CD / SACD players and transports — Accustic Arts DRIVE IV

The DRIVE IV is a CD transport from Accustic Arts, a German manufacturer whose main production principles centre on precision and accuracy, with every product manufactured in-house at its own German factory. Working exclusively as a dedicated top-loading transport for CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs, the DRIVE IV is built to a reference standard.

Key specs that matter

CD positioning uses a precision clamper with an integrated magnet for firm pressing and smooth running, with exact positioning achieved via a magnetic puck made of chromed brass. Two separate, generously dimensioned and magnetically shielded transformers - produced specifically for the DRIVE IV and made in Germany like all Accustic Arts transformers - provide a clean voltage feed. Individual drive components requiring power, including motor control, laser control, digital signal processing, display control and display heating, each receive their own dedicated, generously sized power supply unit, preventing the laser control's power signal from negatively influencing digital signal processing, for instance. High reservoir capacity ensures each power unit functions correctly. The digital output stage is specified for very low jitter. Housing construction uses massive, resonance-optimised 10mm-thick aluminium plates combined with chrome-plated brass turned parts, with a rigid, acoustically damped slide cover preventing interfering pressure waves from reaching the disc during read. The laser beam itself is protected inside the CD bay by a solid aluminium drive cover finished with a special light-absorbing Nextel paint, achieving 100% absorption of any diffused light present. All components are individually selected for narrow tolerances and a high quality classification, with a number manually measured and matched together. An aluminium remote control with matching brushed and anodised housing is included.

Sound and use context

The brand's design philosophy prioritises minimising every possible mechanical vibration path, from disc clamping through power supply isolation to laser-beam shielding, and the final design followed careful production, elaborate testing and extensive listening sessions.

Pairing

Given this is a dedicated transport without any built-in DAC, pairing with a capable external converter is essential, and Accustic Arts' own matching electronics are designed to complement this transport.

Alternatives

Accustic Arts' PLAYER IV combines the same CD-Pro8 transport mechanism with a built-in 32-bit/384kHz upsampling DAC and USB input for computer-based digital sources, for systems better served by an all-in-one disc player and DAC than by a dedicated transport.