Quad has announced the Platina CDT, a CD transport that completes its top-tier Platina electronics line alongside the existing Platina Integrated amplifier and Platina Stream network player.
Unlike a CD player, which combines the disc-spinning mechanism with a DAC in the same box, a CD transport outputs only a digital signal, leaving the decoding to an external DAC or an amplifier with a built-in DAC. The Platina CDT feeds that external DAC – or amplifier with internal DAC – via coaxial or TOSLINK. And guess what? The Platina Integrated includes a built-in DAC with coaxial and TOSLINK inputs, making the CDT a logical stablemate.
The CDT shares the steel chassis and anti-resonance feet of its Platina siblings, with a thick aluminium front panel and a 4.3″ colour display. That screen mirrors the IPS LCD panels fitted to the Integrated and Stream. The press release mentions metadata support and custom settings, but does not specify what either entails. The disc-loading mechanism is a slide-out drawer.
Quad has fitted a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) as master clock for the servo and decoder section, powered by its own isolated linear regulator. The intent is to reduce jitter at the digital outputs. Power supplies are reportedly separated between the motor and laser servo circuits, the decoder stage and the microcontroller and display, keeping the signal path clear of noise from other internal circuitry. The transformer is a Noratel toroidal unit.
Disc compatibility extends beyond standard Red Book 16-bit/44.1kHz CDs to include CD-R and CD-RW. A USB-A port on the rear accepts USB storage devices that support FLAC, WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3, and APE files, each playable at their native resolution. However, the press release does not specify how we control their playback.
No price for the CDT is given in Euros or US dollars; it is priced at £1499 in the UK and will ship from April. Your choice of black or silver.
Further information: Quad
