The new Audiolab 9000CDT is a CD transport that combines the high-end transport mechanism of the manufacturer with a chassis and electronics optimized for flawless audio CD playback.
AUDIOLAB 9000CDT: Front Panel and Chassis
Aesthetically, the 9000CDT is superb, solidly built, and exceptionally well designed.
The front panel is minimalist and tasteful, crafted from brushed black or natural aluminum. At the center, the CD tray operates smoothly and quietly.
To the left, a 4.3-inch IPS LCD screen provides an intuitive graphical interface, clearly displaying system settings, format, folder, track information, and other essential data.
All functions are accessible via the supplied remote control.
AUDIOLAB 9000CDT: Connections
At the rear, the 9000CDT features digital outputs: a coaxial SPDIF (RCA) and a Toslink optical output. A USB port supports major high-resolution and lossless audio formats, including WAV, AAC, and WMA, as well as legacy compressed formats like MP3.
The main power switch is located next to the IEC socket, which can accommodate a high-quality power cable for optimal performance.
AUDIOLAB 9000CDT: Technology
The 9000CDT is housed in an electromagnetically shielded chassis with a low-noise, low-distortion dedicated power supply.
It features look-ahead digital buffering to reduce playback errors and extract the highest quality digital signal from a wide range of CDs, including scratched or damaged discs that conventional mechanisms cannot read.
The internal clock is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, ensuring extremely low jitter from the coaxial and optical outputs. The coaxial output is also driven in differential mode to provide a stable digital signal to the connected DAC.
The loading tray is optimized for low friction. The aluminum chassis and base reduce vibrations from the high-speed motor. The playback mechanism is mounted in an electromagnetically shielded housing powered by a dedicated current source, contributing to flawless signal extraction and reduced resonance for improved reading accuracy.
The coaxial output uses a differential line stage, and the master clock is high-precision, ensuring minimal digital distortion on all outputs.
In addition to CD playback, the 9000CDT supports digital music files via a rear USB type-A port.
AUDIOLAB 9000CDT: Sound Performance
Compared to its smaller sibling, the Audiolab 6000CDT, the 9000CDT reveals subtle nuances, instruments, and sounds that were previously masked.
It excels in clarity, dynamics, and spontaneity, with a lower noise floor and negligible digital distortion. The device retains the delicacy of the 6000CDT but adds extra depth and enhanced detail.
Bass is tight, precise, dynamic, and controlled—present when needed but never overwhelming. High frequencies are smooth and detailed, mids are silky and natural. Using a high-quality coaxial cable is recommended for optimal sound, superior to optical connection.
The 9000CDT brings out previously hidden details on familiar CDs, delivering a detailed, balanced sound with deeper bass, especially when paired with a high-quality DAC. It revives CD collections with rich, immersive, and enveloping sound.
Our favorite pick!
FranckCoaxial digital output: 1 x SPDIF 44.1Khz
Optical digital output: 1 x SPDIF 44.1Khz
Distortion: >0.002%
Frequency response: -0.01 dB, 20Hz-20Khz
USB storage device: Compatible with FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 files
USB storage device audio formats: MP3, WMA, AAC and WAV
Remote control: Yes
Weight: 7.6 kg
Dimensions: 514 x 470 x 161 mm
