforward design.

Technical Specifications

General

• Dimensions - 188 × 205 × 53mm
• Net weight - Approximately 1.6kg
• DAC - Cirrus Logic CS43198
• Headphone amplifiers - Dual SGM8262-2
• CD mechanism - Tray-loading mechanism with HD850 laser
• Display - 2.2-inch
• Controls - Front-panel buttons and IR remote control
• Input - CD only
• Supported discs - CD, CD-R and CD-RW
• Analogue output - Stereo RCA line-out/pre-out
• Digital outputs - Coaxial and optical
• Headphone outputs - 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced
• Available finishes - Black or silver

RCA Output

• Output level - 2.6Vrms
• Frequency response - 20Hz–20kHz (-0.4dB)
• THD+N - 0.002%
• Dynamic range - 124dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio - 124dB
• Output impedance - 100Ω

3.5mm Headphone Output

• Output power - 210mW at 32Ω
• Frequency response - 20Hz–20kHz (-0.4dB)
• THD+N - 0.002%
• Channel separation - 64dB at 32Ω
• Dynamic range - 124dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio - 124dB
• Noise floor - 116dB, less than 1.5μV
• Output impedance - 1Ω

4.4mm Balanced Headphone Output

• Output power - 830mW at 32Ω
• Frequency response - 20Hz–20kHz (-0.4dB)
• THD+N - 0.002%
• Channel separation - 105dB at 32Ω
• Dynamic range - 126dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio - 126dB
• Noise floor - 112dB, less than 2.5μV
• Output impedance - 1Ω