CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Audio Note CDT Six/Force

The CDT Six/Force is a two-chassis CD transport from Audio Note (UK), consisting of the CDT-Six transport and the Force external power supply. It is built to Audio Note's Level 6 criteria and sits above the CDT Five as the highest level in the company's CD transport range, which runs from the CDT Zero upward. It plays Red Book CD only, and Audio Note describes it as a reference-class design.

Key specs that matter

At its core is a top-loading Philips CD Pro2LF with a heavily upgraded servo board that includes Black Gate capacitors. It is mounted on a sprung sub-chassis derived from the suspension of Audio Note turntables. The valve complement is one ECL82, one 6X5G, one 90C1 and one EF800. The digital output is a single RCA socket at 75 ohm. Maximum power consumption is 60 W. The transport chassis measures 160 mm high, 448 mm wide and 422 mm deep and weighs 37.8 kg, while the Force power supply has the same 160 mm height and 448 mm width, a depth of 416 mm and a weight of 23.4 kg.

Engineering and use context

Moving the power supplies into a separate chassis keeps transformers and rectifiers away from the laser, servo and output stage. The Force contains three separate supplies, each valve-rectified and regulated, with a Double C-core choke for smoothing, and it connects to the transport through three SOGON LX96 umbilical cables. The transport case is made of heavy copper, which shields the circuits electromagnetically and adds mass to damp vibration. The sprung sub-chassis isolates the Pro2LF from vibration entering through the case and the supports. Inside, SOOTTO cable links the drive to the digital output board, and between internal stages Audio Note uses its PALLAS digital interconnect. The digital output stage is valve-based, fed by a valve-rectified supply, and coupled to the socket through a custom silver-wired output transformer. Audio Note silver foil capacitors and Black Gate capacitors are used in the signal and supply circuits. The valve set combines the ECL82 triode-pentode and EF800 pentode in the signal circuits with the 6X5G rectifier and the 90C1 voltage regulator in the supply.

Pairing

The intended partner is an Audio Note DAC of the same level, connected by coaxial cable to the RCA output. With two chassis of this weight, the system needs a sturdy rack with two shelves wide enough for the full-width cases, and the umbilical cables limit how far apart the units can stand.

Alternatives

The Audio Note CDT Five combines the same sprung Pro2LF mechanism and valve output stage in a single 22 kg chassis.