Schiit Urd vs Audiolab 7000CDT - Which CD transport is right for you?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ธ.ค. 2023
- CD transport shootout! Which one would you choose?
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schiit urd
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audiolab 7000cdt review
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Which CD transport would you choose?
I like Schiit. Wait a minute.....
Audiolab
The remote does have an eject button. It's the eject symbol below the curser control on left side
Why does anyone need a remote eject function anyway??
Appreciate your honesty. I would choose the Urd because I like the company, their philosophy, and USA assembly.
All excellent points! I’ve bought so much Schiit gear this year lol. I might just do a roundup video of everything 😂
I love that your channel is called "Forever Analog" but I've watched many of your CD/CD player videos. Time to subscribe!
Thanks for following along on my journey through both analog and digital!
If you really think about it, CDs can be thought of as analog as well. They are literally holes in the plastic which is read by a laser. I bet you anything a laser can read the grooves in a vinyl as well if someone really put their mind to it. Would vinyl be considered digital then?
Edit: someone has actually done it haha: th-cam.com/video/mE4tO_dIDKA/w-d-xo.html
One technical feature of Audiolab 7000CDT, that wasn’t covered in the video, is the
read-ahead digital buffer, which makes it more tolerant of imperfect discs. Even though the general condition of my 3000 CDs is chiefly ”near mint”, I think the error correction is a handy feature for insurance.
I had a 9000CDT before switching to the 7000CDT. The 9000CDT had issues with my Audiolab M-DAC+ converter, but the marriage with the 7000CDT has been unbothered.
I discovered the mechqnical noise issue (mentioned in the review) today when playing Joshua Redman’s Where We Are album. Someone in comments suggested, that the noise might be caused by unbalanced disc.
I have an Audiolab (Schiit Modi 3 DAC) and I love it. Thanks for your videos!
Awesome and thank you!
A couple of things about the Urd worth mentioning - 1. connectivity and 2. CDRs. First, regarding connectivity, the manual is not kidding when it specifies max USB cable length of 2 meters. I tried connecting my Mac to my Urd through a number of different cables, and nothing over 2 meters worked. And, further, even for shorter cables, some worked and some didn't. You may have to try a few before you find a cable that works. (I ended up using a 2m cable I'd been using to charge an iPad.) I'm not having problems with the USB output - I use a coaxial connector to my CD. Second, regarding what kind(s) of disks the Urd will read, my experience has been the same as with many other CD devices in the past: most CD are playable, and some aren't. And what works on one player or transport may or may not work on another. And here's something else that may be important to some users: the manual specifies redbook CDs. I've read on some forums that the Urd will not read CDRs. NO! The Schiit device does not SUPPORT CDRs, but I've learned that the Urd works the same as other CD players/readers that I've used in the past, that is to say - commercially manufactured CDs generally (but not invariably) work okay. And most CDRs work okay but some don't, at a higher percentage of failure than with purchased CDs.
Thanks for sharing!
Great honest review, thank you!
Thank you for watching!
@@ForeverAnalog I am getting ready to purchase a CD transport and hook it directly to my Marantz 40N (for the time being). I like that you have an upgrade path with the transports that is not unlike changing cartridges on a turntable. That Denafrips Ares is high on my list as well!!
I am glad you have confirmed the better sound of a transport/DAC over a standalone cd player. I have heeded the same thing, and it now seems to be taking hold amongst audio buffs.
Please make sure your CDs are clean and not have any scratches. I have an old nackamichi CD player/transport which goes into loop with dirty and scratchy CDs, from the beginning ( brand new) while pioneer CD players were reading same CDs easily
Great point - my CDs are mostly all scratch free these days!
I like your pictures in the background! Beastie Boys and the legendary Minor Threat yesss. Good video!
Thank you! They are by the artist Nathan McKee!
Great honest and comprehensive review from Australia. Been considering the Cambridge CXC vs the 7000CDT A$975 before watching your video. The Schiit Urd is A$2,000 before shipping so its a different equation here as much as I love their products.
I’d like to try a Cambridge transport at some point!
Great review I have the audio lab 6000 cdt the button above the two source buttons is the eject button but you must have it in cd mode by pressing the cd button hope this helps have a blessed day
Thanks for the info!
Kinda like choosing your favorite child. Two awesome units! I only own two low cost Schiit products, Modi 3+ Dacs and I love them. I have them plugged into switched outlets on vintage amps. I have had the no read problem and cleaning the laser fixed it.
Outstanding as always Aaron. You seem to be happy/excited in your videos but it seemed even more so with this one. Love your passion & honesty. I have multiple Schiit stacks for headphones so I would lean towards the URD. Question for you on the URD. If you hit the "Play" button on the Urd or the remote, does the door close and the disc play? Thank you and keep up the great work.
