Primare DD15 Dedicated CD Transport - Titanium

A Transport That Fits on a Bookshelf

The DD15 does one job in a cabinet 350mm across. It reads discs and passes the data out, and that is all. Most transports at this level assume a full-width rack, and this one deliberately does not.

The mechanism is a Philips CDM-M10, mounted to keep resonance low and loaded through a slot rather than a tray. A slot has no moving drawer to wear out, and it holds the disc closer to the chassis.

Outputs are one coaxial on RCA and one optical on TOSlink. Both feed a converter, a digital preamplifier or a surround processor, carrying the disc at its native 44.1kHz without alteration.

Built to Partner the 15 Series

The DD15 is sized and finished to sit with Primare's I15 integrated amplifier and SC15 network player. Together they make a compact system that still uses separate boxes for separate jobs, which is a deliberate pairing rather than a coincidence of size.

A trigger output ties it into that system, so the transport switches on and off with the amplifier rather than needing its own visit to the rack every time you want to play a disc.

Power draw is 2 watts running and under half a watt on standby, which is what leaving out an analog stage buys you. The cabinet is 350 by 329 by 73mm, weighs 6.4kg, and comes in black or titanium.

Who Is This Transport Best For?

• Your shelf is not full width — at 350mm across and 73 tall it fits a bookcase or a desk, where a full-size transport was never going to go.
• You own a converter already — the DD15 sends your discs to it untouched, so the money went into the drive rather than duplicating a DAC you already have.
• You prefer a slot to a tray — the disc is drawn in and held against the chassis, with no drawer mechanism to wear out or rattle.
• You are building a Primare 15 system — it matches the I15 and SC15 in size and finish, and the trigger output powers it up with them.
• You want the sound to stay upgradeable — conversion happens downstream, so changing your DAC changes how your CDs sound without replacing the mechanism. See our digital-to-analog converters.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the coaxial output to a digital input on your converter, or the optical output if the coaxial socket is already busy. Your DAC then feeds the amplifier as before.

If your amplifier or preamplifier has digital inputs of its own, connect straight to it. The trigger output can wire to a Primare component so the two switch on together.

Pairs Well With

Building around the DD15? Here are some great companions:

• DAC: The other half of the design — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Integrated Amplifier: The I15 is its matching partner — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Digital Cables: A proper 75-ohm coaxial run — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Bookshelf Speakers: Finish a compact system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have a converter or analog outputs?

It is a transport, so the conversion happens downstream. One coaxial and one optical digital output feed your DAC or digital preamplifier.

Which mechanism does it use?

A Philips CDM-M10, slot-loading, mounted in a low-resonance arrangement inside the cabinet.

How does it differ from the DD35?

The DD35 is full width with a TEAC drive and a 10kg cabinet. The DD15 is half width with a Philips mechanism at 6.4kg.

What is the trigger output for?

It lets a partnering component, such as a Primare I15, switch the DD15 on and off with the rest of the system.

How big is it, and what does it draw?

350 by 329 by 73mm and 6.4kg, in black or titanium, drawing 2 watts running and under half a watt on standby.

What is the warranty?

Two years on parts and labor for the original owner, when bought from an authorized dealer with proof of purchase. It is valid in the country of purchase and does not transfer.

See It in Action

Audio Arkitekts reviews the DD15 transport:

And an introduction to the CD15 and DD15 together:

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