Focused on CD
A tray-loading drive with an HD850 laser plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW gaplessly.
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SHANLINGCD PLAYERCustomer reviews (0)
Shanling CD50 Compact Desktop CD Player
Just CDs, done well.
A compact 188mm-wide CD player with a tray-loading HD850 drive, a CS43198 DAC, dual SGM8262 headphone amps and gapless playback.
Regular price
£299.99
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
THE AMP3 DIFFERENCE
Great gear. Even better service.
Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery. Destination and stock availability apply.
Not sure it’s your perfect match? Talk to an audio specialist
Shanling CD50 Compact Desktop CD Player
A little extra. A better pairing.
Better together.
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MEET THE CD50
Just CDs, done well.
A compact 188mm-wide CD player with a tray-loading HD850 drive, a CS43198 DAC, dual SGM8262 headphone amps and gapless playback.
Built-in DAC
A Cirrus Logic CS43198 with dual SGM8262 headphone amplifiers.
Desk-sized
188mm wide in aluminium and glass, black or silver.
Read the full description
The Shanling CD50 is a compact desktop CD player that does one job well: playing your CDs, to headphones or to a hi-fi. It is the first model in Shanling’s new 50 Line of smaller components for desktop systems and compact speaker set-ups, just 188mm wide, with a tray-loading HD850 drive, a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC and a balanced headphone amplifier with up to 830mW into 32Ω. There are no wireless connections, streaming apps or extra inputs to complicate it: load a disc and enjoy your music.
A new compact line
At 188 × 205 × 53mm, the CD50 fits far more easily than a full-width player, beside a headphone amplifier, powered speakers or other desktop equipment. Its aluminium case and glass front panel give a clean, classic Shanling look, in black or silver, and a 2.2-inch display shows playback information and the settings.
Precision playback from CD specialists
With almost three decades of experience designing and making CD players of every kind, Shanling chose a tray-loading mechanism with an HD850 laser: easier to load than top-loading designs, and simpler, safer and more reliable than slot loading. It plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW smoothly and accurately, with gapless playback for live albums, classical recordings and continuous mixes.
Cirrus Logic CS43198 and a balanced headphone amp
The CS43198 is a favourite of Shanling’s audio engineers and well proven in the audiophile world, combining strong technical performance with pleasing, natural sound. Two SGM8262-2 amplifiers drive a 3.5mm output with 210mW and a 4.4mm balanced output with 830mW into 32Ω, covering everything from earphones to full-size headphones in one simple component, with selectable gain for sensitive IEMs.
Tuned by audio experts
The CD50 follows Shanling’s traditional sound tuning, with carefully chosen parts including specially selected Rubycon capacitors, for natural, pleasing tones without the harshness or coldness of lesser CD players.
Headphones, analogue and digital
Beyond headphones, the rear RCA output works as a fixed line out for an integrated amplifier or as a variable preamp out for powered speakers or a power amplifier. Coaxial and optical outputs let the CD50 serve as a dedicated CD transport for an external DAC.
Convenient controls
A standard IR remote control handles playback and volume, ideal with speakers, and plenty of front-panel buttons give access to every control and setting on the desk. Settings include gain, digital filters and UI themes.
| CD system | Tray-loading · HD850 laser · CD, CD-R, CD-RW · gapless |
|---|---|
| DAC and amp | Cirrus Logic CS43198 · 2 × SGM8262-2 · Rubycon capacitors |
| 4.4mm balanced | 830mW @ 32Ω · SNR 126dB · DNR 126dB · THD+N 0.002% · separation 105dB · noise <2.5µV · 1Ω |
| 3.5mm | 210mW @ 32Ω · SNR 124dB · DNR 124dB · THD+N 0.002% · separation 64dB · noise <1.5µV · 1Ω |
| RCA | 2.6Vrms · SNR 124dB · THD+N 0.002% · 100Ω · line-out or pre-out |
| Digital outputs | Coaxial · optical |
| Frequency response | 20Hz–20kHz (−0.4dB) |
| Controls | 2.2-inch display · front buttons · IR remote · gain, digital filters, UI themes |
| Size and weight | 188 × 205 × 53mm · about 1.6kg |
Good to know
- It plays CDs only: there is no USB, Bluetooth or streaming input. For a CD player that also streams, see the Shanling CD-S100.
- In the box: CD50, IR remote control, mains cable, quick-start guide and warranty card. Black or silver.
In the box
- Shanling CD50 Compact Desktop CD Player
- IR remote control
- AC power cable
- Quick-start guide
- Warranty card and documentation
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- Design
- Compact tray-loading CD player (HD850 laser), aluminium with glass front
- DAC
- Cirrus Logic CS43198
- Headphone outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended · 4.4mm balanced
- Output power
- 830mW @ 32Ω (4.4mm) · 210mW @ 32Ω (3.5mm)
- Frequency response
- 20Hz–20kHz (-0.4dB)
- Screen
- 2.2"
- Compatibility
- CD, CD-R, CD-RW · gapless playback
- Gain modes
- Selectable gain · digital filters
- Remote control
- IR remote (included)
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 126dB (4.4mm) · 124dB (3.5mm, RCA)
- Distortion (THD+N)
- 0.002%
- Output impedance
- 1Ω (headphones) · 100Ω (RCA)
- Crosstalk
- 105dB (4.4mm) · 64dB (3.5mm), @ 32Ω
- Size (H × W × D)
- 53 × 188 × 205mm
- Weight
- 1600g
- Amplification
- 2 × SGM8262-2
- Line outputs
- RCA (line-out/pre-out)
- Digital outputs
- Coaxial · optical
- Inputs
- CD only
- Finishes
- BLACK / SILVER
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
How do I request a Price Beat?
Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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