FiiO CP13 Portable Cassette Player with Analog Playback
OverviewStreaming apps put nearly every recording ever made one tap away, but that convenience is exactly why a physical cassette collection can feel disconnected from anything that actually plays it back anymore.The FiiO CP13 is a portable cassette player built around a fully analog audio circuit — no digital conversion touches the tape signal on its way to the headphone jack. A custom high-voltage motor with an oversized pure-copper flywheel keeps playback speed stable, and a JRC5532 op-amp handles the analog amplification through a differential, balanced circuit design.A USB-C port charges the built-in 1800mAh battery for up to 13 hours of playback and also works as a digital audio interface, supporting playback up to 768kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD512 when connected to a computer or phone. The whole player sits in a dual-colour aluminum alloy chassis just 31.8mm thick.Simcoe Audio Video InsightThe CP13 doesn't include headphones or a carrying case in the box — FiiO sells its own case separately, and pairing the CP13 with a set of in-ear headphones you already own (or a small pair from our IEM lineup) is worth planning for before it arrives. Since the tape mechanism is fully analog, cassette condition matters more here than with a digital player: older or well-worn tapes will sound exactly as recorded, wear and all.More InfoWhy the FiiO CP13 Stands Out 100% Analog Audio Circuit No digital conversion touches the tape signal — a JRC5532 op-amp handles amplification through a differential, balanced circuit for a clean analog signal path. Oversized Pure-Copper Flywheel A 30.4mm pure-copper flywheel and a custom 4.2V high-voltage motor with a speed-stabilization circuit help keep pitch steady during playback. USB-C Digital Interface Beyond charging, the USB-C port doubles as a digital audio interface supporting up to 768kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD512 when connected to a computer or phone. Up to 13 Hours of Playback The built-in 1800mAh battery plays for up to 13 hours on a charge, with a full recharge taking about 3 hours from a 5V/2A source. Compact Aluminum Alloy Body A dual-colour aluminum alloy chassis just 31.8mm thick keeps the CP13 close to the size of the cassettes it plays. Buyer's GuideWho It's For The Cassette Collector: has a tape collection sitting unplayed and wants a portable, purpose-built way to listen to it again. The Analog Purist: wants a fully analog signal path from tape to headphone jack, without a digital conversion stage in between. The Gift Buyer: is looking for a genuinely functional retro audio piece rather than a novelty or display-only item. How It ComparesThe CP13 is FiiO's dedicated portable cassette player, distinct from the brand's retro-styled CD players like the DM13 BT and DM15 R2R, which add Bluetooth transmission and digital DACs on top of a CD transport. The CP13 keeps things simpler and fully analog, with no Bluetooth or digital DAC in its playback path, making it the more purist option for anyone specifically collecting and playing cassette tapes rather than CDs.