Audiolab New 9000CDT Transport

Transported by music

Built for sonic excellence, the 9000 Series CD transport – the 9000CDT – is the perfect CD-playing companion to Audiolab’s flagship 9000A integrated amplifier

Cambridgeshire, England – Audiolab’s new 9000A integrated amplifier in the ideal ‘hub’ around which to build a high-performance audio system, however you choose to play your music – from digital streaming to vinyl records. For the many people for whom CD remains a crucial part of their musical diet, Audiolab’s new 9000CDT is the 9000A’s perfect CD-playing companion.

The 9000CDT builds on the reputation of the highly respected 6000CDT, engineered to make the most of any still-treasured CD collection. It incorporates a new, high-end transport mechanism, featuring a high- precision optical system and low-friction loading tray. A read-ahead digital buffer reduces disc-reading failures, enabling the 9000CDT to play damaged discs that may be rejected by other CD players.

The 9000CDT’s construction, with its sturdy aluminium base and chassis, combats the effect of vibrations generated both externally and by the mechanism’s high-spin-velocity motor. By mounting the transport in its own, electromagnetically shielded enclosure, and including a dedicated power supply, the digital signal extraction from any CD is as accurate and precise as it is possible to achieve.

The 9000CDT’s master clock is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from its coaxial and optical sockets to exhibit vanishingly low levels of jitter (digital distortion). In addition, the coaxial output is fed from a differential line driver to ensure a flawless digital signal reaches the accompanying DAC. Naturally, the 9000A’s state-of-the-art DAC section is a superb sonic match; the 9000CDT can also be partnered with any other high-quality DAC selected by its owner.

As well as spinning CDs, the 9000CDT features a USB Type A input, enabling playback from USB storage devices. FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 formatted devices are supported, and WAV, WMA, AAC and MP3 files can be played, with file navigation available via the front panel controls and remote handset.

The 9000CDT’s aluminium casework shares the same crisp design and impeccable finish quality as the 9000A, with a matching 4.3in colour display and rotary function selector. The display shows track information from CDs and USB-connected storage devices, and also provides access to functions such auto-standby settings, language selection, 12V trigger activation for system control, and dimming of the display itself (or the option to switch it off entirely). The presence of this 4.3in screen not only matches the 9000A integrated amp and forthcoming 9000N network audio streamer aesthetically, it also elevates the user experience above that of a typical CD player.

The Audiolab 9000CDT CD transport is available from mid-November in a choice of silver or black, at an RRP of £999. It joins the 9000A integrated amplifier as the first two components in Audiolab’s flagship 9000 Series; the 9000N network audio streamer will follow in Q1 2023.