This new CD player in the 400 series has been upgraded to the EVO version, featuring numerous technical and technological innovations. Power supplies, conversion and audio stages have been completely redesigned.
Atoll CD400 EVO: case
The Atoll CD400 EVO comes in a new metal case with a superb 10 mm brushed aluminum front panel (silver or black)! This front panel is of course in keeping with the new design of Atoll EVO products, and is a perfect match for the Atoll IN 400 EVO.
In the middle of the front panel is a low-power OLED display. It displays the various playback and range information. On either side are three control buttons for the main functions (play, stop, pause, forward/backward...).
Atoll CD400 EVO: rear panel
The rear panel is particularly well-equipped!
There's a stereo RCA analog output, doubled by a (true) balanced XLR output.
There are also digital outputs in Coaxial SPDIF, Optical Toslink and XLR AES/EBU formats.
More unusually, the CD400 EVO's superb internal DAC can also be used, via Coaxial SPDIF, Optical Toslink and USB-B (32b/192 kHz Asynchronous) inputs.
The power cord is in IEC format. It will certainly be worthwhile using a quality power cord.
Atoll CD400 EVO: specifications
This CD player is equipped with a superb Atoll Top Loading mechanism. This latest Pure Audio CD mechanism has been optimized to reduce jitter as much as possible. It is mounted on a central anti-resonant chassis to avoid any vibrations harmful to playback. The CD is loaded from the top. The disc is held in place by a magnetic clamp.
The CD400 EVO player is compatible with CD Text if the disc is equipped with this feature.
In terms of power supplies, Atoll has opted for 4 separate regulated power supplies to limit any interference between analog and digital. Two 10 VA toroidal transformers are dedicated specifically to the left audio stages. A 30 VA linear transformer handles the general power supply, and a 1.6 VA linear transformer handles the logic and control circuits.
Analog output stages are fully balanced and discrete-component, fully polarized in Class A.
The digital part uses 2 Burr-Brown PCM1792 A conversion chips. It offers 24-bit resolution over 192 kHz.
Atoll CD 400 EVO: test and listen
The Atoll CD400 EVO CD player is the culmination of many years of research and development. RND Atoll has optimized every part of this player, from mechanics to analog, digital, management and power supplies.
The sound reproduction is strikingly realistic, while favoring transparency and nuance. The CD400 EVO's sound reproduction is remarkably refined and elegant. It opts for neutrality, making it highly versatile in terms of musical styles.
It's capable of reproducing even the most subtle differences in dynamics. It also boasts a particularly impressive dynamic range, making the music very lively and subtle.
The fact that you can use the internal Dac with a network player is an added bonus.
The Atoll CD400 EVO CD player is designed and remarkably manufactured in France. Atoll's CD400 EVO is certainly one of the best CD players available today. It gives this digital format back its letters of nobility, which is far from being outdated!
Our favorite!
FranckD/A converters: 2 x Burr-Brown PCM1792 A
Mechanics: Top-loading with clamp
Resolution/sampling rate: 24 bit/192 kHz
Output stages: symmetrical, Class A polarized discrete components
Output level: 2.5 VRMS
CD signal-to-noise ratio: 132 dB
CD distortion rate: <0.002
Power supplies: 30 VA + 2 x 10 VA + 1.6 VA
Capacity: 48000 uf
Bandwidth: 5-20 kHz
Analog outputs: RCA + XLR
Digital outputs: AESBU, Coax + Optical
Digital inputs: Coax, Optical + USB (32b/192 kHZ Asynchronous)
Dimensions: 440 x 340 x 100 mm
Weight: 12 kg
