Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Improved performance compared to the Audiolab 6000CDT
- Features a high-end tray-loading mechanism, upgraded laser and servo decoder circuitry, and an enhanced power supply
- Provides a 'very detail-rich' reproduction, digging deep into the music, exposing recording tricks, and resolving fine details in sound
- Has an aluminum base and chassis that feels stronger and better damped than the 6000CDT
- Provides a wide open soundstage with very rich dynamics
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers felt the dynamic reach was a little too reserved, lacking punch and drive to rhythmically create a live and punchy sound
- Bass might not satisfy bass enthusiasts, the sound is described as being 'as far removed from dark, bass-heavy sound as it gets'
- Reviewers preferred push buttons instead of the rotary knob control
- The noise on the power supply is relatively high
- It can be 'slightly unforgiving of poorly produced music'
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audiolab 6000CDT: The 9000CDT sounds superior, more focused and articulate, teasing out subtle detail, and also has a new tray-bearing transport
- Vs Heed CD Transport: The 9000CDT has more space around the midrange, making the lead guitar sound like it's floating in and around the clouds, and provides better tonal balance
- Vs Pro-Ject DS2 Transport: The Pro-Ject offers far better bass and more focus on tonality and dynamics, compared to the Audiolab
Takeaway: The Audiolab 9000CDT is a well-built CD transport that reveals plenty of detail in music. With its improved components and attractive design, it offers a refined listening experience for CD collectors.
All
9000CDT
reviews
Manufacturer details
Model
9000CDT
General Description
CD Transport and USB HDD player
USB Storage Device Audio Format
MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV file compatible
USB Storage Device File System
FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 device compatible
Digital Output Amplitude
500mV +/-50mVpp
Output Impedance
75Ω
Frequency Response
-0.01dB (20Hz-20kHz, ref.1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.002%
Sampling Rate
44.1kHz (48kHz files can be played via the 9000CDT
but will be resampled to 44.1kHz)
Digital Output Interface
1 x Coaxial , 1 x Optical
Standby Power Consumption
< 0.5W
Power Requirements (according to region)
220-240V - 50/60Hz
100-120V - 50/60Hz
Product Size (mm) (W x D x H)
444 x 89 x 342
Carton Size (mm) (W x D x H)
514 x 470 x 161
Net Weight
5.74kg
Gross Weight
7.6kg
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Audiolab components strike a balance between detailed, punchy sound and refinement, avoiding harshness.
- Audiolab consistently aims for high value for money, offering impressive functionality and sonic performance relative to its price point, sometimes outperforming more expensive competitors.
Select products
6000 Series
- Position: Entry-level series providing high-quality performance with essential features.
- Description: Includes components like the 6000A integrated amplifier, delivering 50W per channel into 8 ohms and features an ESS Sabre32 9018 DAC for digital inputs. It offers Bluetooth connectivity and a moving magnet phono stage, distinguishing it from higher-tier models that may provide more advanced DACs and additional connectivity options.
6000A Play
- Position: Enhanced version of the 6000A with integrated streaming capabilities.
- Description: Building upon the 6000A, includes DTS Play-Fi technology for wireless streaming, allowing access to services like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz. This integration offers greater convenience compared to the standard 6000A, which lacks built-in streaming functionality.
7000 Series
- Position: Mid-tier series offering improved performance and additional features over the 6000 Series.
- Description: The 7000A integrated amplifier provides 70W per channel into 8 ohms, featuring an upgraded ESS Sabre32 9038Q2M DAC and HDMI ARC connectivity. This series bridges the gap between the 6000 and 9000 Series.
Omnia
- Position: All-in-one system combining amplification, DAC, CD playback, and streaming capabilities.
- Description: Features a built-in CD player, network streaming via DTS Play-Fi, and a high-quality DAC, providing a comprehensive solution for various audio sources. Its all-in-one design offers convenience over separate components found in other series.
9000 Series
- Position: Flagship series delivering top-tier performance and advanced features.
- Description: The 9000A integrated amplifier outputs 100W per channel into 8 ohms, using a high-end ESS Sabre32 9038 Pro DAC and offering balanced XLR inputs for superior connectivity. The 9000N streamer uses a Lumin-based platform, providing extensive file compatibility and Roon Ready certification, setting it apart from the 7000 Series with its premium streaming capabilities.
Our take on the brand
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Used
Audiolab
What if you spend more?
