Holy wow. I’ve been following Fosi for a while (we’ve done loads of coverage), and thus far the quality/price/value ratios for their gear — which have thus far ranged from headphone amps, earbuds, to powerful desktop and living room audio systems — have been excellent. Fast forward to, well, right now, and I’m blown away.
Their latest product, the $99 Audio DISC Nano CD Player, is what amounts to one of the funnest products I’ve used in a long time. It’s basically a portable CD player that outputs to standard audio cable, optical out, or even a balanced headphone output. The whole thing is able to be as big as a few CDs stacked on top of each other.
The most unusual part is its half-exposed disc design. Instead of hiding the CD inside a plastic case, the DISC Nano leaves part of the disc visible as it spins, secured by a snap-lock mechanism. It’s an interesting design choice that makes playing a physical album feel a little more deliberate, although you’ll probably want to be careful about where you put it. That said, seeing the CD spin like a dervish inside this little player is a real treat, a reminder that CDs are, despite the lasers, still physical media.
Inside is a Cirrus Logic CS43198 digital-to-analog converter, a chip normally associated with more serious portable audio equipment. The player includes both a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, along with an optical output for connecting it to an external DAC. It also supports Bluetooth, so you can listen through wireless headphones or speakers without abandoning your CD collection.
Fosi has even added a MagSafe-compatible magnetic mounting system, allowing you to attach the player to a desk stand, refrigerator, or other suitable mount. It doesn’t support wireless charging, but the built-in 800mAh battery recharges over USB-C. Electronic anti-shock protection is included to help prevent skipping when the player is moved.
The DISC Nano supports standard audio CDs, some CD-R and CD-RW discs, and the CD-compatible layer of hybrid SACDs. It measures 102 × 102 × 29mm, making it small enough to slip into a bag, although the exposed-disc design means it probably isn’t something you’ll want rattling around loose with your keys.
What’s appealing here is the combination of old and new. You get the experience of choosing an album and watching it spin, but with Bluetooth, balanced audio, and modern digital conversion.
For a cool $100, this thing is great. It plays CDs, it looks amazing, and the audio quality is solid. Sure, it’s small, sure, it’s silly, but if you have any selection of CDs in your junk drawer, this is exactly what you want: a cute, cool, and affordable alternative to an eBay Discman or buying a higher-end, audiophile solution just so you can hear Tricky like you heard him back in 1998.
Some caveats: the headphone jack is, as mentioned before, 4.4mm balanced, so you’re going to want to get some nice headphones or earbuds. Luckily, the AUX out in the back works fine, and because it has an optical out, it’s great for connecting to headphone amps or receivers. Basically, you get a high-end CD player in a tiny package that looks cool and will work with your standard home audio setup.
The Fosi Audio DISC Nano CD Player is a great product from a great company. If you want to play CDs in your future, buy this $99 gem. It’s honestly a no-brainer, and you’d definitely love how your old discs sound in this modern, if overly exposed, CD player.