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CD Transport
What is a CD Transport?
TL:DR version: A CD transport is a high-fidelity audio component designed exclusively to read data from a Compact Disc and output a pure digital signal via coaxial, optical, or AES/EBU, without converting it to analogue. Unlike a standard CD player, a transport lacks an internal Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC), requiring an external DAC or digital-input amplifier to produce sound.
Traditional CD players have a built-in DAC (digital to analogue convertor) which means that there’s an analogue audio output. CD transports differ as they don’t have any analogue or digital to analogue components in them or any filters to improve the analogue sound. Instead they pass on the digital audio signal straight on to a DAC or an amplifier with a DAC via digital outputs like coaxial or optical outputs. Connecting to an amplifier or DAC via the digital output means that the signal remains in its original digital form for as long as possible, unlike traditional CD players.
As the signal remains digital and turns analogue at the very last minute and with a minimum of extra cables and connections, the signal will suffer less from analogue signal deterioration. This way the sound you’re hearing is much closer to the original recording. Some CD players do also have digital outputs so they can be used as a transport too.
