Collection: CD Players & Transports

A CD player reads the disc and converts it to analog with a built-in DAC, so it connects straight to your amplifier. A CD transport only reads the disc and outputs a digital signal — you pair it with a separate DAC. A transport makes sense when you already have a DAC you want to use for all your digital sources.

Yes. A well-recorded CD is bit-perfect 16-bit/44.1kHz with no compression and no streaming variability, and you own the music outright. Many listeners prefer a good CD player's sound to streaming the same album, and there's a huge used-disc market to explore.

Not if the player has a built-in DAC — most do, and it connects directly to your amplifier. Add an external DAC only if you want to upgrade the digital conversion, or route several sources (streamer, CD transport, computer) through one high-quality DAC.

A CD transport outputs digital audio (coaxial, optical, AES/EBU, or I2S) to an external DAC, which then feeds your amplifier. Match the transport's digital output to an input your DAC accepts.

Some can — SACD players read the high-resolution SACD layer, and certain units also play data discs with hi-res files. Check the product page; we list the supported disc and file formats for every model.

Yes. All Elite Audio has a showroom at 1921 York Rd, Suite 1, Timonium, MD 21093 for in-store demos and private listening. Call (443) 402-5055 to set one up.