Press & Reviews

  • Review by Audio Science Review
    “With in-depth measurements and straightforward analysis, ASR finds the X9 highly functional and competitive at its price.”
  • Review by SoundNews
    “A feature-rich desktop solution that performs impressively as a DAC, headphone amp, and preamp.”
  • Review by 6moons
    “Highly capable and musical, with thoughtful touches like a touchscreen interface and flexible system integration.”
  • Review by Magna Hifi
    “The X9 delivers clean, powerful output and a refined listening experience, all in a sleek and modern design.”
  • Review by Audiogon Forum
    “A compelling alternative to legacy gear, with preamp controls, app access, and a dynamic sound signature.”
  • Review by Head-Fi
    “Community launch thread outlining its strengths as an all-in-one desktop powerhouse.”
  • Review by HiFiGo Blog
    “Packed with flagship AKM DACs and advanced features, the X9 stands out for both sound and usability.”
  • Review by Jay’s iyagi
    “This DAC/AMP does what no other can” – an in-depth walkthrough highlighting how the X9 integrates touchscreen UI, intelligent features, and full headphone/amp capabilities into a tight, modern package
  • Review by YouTube – Passion for Sound
    “A smart, intuitive DAC/amp that punches above its weight—excellent touchscreen, great sound, thoughtful design.”
  • Review by YouTube – iiWi Reviews
    “A deep dive into the Luxsin X9’s sonic character, UI, and headphone driving capability with real listening impressions.”
  • Review by The Absolute Sound
    “With its flexibility, affordable price, and unshakable reliability, the CR60 is the perfect transport and ripper for music fans in 2025.”
  • Review by Home Theater Review
    “Physically, the CR60 is a compact, sturdy unit… small enough to fit neatly on a desktop, rack, or shelf without taking up too much space.”
  • Review by PMA Magazine
    “The CR60 is compact and minimalist, with an aluminum chassis that feels sturdy and substantial… The interface is simple and intuitive.”
  • Review by eCoustics
    “The Shanling CR60 provides CD playback and ripping capability for a very reasonable $299, but it requires an external DAC.”

  • Review by Darko.Audio
    “Voiced to be ‘highly detailed, with a vast and precise soundstage, yet adding a bit of warmth and smoothness for the classic Shanling sound.’”
  • Review by PMA Magazine
    “The SCD1.3 excels in both sound and functionality, offering SACD playback alongside advanced digital features.”
  • Review by Audio Science Review
    “The built-in AK4499EX is one of the best DAC chips on the market… grants free access to the Shanling’s internal DAC.”

  • Review by Head-Fi
    “Based on Philips SAA7824 drive and Sanyo DA11 laser, MCD1.3 offers top quality CD drive playback, while also adding MQA-CD support (4x Unfolding).”
  • Review by HiFiHype
    “The new Shanling MCD1.3 multifunctional CD player can also function as a streaming client, serves as a DA converter and also as a preamplifier.”
  • Review by Music Direct
    “Elegant and compact, the device delivers audiophile sonics via two independent power supplies, a flagship AKM DAC system, and hand-picked capacitors.”

  • Review by Super Best Audio Friends
    “The ET-3 is an obvious CD Transport, it does almost everything under the sun including Bluetooth, WiFi, Apple Airplay, and maybe even butt cleaner like the…”
  • Review by Audiophonics
    “The Shanling ET3 is a complete, powerful CD player with a modern design and excellent sound performance.”
  • Review by Maverick Hi-Fi
    “Shanling’s ET3 is catnip for audiophiles. For me, it’s the form factor, top loading mechanism, I2S output, and the ability to plug a 2TB USB into it.”

  • Review by Stereoindex
    “A certain compactness and yet incredible performance thanks to a thoughtful and particularly careful design.”
  • Review by Head-Fi
    “I can actually see this device have some appeal. The fact that it has Bluetooth connectivity and that it can be a DAC is what should allow for it to be useful.”
  • Review by Sound & Vision
    “The UHD8000 is the ultimate media player and supports video decoding up to 8K@60p and supports playback of AV1, VP9, H.265, AVS3, and AVS2 along with 12-bit color depth, BT2020 color range and compatibility with HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision.”

  • Review by Son-Vidéo
    “Ideal for those who watch a lot of digital video content, the Zidoo Z9X Pro is as simple and pleasant to use as it is powerful. The indexation of files is effective, and the user interface is responsive, intuitive and visually appealing.”
  • Review by The Audio Tailor
    “The Zidoo Z9X Pro represents the pinnacle of media player technology, offering an unmatched combination of video processing, audio capabilities, and smart features.”

Zidoo UHD3000 – 4K UHD Media Player

  • Review by StereoNET
    “Where the Zidoo does excel is its ability to catalogue and stream locally stored media, either on its internal HDDs or via a local network. Think of it as a poor man’s Kaleidescape.”

