NuPrime CDT-9

The NuPrime CDT-9 is a CD transport designed for the precise playback of audio discs, without a built-in digital-to-analogue conversion stage. It is aimed at those wishing to pair a dedicated transport with an external converter, taking advantage of mechanics and electronics designed to limit the reading defects inherent to the CD format.

The unit is built around a Sony KHM-313 transport and laser pickup assembly, controlled by a Philips SAA7824HL laser chip handling reading, writing and decoding. Overall control and error correction are handled by an ARM LPC2103F processor, with a DSP-based decoder that applies the error correction capabilities of the Red Book format while managing the master clock of the entire system, thereby limiting digital jitter. The CDT-9 supports CD-DA, CD-R and CD-RW discs.

A selectable sampling rate converter allows resampling of the signal read from the CD, in both PCM and DSD, from 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz or DoP256 depending on the output used. Conversion passes through megahertz-range oversampling before reaching the target frequency, with the aim of reducing jitter and distortion. The unit features four digital outputs with differing capabilities: an optical output up to 24-bit / 192 kHz (DoP64), a coaxial output with a dedicated isolation transformer up to 24-bit / 768 kHz (DoP256), a low-jitter HDMI I2S output intended for professional use up to 24-bit / 768 kHz (DoP256), and an AES/EBU output up to 24-bit / 768 kHz (DoP256). The power transformer is a custom shielded professional type R model, and the unit rests on NuPrime isolating feet designed to limit the transmission of vibrations.

This transport is aimed at audiophiles and users who already own a high-quality external digital-to-analogue converter and wish to pair it with a mechanically and digitally refined CD source. The choice between several types of digital outputs allows it to be integrated into a variety of systems, including professionally oriented equipment via the HDMI I2S output.