Shanling Q2 MP3 Player
Dedicated MP3 players are finding their way back into pockets, and the Shanling Q2 leans into that nostalgia without giving up modern audio hardware. Its compact aluminum body, 2.09-inch touchscreen, and physical scroll wheel give it a distinctly iPod-era feel, while the internals are aimed squarely at listeners who want better sound than a typical phone setup.
Inside, the Q2 uses four Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips and supports high-resolution playback up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512. Both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs are included, giving it the flexibility to work with everything from everyday wired earphones to more demanding portable headphones.
Wireless connectivity is equally well covered. Two-way Bluetooth 5.2 supports LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, so the Q2 can send audio to wireless headphones or act as a Bluetooth receiver for a phone. Dual-band Wi-Fi handles file transfers and over-the-air updates, while USB-C also lets the player function as an external DAC for a computer or phone.
The Q2 weighs just 83g and measures 80 × 50 × 13.5mm, making it genuinely pocketable. There is no built-in music storage, but the microSD slot supports cards up to 2TB, while the 1,850mAh battery is rated for up to 13.5 hours of playback. For anyone missing the simplicity of carrying a dedicated music player, the Q2 wraps that old-school appeal around a far more capable hi-fi setup.
For a more affordable take on dedicated music listening, the Fosi Audio DAP Neo combines an iPod-inspired control wheel with lossless playback and a compact aluminum design.
