CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Audio Analogue AADrive

The AAdrive is a CD transport from Audio Analogue, the Italian company owned by AF Group, in its PureAA line. It plays CDs only and sends the digital signal to an external DAC, and it was designed together with the matching AAdac converter. Both units are half width, so side by side they take the space of a conventional CD player.

Key specs that matter

The mechanism is a TEAC CD5020A, modified with custom parts. Digital outputs are S/PDIF coaxial at 75 ohms and AES/EBU balanced at 110 ohms. The unit has an LCD display and separate power supplies for the digital and control sections. Standby consumption is 0.7 W at 230 V. It measures 100 x 220 x 390 mm with height first, and the weight is 5.5 kg. The RC10000 remote control is made of solid aluminium.

Engineering and use context

The TEAC CD5020A is a mechanism designed for audio use rather than a general CD-ROM drive, which avoids the noise and performance compromises of computer drives. Audio Analogue modified it with custom parts to improve performance and reliability. The most visible change is a clamp support machined from solid aluminium, which increases rigidity and reduces read errors. As a dedicated CD transport, the AAdrive leaves conversion to a DAC of the owner's choice, which allows the converter to be upgraded separately as digital technology develops. The AES/EBU output uses a balanced 110 ohm connection on XLR, the professional standard, which Audio Analogue recommends for the link to the AAdac. The XLR output also connects to professional converters with balanced digital inputs. The coaxial output suits any DAC, digital amplifier or AV receiver. Separate supplies for the digital and control circuits keep the display and logic away from the digital audio signal. A small window lets the owner see the spinning disc, and the display sits beneath the disc tray. The front-loading mechanism runs quietly, and the transport is mounted to reduce vibration. The front panel is metal with a minimalist design, in natural aluminium or satin black, and the remote matches it. The transport has two channels of digital output and no analogue stage, so its performance depends entirely on the partnering converter.

Pairing

The AAdac, with its ES9038 chip and XLR digital input, is the matching partner. Any DAC with a coaxial or AES/EBU input, or a digital amplifier, can also be used.

Alternatives

Audio Analogue has no other standalone CD transport in its range.