CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — QUAD Platina CDT

The Platina CDT is a dedicated CD transport from QUAD, added in March 2026 to the Platina series next to the Platina Integrated amplifier and the Platina Stream network player. It carries no digital-to-analogue conversion of its own - the whole design is aimed at reading the disc accurately and passing the data on to an external converter. The UK price is GBP 1,499, and buyers choose a silver or a black chassis.

Key specs that matter

Digital signal leaves through a coaxial RCA socket or an optical port, with the coaxial output rated at 75 ohm and an amplitude of 500 mVpp plus or minus 50 mVpp. Pressed CDs, recordable and rewritable blanks and data discs are all accepted, and the drive plays gapless and shows CD text. A USB-A socket reads files from a stick or hard drive formatted in FAT16, FAT32 or exFAT, covering WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC and APE from 44.1 to 96 kHz. The front carries a 4.3-inch IPS colour screen with 800 x 480 pixels. The case is 445 mm wide, 135 mm high and 310 mm deep, and it weighs 10.9 kg without packaging. Standby draw is under 0.5 W, with mains versions for 220-240 V or 100-120 V.

Engineering and use context

QUAD developed its own transport mechanism with a custom servo system, tuned for smooth operation, stable tracking and consistent error correction. A dual-core processor handles the data stream coming off the disc, with the goal of cutting read errors and jitter before the signal leaves the box. Timing is referenced to a TCXO master clock, a crystal oscillator that applies continuous compensation to hold timing accuracy. Power comes from a Noratel toroidal transformer feeding eleven separate voltage rails, so the motor, servo, decoder and display each draw from their own supply lines to limit interference in the signal path. The housing is steel, sits on anti-resonance feet and wears a thick aluminium front panel holding the power button, the disc tray and three transport keys.

Pairing

Any DAC with an S/PDIF coaxial or Toslink input can take the signal. The obvious partner is the Platina Integrated, whose ESS ES9038PRO section accepts two coaxial and two optical feeds up to 192 kHz, and whose handset controls every component in the series. The matching front panel width lets the two units stack as one system.

Alternatives

The QUAD 3CDT is a smaller CD transport from the retro-styled 3 Series, 30 cm wide with an orange backlit display and a UK price of GBP 599.