CD / SACD players and transports — Leak CDT CD Transport

The CDT is a CD transport from Leak, the British brand revived by the IAG group with its classic styling. It was the first product in Leak's history to play CDs and digital media, designed to pair with the Stereo 130 integrated amplifier, which has its own DAC. It has no analogue outputs, no DAC and no Bluetooth, focusing only on reading discs.

Key specs that matter

The transport uses a slot-loading mechanism. It offers coaxial and optical digital outputs, with a coaxial output impedance of 75 ohms and output level of 500 mVpp. It plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW, and WAV, MP3, AAC and WMA files from USB storage formatted FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32. Sampling frequency is 44.1 kHz for CD and 44.1 or 48 kHz for USB. Standby consumption is below 0.5 W. The silver version measures 302 x 117.1 x 278 mm and weighs 5.3 kg, and the walnut version 326 x 145.1 x 283 mm and 6.9 kg.

Engineering and use context

The CD mechanism is mounted in its own electromagnetically shielded enclosure with a dedicated power supply, keeping the drive's motors and servos from disturbing the digital circuits. A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator controls the master clock, which holds its frequency steady as the unit warms up and reduces jitter at the coaxial and optical outputs. The mechanism uses read-ahead buffering, reading data ahead of playback so that it can reread a sector if an error occurs, reducing read errors. The front USB-A socket offers full transport controls and folder and file navigation, and its 5 V 2 A output powers only USB memory devices. A front LCD shows source, track number and elapsed time, and the transport is operated from the front panel or an included IR remote. Because the CDT leaves conversion to another component, the converter it feeds determines the result, and owners can upgrade the converter separately. The design follows classic Leak styling, and the walnut version has a wooden case. US pricing for the walnut version was about USD 1,495. Leak provides a three-year warranty. The CDT and the Stereo 130 were the brand's first new products in about 40 years. Its styling matches Leak's other revived components, and the silver version has a metal case with a traditional front panel.

Pairing

The CDT is designed to match the Leak Stereo 130 in size and styling, feeding its DAC through the coaxial or optical input. Any DAC with S/PDIF input can also be used.

Alternatives

Leak makes no other CD player or transport beside the CDT.