TechTicker: Shanling M0 Pura, Satechi keyboards reactivated, Cayin CD tube porti, Swarovski AT Endura and more | News

Chinese manufacturer Shanling is launching an ultraportable music player that looks strikingly similar to the iPod nano. Also: Cayin’s tube CD-Porti CP6, a new spotting scope from Swarovski Optik and a stage in-ear from Sony with particularly strong noise cancellation.

SATECHI REACTIVATES TWO POPULAR KEYBOARDS ON AMAZON
Sometimes popular products disappear for seemingly inexplicable reasons, even though they are very popular with customers. Be it because direct further developments of the product are to be introduced, because there were problems with production or the supply chain, or because demand was misjudged and there is no longer any supply.

Whatever it was at Satechi: If you don’t specifically look for it, you won’t notice if a product disappears from the range (or at least from certain suppliers). This apparently happened with the two Satechi keyboards “Satechi Aluminum BT Backlit Keyboard Slim German” and “Satechi Aluminum BT Keyboard Full German”. I had already tested the latter here in 2019. -Wow! That was over seven years ago.

The two keyboards do not have any fancy features and only serve the basic needs: Bluetooth connection (up to 3 devices), pleasant typing feel, robust, durable and high-quality workmanship. What more could you want? Apparently many customers say that and want these keyboards back. Satechi is now complying with this and is now offering the two input boards again on Amazon. And at a really good price.

At that time, the RRP for the full-size keyboard was around 80 euros. Now it’s available on Amazon for exactly half the price. The slim version, which does without the middle navigation block but also has a number pad, costs the same.

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CAYIN CP6: LISTEN TO THE CD ON THE GO IN AUDIOPHILIVE TUBESOUND
After the revival of the LP, which led to sensational success and the presumably long-term continued existence of the vinyl disc, the industry is now trying another almost extinct sound medium: the CD. I doubt whether this will have the same lasting success as the LP. The CD neither offers the same tactile and visual experience with great album covers and beautiful drives that leisurely rotate the vinyl in circles under a fine needle, nor can it offer the elusive sound flair of real analogue playback, which quite a few (in an optimal system configuration) prefer to any digital playback.

Nevertheless: Cayin is bringing the CP6 onto the market for all fans of silver discs who don’t want to miss out on mobile music enjoyment. This portable, battery-powered CD player offers the treat of a real tube amplifier stage that is intended to deliver unparalleled transparent sound for CD and mobile HiRes sources. The CP can of course be used for headphone operation, or can supply the home system as a D/A converter. With the ripper function and numerous connection options, it promises to make musical dreams come true in a compact format.

The CP6 supports resolutions of PCM384/32 and DSD256 via smartphone, mobile player or laptop and has a particularly high-quality D/A converter. It accepts wired high-end headphones either via the asymmetrical 3.5 mm blade output or the symmetrical 4.4 mm Pentaconn. Headphones may have impedances between 8 and 600 ohms, the maximum output power is 2x1300mW. The built-in fully balanced 4-channel amplifier drives even the most technically demanding headphones with the highest playback quality. Two Cirrus Logic CS4308P DACs, an XMOS XU316 USB processor and the Qualcomm QCC3083 Bluetooth chipset are used for digital signal processing.

The CP6 does not use a cold cathode tube in its amplifier stage, but rather a full-fledged pentode with direct cathode heating: the JAN 6418 from the manufacturer Raytheon. This robust vacuum tube, originally developed for military purposes, is known for its musical, yet very transparent, tube-typical sound. As one of the few directly heated tubes, it can be operated in mobile hi-fi use without any practical disadvantages thanks to its low power supply requirement.

Through integration into a special silicone damper unit, an anti-shock function of the CD drive, and the ventilation holes in the housing, the tubes are optimally protected from heat and shocks and make the CP6 fully suitable for everyday use. A timbre circuit allows you to select three different sound characteristics with or without tubes in the signal path. The headphone amplifier circuit supports Class-A or Class-A/B operation depending on the taste of the music listener.

The CP6 is surprisingly diverse in terms of connection and application options: In addition to CD playback and USB from a smartphone or laptop, it also supports playback via Bluetooth 5.4 with codecs such as LDAC, AAC and Apt-X HD, as well as control via app. In addition to the headphone jacks, both balanced and asymmetrical line outputs and coaxial and optical digital outputs are available for connection to higher-quality home DACs. A Bluetooth transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to mobile headphones rounds off the playback options.

A special highlight for all owners of a laptop without a CD drive: the CD rip function. The CP6 makes it possible to digitize the inserted CD directly via the USB-C connection and save it as lossless WAV files. It can be operated using the power supply or the built-in battery. The latter offers quick charging and a playing time of up to 7.5 hours. The all-aluminum housing, tactile controls and a color display give the Cayin CP6 high-end value.

The Cayin CP6 is available now and costs 998 euros RRP. The case with carrying strap will be available as an accessory at a later date.

