Pro-Ject CD taking a leaf from the Chinese

[manicm]

A 'transport' CD DAC. A CD player by any other name, but it's clearly been following what Shanling, SMSL etc have been doing.

https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/cd-players/pro-jects-new-flagship-cd-transport-has-a-built-in-dac-and-plenty-of-versatility

 

[nopiano]

It looks great doesn’t it? And I very much like the idea that former Philips folk have created a new transport as there aren’t many options left today.

It’s definitely a CD player though! ☺️

 

[Al ears]

A 'transport' CD DAC. A CD player by any other name, but it's clearly been following what Shanling, SMSL etc have been doing.

https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/cd-players/pro-jects-new-flagship-cd-transport-has-a-built-in-dac-and-plenty-of-versatility

Versatility is one thing but if you already own a decent DAC, wherever it is, it seems pointless to buy a transport with a DAC built in.....
Not for me as I am still looking for a transport that will also play SACD.
However, it will obviously find a market somewhere.
Question: Don't most modern CD players have a digital out??
And as for £1800??????

 

[manicm]

Versatility is one thing but if you already own a decent DAC, wherever it is, it seems pointless to buy a transport with a DAC built in.....
Not for me as I am still looking for a transport that will also play SACD.
However, it will obviously find a market somewhere.
Question: Don't most modern CD players have a digital out??
And as for £1800??????

Shanling, SMSL make several SACD transports - but your DAC will need to have I2S inputs. That's the norm today. DSD rarely, if at all, is capable via optical/coaxial. Which is why I say I2S should become the new norm for digital inputs. Coax/optical just don't cut it today.

As for the price, they are using a truly custom Redbook CD mechanism engineered by ex-Philips guys, an aluminium chassis, with a top-loading drive. These things alone may not fully the price, but then again look at Lumin streamer prices.

 

[daytona600]

.Project have offered valve outputs for many a year

Counterpoint , Cal audio labs made them in the 1980s

lampizator , audionote , Sw1dx , Audio research and many others still make them

 

[Al ears]

Shanling, SMSL make several SACD transports - but your DAC will need to have I2S inputs. That's the norm today. DSD rarely, if at all, is capable via optical/coaxial. Which is why I say I2S should become the new norm for digital inputs. Coax/optical just don't cut it today.

As for the price, they are using a truly custom Redbook CD mechanism engineered by ex-Philips guys, an aluminium chassis, with a top-loading drive. These things alone may not fully the price, but then again look at Lumin streamer prices.

I hear you and quite agree, however as a CD Transport it sort of leaves me cold.
As a CD player it appears very good.
If you want a transport then buy one. No point in paying out for an inclusive DAC if you don't need it.
I sometimes wonder where this DACs in everything is going....

 

[RoA]

Looks great but may have limited appeal due to its size?

Would look good next to the Nait50 though.

 

[Jasonovich]

I absolutely love the retro look!

Check out the link below

https://darko.audio/2025/12/quad-announces-599-vintage-styled-cd-transport/

 

[Deliriumbassist]

How are Pro-Ject taking a leaf out of the books of those other manufacturers? The non-valve version has been out since at least 2019, and the original, also 'CD Transport and DAC' they did, the CD Box RS, came before that too. I want to say 2014.

 

[matthewpianist]

It's a CD player. Emperor's new clothes...

 

[nopiano]

I absolutely love the retro look!

Check out the link below

https://darko.audio/2025/12/quad-announces-599-vintage-styled-cd-transport/

View attachment 10610

It was here too!

And it really is just a transport…

This 1960s-inspired hi-fi product is about to be on every CD fan's Christmas wishlist

The Quad 3CDT transport is yours for £599

www.whathifi.com