The Audiolab 6000CDT is a modestly priced CD transport that is highly praised by discerning critics and well-regarded by audiophiles. The 6000CDT does its job really well and delivers optimal sonic performance to its users. It is bent on reading the disc even when it is unreadable by conventional mechanisms. So what you need now is a matching DAC that can convert these digital data into sweet analog sound.
In order not to waste any effort made by the Audiolab 6000CDT, we will need to find the right DAC for the job so to produce the best sound quality from your audio system. Firstly, it is important to learn more about the 6000CDT sonic characteristics and merits. Once we have this knowledge, we will then prepare a list of the best DACs which you can go for and partner it with your Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Audiolab 6000CDT
The Audiolab 6000CDT is an extraordinary CD transport that uses a read-ahead digital buffer and what this does is to improve its disc-reading capabilities thus reducing failures. For instance, if the CD is damaged and/or scratched, the 6000CDT is still able to play it. To further improve the sound quality, this Audiolab CD transport has a high-quality master clock that is been controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator which will greatly reduce digital distortions/jitters. The Audiolab 6000CDT also ensures the digital signal extraction from a CD is as accurate as possible so that the highest quality digital signal reaches the partnering DAC.
We love how clean and sleek the 6000CDT looks, the minimalistic design will make it fit well into most homes and listening rooms. Furthermore, it will be quite easy to match this CD transport aesthetically with modern DACs. The front of the Audiolab 6000CDT has a CD loading slot which makes it look premium and elegant, costing more than its current price point. The digital display located at the center of the CD transport is just large enough for listeners to read what is been displayed without the need to be very near to it. As of now, there are 2 finishes to choose from, black and silver.
More Details at Amazon – Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport
Audiolab 6000CDT does its one job really well and is able to bring out a spacious soundstage that is wide and has ample depth. The soundstage is vivid and alive partly thanks to its amazing stereo imaging, precisely placing the musicians on the stage. Each musician is highly defined and distinct, the stereo separation and spacing are equally impressive as well. The high-resolution music presentation of the Audiolab 6000CDT immediately took our breath away as we weren’t expecting a CD transport at this price point to provide us with such an exceptional sonic performance.
The music details are in abundance, giving us a rich delivery of sound which is coherent and organized. Subtle nuances are plentiful too where you can hear the intricacies which bring the musical instruments to life. The vocals sounded natural and intimate with a nice balanced timbre. Bass are been accurately reproduced and have the agility to keep pace with the rest of the higher frequencies. Even with so many details been revealed, the Audiolab 6000CDT doesn’t sound clinical. It simply adds realism to the music presentation of your favorite tunes where you can immerse yourself into the holographic performance.
Overall sound reproduction is neutral sounding and the Audiolab 6000CDT also has a smooth music delivery where it won’t sound overly bright. The level of performance and sound quality you are getting from this CD transport is worth every penny been invested in it. It certainly deserves to be paired with an equally remarkable D/A converter and will scale really well with higher-end models. With this data that we have gathered, we can now share with you the best DACs which you can go for and match them with your Audiolab 6000CDT.
Audiolab 6000CDT Specifications
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Max Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz
- Output Impedance: 75 Ohms
- Outputs: Digital Coaxial, TOSLINK Optical
- Dimension (W x H x D): 445mm x 80mm x 307mm | 17.5″ x 3.15″ x 12.1″
- Weight: 5.4kg (12lbs)
Best DACs to pair with Audiolab 6000CDT
The Chord Qutest is one of the best DACs to pair with your Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport. This is an award-winning D/A converter that has a neutral sonic characteristic and will match suitably well with the 6000CDT. It also adds a bit more clarity and precision into the overall sound reproduction, giving you a high-resolution music presentation. The accuracy and timing are astounding, able to shift to full gear when the music calls for and swiftly bring it down when it needed to. It is highly recommended to check them out and will certainly be worth your time to arrange an audition with them.
More Details at Amazon – Chord Qutest DAC
The Audiolab 6000A will be an excellent choice for listeners who are looking for an integrated amplifier with a built-in DAC that will match really well with their Audiolab 6000CDT. Both HiFi components are from the same company and series, so you can be assured their sound signatures will work together seamlessly. The 6000A uses an ES9018 Sabre32 Reference chip which will convert the digital data extracted by 6000CDT and delivers sound quality that has a wide dynamic range with extremely low noise. The Audiolab 6000A spacious music presentation will complement the Audiolab 6000CDT too.
More Details at Amazon – Audiolab 6000A Integrated Amp DAC
The Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 will be of the best DACs to partner up with the Audiolab 6000CDT. It is a well-regarded D/A converter with full and warmish sound quality, providing you with a more full-bodied music presentation. The overall bass performance is punchy and can land a thumping kick which will entertain you throughout the music listening session. Its low-end performance has accuracy and agility as well. The Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 may have a warm presentation but it doesn’t muddle the details which really makes it a suitable match with the Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport.
More Details at Amazon – Schiit Bifrost 2 True Multibit Autonomy DAC
The Audiolab M-DAC+ is another amazing D/A converter made by the coveted Audiolab themselves and their sonic signatures will match well with the Audiolab 6000CDT. This is another award-winning DAC that possesses exceptional sonic performance and can process audio data up to 32-bit/384kHz via USB. It is loaded with features such as the Filter Options for PCM files, USB Type-A connections, and more. Audiolab M-DAC+ is capable of producing a realistic and spacious soundstage filled with details. The stereo imaging of the M-DAC+ is impeccable and delivers a holographic sonic performance.
More Details at Amazon – Audiolab M-DAC+ – Silver
BorderPatrol SE-i DAC is a high-quality DAC with 4 different versions to choose from, giving you the flexibility to choose the version that will fit well with your Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport. The SE-i DAC has an EZ80 vacuum tube which you can choose to use or not. It is a DAC capable of delivering a detailed music presentation with clarity, the overall sound reproduction has a hint of warmth and smoothness to it. With the tube turned on, the warmth in the sound quality is even more apparent. The clean and pleasing sound quality has a certain allure that makes you want to keep playing your favorite music.
If you have a tight budget then you might want to check out Schiit Audio Modius which is a talented DAC with a very modest price tag. The sound staging and stereo imaging of the Schiit Audio Modius will match nicely with the Audiolab 6000CDT. It is certainly a D/A converter that knows how to deliver an enjoyable music listening experience and the sound quality it produces belongs to one of the very best in its price range. The TOPPING E30 will be another excellent DAC with a reasonable price tag. It can support DSD512 and 32bit/768kHz (PCM), providing tons of value to its users, and will be an ideal DAC partner for your Audiolab 6000CDT without the need to break the bank.
More Details at Amazon – Schiit Modius Balanced DAC (Silver)
More Details at Amazon – TOPPING E30 DAC AK4493 32Bit/768kHz DSD512 (Black)
To Sum It Up
These are some of the best matching DACs that you can choose to pair with your Audiolab 6000CDT. It is recommended to select the ones you are interested in and arrange an audition with them. From the auditioning of these chosen DACs, you will be able to find out which one of them sounds the best to you. You might want to do a side-by-side comparison with these D/A converters so that you can hear the difference in sound quality much easier. It is also highly suggested to use your favorite songs and music during the DAC auditions.
