Okay, I'm just gonna get this out of the way and say it. The sound quality on this device is the best I've encountered so far and I have purchased far more expensive DAPs. (Astell Kern Kann, Sony Walkman zx300 and astell kern mkii)
Sound quality
I give you a brief description of why this player is so good sonically. Utilising the balanced output via a quite expensive trrs cable and sennheiser hd 660s, the player transforms the experience of listening to Normal 16 bit flacs to as if they were of 24bit 192khz quality. The soundstage and clarity achieved here are nothing short of breathtaking, its an absolute joy going back to old CDs I purchased, ripping them to flacs and dissecting them with this player.
Battery
The battery power too is something that can't be overlooked cowon claims around 45 hrs of battery which mightve been the best in the market were it not for its predecessor. I find listening to hires flacs shortens this though but it's still ridiculous if you consider how much many days of music you could listen to without charging if you only used the device for like 2 hrs a day.
The Bad - is too good to be true?
This player has some very important compromises which can and can't be ignored depending on the type of experience you want.
Memory Cards
The first flaw (which can be a deal breaker) starts with how much memory and songs the device itself can hold from micro sd cards, if you want to use microSD cards with more than 128gb then you're out of luck as the device just ignored my 400gb microsd. The blow to this revelation is softened by the fact the device it self has 64gb built in storage and ive just had to be selective with my library of files. Also before use the microsd had to be formatted to a special format and songs had to be copied to the player while it was connected to the computer which is definitely not user friendly.
Features
The device also does not have Bluetooth technology which completely makes sense since wireless technology is not yet capable of outputting the same sound quality as a quality wired cable.
Streaming
As with the lack of Bluetooth, this device does not have WiFi which means streaming is not supported which for the reasons stated in the Bluetooth section also make sense and also contribute to why this device has such a great battery life. This is most definitely a sign of a manufacturer that knows its audience.
The device also suffers from a laggy interface which is mildly annoying, knowing what you getting in return. - Gold-tier sound, great battery and oh this device is smaller than it looks which is a definitely a positive. The price and performance is unrivalled at the moment.
In short, buy it and appreciate your music library in a totally new light for a reasonable price. It like the kindle paperwhite know exactly what they offer their audiences: A no nonsense digital approach to hobbies that can transform your outview of the world.
| Brand | COWON |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | COWON |
| Model number | COWONPD2-GOLD |
| Model Name | PLENUE D2 |
| Part Number | COWONPD2-GOLD |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 64 GB |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Colour Screen | Yes |
| Supported Audio Format | MP3, WAV, AIF |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Batteries Included | Yes |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Supported Standards | MP3 |
| Includes Rechargable Battery | Yes |
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 5.5 x 1.4 cm; 100 Grams |
| Item Weight | 100 g |
| Manufacturer | COWON |
| ASIN | B07MCVMN4G |
| Item Model Number | COWONPD2-GOLD |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | 13 June 2020 |
