Fiio’s Retro Revival: CP13 Cassette Player Takes CES by Storm

Fiio, renowned for its high-end DACs and desktop streamers, has taken CES 2024 by surprise with a nostalgic twist – the CP13 cassette player. A departure from its usual audiophile-grade offerings, this retro gadget pays homage to the iconic Sony Walkman of the ’80s era.

Unlike mere imitations, the CP13 is a contemporary cassette music player at its core. Notably, it eschews Bluetooth connectivity, embracing authenticity. However, in a thoughtful nod to modern convenience, the Chinese manufacturer has incorporated USB-C charging, sparing users the hassle of weekly AA battery replacements.

With this development, it seems cassette player technology has completed a full circle, resurfacing as a trend. The year 2022 witnessed the sale of 195,000 cassette player units, a resurgence likely fueled by notable appearances in pop culture, such as ‘The Last of Us’ and albums by Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

The CP13, in a dual-tone silver-blue finish reminiscent of the original Walkman, boasts a retro design with oversized playback buttons, a 3.5mm headphone port, and a conspicuous knob. While lacking an auto-reverse option, users can manually switch sides and enjoy features like fast forward, reverse, and pause – reminiscent of the classic design.

In addition to the modern USB-C charging port, the CP13 introduces a status LED. Offering 15 hours of playback on a single charge, it disappointingly lacks a feature to convert tapes to MP3 files. The signature color variant is available, alongside matte black with white and blue with metal silver options.

Priced at $164, the Fiio CP13 may not be an immediate consideration for all. Nevertheless, it evokes a wave of nostalgia, transporting users back to a golden era when owning music albums and following artists held a distinct charm, a sentiment that contrasts sharply with the present digital age.