Nestled between the 6000 and 9000, the 7000 fuses premium traits into a pricing category that follows the mantra of class-leading performance. Outwardly resembling the sequential series and therefore offering a brand-wide visual aesthetic match, the audiolab 7000CDT improves on the 6000CDT with a new mechanism, USB HDD playback and a new full-colour IPS LCD screen! More compact than the 9000 series and perfectly matched to the 6000 and 8300 series, it maintains crisp ergonomics, high-quality engineering and an excellent all-round performance
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Genuinely pleasurable user experience that will work superbly in a variety of setups
- A tray type mech is gained which is impressively quiet and able to read a table of contents pleasantly quickly
- Looks, feels, and behaves at a level that would allow it to rub shoulders with pricier components
Product Considerations
- The display feels like it is scratching around for things to make its display do
- Using one handset to control both the amplifier and the 7000CDT is more of a chore than the reviewer would like
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs 6000CDT: The critical difference between the 6000CDT and 7000CDT is their mechanism, and the 7000CDT gains a tray type mech which is impressively quiet
Takeaway: The 7000CDT is a great CD transport that feels slick and confidence-inspiring during use, and it pairs excellently with the 7000A amplifier. Its build quality and performance make it a worthwhile addition to any audio setup
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive weight and solid feel as a full-sized CD player
- Sleek, modern design
- Disc tray opens and closes quietly, implying quality
- Sound is nice and well-rounded, with great detail and covering the whole frequency range nicely
- Excellent build quality and design
Product Considerations
- Track access speed is not quite as fast as older models
- May trick one into thinking it's a seriously premium product, and then, just perhaps, end up disappointed
- SACD playback capability is not included
- Does not have digital inputs to connect a digital source
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Outperformed the Rotel CD11 Tribute when it came to features and design, but the Rotel's output stage felt pretty comparable
Takeaway: The Marantz CD 60 is a well-engineered player designed to get the best from a CD collection, and it has a simple and luxurious sound. It is a great buy for someone who wants to keep enjoying their CDs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Hi-End CD solution, support MQA-CD; Flagship DAC chip AK4499EX, measured distortion as low as 0.00006% ; Support USB input, support 32bit/768kHz, DSD512, support MQA full decoding; Use 2 clock sources with low phase noise and high accuracy; High-performance headphone amplifier with patented PLFC circuit; With XLR balanced line outputs.
With optical and coaxial outputs, and can output USB, CD, Bluetooth; High-performance digital interface designed to convert input signals to SPDIF output for peripheral devices. Fully bonded IPS display and newly developed UI using tempered glass; Uses 3 pieces of high-end dual op-amps and lots of audiophile components; The use of 2nd PLL, eliminating the SPDIF transmission process of JITTER; the new self-developed CK-03 clock processing circuit, greatly reducing the clock jitter.
New self-developed CK-03 clock processing circuit, greatly reducing clock jitter; Support DOP independent display function, accurately determine the current decoding format. Built-in low-noise power processing, while improving power efficiency, lower power consumption; With a number of low-noise voltage regulator, to provide a stable, reliable, efficient and low noise power supply system.
Qualcomm Bluetooth chip, support LDAC (24bit/96kHz), APTX/HD, SBC, AAC; High-quality all-aluminum alloy chassis, supporting high-quality gold-plated output connection terminals; Japan Audio Association (JAS) Hi-Res certified; Equipped with remote control and full-function remote control. Equipped with remote control and full-function remote control
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Compact form factor with a solid aluminum chassis
- Fast CD reading due to the Precision Access Servo System (P.A.S.S.)
- Beefy headphone output, rated at up to 1W x 2 into 32Ω
- Top-loading design offers a unique and enjoyable user experience reminiscent of turntables
- Includes a wide range of features such as a USB-DAC interface, balanced outputs, and Bluetooth connectivity
Product Considerations
- May lean too bright in some systems, with a slight hint of harshness in the treble
- Headphone output is located on the rear, which may be inconvenient for some users
- The two-piece lid and magnetic puck system for top-loading can be clunky, and the puck is easy to lose
- Some reviewers experienced issues with the unit not playing less than perfect CDs
- Bluetooth receiver might be of little value to some, and a potential source of noise
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Rotel CD-11 MKII: PL200 is a little bit punchier and peppier
- Vs EverSolo DMP-A6: PL200 has better high frequency refinement and imaging within the soundstage, though the DMP-A6 has a wider soundstage
- Vs Arcam CD5: PL200 has better bass definition, transient snap and lockdown imaging
- Vs Cambridge Audio CXN-100: PL200 is similar in tonality to the Cambridge Audio streamer
- Vs Marantz CD-60: PL200 renders more information and offers more clarity
Takeaway: The SMSL PL200 is a versatile and well-built CD player with a range of modern features, making it a good option for audiophiles looking for a combination of retro design and modern functionality. It provides excellent sound quality and multiple connectivity options for various audio setups.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Like the matching M2si integrated amplifier, the M2scd is designed as serious hi-fi available at a modest price. From the fine fit and finish of its metal casework to the unique technology sitting inside, the M2scd exceeds expectations. The M2scd builds on our years of engineering expertise, uniquely featuring both a mains choke filter and a high-tech digitalstream noise filter. Such innovations enable the player to deliver technical performance; it boasts low distortion and a virtually flat frequency response, plus minimal noise and jitter. The M2scd's DAC design also draws from its high-end siblings, using cutting-edge technology to ensure excellent data recovery from your discs. Simply put, that means you'll hear more from your music. Reviews say "a very mature and polished performer", which "sounds refined and elegant".
