audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport - Silver

The Flagship Mechanism, Without the Flagship Price

The 6000CDT uses the same slot-loading mechanism as the 8300CD, Audiolab's flagship player. That part is the costly bit of any disc spinner. Here it sits in a box that does one job, not three.

Behind it sits a read-ahead buffer. The transport reads the disc early and holds the data. A scratch that would stall a normal drive gets a second read. You never hear the gap.

Outputs are coaxial and optical. There is no converter and no analog socket. The design assumes you own a DAC you would rather use than a cheap chip inside a player.

What a Transport-Only Design Measures

The coaxial output runs 600 ±50mVpp into 75 ±1 ohms. That is the S/PDIF standard your DAC expects. Frequency response is under 0.01dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. Top sampling rate is 44.1kHz, which is what a CD holds.

Power draw peaks at 15 watts. On standby it drops below half a watt. That is what leaving the conversion out buys you: no analog stage to keep quiet. It also runs cool, which helps in a closed rack.

The chassis is 445mm wide, 307 deep and 80 tall. It weighs 5.4kg. It is built to sit under the 6000A amplifier, which has the matching DAC on board. Silver and black finishes are offered.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Hifi Pig's verdict was direct: "If you are seeking to move to a dedicated CD transport you should definitely audition the 6000CDT for its smooth operation, sleek looks, and constantly robust playback."

On the design brief, the same review noted that "As a transport, with no integrated DAC the focus has been on creating a solid running high-quality spinner", built around look-ahead buffering for scratched or dirty discs.

Who Is This Transport Best For?

• You already own a DAC you like — the 6000CDT hands your discs to it untouched, so the converter you chose does the work instead of whatever chip a one-box player could afford.
• Your discs are not in perfect condition — the read-ahead buffer gives a scratched or marked CD a second chance at being read, which is the difference between a collection you can play and one you replace.
• You own an Audiolab amplifier — it is built to sit under a 6000A and feed the DAC already inside it, so you add disc playback without adding another converter to the chain.
• You want the mechanism, not the badge — this is the 8300CD's slot loader in a simpler box, so the part that actually reads the disc is flagship rather than entry level.
• You want to choose the converter yourself — coaxial and optical outputs hand the disc data straight to the DAC you pick, so you can improve the sound later by changing the converter and keep this mechanism. Browse our digital-to-analog converters to pair with it.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run a coaxial cable to a digital input on your DAC. Use the optical output if that socket is taken. Your DAC then feeds the amplifier as it always did.

Some amplifiers have digital inputs of their own. The Audiolab 6000A is one. Connect straight to it and skip the separate box. Either way the disc data leaves untouched.

Pairs Well With

Building around the 6000CDT? Here are some great companions:

• DAC: The other half of the design — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Integrated Amplifier: Many have a DAC already fitted — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Digital Cables: A good 75-ohm coaxial run matters here — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Equipment Rack: Keep the transport isolated from vibration — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have a DAC or analog outputs?

It is a transport, so the conversion happens downstream. You get coaxial and optical outputs for your DAC, or for an amplifier with digital inputs.

What is the read-ahead buffer for?

It reads the disc early and stores the data. A marked or scratched CD gets a second attempt before you hear a break.

Which mechanism does it use?

The same slot loader as Audiolab's flagship 8300CD. It was chosen for how well it lasts as much as how well it reads.

What are the output specifications?

600 ±50mVpp into 75 ±1 ohms on coaxial, with frequency response under 0.01dB from 20Hz to 20kHz and a 44.1kHz maximum sampling rate.

How big is it, and what does it draw?

445 by 307 by 80mm and 5.4kg, drawing up to 15 watts in use and under half a watt on standby.

What is the warranty?

Audiolab covers it for three years when you buy from an authorized dealer and register the unit online within 90 days of purchase.

See It in Action

Matt Coykendall puts the 6000CDT up against the budget transport field:

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