Fiio isn’t done harvesting your nostalgia. If you thought the Echo Nano was cool, but wished you could have something even older than an MP3 player modernised, you’ll probably get excited for the company’s upcoming CP11 and CP15.
While other companies are changing the rules of what ownership means and turning their backs on supposed “shifting trends in consumer preference” with regards to physical media, Fiio is choosing to be different. What else were you going to do with those old audio cassettes, anyway?
Did old-school ever stop being cool?
As you could probably tell from the two different numbers, Fiio has two new portable cassette players in the works at either end of the product segment hierarchy. The original plan was to only launch the CP15 as a follow-up to the CP13, which is already available for around R2,000. But Fiio says plans have changed.
“Initially, we planned to launch the CP15 directly. But as R&D continued to deepen, the all-new ultra-thin mechanism proved more challenging than expected,” wrote the company.
Instead, it added the CP11 to the lineup, which it said will feature “an all-new ultra-thin mechanism, higher-quality magnetic head, brushless motor, brand-new motor servo drive and circuit design, plus Bluetooth transmission functionality.” We assume this is a different “all-new ultra-thin mechanism” than the one it’s struggling with.
Read More: Relive the Walkman’s glory days with the Fiio Snowsky Echo Nano
Before you get your hopes all the way up, Fiio’s challenges mean you’ll only maybe get to play with the CP11 towards the end of the year.
“Currently, the software and PCBA design of the CP11 are nearing completion, and the next step will be mechanism trial production. Our goal is to launch it by the end of 2026, but because some issues with the mechanism structure still need to be resolved, the final timing may be delayed, said the company. Adding, “Only when the complete unit truly meets our standards will it officially go into mass production and go on sale.”
You’ll have to settle for the accompanying renders of the CP11 while you blow the dust off those old tapes.
Images: Fiio