Zidoo Z10 Pro – 4K UHD Media Player

  • Review by Audio Science Review
    “The unit plays both video and audio flawlessly and will interface with your DAC or AVR. With a 14 TB drive (sold separate but fits into the unit) of storage, it’s a solid choice for media enthusiasts.”

Forté News

  • Eversolo Officially Launches the T8 Professional-Grade Streaming Transport

    Eversolo Officially Launches the T8 Professional-Grade Streaming Transport

    As a pioneering brand in the audio industry, Eversolo has always upheld the philosophy of “faithfully reproducing pure sound,” continuously redefining the Hi-Fi experience through its innovative product architecture. From the widely acclaimed DMP-A6 to the flagship DMP-A10, Eversolo has earned global recognition for its precision in technology and sound. At this year’s Munich High-End…

  • SoulFi Audio & Forté Distribution Introduce Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetic Headphones to the U.S. Market

    SoulFi Audio & Forté Distribution Introduce Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetic Headphones to the U.S. Market

    Fosi Audio’s i5 headphones land in the U.S. after a runaway Kickstarter success, also offered in a $1,499 USD bundle with the Luxsin X9 DAC/amp for a complete high-end desktop system.

  • Luxsin X9: The Desktop DAC-Amp That’s Shamelessly Overqualified

    Luxsin X9: The Desktop DAC-Amp That’s Shamelessly Overqualified

    High-end audio is littered with boxes promising the moon, usually delivered with marketing copy thicker than your grandmother’s meatloaf. But every once in a while, something arrives that’s actually worth its swagger. Enter Luxsin’s X9, the precocious freshman DAC-amp that seems a bit smug about having cracked the code. And honestly? It has every reason…

  • ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport Debuts in the U.S.

    ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport Debuts in the U.S.

    The ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD Transport Simplifies the Addition of Super Audio to High-end DACs Montreal, Quebec — April 8, 2025 — Forté Distribution, a leading distributor of high-end audio and audiophile music products, announced today that the Shanling ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD transport will soon be available in the United States. The ONIX Zenith…

  • Shanling ET3 CD Digital Transport Available for Shipping

    Shanling ET3 CD Digital Transport Available for Shipping

    Montreal, Quebec, March 18, 2025 – Forte Distribution, a key distributor of audio and audiophile music products, announced today that the Shanling ET3 compact CD transport is back in stock, after having completely sold out in late 2024. The ET3 CD Digital Transport (SRP: $799) is one of the company’s most popular products to date, thanks to its top-shelf…

  • Forte Distribution Now Shipping Shanling’s EH2 DAC/Amplifier

    Forte Distribution Now Shipping Shanling’s EH2 DAC/Amplifier

    Montreal, Quebec, February 18, 2025 – Forte Distribution, a key distributor of audio and audiophile music products, announced today that the EH2 DAC/Amplifier is available in the U.S. as of this month. The EH2 (SRP: $399) is a sleek, stylish, compact model that is designed to perform well above its price class, with power and…

  • Zidoo UHD8000: The Ultimate Media Player for Audiophiles & Cinephiles

    Zidoo UHD8000: The Ultimate Media Player for Audiophiles & Cinephiles

    Zidoo? Sounds like a Sea-Doo, but instead of skimming waves, it’s tearing through 8K video and lossless audio at breakneck speed. While basic media players doggy-paddle through compressed streams, Zidoo glides effortlessly with Dolby Vision, high-fidelity sound, and raw processing power. But who is Zidoo? None other than Eversolo’s sister company—who, as of 2025, does…

  • Shanling CR60 Brings Effortless CD Playback and Ripping to Any System

    Shanling CR60 Brings Effortless CD Playback and Ripping to Any System

    Compact, Intuitive, and Affordable: the CR60 is an Easy, High-Performance Add-on to Rack and Desktop Audio Systems Montreal, Quebec, January 27, 2025 – Forté Distribution, a key distributor of audio and audiophile music products, is now shipping the Shanling CR60 CD Transport and Ripper to the U.S. market. Now available through select dealers and the Forté…

  • Meet the Shanling CR60: The Machine Bringing Your CD Collection Back to Life

    Meet the Shanling CR60: The Machine Bringing Your CD Collection Back to Life

    The Shanling CR60 is one of those rare devices that feels like it was designed for a very specific type of person—the kind who doesn’t just listen to music but lives with it, surrounds themselves with it, collects it. If you’ve ever stared at your wall of CDs, debating whether to keep them or finally…

  • Rediscovering CDs with Shanling: The Modern Machines Breathing New Life Into Classic Media

    Rediscovering CDs with Shanling: The Modern Machines Breathing New Life Into Classic Media

    In an age where music is mostly streamed in compressed formats and vinyl seems to dominate physical media nostalgia, Shanling is quietly making a case for the humble CD. With their lineup of CD players and transports, the company offers a blend of modern technology and old-school charm, designed to bring out the best in…