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SWAROVSKI OPTIK PRESENTS A NEW, LIGHTWEIGHT 75 TELESCOPE
With the AT Endura 21-65×75, SWAROVSKI OPTIK is bringing a new, particularly light spotting scope onto the market, modernizing its telescope portfolio for hunting and bird watching. The AT Endura combines SWAROVSKI OPTIK image quality with low weight and, thanks to a new product concept and efficient production processes, enables reliable performance at an attractive price, the manufacturer promises in the press release.

Weighing just 1,510 grams, the AT Endura with a 75 millimeter lens diameter is comparatively light, making it comfortable to transport even for long missions. Of course this is all relative. The stated weight is ok for a spotting scope with 75x magnification, but the AT Endura still weighs about as much as the last introduced AT Balance, which only offers 65x magnification but has an optical image stabilizer (OIS) (see presentation here). However, due to the lack of OIS and high magnification, an additional tripod is almost essential for the AT Endura. This makes transport correspondingly more complex.

The AT Endura is particularly robust and designed for use in nature, according to Swarovski. Extensive shock, vibration and drop tests are intended to ensure that the spotting scope functions reliably even under adverse conditions.

The spotting scope developed, designed and produced in Absam (Austria) will be available worldwide from authorized specialist retailers and in the SWAROVSKI OPTIK e-Shop from October 6, 2026.

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SHANLING M0 PURA BRINGS BACK THE IPOD NANO FEELING
Shanling has introduced the M0 Pura, the fourth generation of its ultra-compact portable music player. Combining enhanced audio hardware with a streamlined touchscreen interface and extensive wired and wireless playback capabilities, the M0 Pura is designed to deliver true Hi-Res performance in a player weighing just 35.8g. The 650mAh battery provides up to 9 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, making it the ideal travel companion.

The design is very reminiscent of Apple’s long-discontinued iPod nano, but offers far more options. The M0 Pura has two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs that support PCM playback with up to 32 bit/384 kHz as well as native DSD128. The new design also promises improved audio performance, delivering up to 250mW of output power into 32 ohms when using Shanling’s optional 3.5mm to 4.4mm balanced adapter.

A 1.54-inch color touchscreen allows you to control music playback, while Shanling’s proprietary MTouch operating system is specifically designed for quick and easy navigation through albums, playlists and settings.

Despite its compact dimensions, the M0 Pura offers a variety of playback options. Thanks to bidirectional Bluetooth, the M0 Pura can function as both a wireless music source for headphones and speakers and as a Bluetooth receiver, allowing it to be used as a compact Bluetooth DAC and headphone amplifier for a connected smartphone, game console or laptop. The USB-C connection option also enables use as a USB DAC and allows the M0 Pura to function as a bit-precise digital transport for external USB DACs.

Music is stored using a microSD card slot that supports storage capacities of up to 2TB, while compatibility with formats such as FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, APE, MP3, AAC, OGG and DSD ensures high compatibility – from CD and vinyl rips to old iTunes downloads to the latest studio-quality digital downloads.

Additional features include adjustable playback speeds for podcasts and audiobooks, AB repeat, remote control via SyncLink via the Eddict Player app for Android and iOS, sound adjustment settings and user-selectable screen savers.

The Shanling M0 Pura comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and two screen protectors. Optional accessories include a leather case, a clip case and a symmetrical 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter. Its price: currently 138 euros on Amazon.

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SONY STAGE IN-EARS WITH HIGH NOISE CANCELATION EVEN FOR LIVE USE
With the IER-M500, Sony presents a new professional in-ear monitor with precise sound for robust stage use at an affordable price. Singers, guitarists and drummers, whether professionals or amateurs, should be able to concentrate fully on their own sound. The IER-M500 fills a gap in Sony’s professional audio range and strengthens the portfolio across creatives’ entire workflow.

The IER-M500 was designed with comfort and stability in mind. A particular focus was on shape and weight distribution. It features Sony’s original fit supports and noise-isolating ear tips. The scope of delivery includes fittings in four sizes (L, M, S and XS). A thin polyurethane wall on the fittings improves noise isolation, delivers clearer sound and increases comfort during extended use. The included flexible ear hooks and clips further improve stability.

The sealed construction combined with a large acoustic chamber ensures excellent noise isolation, even in loud live environments, according to the press release. The dynamic drivers combined with the acoustic chamber produce deep, controlled bass, while the optimized internal structure refines the reproduction of high frequencies.

The IER-M500 offers full freedom of movement on stage even in wet conditions. Sweat, rain and splash water do not cause any problems, says Sony. The 1.6m detachable cable is designed for continuous use, including constant plugging and unplugging on stage or in the studio. The IER-M500 is available in three versions: clear, black and a combination of red and blue for clear left-right identification.

The IER-M500 will be available from August 2026 in the colors clear, black and red/blue with a recommended retail price of 115 euros.