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The RM1 is a compact disc reader fully encased in a transparent "borderless" acrylic frame, ready for hanging on a wall or sitting on a shelf. The components and mechanical parts are all fully visible, and the transparency extends to the read head assembly, battery compartment, and onboard buttons. There even appears to be a backlight LED under the moving harness for added visual appeal.
To fully avoid pesky cables, the unit is capable of Bluetooth audio output and uses a rechargeable 2000 mAh battery in an 18650 size that should be good for six to eight hours of playback and charges in one to two hours via a USB-C port. The unit is capable of reading standard CDs as well as data discs with MP3 files, just like in the good old days before subscriptions. There's also a 3.5-mm output jack if you want to wire the audio out to a separate unit.
Those who lived through the 90s and 2000s will notice design cues taken from the iconic Bang & Olufsen Beosound 9000 tower CD player/changer, which was always visible in movies and shows where the set director said: "We need a futuristic-looking piece of audio gear."
Syitren's offering isn't the only one of its type, with its main competitors being the Coolgeek M1 , the Clearframe CD Player , and the Moondrop Discream 2 . All share the same root concept of making the CD and mechanical parts visible, though in my personal opinion the RM1 has the best execution. It does seem to be aimed at nostalgia and industrial design lovers rather than audiophiles, and for its affordable price, that's a perfectly fine bar to clear — especially considering the convenient, cable-free nature.
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Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/speakers/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/speakers/syitren-rm1-transparent-wall-mounted-cd-player-harkens-back-to-a-more-civilized-era-visible-disc-and-mechanisms-make-for-a-tangible-listening-experience#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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- Transparent wall-mounted CD player raises over $540,000 on Kickstarter — $109 Syitren RM1's visible disc and mechanisms channel 90s B&O nostalgia with Bluetooth
Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.