Portable CD Players Are Back—Because Cell Service in the Balkans Sucks and So Does Spotify’s Bitrate

Staring out over the balcony at the Adriatic, feeling every one of my 55 years and none of the patience I used to have for Wi-Fi that costs more than my first car, I’m kicking back with a portable FiiO CD player and a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X headphones. My 1990s Case Logic CD case—still rocking the zipper like it’s Y2K—is loaded with 20 discs I picked up in Florida and Toronto, and it’s doing exactly what Spotify can’t: giving me actual music I own.

I’m not shelling out $400 for cruise ship internet just to stream algorithm-approved mush. And unlike the plasticky Walkman knockoffs or shoulder-straining ghetto blasters we grew up with, today’s portable CD players come correct—with legit DACs, Bluetooth streaming if you must, and sound quality that actually respects the music. It’s retro without being ridiculous.

The current generation brings serious improvements in build, sound quality, and battery life—delivering a listening experience that’s far more refined and capable than those nostalgia machines ever were. It’s a quiet reminder that some classic formats, done right, still have a lot to offer.

For those of us who actually lived through it—rocking a ghetto blaster big enough to bench press, the yellow Sony Sport Walkman with that ridiculous extended battery pack, and a Discman or two cluttering the backpack all at once—this whole nostalgia wave hits a little different.

Yeah, we were all early adopters of downloads, smartphones, streaming, and wireless earbuds, but damn if the current crop doesn’t drive me crazy with their obsession for shitty MP3s that sound like a bad phone call. The portable record player? Please. That’s just a hipster bridge too far—especially when you already have multiple turntables at home.

But the portable CD player? Now that’s a different beast. Finally, some of these kids are starting to get it—realizing that owning your music, with actual quality, matters. It’s slow, but hey, at least they’re beginning to appreciate why it’s worth fighting for.

Digging for Vinyl and CDs in the Balkans: Fighting for Elbow Room and a Shot at Real Crate-Digging

Being on the road with three kids was not exactly prime time for crate-digging—especially in Dubrovnik, where it was easier to stumble across Tyrion Lannister and the Iron Throne than a decent record or CD shop. But things took a welcome turn in Split. Enter Dancing Bear, a shop that actually gets it. All hail the dancing bear—unless we’re talking Midsommar, in which case my ass would’ve been out the door faster than you can say “where the hell is that Allen wrench?”

Dancing Bear has three locations across Croatia—Zagreb, Split, and Osijek—so if you’re doing the full Game of Thrones tour, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble into one. Their selection of new vinyl is solid, with a decent mix of international and regional releases, but bring your wallet. New LPs ranged from €30 to €60, and yes, I nearly choked on a bottle of Jamnica when I saw The Cure – Mixes of a Lost World triple LP going for €60. CDs were a bit more forgiving, mostly between €15 and €30, with the same Cure set on CD ringing in at a much more palatable €25.

Europeans definitely approach physical media differently than we do in the U.S.—especially when it comes to CDs. While vinyl gets most of the nostalgic fanfare, CDs are still very much part of the equation here. That said, music streaming rules the roost now, even in countries with deep musical traditions like Italy and Croatia.

In Italy, Spotify dominates the scene with a 67% market share, followed by SoundCloud at 24%, with Apple Music and Bandcamp fighting for scraps. Flip that script in Croatia—SoundCloud is king with 62%, while Spotify trails behind at 24%. It’s a fascinating contrast: a region still fond of owning music, yet fully immersed in the digital age. Owning a CD here isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about maintaining a physical connection to music in a market that hasn’t entirely given in to the cloud.

Crates, Caffeine & Chaos in Split—Where Even the Israelis Can’t Get a Flight Out but I Found a Cure CD

So between the jet fuel-grade coffee that could strip paint off a Lancia, suspiciously overpriced desserts, and a sea of sunburned tourists clogging every alleyway (including thousands of stranded Israelis trying to sweet-talk their way onto an El Al evac list thanks to the war that torpedoed my daughter’s 11-day Bat Mitzvah trip), I found a rare moment of peace.

I parked myself on a stone bench, headphones on, with a plate of something sweet probably made with almonds and Balkan guilt, while the kids gleefully vaporized my bank account.

If you’re thinking about jumping back into the CD game while avoiding the bloated nostalgia tax, you’ve got options—and two of the smartest ones come from FiiO and Shanling. Both players fit nicely in your carry-on next to the antacids and passport, but they take slightly different approaches. The FiiO feels more utilitarian—like something designed by a guy who alphabetizes his cables and wears Velcro shoes by choice. Shanling, on the other hand, adds a bit of flair, like it wants to flirt with your vinyl rig when no one’s looking.

