DESCRIPTION

Some people prefer to have two devices for compact disc recordings, one called a transport, which spins the disc, and another called a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which converts the ones and zeros into an analog signal for amplification and playback through the speakers. Proceed, a division of Madrigal Audio Labs, offers the CDD CD transport.The CDD includes an all-aluminum tray and can accommodate up to four different digital outputs. The rear panel sports BNC and RCA SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital outputs, as well as an AES/EBU digital output (on an XLR jack). You also have the option of adding a Hewlett-Packard ST optical output. The CDD employs a small memory stage called a FIFO ("First In, First Out") to combat jitter (tiny flaws in timing that can result in a loss of sonic fidelity). It works by temporarily storing the digital signal before it's converted to analog and sent to the digital processor. The signal's release is determined by an isolated, custom-made crystal oscillator with better than five part-per-million accuracy, ensuring consistency in the delivery of the digital audio signal to the processor. This same crystal oscillator keeps everything running smoothly by controlling the all-digitalservo used to control the rate at which the disc spins.Another company known for its CD transports is Theta, which offers a similarly equipped machine called the Pearl.-- EM