Decmatic Loves: Das-Pod

Category: Make-it-yourself

What prompted my review of covetable design-focussed hifi was this super interesting CD player kit from Korea. As Das-Pod themselves say: “This is not a conventional CD player. Built using repurposed CD-ROM drives, the project explores ownership, repairability, and the physical experience of music.”

When you order one of these, you receive a build-it-yourself kit that takes, apparently, between 30 and 60 minutes to assemble. No soldering is necessary.

However, you do need to find yourself a compatible secondhand CD drive. Conveniently, Das Pod offer a number of reconditioned and tested drives, ranging from $10 to $40 depending on condition and sound quality. Alternatively, you can find your own on ebay, for example, like this or this. Then, you do a bit of plugging together and you’re all set to play.

As for audio quality, after the CD drive output, much depends on what speakers you attach to it.  

Prices are US$220 for the grey, US$190 for the orange and matt black. Shipping the UK is a US$40. The only question is whether import duties are applicable. I wonder if the kit state (rather than finished product) changes the tax status? I’m investigating. Stay tuned.