AUDIO RESEARCH CD6SE
Audio Research has released an updated version of its CD6 CD Player/ DAC… the Audio Research CD6SE. The new CD6SE’s faceplate closely matches that of Audio Research’s Foundation and Reference-series components to enable a uniform look across the latest 2019 model platforms. However the new CD6SE also has the latest V3.0 USB audio card, providing compatibility with macOS, Windows 10, and any Linux-based system that supports ALSA devices. This feature allows full streaming capability from products such as Aurender and Roon’s Nucleus. This USB audio card offers a state-of-the-art FPGA design to appropriately re-clock data and formats. Whereas the original CD6 had two TOSlink inputs, this new CD6SE has only one TOSlink input but adds an AES/EBU input. All these digital inputs are 24/192k capable. The Audio Research CD6SE uses a Philips Pro2 CD transport, which has a three-beam GaAlAs semiconductor laser and grating unit with holographic diffraction light pen and a digitally-controlled low-inertia linear positioning actuator. Digital-to-analogue conversion is done using quad 24-bit DACs running in mono mode, with dual master oscillators—one for 44.1/88.2/176.4 sample rates; the other for 48/96/192kHz sample rates.
Sample rate conversion is selectable for all inputs, allowing playback in native resolution or via upsampling, including compact disc and USB. Additionally, there is a selectable digital filter offering a fast or a slow roll-off. ‘ Sonically, this new CD6SE is a stunner, uncovering new musical detail in every corner of your recordings and providing startling dynamics, both micro and macro,’ said Philip Sawyer, of Synergy AV, which distributes Audio Research in Australia. ‘ The top end is extended, airy and pure, while bass definition and impact are precise and powerful. Like great analog, listening to music through the CD6SE draws you into the performance, not just the notes, with resolution and transparency that are in service of the music.’
Audio Research specifies the frequency response at 3Hz to 96kHz –3dB (192kHz sample rate), THD+N at less than 0.004%, channel separation at 103dB (at 1kHz) and the signal-to-noise ratio as 110dB. Available now, the Audio Research CD6SE retails for $16,995 (RRP) in either black or silver versions. For more information, contact Synergy AV on (03) 9459 7474 or at www.synergyaudio.com