As we speak, Marcus evaluations the MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Extremely, a 2nd era dual-CS43131 DAC and balanced output geared up transportable CD participant. It’s priced at $289.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for his or her help.
Click on right here to learn extra about MOONDROP products we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our current scoring guidelines which you’ll be able to learn right here in additional element.
It was launched to a lot fanfare, promptly disappeared, and now it’s again.
I’m speaking about MOONDROP’s much-discussed DISCDREAM CD participant from 2023 which barely noticed the sunshine of day and is now the DISCDREAM 2, or within the case of this evaluation, the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely. Nonetheless with me?
Retro Gear (notably for Gen Z) has been a giant factor within the final 12-18 months, with the likes of MOONDROP, FiiO, and Shanling launching compact CD gamers to faucet into this current lust for classic audio.
The DISCDREAM collection is break up into 2 variations and never one. The common $149.99 DISCDREAM 2 is their entry-level single-ended moveable CD participant designed to compete towards FiiO’s lately launched DM13.
The $289.99 DISCDREAM 2 Extremely is MOONDROP’s balanced output-capable premium model. It’s extra transportable than moveable, seems to be lovely, performs clean and clear, and might combine simply right into a desktop two-channel system.
Its worth level is near the $359 Shanling EC-Mini, a transportable CD participant with very totally different promoting factors. How do they differ performance-wise and is that this an enormous step up from FiiO’s DM13? I discover out in my full evaluation under.
Options
The MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Extremely is primarily a transportable compact CD participant.
Its built-in 8-hour rated 3500mAh battery will enchantment to those that need flexibility of their element placement when taking part in CDs. Must you want for longer uninterrupted playback intervals, there’s additionally a provision for a DC 5V/2A (USB-C) connection that fees the battery throughout playback.
The participant will learn common CDs, CDR, and CD-RW however it has no ‘ripping’ or copying functionality.
You possibly can hearken to the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely instantly with a balanced optimized opamp circuit with as much as 222 mW on a 32Ω load balanced 4.4mm or a SE 3.5mm connection on a decrease 112 mW score.
If the facility is inadequate you’ll be able to join the gadget’s 3.5mm 2Vrms SE analog lineout to a extra highly effective desktop or moveable amplifier relying in your preferences.
Otherwise you bypass most every little thing and use the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely as a transport with a digital sign output to a Third-party DAC through the three.5mm socket which has an built-in optical output.
And since that is 2024, it additionally has options that may enchantment to trendy audiophiles who wish to select between bodily media and digital media from a PC or MAC with a twin CS43131 DAC that may decode as much as PCM 32BIT/384kHz and DSD256 natively.
Design
The DISCDREAM 2 Extremely has a beautiful top-loading or clamshell design. Nonetheless, it has a big type issue with some heft and is larger than your typical compact CD participant.
Just like the Shanling EC Mini, the Extremely is someplace between moveable and desktop size-wise however not like the EC Mini, the aesthetics are gorgeous.
It is a pretty mixture of retro and minimalist from the brushed aluminum prime grill plate and clear glass beneath to the massive 80s’ fashion button controls and OLED show panel on the aspect.
For all of the ‘pizzazz’ on the entrance of the participant, the edges and again are very clear and low-profile with ports on the fitting aspect and energy controls on the rear.
Assume Apple modernist design language fused with basic Sony gamers such because the D-50 MKII and you aren’t too far off on the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely’s 360-degree visible enchantment.
Nonetheless, there are some caveats to the participant’s design. At 700g and with a lid and not using a securing latch, the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely will battle with heavy motion.
The DISCDREAM 2 Extremely can maintain a CD in place simply sufficient and is designed for steady play even when the lid is lifted. Nonetheless, it’s not so sturdy you could maintain it and transfer round vigorously as you’d with a kind of outdated sporty Sony Discman gamers.
There may be additionally provision for an digital buffer and dampening inside the servo mechanism and circuit to cut back the potential for skipping on account of vibration however that is extra about gravity. Some care is required.
I/O
The DISCDREAM 2 Extremely supplies digital and analog inputs on the rear and aspect panels together with a comparatively stiff energy on and off slider button.
It’s fairly a simplistic setup with 3 jacks on the fitting panel; a 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm for headphones and IEMs, and a switchable optical/lineout 3.5mm output alongside it to mean you can use the participant as a element.
The rear panel’s solely socket is a USB-C port which permits the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely to function as a USB DAC (and amplifier) and cost the interior battery.
Controls
There are some execs and cons to the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely controls. The professionals are apparent with these large and simply accessible buttons on the entrance panel, intuitive icon choice, and a vibrant LED display screen with observe, playback, battery, and mode data.
The cons have extra to do with the circulation of the controls with some areas I anticipated to be automated that aren’t and a barely laggy CD learn velocity in comparison with slot loaders just like the Shanling CD80 or EC Mini.
The automated bit is if you prime load a CD and shut the lid. There appears to be no computerized sensor to load the CD and pull up its observe knowledge when the lid is down.
That may be a characteristic I might have anticipated it to have given my expertise with the SMSL PL200. With out it, you’ve got a two-stage loading course of and an extended delay earlier than you can begin taking part in discs.
That delay is compounded by a stiff spindle lock when putting the CDs within the tray that may require a ‘double push’ to lock some CDs into place. I’ve famous mentions of CD scratching throughout this loading course of by homeowners however I’ve but to expertise it.
Past playback, some buttons have a twin operate, most notably the cease button which is able to change the participant from CD mode to USB DAC mode through a single lengthy press.
On an easier degree, quick urgent quantity will provide you with granular or step-by-step management. Lengthy urgent will velocity up the method should you want multiple-step modifications.
Packaging & Equipment
It’s MOONDROP so be ready for copious ranges of Waifu visuals on their packaging. The DISCDREAM 2 Extremely isn’t any exception with its compact, grey-toned anime-adorned field. It seems to be good, to be truthful, however there are many firms now doing this.
Inside, the unit is secured with loads of protecting black foam however equipment are scarce with solely a single white USB-A to USB-C cable for knowledge and charging and what have to be one of many largest fold-out manuals I’ve seen inside a package deal of this measurement.
What won’t be obvious to our male readers (we don’t learn manuals) is that should you fold it out fully and switch it over you get a reasonably attractive-looking poster with a blown-up model of the smaller picture on the entrance of the retail field.
What’s lacking? I might have appreciated a 3.5mm optical adaptor or an analog lineout cable different to be included. Even an affordable one to get the DISCDREAM 2 Extremely 100% prepared ‘out of the field’ for HiFi customers.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
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