5.0 out of 5 stars CD transport quality REALLY does make a difference.

R.T. · July 2, 2021

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I got this CDT sometime ago when it was still selling at full price (the current $100 discount is because it has recently been discontinued, leaving the 7000CDT and 9000CDT still in production.I initially used it with an OK DAC, and the sound was just OK, nothing special. Based on the reviews, this was supposed to make even el-cheapo DACs sound great. Turns out my DAC had a cracked circuit board and was faulty. That took me a couple years to figure out.Scroll foward to a couple weeks ago. The faulty DAC was replaced by the lauded Gustard R26.The 6000CDT/R26 combo is staggeringly good, at ANY price, and especially for the $2300 that pairing would cost. Everything I have heard about the CDT and Gustard have been fullfilled. Immense deep soundstage, near perfect separation of intruments, miniscule details are revealed and the bass is both deep and tuneful with absolutely no sense of overhang or loss of control. The best sound I have had for maybe a dozen years.So is the sound I am getting because of the 6000CDT or the Gustard? It has got to be both. But what I CAN say is that the 6000CDT into the Gustard sounds maybe 10% better than the identical material (ripped lossless by me) streamed through the Gustard.I then pulled out my old reference CD player...a mammoth 2 box combination that weighs close to 50 lbs and cost me around $20,000 back in the day. Now I could compare this to the 6000CDT/Gustard. And guess what....this extremely expensive player was easily beaten by the system containing the 6000CDT. Vocals were clearer and more carved in space, top end had greater clarity and the bass was much firmer than my reference CD player. Bear in mind, that I have compared this player to many other high ranking CD players in the past, and it always was better.Until now.If you are into tweaky stuff, replacing the fuse in this CDT with something like the HiFi Tuning one (which is what I did) gives incremental increases in clarity, even though this is just a digital transport.What else can I say about the 6000CDT apart from how extraordinary well it works in my system?Well, it never rejects a disk or has any skipping. It always reads the tracks and table of contents flawlessly. It is fairly silent in operation. And although it is a slot loading transport, it has never scratched any of my disks, and I keep them in mint condition-so I would know. Others have commented that this player had scratched their disks, but this has never been an issue with me.The supplied remote is on the cheap side, but does pretty much all you can ask. The black finish I have make the push knobs on the fascia a bit difficult to see and read, so the remote can come in handy.The quality of replay from this unit makes me seriously consider the 9000CDT, at 3x the price (currently around $1500). But I would have to hear it first in my system.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended...

A. · October 22, 2022

Over the past couple of years, I've bought several Audiolab 6000CDT's for use in different rooms. I paired them all with Audiolab 6000A integrated amps but varied the speaker arrangements. All of the CDT's arrived in perfect condition and all of them have performed flawlessly, as have the Audiolab amplifiers.My most recent Audiolab6000CDT purchase was used to replace an old Teac CD player that was paired with a Yamaha A-S501BL amp that I'd bought years ago for my office. I was curious as to whether the CDT would improve the sound quality on its own, so I replaced it without replacing the amplifier and was happy to discover that I could instantly hear the difference. The improvement was massive and that system now sounds quite good even though the amp and speakers are not at the same level as my other systems.Therefore, I'm recommending the Audiolab6000CDT based upon multiple copies and years of use in a variety of configurations without a single glitch.Be warned, however...Because I'd had such good experiences with these devices, I also bought multiple copies of the Audiolab6000N streamers, which, unfortunately, proved to be a huge, expensive, mistake. The streamers look similar, seem well constructed and sound good but the incompetently designed computer interface has rendered them so unreliable I do not even use them. So, I got seriously burned by my careless assumption that the company's products would all manifest the same level of quality. Not so...

5.0 out of 5 stars Features a modern aesthetic, is easy to operate, brings more coherence to the recordings

l. · September 28, 2020

I recently purchased a slightly used black "Audiolab 6000CDT Dedicated CD Transport" from World Wide Stereo and was surprised how quickly I received it and the nearly pristine condition of what was a used unit. It feeds into a Hegel integrated amplifier with its own built-in DAC.It displaced a 12-year old Onkyo CD player that actually retailed for about what this unit costs at full price. I had gotten the upgrade bug and wanted to go with a transport. I did what you have also likely done, that is read as many reviews as possible and read what users on some audio forums have posted about this CD transport.I am pleased with my choice, and while it is somewhat hard to describe the difference in sound, there is a difference. The Audiolab brings more heft and coherence to recordings: it's not a night and day sort of difference, but it's real and it is a positive change within my audio system.That said, if you are happy with your current set up or if you feel like your DAC might be a potential weak link, then perhaps you should hold the course for now.The Audiolab features a modern aesthetic that I like, and it's easy to operate. Any trepidation I had about the slot-loading mechanism has long vanished, and I am pleased I made this choice over a tray every time the Audiolab accepts or ejects a disc.Other than a rattle from the remote---which is not a big deal but does prove a bit irritating---I have no complaints about what I feel is a well-engineered CD transport. (Note that I waited well over a year to find one on sale, but I was about to pay retail had my search lasted another month.)

One of the best CD transports I’ve owned. Period.

G. · September 17, 2023

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De nuevo Wow...

D.G. · March 2, 2023

Es el segundo transporte que compro de esta marca. Ofrece un sonido neutro y confiable, no presenta problemas de lectura hasta el momento. Me gusta el tamaño del display, grande y brillo adecuado. Sin duda, una ganga para los que tenemos una amplia colección de CDs.

This CD Transport is Amazing and the Customer Service is Awsome

R.P.W. · January 8, 2025

This is a terrific value product and produces fantastic music for my system.It produces a beautifully clear sound, a fabulous soundstage and separation and is three-dimensional.Some time ago I had an intermittent fault with the disk loading mechanism.I have been blown away by the service I have received from Erikson Consumer Luxury Audio. I live in Costa Rica. I got the CD Transport delivered by a friend to Montreal. It has been repaired and serviced and sent to BC at no charge.This is the best customer service I have ever received. I'm in my late 70s. Just incredible. A huge thank you to Bruno who made this happen.I unreservedly recommend this wonderful piece of HiFi equipment. Buy one!!

Noticeable sound improvement

G. · February 20, 2021

I did have reservations spending this much on a CD player (a CD Transport to be more exact). After playing a good number of my favorite CD's with it, I can say there is very noticeable improvement in the sound quality. I am hearing lyrics clearer, instrument sounds and nuances that I was not hearing before. I have it connected to a Denon AVS S750H home theatre receiver paired with Soliloquy speakers and two 10-inch Velodyne subwoofers. This is one of my best music purchases, allowing me to enjoy my CD collection at a new level. Also consider the price reasonable when compared to other higher priced CD players.

Low quality product - stopped working after two months

E. · December 30, 2024

I acquired this CD Transport in October 2024, it seemed to work fine, the quality of sound was good as promised but then it stopped working in December, not even two months of gentle use - maybe I player 30 cds in a span of two months and not it is unusable. Needed to contact the vendor and looking to get the warranty in effect, but anyway stay away and look for other brand, not worth the struggle