Audiophiles Just Got a New Excuse to Return to Their Old CD Collections

CDs are experiencing a resurgence. So too are these modern hi-fi players.

Silver portable CD player with a black CD inside on a wooden surface next to a small potted plant and stacked CDs.

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Published 3 hours ago

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Just like CDs are experiencing a resurgence (according to recent reports, CD sales are surging so far in 2026), so too are new-age portable CD players.

Over the past year, a number of hi-fi brands have released a modern take on an old-school Walkman. Fiio, Shanling, and Fosi have all done so (at least once).

These portable CD players work like the Walkmans you grew up with, but add new-age features like a rechargeable battery and built-in Bluetooth. And most have ranged from between $150 and $300.

This new model by Cayin is a significantly more premium player. Consider it the audiophile upgrade.

Cayin CP6 Portable CD Player

Square silver portable CD player with a transparent top and digital display on a wooden surface. — The Cayin CP6 is a premium portable CD player for modern audiophiles.

The Cayin CP6 is a high-end portable CD player that, just like other recent models, has built-in Bluetooth. So, if you want to stream CD audio to your AirPods or wireless headphones, you can do just that.

It also supports LDAC, a codec that supports the highest-resolution streaming over Bluetooth with a max bitrate of 990 kbps, so Bluetooth streaming is no joke. (Caveat: your wireless headphones/earbuds also have to support LDAC … and most do not.)

Silver portable CD player with a transparent lid, control buttons, and a digital display on a wooden surface. — The Cayin CP6 works similarly to its more affordable rivals, but has a more premium build and, thanks to vacuum tubes, Class A amplification and a high-res DAC, promises to sound even better.

Close-up of a gray compact disc player with a black display, playback control buttons, a textured volume knob, and a copper-colored "TIMBRE MENU" button. — The tactile buttons for playback and selecting the timbre mode. Below, there’s a texture volume wheel.

Vacuum tubes, triple listening modes

But the real reason to get the Cayin CP6 is for those who are listening to wired headphones. Most notably, Cayin integrated with Raytheon JAN6418 vacuum tubes, which allow users to switch between three listening (or timbre) modes.

Specifically, there’s “classic” for those who prefer the warm and vocal-rich sound of vacuum tubes. There’s “modern” for those who prefer a wider soundstage. And there’s “solid-state” for those who prefer a more neutral and natural sound.

Additionally, the CP6 features a high-resolution DAC, a Class A headphone amplifier and two headphone jacks: 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced. This lets listeners use a wide range of wired headphones and tweak the audio to sound best.

Close-up of a gray audio device front panel showing a digital display, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, and a green PCM/DSD indicator light. — Thanks to 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced audio jacks, the CP6 is compatible with a variety of wired headphones.

Portable digital audio player with a small screen displaying "Never be the" and a white wireless earbud case nearby. — The CP6 supports a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC.

The Cayin CP6 also has a pretty premium build. It has an aerospace-grade aluminum chassis and weighs 850 grams, or just under two pounds. It features tactile playback buttons and a textured volume wheel. And it features a 2.3-inch high-resolution screen that shows playback track information.

Also, unlike Walkmans of decades past, the CP6 can rip CDs to your computer, as well as function as a Bluetooth DAC or standalone headphone amplifier in case you want to upgrade your desktop setup. It also has optical and coaxial digital outputs, allowing it to be integrated into your home’s hi-fi system.

Silver digital audio player with a black display screen, control buttons, and a volume wheel on a black textured surface. — The CP6 has a custom anti-shock CD mechanism that, when on the go, promises to prevent your CDs from skipping.

Silver portable CD player with black top and digital display on wooden table near headphones and stacked CDs. — The Cayin CP is available now.

Price and availability

The Cayin CP6 portable CD player is available now from authorized retailers in the US. This includes Bloom Audio.

It costs $699.

Silver portable CD player with black top panel, digital display, control buttons, and headphone jacks.

Cayin CP6

$699 at Bloom Audio

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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