Thank you for the kind words! Yes, pressing play on the Urd causes it to close and begin playing!
the eject button on the remote is the one left of the stop button
I really enjoyed the video! I am using the AudioLab 6000 CDT paired with the Schiit Audio Modius E DAC. Love that combo! 😎
Awesome! Thank you!
Neither! Only because I bought the Audiolab 6000cdt about 6 months ago and barely use it! But it is good. Nice honest review, no purchase price bias.
I was originally shopping for the 6000 until I found this one for a good price!
@@ForeverAnalog always nice to grab a bargain!
I bought an Audiolab CDT9000 that had the same problems-clicking and not reading some CDs. I sent it back to Audiolab who did an upgrade on the system and it now works perfectly. They know about this and have a way to fix it. So send it to them. I found them very helpful (in the UK)
Wonderful, thank you!!!
I have the Cambridge Audio CXC transport and a Sony UBP-X1100ES (for SACD, DVD-A and USB thumbdrives, analog outputs for SACD playback) connected to a Schiit Bifrost 2/64. I have one CD that won't play on the Cambrdige, but plays on the Sony. I made a CD-R copy that now plays on both. Another inexpensive transport is the Audiolab 6000CDT for $599, but can be found for $479. Thanks for another educational video.
Very interesting on the CD-R copy - I might try that and see what happens! Thanks for sharing!
I actually wish the Urd could stream from a USB thumb drive like the Audiolab. Not all my digital music is on CD!
Thanks for these videos on transports that you've done. They're very informative.
Thanks for watching!
Your 7000CDT looks to have the same issue / bug mine does, whereby if you open the CD tray, leave it to close by itself, it will get stuck at ‘CD Loading’. It does this with both a CD in the draw and out. You have to open and close again , then it will work as normal. See 5:27 on your video.
I have the 7000cdt and I have never encountered the defects you talk about and the remote control has an opening button. I find it has a very harmonious and pleasant sound compared to other players.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
I would feel that that I could take it for granted that a separate transport would be "whirry" free.
I just got an Audiolab 6000 CTP. It's fun.
Enjoy the 6000!
Audiolab is deficient in connectivity options however not mentioned is the fact that the remote has numbered buttons allowing individual selection of cd tracks without using fast forward. This is a great convenience for me. Personally I own a CDT 9000 Audiolab and love it. At 1500 it is also comparable to the URD at $200 more bucks.
Great point, thank you! The 9000CDT looks awesome!
Great video! I got an audiolab m-dac+ DAC, for audiolab 6000cdt or 9000cdt which do you think it's a better fit? Thanks!
Oooh. Good question. I haven’t heard those models yet but I bet you’ll be happy with either!
Operating quirks aside what your really comparing, along with any other similar comparisons, is the cost of manufacturing between the US and China. I wonder what Audiolab would charge if they made the product in the UK.
The only CD transport I ever had was in my old computer! Seem to do a good job of ripping and burning CD's.
The 'whirring' only occurs when the disc isn't centred/seated properly.
The Audiolab remote does have an eject button. It is next to the MODE button.
Thanks for the clarification!
About to return my Urd... after purchasing 4 USB C>B cables... I still cannot get audio out of the USB to a Yggy. (and their support stinks!)
This is a very helpful reveal. Also interesting, John Darko compared a Shanling ET3 against the Urd, similar results in that not a significant (if any) difference in SQ with quite a price delta. Down to features, as you’d explained. Thank you for taking the time to do this 🙏🏼
Love Darko and I hope to get my hands on the Shanling next year!
The Shanling ET3 top loader is shoe box size, has the same
sort of connections as Schitt at a more reasonable price.
Yeah...I'd love to get my hand on one!
Did you use Coax SPDIF - ideally using the very same cable - for both transports?
As for the problems the 7000 has -- the easiest but uncomfortable answer would be that the drive is slightly defective or would at least need readjustment, and these problems is exactly the reason why your seller decided to dump it on ebay.
Yeah I always use the same cable when making comparisons
@@ForeverAnalog thanks for the quick answer!
Just in case, in my setup the Denafrips DACs liked being fed via USB best. I don't have CD transports though, only streaming.
... maybe try Urd -USB-> Ares... Decent USB cable required, of course.
check out the Shandling
The whirring sound you sometimes hear could be from a CD that isn't perfectly flat. Some drives may be more tolerant than others. I've not had any noisy discs in my Pro-ject or Cambridge Audio players though (over a hundred discs over 5 years or so).
