Quad 3-CDT CD Transport
Quad 3-CDT CD Transport
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The QUAD 3CDT is a dedicated compact CD transport designed as the ideal digital companion to the QUAD 3 integrated amplifier. Inspired by QUAD's classic 1960s preamplifier designs, the 3CDT pairs a retro two-tone aesthetic with high-precision digital transport engineering. By separating the disc playback hardware from internal DAC and analog output circuitry, the 3CDT eliminates electrical interference and ground noise, delivering a pristine digital bitstream to any external DAC or digital-equipped amplifier.
Housed in a rigid 30 cm-wide aluminum chassis, the 3CDT incorporates a custom Sanyo-derived CD mechanism paired with Quad-specific servo ICs, decoders, and a dual-core 32-bit RISC CPU architecture. To eradicate timing jitter, the master clock is driven by an ultra-precision, temperature-controlled crystal oscillator with its own independent linear regulator. Powered by a high-grade toroidal transformer, the internal power supply completely isolates the motor and laser servo circuits from the digital audio decoder stage, ensuring pristine S/PDIF digital output via coaxial and optical connections.
KEY FEATURES & PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES
- Dedicated CD Transport Architecture: Pure digital transport design isolates disc retrieval hardware from analog/DAC circuitry to eliminate electrical crosstalk and noise.
- Custom Sanyo-Derived Optical Mechanism: Custom-integrated with Quad-specific CD servo ICs and decoders for accurate optical tracking and reliable playback of dirty or scratched discs.
- Dual-Core 32-Bit RISC CPU Servo Control: Robust processing framework featuring a high-performance 32-bit RISC processor and dedicated MCU for precise servo control and error correction.
- Temperature-Controlled Master Clock: Ultra-precision crystal oscillator master clock powered by an independent linear regulator and isolated ground scheme to eliminate power-supply induced jitter.
- Isolated Toroidal Power Architecture: Low-noise toroidal transformer with independent power rails separating motor/laser servo circuits from the digital audio decoder stage.
- Classic QUAD Heritage Design: Features a compact 30 cm-wide footprint, contoured fascia, two-tone silver/grey finish, and an iconic orange backlit LCD display.
- Broad Format & File Compatibility: Plays standard Red Book CDs, CD-R/RW, and data CDs containing FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, and APE digital files.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Category | Dedicated Digital CD Transport |
| Brand / Series | QUAD 3 Series |
| Model Name | QUAD 3CDT |
| Disc Mechanism | Custom Sanyo-Derived Optical Drive Assembly |
| Servo & Control Architecture | Dual-Core 32-Bit RISC CPU & Dedicated MCU with Quad-Specific Servo/Decoder ICs |
| Master Clocking | Temperature-Controlled Ultra-Precision Crystal Oscillator with Independent Supply & Grounding |
| Power Supply | Ultra-Low-Noise Toroidal Transformer with Isolated Servo & Digital Rails |
| Digital Audio Outputs | 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF (RCA), 1 x Optical S/PDIF (TOSLink) |
| Supported Disc Media | CD, CD-R, CD-RW, Data CDs |
| Supported Audio File Formats | Red Book Audio CD (16-bit / 44.1 kHz), FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, APE |
| Display | Retro Orange Backlit LCD Display |
| Chassis Construction | Precision-Engineered Shielded Aluminum Chassis |
| Chassis Width / Footprint | 30 cm (300 mm) Compact Footprint (Matching QUAD 3 Integrated Amp) |
| Finish Options | Matt Silver Front Panel with Dark Grey Enclosure |
| Manufacturer | QUAD (UK) |
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