Outstanding Product Award - Hi-Fi News Magazine
Premium Vibration-Quashing CD Transport with USB Playback
audiolab's new 9000CDT CD Transport represents a new standard in home audio for the connoisseur.
With CD still being a 'go to' medium for many audiophiles, the 9000CDT is a premium offering bringing digital music playback to match the beast that is the audiolab 9000A.
The 9000CDT is a dedicated CD transport that incorporates a high-end mechanism developed to suit the industry benchmarks set by audiolab performance philosophies.
"Award-Winning Performance"
"England's Hi-Fi News magazine jointly honored the Audiolab 9000CDT transport and 9000A integrated amp a coveted Outstanding Product Award.
"Not to worry," urges reviewer Mark Craven while listening to Megadeath's The World Needs A Hero, "for through the 9000CDT/9000A combo it sounded wonderfully sharp and compact, with separation to its many parts (including the vocals overlaid in the chorus) and drive in the guitar chords."
"As an all-round package Audiolab's 9000A integrated offers plenty, from its elegant design and very smart display through its easy operation and useful features. Audio performance is confident and beguiling, marked by detail, sweet tonality and a controlled demeanour, while the 9000CDT puts disc divas in safe hands."
"Listen to the 9000CDT First"
"Bottom line? If you're looking for a new CD player, listen to the 9000CDT first," reports Paul Rigby in his February 10, 2023 review for theaudiophileman.com.
"If you're looking to upgrade from your 6000CDT, listen to the 9000CDT first. If you are building a new HiFi system and you value the little silver disc, then listen to the 9000CDT first. To me? Right now? As I pen the words? That's where the 9000CDT sits. First."
"An Essential Audition"
"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," observes James Michael Hughes, stereonet.com, July 16, 2023.
"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."
"Not Many Devices Offer This Much"
"There are not many devices in this price range that offer this much," notes Ducurduz in his July 8, 2024review for hifidaydreaming.com
"If you have an integrated amp or external DAC you are connected to, open the gates for this great device. One great thing about separates like this is that if you bring them equally talented company, they grow together. So, as you update the DAC, and if the transport is very talented and high-quality, it can easily follow. The ceiling of what this device can become is really high."
Read-Ahead Buffer for Playback
Following in a long list of award-winning audiolab CD playback devices, the 9000CDT uses a high-precision optical system with an electronic data buffer for accurate and seamless CD playback.
The read-ahead digital buffer to reduce disc-reading failures helps the 9000CDT play scratched and damaged CDs that may be unreadable by conventional mechanisms.
The sampling rate is 44.1 kHz. 48 kHz files on a hard drive can be played via the USB interface, but they will be resampled to 44.1 kHz.
Vanishingly Low Levels of Noise and Distortion
To ensure a flawless signal reaches your external DAC, the coaxial output of the 9000CDT is fed from a differential line driver. The master clock is controlled by a high-accuracy crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from both coaxial and optical outputs to exhibit vanishingly low levels of jitter, significantly reducing digital 'noise' and distortion.
Vibration Quashing Design
The low-friction loading tray, sturdy aluminum base, and the chassis of the 9000CDT quash vibrations that are experienced due to the mechanics of a high-spin-velocity motor. This robust tray mechanism is a significant upgrade from the slot-loading mechanism of the excellent audiolab 6000CDT.
Also, the transport is mounted in its own, electromagnetically shielded enclosure with a dedicated power supply. All of this contribute to the exemplary digital signal extraction, while the proven resonance reduction improves performance and 'onward effect' on connected hi-fi equipment and their signal chains.
Enjoy Digital Audio Files in Every Significant Format
In addition to the class-leading CD playback design, the 9000CDT also offers digital music file compatibly via a dedicated USB 'Type A' connection at the rear of the unit. Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is supported, including WAV, AAC and WMA, as well as compressed legacy MP3 formats.
4.3" LCD Screen
Sporting a 4.3" IPS LCD screen with a detailed but simple to use GUI, the 9000CDT offers a vivid representation of information including system settings, format, folder, track details, and other data. You can dim this display, if you wish.
A multi-function front panel knob control lets you choose the input source (CD or USB) and also select and edit menu items. It also provides all the music playback controls you need. For armchair control of music playback and source selection, a well-made wireless remote is also included.
A detachable IEC AC power cord is included with the 9000CDT.