Primare DD35 Dedicated CD Transport - Black

Ten Kilograms Devoted to Reading a Disc

The DD35 is a transport. It reads the disc and sends the data out, and that is the whole job. Everything Primare spent here went into getting the bits off the disc cleanly rather than into converting them.

The mechanism is a TEAC CD-5020-AAT, the same drive Primare fits to the CD35 player above it. It is built for audio rather than adapted from a computer drive, and it sits in a low-resonance mounting.

Outputs are one coaxial on RCA and one optical on TOSlink, feeding a digital preamplifier, a converter or a surround processor. Sample rate is the disc's native 44.1kHz, passed on without alteration.

Why the Weight Is the Specification

At 10kg the DD35 is heavier than many full CD players. That mass is structural. A spinning disc creates its own vibration, and a braced cabinet is how a transport stops that movement reaching the mechanism.

Power draw is modest for the size, at 7 watts running and under half a watt on standby. A transport has no analog output stage to keep biased, which is where most of a player's idle consumption goes.

A trigger output lets the DD35 be switched on by another component, such as an I35 amplifier. The cabinet measures 430 by 385 by 106mm and comes in black or titanium.

Who Is This Transport Best For?

• You already own a converter you rate — the DD35 hands your discs to it whole, so the money here bought a better drive rather than a second-best DAC you would not have chosen.
• You want the disc held absolutely still — a TEAC CD-5020-AAT in a low-resonance mounting inside a 10kg cabinet is the whole argument for a separate transport.
• Your preamplifier has digital inputs — coaxial and optical outputs feed a digital preamplifier or surround processor directly, with no converter needed in between.
• You are building a Primare 35 system — it matches the PRE35 and I35 in size and finish, and a trigger output switches it on with them.
• You want to choose the sound later — because the conversion happens downstream, changing your DAC changes the character of your CDs without touching the mechanism. Browse our digital-to-analog converters.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the coaxial output to a digital input on your converter or digital preamplifier. Use the optical output instead if that socket is already taken by something else.

The trigger output can be wired to a Primare amplifier so the two power up together. Beyond that there is nothing to configure, because there is nothing else in the signal path.

Pairs Well With

Building around the DD35? Here are some great companions:

• DAC: The converter this transport was built to feed — see our Digital to Analog Converters.
• Preamplifier: The PRE35 has digital inputs ready — see our Preamplifiers.
• Digital Cables: A proper 75-ohm coaxial run — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Equipment Rack: Support for a 10kg transport — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have a converter or analog outputs?

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

Which mechanism does it use?

A TEAC CD-5020-AAT, the same drive Primare fits to the CD35, mounted to keep resonance low.

What is the trigger output for?

It lets another component, such as a Primare I35, switch the DD35 on and off with the rest of the system.

What sample rate does it output?

44.1kHz, which is the rate a CD holds. The data leaves as it was read, without upsampling.

How big is it, and what does it draw?

430 by 385 by 106mm and 10kg, in black or titanium, drawing 7 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

Primare's Terry Medalen introduces the DD35 transport and the CD35 platform it comes from:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about CD transports, choosing a converter, or vibration control? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.