Atoll electronique CD 50 Evolution

The CD 50 Evolution belongs to Atoll's Evolution range, the French manufacturer of hi-fi electronics. This is a compact disc player intended for a classic stereo system, designed to remain a long-term main source thanks to its upgradability: a digital input board can be added to it, turning it into a converter serving other sources.

Compared with earlier versions, the unit's design has been reworked on two fronts: the power supplies and the audio and conversion stages. Several manufacturing choices accompany this revision, double-sided nickel/gold-plated circuit board, selected coupling capacitors, heatsinks and thermal protection. The nickel/gold plating of the circuit and the care given to the coupling capacitors follow a logic of long-term stability, while heat dissipation and thermal protection aim for extended operation without drift.

The optional board, offered as a separate accessory, accepts signals up to 24 bit/192 kHz and relies on the converter already present in the player: the unit therefore does not duplicate its conversion stage, it opens it up to external sources. Its USB input operates in asynchronous mode, a principle whereby the player's clock, not the computer's, times the data received.

The remote control is supplied with the unit. It gives access to the usual transport functions, programming a sequence of tracks, random playback, repeat, and also controls other Atoll electronics: integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuner and DAC. A single handset is therefore enough to control an entire system built around the brand, which naturally makes this player suited to owners of an Atoll amplifier.

It is aimed at the listener who owns a physical music collection and wants to get the best from it without giving up dematerialised files: the optional board allows a computer or network player to be connected later, without changing units or stacking components.