Advance Paris X-D500

Advance Paris X-D500

Why a CD transport? A conventional CD player contains a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), allowing it to be connected directly to an analog input (CD/AUX) on an amplifier or receiver. A CD transport, however, does not have a built-in DAC. Since many new-generation amplifiers are already equipped with a DAC, it seems unnecessary to have this functionality duplicated. Even users of a high-quality external DAC only need a transport. In such cases, a CD transport is a logical choice.

Special attention to protection and control

The X-D500 is built on an extremely rigid chassis, which is divided into three compartments. The CD mechanism is fully shielded on all sides to prevent any interference from the power supply. What’s remarkable is that it features multiple power supplies. Both the drive section and the audio circuits have their own separate power supplies, resulting in two toroidal transformers for the X-D500. This attention to detail really makes all the difference.

Upscaling

16-bit/44.1kHz encoding was the highest quality available when the CD was launched in the early 1980s, but things have changed, and we can now record and distribute music at higher bit rates and sample rates. These formats have been used for many years in studio recordings and for mastering. The X-D500 adds upscaling to 24/96 or 24/192 kHz, enabling connection to a high-quality audio converter to achieve high-level audio reproduction.

Three connection options

The X-D500 offers three digital outputs: an unbalanced (RCA) output, a balanced (XLR) output, and the XLR AES/EBU output commonly used in the professional world. This allows for personal preference and cable tuning. In addition, a trigger input (5–12 V) is available, allowing the X-D500 to be automatically turned on and off when connected to an amplifier with a trigger output.