Shanling CT90 CD Player Revives Your Entire Music Collection with Premium Sound

Experience your favorite CDs like never before with the Shanling CT90 CD player, delivering Hi-Res Audio and advanced features for under $900.

Rediscover Your Music with Shanling's Latest CD Transport

There’s something genuinely magical about pulling out an old CD, placing it into a player, and rediscovering the music that shaped your life. Now, Shanling has given us a reason to dive back into our collections with their brand-new premium CD transport, the CT90 CD player. Launching just in time for the holiday season, this player doesn’t just replay music—it breathes new life into every track.

If you haven’t yet drafted your wishlist to Santa, this might just be the perfect gift to put on it. Why? Because the CT90 isn’t your run-of-the-mill CD player. It boasts Hi-Res Audio support and a suite of impressive features that will make you want to revisit every disc you own.

Meet the Shanling CT90 CD Transport

At its core, the CT90 CD player is a high-quality CD transport designed for audiophiles who appreciate precision and clarity. Unlike all-in-one players, it does not include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), so you’ll need to connect it to an external DAC to unlock its full potential.

The heart of the CT90’s mechanism is a Philips DA11 drive, paired with the reliable Sanyo SAA7824 servo. To ensure the cleanest sound possible, it features a specially designed linear power supply aimed at minimizing electrical noise that can muddy audio quality.

The Shanling CT90 showcases a sleek design with a clear display and multiple connection options.

Turning to connectivity, the rear panel is packed with options:

• USB-A port for connecting flash drives or USB devices.
• Dual AES/EBU outputs for professional-grade digital audio connections.
• An I2S interface via HDMI offering ten configurable pin arrangements, ensuring broad compatibility with various external DACs.

Upsampling and Audio Formats: The CT90’s Secret Sauce

One of the standout features of the CT90 is its built-in CT3 upsampler. This tech wizardry lets you transform regular audio CDs into much higher resolution formats—up to PCM 768 kHz or DSD512—when using an i2S connection. This means the classic CDs you thought you knew sound crisper and fuller than ever before.

However, the resolution does depend on how you output the audio:

• Via coaxial or TOSLINK: You get PCM up to 192 kHz or DSD64 through DoP.
• Via USB output: Limited to 16-bit/44 kHz.
• It also supports MQA and MQA-CD files, so streaming high-res audio is seamless.

While the CT90 doesn’t include Wi-Fi, it makes up for it with a Bluetooth module supporting aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs. This means you can also stream your smartphone or tablet’s music to the player without sacrificing sound quality.

A User-Friendly Experience

On the front, Shanling fitted the CT90 with a large 4.8-inch color display. It’s not just for show—it clearly displays important information about the disc currently playing or any connected USB device, making navigation a breeze.

Pricing and Availability

The Shanling CT90 will hit the shelves at the end of December, just in time for the festive season, and is priced at approximately $899. Keep in mind that final costs may vary slightly depending on import duties or taxes applied in your region.

This new CD transport from Shanling invites you to listen to your entire music collection anew.

Why the CT90 Stands Out in the Digital Era

In a world obsessed with streaming, it’s refreshing when a device encourages you to reconnect with physical media. The Shanling CT90 isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about elevating the listening experience. It respects the purity of CDs while pushing boundaries with modern tech to deliver audio quality that rivals high-res streaming.

For many of us who grew up spinning discs, the CT90 is like a bridge between the past and present, offering the best of both worlds.

What Makes the CT90 a Must-Have for Audiophiles?

• Premium Philips DA11 mechanism with Sanyo servo for precise disc reading.
• Linear power supply reducing electrical noise.
• Multiple digital outputs including AES/EBU and configurable I2S via HDMI.
• Advanced upsampling capabilities with the CT3 upsampler.
• Bluetooth support with high-quality codecs for wireless streaming.
• Large, intuitive color display for easy control.

Final Thoughts: Is the Shanling CT90 Worth Your Attention?

If you’ve been hesitant about diving back into your CD collection, the CT90 might just tip the scales. It’s a sophisticated, well-engineered transport that honors your music with the respect it deserves. And at a price point under $900, it’s surprisingly accessible for such premium quality.

So, dust off those CDs and get ready to hear your favorite songs in a stunning new light. Because sometimes, the best way forward is to revisit the classics—better than ever.

FAQ

• How does the Shanling CT90 connect to a DAC?
  The CT90 connects via AES/EBU, I2S over HDMI, coaxial, or TOSLINK outputs. It requires an external DAC as it does not include one onboard.
• Does the CT90 support wireless streaming?
  Yes, it has Bluetooth support with aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs for high-quality wireless audio streaming.
• Can the CT90 play digital files from USB drives?
  Absolutely, it features a USB-A port for connecting flash drives with digital audio files.
• What audio formats can the CT90 handle?
  It supports standard CD audio, up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD512 via i2S, MQA, and MQA-CD among others, depending on the output method.
• Is the Shanling CT90 available globally?
  The CT90 will be available internationally from late December, though final prices may vary due to shipping or taxes.

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