Over the last year or so, I’ve become a big fan of Audiolab’s affordable 6000 series components. There are three pieces in the line. First is the 6000A, a highly capable $999 integrated amp, which is on my Recommended Components list (my review). Then there’s the $549 6000N Play DTS Play-Fi streamer, which I named 2019 Product of The Year for DAC/Streamers (my review).
The third is the product I’m writing about today, the $549 Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport. While CD’s have almost gone the way of the dodo bird, many audiophiles like myself keep a bunch of their favorites around for relaxed listening sessions.
Two CDs I can’t live without are Steely Dan’s “Aja” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors.” I also love to hit Goodwill on the weekend for some more 99-cent gems.
The only issue with picking up CD’s from the bin at Goodwill are the inevitable scratches you encounter on the discs. The 6000CDT uses the same advanced slot-loaded mechanism as Audiolab’s upscale 8300CD CD player. That, combined with a read-ahead digital buffer, is supposed to be able to read damaged discs better than other CD transports.
I’m interested in testing this out, and it WILL be covered in my full review.
Another thing to keep in mind regarding the 6000CDT is that it’s a CD Transport, not a CD Player. That means it doesn’t have a built-in DAC or Digital to Audio converter. It reads the CD then sends out a digital bitstream to an external DAC, which is either built into another component or a stand-alone DAC unit. Transports usually sound better than CD players since the money that would be spent on a DAC is redirected to upgraded optical components.
In my case, I will be teaming it up with the Audiolab 6000A integrated, which has an excellent 32-bit DAC section based around an ESS chip. I’ve been waiting a while to hear this combo. Stay tuned for my full review to get the complete scoop on the 6000CDT’s performance.
First Impressions:
- Still love the 6000 Series’ clean design
- Big, easy to read display
- Comes with nice remote (duplicate of 6000A remote)
- Nice slot mechanism…very smooth disc insert/ejection
Specs/Highlights:
| Digital Output Voltage Level | 600±50mVpp |
| Frequency response | <0.01dB @ 20-20kHz |
| Output Impedance | 75±1Ω |
| Max Sampling Rate | 44.1 kHz |
| Max. Power Consumption | 15W |
| Standby Power Consumption | <0.5W |
| Power Requirements | 240V ~ 50 – 60Hz |
| 230V ~ 50 – 60Hz | |
| 115V ~ 50 – 60Hz | |
| 100V ~ 50 – 60Hz | |
| Dimensions (mm ) | (W x H x D) 445 x 300 x 65.5 – including feet, terminals and controls |
| Carton Size (mm ) | (W x H x D) 512 x 467x 146 |
| Weight | 5.4kg (Net) |
Where to buy:
Click here to buy: AMAZON-Audiolab 6000CDT Dedicated CD Transport with Remote
Unboxing Pics:
I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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