Audiolab

9000CDT CD Transport

£999 RRP

Audiolab recently introduced the 7000CDT and 9000CDT CD transports, to match its 7000A and 9000A integrated amplifiers. The company already offers the highly regarded 6000CDT transport, which gives excellent performance at a highly affordable price. Yet the latter is only on sale while stocks last. Production has ceased due to the slot-loading CD mechanism having been discontinued. The 7000CDT and 9000CDT are more expensive, but each offers improved performance over the 6000CDT, the manufacturer says…

While the 7000CDT and 9000CDT are designed to match their respective Audiolab amplifiers, and can be bought in black or silver, you could use either transport with any outboard DAC. I myself own a 6000CDT, bought four or five years back, and I’m very pleased with it feeding all sorts of DACs.

Not only does it sound very good, but it’s also outstanding at playing CDs that are damaged. It uses a read-ahead digital buffer to reduce the effects of disc damage, which means it can play discs that other machines (even vastly more expensive ones) can’t reproduce. It not only plays scratched and soiled CDs, but it also deals with discs where the aluminium coating has corroded. True, it doesn’t always play corroded discs right the way through, but it will usually play up to fifty percent more of the disc’s contents compared to other CD players that I own.

UP CLOSE

The 9000CDT is Audiolab’s ‘flagship’ CD transport. Compared to the 7000CDT, that sells for around half its price, it sports a high-end tray-loading mechanism, upgraded laser and servo decoder circuitry, plus an enhanced power supply with an uprated transformer. Its coaxial output is fed from a differential line driver, while the master clock is controlled by a high-accuracy crystal oscillator. The coaxial (RCA) and optical (TOSLINK) digital outputs feature extremely low levels of jitter (time domain errors), says Audiolab. 

The sturdy aluminium base and chassis of the 9000CDT help reduce vibrations caused by the mechanics of a fast-spinning high-velocity motor. Furthermore, the transport is electromagnetically shielded with a dedicated power supply. Its 4.3in colour display is bigger than the 7000CDT’s 2.8in screen. The 9000CDT has non-magnetic aluminium top and side panels with a steel base, and Audiolab’s superior 9000 Series build and finish looks classier than the 7000 series. It’s more hard-wearing too.

As a user, one thing I didn’t like about the 6000CDT was its slot-loading CD mechanism. Okay, it wasn’t a deal-breaker – I could live with it. But the new 7000CDT and 9000CDT feature regular tray loading, making them easier to use. The 9000CDT also offers digital music file compatibility via a dedicated USB ‘Type A’ connection. Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is catered for, including WAV, AAC and WMA, as well as compressed legacy MP3 formats. 

Rather than lots of press buttons, operationally, the 9000CDT has just a single rotary knob, plus a separate button to open the disc loading tray. A remote handset is included. The display itself is very attractive and includes both elapsed and remaining time for the track being played. The screen can be switched off if required. Track access is quite fast, and the player functions in a solid, purposeful manner. I hoped the 9000CDT might prove to be even better at handling damaged CDs, but it’s much the same as the 6000CDT – I couldn’t discern any difference between them.

THE LISTENING

A good dedicated CD transport should subjectively sound slightly better than a regular CD player being used as a transport. I often find that reproduction is slightly sharper and better defined. There’s greater immediacy and focus, faster transient attack, plus clearer low-level detail. Such was the 9000CDT, which also, by the way, sounded superior to the 6000CDT. Subjectively, it proved more focused and articulate, teasing out lots of subtle detail that makes the music more commanding and engaging. There’s less smearing, less fudging, less haze, less fog…

Via the 9000CDT, CDs had more of the immediacy and clarity that you expect from SACDs. Bass was firm and solid; deep, powerful, and very dynamic. Playing Sonny Rollins’ classic album Way Out West, the presentation was impressively focused and tactile. The saxophone had a rich, full-bodied quality that sounded holographic and true to life – like he was right there in the room. Ray Brown’s acoustic bass was firm and clear, while Shelley Manne’s drums almost sounded real at times – such was their snappy bite and bracing attack. 

Playing a CD of solo harp with Naoko Yoshino on Philips, the upper registers were wonderfully fresh and transparent, with a lovely diaphanous tonal quality and crisp attack. When she plucked a low note, the sound had a deliciously-fruity twang that was as impressive as it was unexpected.

THE VERDICT

Overall, the 9000CDT sounds super clean; it doesn’t add roughness nor smooth things over. Like an open window on the original recording, it doesn’t hold back – so it can be slightly unforgiving of poorly produced music. Most of the time, though, the positive sonic qualities of Audiolab’s flagship transport are wholly advantageous. The 6000CDT was good, but the new 9000CDT sounds even better – and as such, is an essential audition if you’re looking for a mid-price silver disc spinner.

For more information visit Audiolab