Montreal, Quebec, October 29, 2025 – Forte Distribution, a leading distributor of audio and audiophile music products, today announced that the the Shanling EC Zero AKM portable CD player is now available in the U.S.

As a follow-up to the hybrid analog/digital player, EC Zero T, the new EC Zero AKM (SRP: $349) is an affordable, all solid-state solution for music lovers who appreciate the lasting value and performance of compact discs.

“The EC Zero AKM is designed to be an audiophile-grade portable CD player at a real-world price,” says Roger Fortier, VP and Director of Sales, Forte Distribution, U.S. distributor of Shanling Electronics. “Its DAC brings out every detail of a well-recorded piece of music.”

By employing an AKM DAC and dual SGM8262 amplifiers, the EC Zero AKM features smooth, balanced sonics, whether enjoyed with headphones or as part of an amplified desktop system. (Connections to external systems are made through unbalanced 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs.) Power output is rated at a mammoth 836mW.

With a sleek, stylish chassis that easily fits in a backpack, bike pack, or other types of portable storage, the player includes a newly developed magnetic design that continuously adjusts the pressure on the disc, reducing vibrations and noise to the barest minimum. A 100-step volume control makes it the ideal match for both sensitive earphones and hard-to-drive over-ear headphones.

Two headphone outputs — unbalanced 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm — make it compatible with nearly every lifestyle and audiophile-grade headphone on the market, in addition to connectivity with active speakers, AVRs, and more. (The 3.5mm output doubles as a digital COAX/optical SPDIF connector.)

The internal 5500mAh battery runs up to eight hours on a full charge. For desktop use, simply switch to a USB-C power adapter for increased power.

Similarly, Bluetooth 5.3 brings wireless listening to a level on a par with wired options. High-performance ear buds, over-ear wireless headphones, and Bluetooth speakers are maximized with the EC Zero AKM.

Rounding out the extensive feature set is a CD ripping function that saves files to an outboard USB drive.

For further information about the Shanling EC Zero AKM, visit https://forte-distribution.com. To order the Shanling EC Zero AKM, visit https://soulfi-audio.com.

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About Forté Distribution

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec in Canada, Forté Distribution is a leading distributor of audio products in the United States. With a legacy that reaches back to the original XLO Electric and continued with Motet Distribution, Forté Distribution is committed to bringing a diverse portfolio of high-end audio brands to dealers and consumers. Current brands available through Forté Distribution include Eversolo, Shanling and several others. For further information, visit https://forte-distribution.com.

About Shanling

Shanling is a well-established name in the high-fidelity audio industry, founded in 1988 in Shenzhen, China. Over the past 30+ years, Shanling has grown from a small audio manufacturer into a globally recognized brand, renowned for its innovative, high-quality audio products. Shanling’s product offereings include portable music players, amplifiers, DACs, CD players, and SACD/CD transports. For further information, visit https://en.shanling.com.

Shanling EC Zero AKM Specifications

• DAC: AKM AK4493S
• USB DAC Support: 768kHz/32 bit & DSD512
• External Power Input: USB-C 5V/2A
• 3.5mm & 4.4mm headphone and line outputs
• Digital Output: 3.5mm combined coaxial/optical SPDIF
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Bluetooth codecs: aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC
• THD+N: 0.0004%
• Dynamic Range: 119dB
• Channel Separation: 103dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 119dB
• USB DAC Frequency Response: 20Hz- 40kHz (+/-0.5dB)
• USB CD Player Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/- 0.5dB)
• 3.5mm Line Out Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (+/- 0.5dB)
• 4.4mm Line Out Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz (+/- 0.5dB)
• Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive, aptX, and SBC support
• Supported Audio Formats: DSD, DXD, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AIF, DTS, MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, ALAC, MP2, M4A, AC3, M3U, M3U8, OPUS
• Output Power: Low Gain 211mW@32 ohms/High Gain 525mW @32 ohms/High Gain 836mW @32 ohms (external power)
• CD ripping functionality via USB output
• Active magnetic CD clamp and advanced anti-skip system
• Aluminum chassis with tempered glass panels
• 1.68-inch color screen with hardware buttons and volume slider
• Dimensions: 158 x 150 x 28mm
• Weight: ~575g
• Battery: 5500mAh, up to 8 hours playback