Very true! Although I always play the crap out of Songs From the Big Chair in all of my players and it only made that sound in the audiolab. Thanks for the suggestion!
If it makes a noise, send it back. The 6000 CDT makes no sound.
Should point out the URD usb output is ONLY for schitt's unison usb. So effectively only for connecting to a schitt DAC (with unison usb input of course)
They advertise it as compatible with any USB UCA2 standard dac.
The Shanling ET-3 also has a USB out. I think the URD, like all Schiit gear, is only a good value buy if you live in the U.S.
The Shanling looks awesome
Maybe the cd has some drm protection the audiolab doesn't recognize. Different transports do sound different IF your system is transparent enough. Watch this video. The differences (even over youtube) are huge. I just use old cd-players with optical out. Good enough for me. (sadly SACD is dead in the water and it's rights management prohibit using it with a digital output)
Agreed on SACD which is why I don't bother chasing it for my system. Thanks for watching!
don't waste your money on the 7000cdt. step up and buy the 9000 cdt. I have it, its amazing
I can understand how different DACs sound a bit differently: different conversion chipsets, different analog stage design, ets. Someone please enlighten me how different transports may sound differently. All of them either send an identical digital stream, or they are broken, identical in the sense that the DAC is able to decode without errors, not that the signals from different transports are the same bit for bit.
Does the Urd have a silent T?
It's invisible.
So, you've basically got 2000.- 2200 hundred dollars between the transports and the DAC. Would a better test be something like a Rotel,Yamaha, Denon, or even a Sony Blu Ray player, that does play SACD's paired with the 1000 dollar DAC?
I think the entry level Rotel CD player is 500-600 bucks,but has a optical out. Pair that with the DAC and you've saved yourself 400-500 dollars that could be used for more CD'S. Sounds like the Denafreps DAC is were the magic is.
Yeah I’m most likely not going to bother with SACDs due to hdmi requirements lol
@@ForeverAnalog Great review . 800- 1000 for a CD transport is out of reach for me. I like they you explain things. I hope the one you just isn't defective.
@@ForeverAnalogI like how you present your videos so I subbed to your channel, great content.
Thank you
Thank you for the kind words!
The Urd only plays CDs, right? No SACDs or other discs can be played in it can they? The reason I ask is because this confuses me as to why it has the 192 kHz / 24-bit capability when a CD only has a 44.1 kHz / 16-bit sample / bitrate capability. A regular CD can go no higher in its sample and bitrate And I'm wondering why the Urd has those higher bitrates and sample rates?
I've never had a CD transport and never really thought about getting one. But after seeing your video a couple of months ago, I've kind of been keeping my eyes open to see if I see any good deals on one. I still enjoy vinyl LPs and the sound and whole experience with them the most. But I've got tons of CDs also and hundreds of thousands of FLAC high resolution files of live shows and more rare recordings not officially released. I like both CDs and LPs and don't have a problem with either. And I enjoy working with audio files on the computer and then embedding metadata on projects that can be read or shown on the player or TV screen when listening to the music. I know a lot of players, and in fact most of them, don't read or display things like the song titles. But it's kind of cool when you can use the discs and components that do show the information also.
Keep up the good work! I enjoy your channel :-)
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
Correct, neither of these units play SACDs. I love my vinyl records but have enjoyed my journey trying to find a CD playback that I enjoy given CDs are so cheap right now (and I still have a ton from my college days).
It looks like that 192 kHz is for media other than CD, connected via the USB inputs.
@@patbarr1351 Ahh, okay thank you for that info.
@@ForeverAnalogNow the prices are going up on CD's in my area and at the thrift stores it hard to find good titles.
I'm thinking Shanling ET3...??
I’d love to check it out!
"sounds" (sorry) like the reason you got a good deal on the Audiolab is because to me it's faulty, not reading certain cd's, clicking noises or other unusual sounds coming from inside are never a good sign, did the ebay seller mention any of this in their ad, if not then you may have a case for full/partial refund, I would message them and see what they say, if they choose to ignore you then report them.
Very true, thank you!
You convinced me not to buy the Audiolab transport, although I like my 7000A amp.
try reference recordings,,,
strange . i tried the cdt7000 in a shop and it whirred unlike the cdt 9000
Interesting!
I don't like how either one of them connects to sources. If it doesn't have RCA in & outs, it's not for me. I'm more "analog" anyway.
I hear you - since these are transports, they do not have a built in DAC to convert the 1s and 0s to an analog output, therefore they do not have RCA outputs.
USB ports on the rear of a unit probably at the bottom are next to useless.
Strange they called it an 'URD'? All it needs is a T and you'd have a very unfortunate model brand and product name.
