Quad
Quad 3CDT
Quad 3CDT
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QUAD 3CDT CD Transport - Pure Digital Excellence for Audiophile CD Playback
Experience the pinnacle of CD transport engineering with the QUAD 3CDT, a dedicated digital transport that strips away all unnecessary circuitry to achieve uncompromising signal purity. This precision-engineered CD transport represents QUAD's legendary philosophy of "the closest approach to the original sound," delivering your music collection with breathtaking accuracy and clarity. Built as the perfect companion to the QUAD 3 integrated amplifier, this compact yet sophisticated transport transforms CD playback into an art form, ensuring every note reaches your DAC with absolute precision.
Reserve yours today and rediscover your CD collection
Key Features
- Dedicated CD transport design with no internal DAC for ultimate signal purity
- Temperature-controlled ultra-low-jitter crystal oscillator (TCXO) for rock-solid timing reference
- Triple independent low-noise voltage regulators ensuring clean, stable operation
- Advanced dual-core processing with 32-bit RISC CPU for precision servo control
- Multi-format playback support including CD, CD-R, CD-RW, FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3 and APE
- Isolated power architecture separating motor, laser servo and decoder circuits
- Premium build quality with vibration-resistant chassis and electrical shielding
Uncompromising Digital Transport Technology
The QUAD 3CDT represents a masterclass in focused engineering, dedicating every component to the singular task of extracting pristine digital signals from your CDs. At its heart lies a high-precision CD mechanism paired with a custom-designed servo control system, meticulously optimised to minimise read errors, jitter, and distortion. Unlike conventional CD players that compromise with integrated DACs, this pure transport design ensures your external DAC receives the cleanest possible signal, free from internal interference or unwanted processing.
The revolutionary power architecture features complete isolation between critical digital pathways, with separate circuits for motor control, laser servo, and the decoder stage. This sophisticated separation prevents interference at the source, allowing the decoder to receive a cleaner, more stable data stream that translates into audibly superior performance.
Superior Timing Precision & Signal Integrity
The QUAD 3CDT's temperature-controlled ultra-low-jitter crystal oscillator serves as the master clock for the entire servo/decoder section, powered by its own independent low-noise supply and grounding scheme. This rock-solid timing reference ensures the extracted SPDIF digital output remains stable and free from timing distortion, delivering noticeably cleaner transients, tighter stereo imaging, and greater musical coherence across your entire CD collection.
Three independent low-noise voltage regulator circuits are dedicated to the CD servo system, whilst an additional ultra-low noise linear regulator powers the TCXO clock circuit. This exceptional attention to power supply design minimises induced jitter and enhances overall sonic purity, revealing subtle details and spatial cues often lost in lesser transports.
Perfect Synergy with QUAD 3 Integrated Amplifier
Whilst the QUAD 3CDT integrates seamlessly into any high-quality digital audio system, it achieves its full potential when paired with the QUAD 3 integrated amplifier's built-in DAC. This purposeful partnership creates a complete CD playback solution that sets new benchmarks for musical reproduction. By offloading digital-to-analogue conversion to the QUAD 3's state-of-the-art DAC section, the transport eliminates potential sources of electrical noise and distortion, ensuring optimal DAC performance.
Together, this exceptional pairing delivers a soundstage of remarkable depth, clarity, and musicality - presenting your favourite recordings with the emotional impact and technical excellence that only a matched QUAD system can achieve.
Timeless British Design & Engineering Excellence
The QUAD 3CDT embodies the brand's rich 88-year heritage of British audio engineering, featuring the same elegant proportions and subtle detailing as its amplifier sibling. The precision-engineered chassis provides both visual harmony and acoustic stability, with every internal component shielded against vibration and electrical interference. From the smooth-operating disc tray to the high-quality digital outputs, each element demonstrates QUAD's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to long-term reliability.
The compact, understated styling fits seamlessly into any serious audio system, whilst the classic QUAD aesthetic ensures this transport will remain visually timeless for decades to come.
Advanced Processing & Multi-Format Versatility
Powered by a robust dual-core processing framework featuring a high-performance 32-bit RISC CPU and dedicated MCU, the QUAD 3CDT ensures precision in servo control, rapid disc access, and reliable error correction. This sophisticated processing power enables comprehensive format support beyond standard CD playback, including CD-R and CD-RW discs, plus data CDs containing FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3 and APE files - making it the perfect solution for audiophiles with diverse digital music collections.
Expert Reviews
"The QUAD 3CDT exemplifies what a dedicated CD transport should be - uncompromising in its pursuit of signal purity and mechanical precision" - Hi-Fi Choice
"Paired with the QUAD 3, this transport delivers CD playback that rivals far more expensive digital sources" - What Hi-Fi?
Technical Specifications
- Digital Outputs: Coaxial S/PDIF, Optical TOSLINK
- Supported Formats: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, APE
- Master Clock: Temperature-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO)
- Processing: 32-bit RISC CPU with dedicated MCU
- Power Regulation: Triple independent low-noise voltage regulators
- Dimensions: 320mm (W) × 105mm (H) × 320mm (D)
- Weight: 4.5kg
- Available Finish: Silver
- Warranty: 2 years
The QUAD 3CDT CD Transport represents the pinnacle of dedicated digital transport design, delivering your cherished CD collection with the purity and precision it deserves. For audiophiles seeking the ultimate in CD playback performance, this exceptional transport offers uncompromising British engineering at its finest.
Experience the QUAD difference - Book a demonstration today call 01603 627010 email info@martinshifi.co.uk
