Audio-GD CD-7HE - CD Player Digital Transport

Audio-GD CD-7HE CD Transport

High-performance, reference-grade CD transport

The CD‑7 HE is a pure transport without an integrated DAC.  It must be connected to an external DAC for audio playback.

FEATURES

1. Built‑in regenerative power supply delivers extremely clean power, reproducing abundant sonic details with transparency while preserving musicality.

2. Equipped with an on‑board programmable FPGA implementing a high‑performance S/PDIF demodulator in hardware, instead of conventional dedicated demodulation ICs such as DIR9001, WM8805 and AK411X series.

3. Utilises Accsilicon AS318B 45.1584 MHz femtosecond oscillator. The 11.289 MHz clock signal is generated via FPGA processing, achieving approximately 12 dB improvement in phase noise compared to the raw oscillator output. 

4. Clock and FIFO technologies are implemented on output data to achieve precise synchronization between data and clock signals, providing immunity to jitter.

5. Four HDMI‑I²S output formats are offered for improved compatibility with the vast majority of DACs globally. Format conversion is processed inside the FPGA without external mechanical switches, avoiding distortion of signals and clock induced by mechanical switches.

6. A built‑in ultra-high-speed wideband isolator isolates the digital processing circuitry from output buffer circuits. It prevents digital noise from propagating to the external DAC and impairing sound quality.

7. The external clock input also features an integrated ultra-high-speed wideband isolator, which prevents ground current noise from the external clock system degrading the purity of the reference clock signal.

 8. To deliver the cleanest possible power supply, the unit is equipped with 17 built-in regulated power supplies, categorized as below:

              A: 1 set of pure Class A regulated power supply for HDMI, AES and coaxial output buffer circuits.
              B: 2 sets of pure Class A regulated power supplies for the regenerative power circuitry.
              C: 4 sets of DC servo power supplies for the RF stage, DSP, FPGA and other digital processing circuits.
              D: 10 sets of high-speed linear power supplies for the remaining circuitry.

Built around a precision top-loading mechanism, the Audio-GD CD-7HE CD Player Transport is engineered to deliver exceptionally stable disc reading with minimal mechanical vibration and timing errors. Its open-top loader design allows for rigid disc clamping and reduced servo interference, contributing to more consistent digital output.

At its core, the CD-7HE features advanced FPGA-based signal processing, ensuring highly accurate data recovery and low-jitter digital transmission. This is further enhanced by Audio-GD’s proprietary regenerative power supply architecture, which actively cleans and stabilizes internal power rails to reduce noise and improve overall timing precision.

Designed with Audio-GD’s no-compromise engineering philosophy, the Audio-GD CD-7HE is built for audiophiles who prioritize transport accuracy as the foundation of digital playback performance.

The CD-7 HE is equipped with a CDM-4 laser featuring a fixed laser output, which has been carefully calibrated to its optimal operating level. The laser power is intentionally not increased to improve the readability of damaged discs, as higher laser output introduces signal distortion, compromises sound quality, and significantly reduces the service life of the laser assembly.

As a result, heavily scratched or contaminated CDs may still be readable on players equipped with later-generation optical mechanisms (such as the CDM12, DVD-based transports, or other modern laser assemblies) or on units with artificially increased laser power. However, the CD-7 HE may not be able to play such discs.

The CD-7 HE is designed to read clean, original CDs with only minimal signs of wear reliably. By preserving the laser at its optimal operating level, this approach maximizes the longevity of the highly regarded CDM-4 mechanism while ensuring the best possible audio performance.