They both support Bluetooth (a miracle, really), but their user experience and DAC implementation reflect different philosophies—function vs. finesse. Either way, these aren’t your clunky Discman holdovers. They’re portable players for people who want to hear their music, not stream 128 kbps sadness.

FiiO DM13: A Portable CD Player That Actually Gets It (Even in Split, Croatia)

Somewhere between overpriced Game of Thrones souvenirs and dodging yet another €5 espresso in Split, I remembered why CDs still matter—especially with a player like the FiiO DM13. Retailing for $165, the DM13 is what happens when someone finally reimagines the Discman for people who no longer wear cargo shorts ironically.

Sitting on that sun-bleached bench overlooking Diocletian’s Palace with the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X clamped over my ears and The Cure spinning, Croatia never sounded so good—or so gloriously free of algorithmic playlists.

The FiiO DM13 may not slide into your skinny jeans, but it’s surprisingly capable for a portable CD player in 2025. First, the good stuff: it supports aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, and SBC, so whether you’re using wireless earbuds or some chunky audiophile cans, you’re covered. If you’re old-school (or just prefer not to gamble with Bluetooth compression), it also offers 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, which is not nothing at this price.

You can rip your CDs straight to a USB stick in WAV format, which is great if you’re stuck without Wi-Fi—say, on a Croatian ferry or trying to avoid your Airbnb host’s music taste. Sound quality? Actually quite good—clear, detailed, and refreshingly free of digital smear. Line-out and USB-C expand your connection options, and the 8-hour battery life is enough for most travel days unless you’re crossing continents or wandering lost in Dubrovnik trying to find decent Palačinke.

Now the quirks. It’s not exactly pocketable, unless your pants were made in 1997. Ripping is capped at 16-bit/44.1kHz, which audiophile purists might sniff at. The rubber feet could be grippier—this thing will go sledding across a glass table if you’re not careful—and file browsing is about as sophisticated as a calculator from high school.

But for what it is, the DM13 delivers—and then some.

This isn’t a Discman cosplay—it’s a legit option for modern music lovers who still believe in albums, lyrics sheets, and that magical “Track 7.” Even in Split, where finding vinyl was easier than locating a non-touristy meal, the FiiO DM13 made spinning CDs feel cool again.

Where to buy: $164.99 at Amazon

Shanling EC Zero T: Tube-Infused Portable CD Player for the Serious Listener

The Shanling EC Zero T is a step up for anyone still holding onto their CDs and refusing to bow down to streaming-only life. At $589, it’s pricier than the budget-friendly FiiO DM13, but it brings real audiophile features: a hybrid setup with a high-quality R2R DAC, vacuum tubes for warmth, balanced and unbalanced outputs, Bluetooth 5.3, and even CD ripping capabilities.

It’s portable enough to take on the road but built for serious sound—perfect for those who want more than just another streaming device. I’ll be getting hands-on with one when I return stateside in July, so expect a deep dive soon. You can learn more about it here.

Where to buy: $589 at Amazon

Why Croatia, Kids, and Compact Discs Still Make More Sense Than Crappy MP3s

After two weeks of Mediterranean mayhem, overpriced trinkets, and dodging soap-wielding shopkeepers like it was a contact sport, one truth hit harder than a Balkan espresso shot: streaming’s so-called convenience doesn’t come close to the satisfaction of real music ownership. Portable CD players like the FiiO DM13 and Shanling EC Zero T aren’t nostalgia-fueled gimmicks—they’re precision tools for those of us tired of choking down low-res audio sludge on sketchy Wi-Fi. In a world of digital ephemera, spinning a disc feels like rebellion—and sounds a hell of a lot better too.

Bluetooth? Check. Balanced outputs? Yep. Ripping and DAC functions? Absolutely. While Spotify and SoundCloud fight over Balkan market share, I’ll be spinning CDs on a balcony with sound quality that still wipes the floor with your favorite playlist.

Related Reading:

• FiiO DM13 Portable CD Player Has More Features Than Ever
• Shanling Audio Unveils ECZeroT Portable CD Player, ONIX SACD Transport And More At High End Munich 2025
• From Warsaw And Baia Mare With Love: How Eastern Europe’s Audio Scene Is Outsmarting The West
• Mein Tweeter: Notes From The Shallow End Of European Hi-Fi