Cambridge Audio’s Evo CD Transport Keeps Those CDs Spinning: High-End Munich 2023
Depending on where you live, CD sales are either dead or still generating a decent income for retailers. The used CD market in the US and Canada is booming, for the obvious reason that the physical format is very cheap and who can resist paying $4 for a JVC XRCD that once sold for $30 each.
Cambridge Audio is a brand that is “music first”, and this week it will have something really interesting, in addition to the new Evo CD transport and it highlights why this brand is winning converts. I have already commissioned the company with 3 components that are part of my daily listening and we have 3 reviews coming later this month from me and Chris Boylan.
Let’s get back to the music for a second.
A recent trip to the Princeton Record Exchange after the Record Store Day bedlam had settled down was pretty bountiful. 13 sealed Blue Note, JVC XRCD and Impulse Jazz titles for less than $58. I also bought 4 sealed Bill Frisell, Depeche Mode and Dead Can Dance titles for less than $40.
With over 2,000 CDs in my collection after nearly 37 years of buying them, it’s safe to say that I’m deeply committed to this format; they were all copied to LaCie hard drives connected to my Roon Nucleus, but I still have 3 CD players (Marantz, Audiolab and NAD) that are used frequently. I need a CD player.
I also can’t justify spending $30 or more on every record purchase.
Cambridge Audio Evo Streaming Amplifiers were a huge hit but lacked one aspect. CD playback.
The new Cambridge Evo CD Transport aims to fix that.
Building on over half a century of British hi-fi heritage, this premium CD component is designed to be perfectly compatible with the brand’s renowned EVO all-in-one series.
The custom-designed Evo CD helps you bring your CD collection into 2023 in style with S5 Servo’s advanced technology with improved error correction and faster disc detection.
Also read: MOON By Simaudio’s NORTH Collection Aims To Make a Hi-Fi Statement
Deep, rich sound with unparalleled clarity, the new CD transport delivers an immersive music experience in any space, and also showcases album art in the Cambridge Audio StreamMagic app.
Built to match the existing Evo line in both design and sonic performance, the Evo CD is built from the same premium materials as the rest of the product family.
Full metal loading mechanism guarantees stability and durability. With a sleek black aluminum top panel available with matte wood or matte black side panels made from durable Richlite material, the Evo CD is a sophisticated design element that is a stylish addition to music lovers’ living spaces around the world.
Cambridge Audio CEO Stuart George commented on the launch: “Go back to enjoying these treasured discs in your collection. With Evo now adding award-winning CD playback to the mix along with streaming, and the ability to add one of our Alva players, you can first enjoy your music in whatever format you like.”
The Evo CD joins the award-winning Evo family of products; Both the Evo 150 and Evo 75 boast state-of-the-art technology to achieve Class D amplification. The Evo 75 and 150 are Roon Ready with built-in MQA and feature their own groundbreaking StreamMagic software for digital streaming via Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz and more.
Specifications
| Multi-format playback | Yes |
| CD servo | S5 Servo (drive speed accuracy | data extraction | multi-format discs) |
| Seamless playback | Yes |
| Connection | EVO link |
| Audio formats | CD-DA, CD-R, CD-RW |
| Maximum power consumption | 20 W |
| Standby power consumption | <0.5W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 317 x 89 x 352 mm |
| Weight | 5.3 kg |
Price and availability
- Evo CD – $1199 (soon)