The fact it's 32bit 192k is irrelevant unless it's actually upsampling the cd in which case it wouldn't be a true cd transport. Although i belive the higer sampling rate must be to do with the USB connections.
The audiolab reads ahead so no doubt spins the cd faster so probably makes more noise, especially if it's not 'true'.
No don't the faults with the audiolab are why it was sold on ebay.
How are they better than my Denon 2910 universal player with Pacific Microsonics dac chip?
Great question. I only feel comfortable answering such a question when I’ve done a proper sound comparison. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for your Denon and maybe that could be a cool video next year!
Except that it is from the 1990's early 2000's and I just picked one up for $65 in mint condition. Plays hdcd, sacd, dvd-a. Some day I hope to hear the sound from these above cd separates and be able to compare myself. lol. @@ForeverAnalog
@@mondoenterprises6710 you’d be surprised at what I find thrifting every weekend lol! You never know I might stumble on it in the wild!
You must live in a busy zipcode. Electronics but for tvs have dried up in the thrifts around here, maybe being sold online. I find stuff on fb market and local cl and ebay occasionally. But increasingly slim pickens there too. Although I too stumble onto things occasionally. Like a recent pair of circa 1980 La Scalas with alk crossovers for $1600 I am currently enjoying! @@ForeverAnalog
That player of yours is over 17 years old. I'd suggest trying to connect it to a DAC made in the last 4 or 5 years and listen for any differences. There has been a lot of progress in that area recently!
Hard to buy a cd anything these days that has a quality drive in it. Reading reviews brings this to light. The Audio lab has a marginal drive.
What's going on ? Where are the power supply transports ?
I got a cd from a local legend he signd it an everthing. cd would not play on my player.dude goes an gets another new cd. same thing. buddy runs out to his old car an that cd played like a champ. cdr?
On the vid you are showing the slot loaded CDT6000. Are you awake___
Hi! Thanks for the feedback. I purchased the 7000CDT so not sure where you saw CDT6000?
Bluesound Vault makes cdp and transports obsolete.
save your money get a sony dvd player7700 player its the best
slot loaders can be problematic
So can trays, anything can be broken with sufficient enthusiasm :-)
This is why I returned by Audiolab CD transport. Every single CD I put in there got scratched.
That's pretty weird your Audiolab wouldn't read that one CD. I have the Audiolab 6000CDT and that thing will read and play severely damaged CDs flawlessly!
I agree - it's played EVERYTHING else I've thrown at it with ease so it must be something with that disc?
@@ForeverAnalog weird indeed!
You got one perfect CD player and then you bought another one for what this is waste of resources🤔
Yeah that’s also what my mother in law said lol. Don’t worry, I buy gear to review for my channel then sell it to hopefully buy more. As a small channel it’s the only way I’ve been able to get more expensive gear to review.
@@ForeverAnalog your mother-in-law is right I think she should have spank you for it 😆
I think the whole point of this video completely escapes you.
Not having an eject button on the device and the remote is a total and utter design failure. Is it intuitive to hold a stop button for eject? No! Not at all. What are these designers smoking. And for that price!
It's definitely my least favorite feature on the Urd.
@@ForeverAnalogWhat is the difference between a CD player and a CDT? First time hearing about these?
I also don't have any experience with a DAC?
Thank you
@@ForeverAnalogAlso never heard of an URD? I am from a different era😢
Actually it's quite logical. If you press stop on a CD player, more often than not your next press will be eject... So it saves you moving your finger to another button... Press stop then hold stop to eject. Sounds intelligent and helpful to me...and I don't own one...I'm not looking for one and don't own any schiit. Just thought that was cool. Also it is identical to many cassette decks that had stop/eject on the same button.
They are cd transports, dont let them worry you. They all do the same, and if engineered properly sound identical. Remember it goes like this 100011100001001110001011000011110100.
Dumb Ass
That's a big misconception. The digital signal that goes through a digital cable is analog. You can't send 1's and 0's through a piece of copper wire. What really goes through the digital cable is an analog representation of the digital signal. That's why its so easy to hear differences in digital cables. You should try doing some double blind tests. You may be surprised with the results.
Shitt looks like cheap china dvd player.
Definitely doesn't feel that way!
Stay away from EBay.
Check it's a legit /trusted supplier if buying from any sales platform, with a physical address. I prefer vat /tax registered businesses. Never had an issue 🇬🇧
I wouldn't buy anything with a sh#t name like schiit
Prize for worse company name.
Schii tUrd? 😂
I didn’t name it lol
Shame the Schiit looks like some generic junk from a budget electronics store.