In the past couple of weeks, FiiO has been busy. Last week, they dropped the Warmer R2R DAC. Before that came two new open-back headphones and a desktop Bluetooth receiver. And now, they’ve turned their attention to something that might surprise you: the humble CD.

The new FiiO DM15 R2R is a portable CD player, but it’s not a retro gimmick. Priced at $269, it’s built for people who still care about sound quality and physical media—but also want modern features like Bluetooth, balanced headphone outputs, and USB DAC support.

Believe it or not, CDs are having a bit of a moment. As streaming platforms raise prices and pull content, some music fans are rediscovering the convenience and sound quality of CDs. They’re easy to find, cheaper than vinyl, and still offer lossless audio. FiiO clearly thinks this format isn’t done yet.

The DM15 R2R isn’t FiiO’s first portable CD player (that would be the DM13), but it’s a major step up. It’s got more power, more outputs, and a different approach to digital audio thanks to its in-house R2R DAC.

The star of the show here is that R2R DAC—a digital-to-analog converter that uses a resistor ladder design instead of the typical chip-based setup. This kind of DAC is often appreciated for delivering a smoother, more natural sound. Whether you’ll notice the difference depends on your ears and gear, but it’s definitely not just the same old playback engine in a new box.

You also get 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs. Power output is pretty respectable: up to 1,150mW per channel on desktop power and 815mW in portable mode (both at 32 ohms). That should be enough for most headphones, though we don’t yet know how it performs with harder-to-drive models like high-impedance planars.

If you prefer going wireless, the DM15 has you covered with Bluetooth transmit mode. It supports aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Low Latency, plus the standard SBC codec. However, LDAC and aptX Lossless are missing, which might be a bummer if you were hoping for full hi-res Bluetooth support.

This little box is surprisingly flexible. You can use it as:

• A regular CD player
• A USB DAC (up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD256)
• A digital transport (with optical and coaxial outputs)
• A Bluetooth transmitter for wireless headphones or speakers

It also plays CD-Rs with files like FLAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, and WMA, so if you’ve burned your own mixes or archived music over the years, the DM15 can handle that too.

The DM15 is built into a compact aluminum chassis, topped with a transparent window so you can actually see your CDs spin. A small 0.96-inch display shows playback and mode info, and there’s a dedicated ESP switch to help prevent skipping if you move around while it’s playing.

Inside is a 4,700mAh battery that gives you about 7 hours of playback. It charges via USB-C, and it supports fast charging (PD2.0 and PD3.0), so you’re not stuck waiting hours to top it off.

Despite being portable, it’s not super light—it weighs about 471 grams (just over a pound). That’s still reasonable for tossing into a bag or keeping on a desk.

In the box, you get:

• The DM15 R2R player
• A USB-A to USB-C cable
• A 3.5mm to coaxial adapter
• An infrared remote
• A quick start guide

The remote is especially useful if you’re using the player with speakers or from across the room. There’s no app control here, which is probably a good thing—sometimes less is more.

There are a couple of things that might raise eyebrows. As mentioned, the lack of LDAC and aptX Lossless means wireless audio fans may not get the highest resolution Bluetooth experience. And while the power output looks strong for everyday headphones, there’s no published data yet on how it handles more demanding gear.

Also, some folks might miss having smartphone control, but for a standalone CD player, it’s understandable—and arguably kind of refreshing—not to have to install another app.

The DM15 R2R is for people who still love spinning discs but want the convenience of modern tech. Whether you’re revisiting a big CD collection or just want an all-in-one player that doesn’t feel like a toy, this could be a solid option.

With four color choices (black, white, red, and silver), the DM15 starts shipping in December for some finishes and January for others. It’s not trying to replace your streaming setup—but if you’ve got CDs lying around and want a serious way to listen to them again, it might be just what you need.

Related Reading:

• Warm Sound, Glowing Tubes, Retro Meters: Meet FiiO’s Most Playful DAC Yet
• FiiO Launches Two Affordable Hi-Fi Headphones and a Wildly Capable Bluetooth Box
• Three New FiiO Products Just Launched — And They All Solve Different Audio Problems
• FiiO’s Snowsky TINY Is a $22 Audio Upgrade That Fits on Your Keychain
• Forget Chip DACs—FiiO’s K13 R2R Uses Resistors to Change the Game