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Clear and detailed sound with good separation and transparency
- Sleek, fuss-free design with robust construction
- Quality slot-loading CD mechanism that operates smoothly and reliably
- 24-bit Delta-Sigma dual differential DAC with 8x oversampling for excellent data recovery
- Coaxial and optical digital outputs, as well as analog RCA outputs
Product Considerations
- Bright blue display's viewing angles could be better
- Remote control has an odd layout for the transport controls
- In terms of its ability to portray harmonics, it loses out to better DACs
- Lacks digital inputs and streaming functions
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Marantz CD6006 UK, the M2sCD offers a leveled up performance
- Compared to the Cyrus CDi, the Cyrus CDi offers a harder edge and extra bite
- The M2sCD is on par with the Audiolab
Takeaway: The Musical Fidelity M2sCD is a well-built CD player that delivers a refined and enjoyable listening experience. Its clear and detailed sound, combined with its sleek design, makes it a good choice for CD listeners.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Superb build quality, considering the low cost, features an aluminum front panel and metal chassis
- Astonishing sound and flexibility for the money
- Reads CD-Rs, including discs that older players may no longer recognize
- Performs way beyond what its price point would suggest
- Music sounds more fun than might be expected, considering its budget price
Product Considerations
- Cannot program the tracklist into a different running order
- Front panel controls are limited, the remote control is needed for full functionality
- There is no drawer, CDs are inserted into a slot
- Far from being a perfect-sounding player
- The CD player was very tame and relaxed, so to get more out of this sound it will be necessary to work with a good synergy
Takeaway:
The CD Box E is a great choice for a budget-friendly system and will likely be a standout component. It is a cheerful CD player that delivers surprisingly good performance for the price, making music more enjoyable.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sounds 'really, really good' and 'sounds great'
- Plays MP3s
- Dedicated buttons for each disc make selection quicker
Product Considerations
- The upper end may sound a 'little flatter' due to the DAC
- The display does not show what song is playing
Takeaway: The DX-C390 is a good sounding CD player that allows loading of multiple CDs. It's a great way to enjoy a CD collection without constant disc switching.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Employs the ESS ES9018K2M Sabre 32bit/384 kHz audio DAC chip, which is a great value at its price
- Features vibration dampening feet
- Reproduces a very neutral sound
- The DAC cannot be accessed for other sources
- Supports Red Book audio only, and does not play high-res disc formats such as SACD, or DVD-Audio
- The Music Hall CD25.3 is only warranted for one year, according to one reviewer
Product Considerations
- The DAC cannot be accessed for other sources
- Supports Red Book audio only, and does not play high-res disc formats such as SACD, or DVD-Audio
- The Music Hall CD25.3 is only warranted for one year, according to one reviewer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Rotel CD 11 Tribute, it is very comparably priced and certainly a player to consider if looking for a source in this price range
- Compared to the Audiolab 6000 CDT, if one already has a DAC that they love and just want to add CD playback, the Audiolab 6000 CDT could be worth a look
- Compared to the Pro-Ject CD Box S3, it features a comparable DAC to the ESS chip Music Hall has used
Takeaway: The Music Hall CD25.3 is a solid choice for playing CDs because it has good build quality and reproduces neutral sound. If you have a lot of CDs and want a dedicated player, this could be a good fit.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Combines the convenience of uninterrupted music from five CDs with great sound quality and ease of use
- The 'Play X Change' feature is a solution for changing CDs, allowing music to continue playing while inserting new CDs
- Changing discs is quick and almost silent
- Has a large soundstage and the sound is pleasant
- Can also play home-burned CD-R(RW) discs, and has a USB input on the front for memory sticks with music
Product Considerations
- The 'Play X Change' button is only on the front of the player, not on the remote control
- Dynamic contrasts are audibly more subdued than from a Marantz CD60
- Dynamics do not sparkle and the sound is a bit too polished, focusing more on timbre than on dynamics
- Has no network connections of any kind
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Marantz CD60: Dynamic contrasts are audibly more subdued
Takeaway: The Yamaha CD-C603 is great for enjoying hours of uninterrupted music from CDs with good sound quality. It offers a way to keep the music playing, especially with a large CD collection.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Basic RCA cables, remote control, and power cord are included
- Supports multiple file types via USB, including FLAC, M4A, MP3, WMA, and WAV
- Expected to be reliable over the long term
- Can control the functions of the CD player from a Yamaha A-S301 remote control
Product Considerations
- The reviewer received the product box opened and without protective packaging
- The button feel on the included remote is considered inferior to the remote that comes with the Yamaha A-S301
- The CD tray feels flimsy
- The CD text display functionality is not very useful
- Playback is not as good as older players for CDs in marginal condition
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Yamaha A-S301: The remote control has inferior button feel to the A-S301
Takeaway: The Yamaha CD-S303 plays CDs and supports multiple file types, so it's useful if one has CDs and digital music files to play. It is expected to last a long time, so it's good for playing CDs for years to come
Video review
Our take on the brand
How to buy
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