ATC launches CD player/preamp

Will CDs and CD players become extinct? Just when the CD market is collapsing, Linn has stopped making CD players, and audiophiles are emotionally discussing the possibility of major labels ending the release of CDs by December 2012, another company has launched a CD player.


Just a few months ago, turntable specialist Pro-Ject entered the CD market with the release of two CD players (See http://www.hi-fi-avenue.blogspot.com/2011/12/impressive-pro-ject.html). Now, British speaker specialist ATC has just launched its CDA2 CD player-cum-preamp.

ATC CDA2 CD player/preamp

This news is so fresh that a shipment of 10 ATC CDA2 is still on its way to its Singapore distributor. It should be priced at around RM8,000 - RM9,000.


Strangely, you will not find any mention of the CD player/preamp in the ATC website, but if you google ATC CDA2 you will find quite a few hits.


It uses a Wolfson DAC which can handle up to 24/192 music files. The CDA2 can be used with your turntable since it has two line level RCA inputs. It can also be used as an external DAC as it has four digital inputs (two coaxial, two Optical).


It is also quite versatile as you can plug your Ipod/MP3 Player to it via a 3.5mm jack input. It also features XLR (true balanced) and RCA outputs, and a high quality headphone jack.


The pre-amp is based on the CA2 pre-amplifier. 


I found these details in a British website:


Features


●  Hand built in the UK
●  Low noise discrete design Integrated CD/Preamplifier
●  Precision Analogue Volume Control
●  2 x RCA Coax 75 Ohm SPDIF Inputs
●  2 x Toslink Optical SPDIF Inputs
●  2 x Line level RCA Phono Inputs
●  1 x Line level 3.5mm Jack Input
●  True balanced (XLR) and line level RCA Phono Outputs
●  Headphone Output
●  6 year warranty (excluding transport)
   
Specifications


PREAMPLIFIER


Frequency response (-3dB) : < 2 Hz – > 280 kHz 
Distortion : 0.001% (-100 dB) 
Input sensitivity : 640mV for 2V out
Input impedance : 13k 8 Ohms
S+N/N Ratio : <110dB


CD PLAYER


Frequency response (-3dB) : 20Hz – 20kHz
Distortion : 0.002% (-94dB)
Dimensions (HxWxD) : 90x445x330mm
Weight : 7kg / 15.4lbs