Audiolab 7000CDT CD Transport

About The Audiolab 7000CDT CD Transport

Nestled between the 6000 and 9000, the 7000 fuses premium traits into a pricing category that follows the mantra of class-leading performance.

Outwardly resembling the sequential series and therefore offering a brand-wide visual aesthetic match, the Audiolab 7000CDT improves on the 6000CDT with a new mechanism, USB HDD playback and a new full-colour IPS LCD screen! More compact than the 9000 series and perfectly matched to the 6000 and 8300 series, it maintains crisp ergonomics, high-quality engineering and an excellent all-round performance.

New Series, Same Standards: The 7000CDT uses a high-precision optical system with an electronic data buffer for accurate and seamless CD playback. Very similar technology to the 9000CDT, the 7000CDT uses a read-ahead digital buffer to reduce disc-reading failures, helping it play scratched and damaged CDs that may be unreadable by conventional mechanisms. To ensure a flawless signal reaches the accompanying DAC, the coaxial output of the 7000CDT is fed from a differential line driver. The master clock is controlled by a high-accuracy crystal oscillator, enabling the digital output from both coaxial and optical sockets to exhibit vanishingly low levels of jitter (digital distortion).

Isolation From Vibration: The low-friction loading tray, sturdy aluminium base and chassis of the 7000CDT work to tackle vibrations that are experienced due to the mechanics of a high-spin-velocity motor. Further, the transport is mounted in its own, electromagnetically shielded enclosure with a dedicated power supply. All of these contribute to the exemplary digital signal extraction, while the proven resonance reduction further improves performance and onward effect in ancillary Hi-Fi equipment and signal chains.

Digital Files In Any Format: In addition to the class-leading CD playback design, the 7000CDT also offers digital music files compatibly via a dedicated USB 'Type A' connection, to the rear of the unit. Every significant hi-res and lossless audio format is catered for, including WAV, AAC and WMA, as well as compressed legacy MP3 formats.

All On Display: Taking strong influence from the flagship 9000CDT, the 7000CDT improves over the 6000CDT with a full-colour 2.8" (48 × 64mm) IPS display with a detailed but simple-to-use GUI. The 7000CDT offers a vivid representation of information including system settings, format, folder, track details and other data.

Our Review

The Audiolab 7000CDT is designed to work with the company's 7000A (sold separately) — an integrated amplifier that already has a premium DAC built-in. The CD transport is designed to accurately read your favourite discs, and the built-in USB port does the same with files from a compatible storage device. No matter which medium you use, sending pure digital signals to a separate DAC keeps noise and interference to a minimum, for the best possible sound.

The disc transport benefits from a read-ahead digital buffer that reduces disc-reading failures and may even allow you to play slightly damaged CDs. And it uses a sophisticated master clock that reduces jitter that can mar playback and the player's high-resolution 2.8" LCD screen displays system settings, format, folder, track details, and more. Another solid release from Audiolab.