LEAK CDT, CD TRANSPORT REVIEW. FULL REVIEW, CLOSE UP AND SOUND COMPARISON WITH THE AUDIOLAB 6000CDT!

Offering a retro look and a compact form factor, this new CD transport is intriguing both inside and outside. Paul Rigby reviews.
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REFERENCE
Pro-Ject RPM3 turntable
Funk Firm Little Super Deck
Goldring 1042 Cartridge
Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
Trichord Dino phono amplifier
Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport
iFi iOne & Benchmark DACs
Audiolab 6000A amplifier
Spendor S3/5R and A1 speakers
Tellurium Q cabling
Blue Horizon Professional Rack System
Harmonic Resolution Systems Noise Reduction Components
CAD GC1 Ground Controls
Air Audio AC-2K Balanced Transformer
Russ Andrews RF Router Mk.II
All vinyl was cleaned via a Degritter ultrasonic cleaner

[@warrenraye1126]

Great stuff Paul, been waiting for this one for a while. 😉 Appreciate the comparison with the Audiolab 6000 CDT and amp pairings 👍

[@yippie6862]

That's a nice looking Audiolab 6000 CDT :). Interesting the Leak does sound slightly different. Great review.

[@nasskhan4543]

Another great review. I recently bought the Leak cdt along with the Stereo 130 amp and Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers with Stands in a package deal with a well known hifi retail chain. Very happy with the Sound quality, looks & build quality. Btw the best packaged items I ever bought .

[@evowhite777]

I hope you got a nice "wood effect" turntable with that lovely package?!

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

I want the same way - Leak and Lintons and I have to say I am very pleased with the overall set up - very much so. I am not a full on audiophile and I have to be sensible with my audio budget - the other thing that appealed to me was the aesthetics and the wood finish that compliments the wood finish Lintons -- all very old school retro look / I also invested in a Project X1 walnut turntable and this for sure works well for me in my budget .. horses for courses and regards from Ireland

[@markadams9880]

Extemely informative review without ever getting too technical for most avid music playback fans.

[@pjc8682]

As always, great review. You keep up to the benchmark for reviewing equipment, you set yourself in the past. Joy to listen to!😊 Happy New Year 2024!

[@alandean2]

Excellent, clear and thorough. And thank you for the Rega Brio compatability assessment

[@stephenbarrow3352]

I've just bought both the CDT and the Stereo 130. Very pleased with them 😅

[@TheFloydindian]

Another terrific review Paul! Love the Labrador reference... being living with one... the dog & the Leak CDT! I haven't tried the USB port yet... intrigued by your assessment on the subtle difference. Thank You for all your hard & thoughtful work in presenting your reviews to us!

[@stefaandecroo6774]

Thank You Paul for this review. Exactly what i needed to know. Kindest regards. Cheers !

[@Glanton74]

Fantastic style of review, what a cool guy. Wish there were more like you out there. Now I am off to buy my 7th component this month.

[@sarahnewman8960]

Excellent review. I prefer the Leak. The Audiolab sounds too in your face aggressive in my system (Marantz amp, vintage AIR speakers). The Leak in effect tames the sound. Plus, the more compactly sized Leak fits better on my shelves. Incidentally, for reasons that now escape me, I have three DACs. I found little to no difference between them. In summary, I would say that the Audiolab and Leak compliment each other, rather than compete.

[@mhelenesephoto]

Hello, would you say the Leak sounds any more full bodied that the Audiolab?

[@SC-cr1lj]

Think I'll give the Leak a go after watching this - thanks for your good review!

[@PatBloomfield]

An interesting review but I'm confused how the CD transport affects the sound when all it's doing is streaming 1's and 0's over the link to the DAC, which does the digital to analogue conversion? Presumably, both CD transport devices were evaluated through the same DAC so you know it was the CD transport affecting the sound sonics. I'm considering the merits of the separate CD transport and DAC route over my existing CD player. However, another alternative would be to rip all my CDs and stream them so they would be accessible anywhere anytime. I would be interested to know the nuances of these setups and what are the pros and cons of each - perhaps a topic for a future video? :-)

[@Coneman3]

If all CD transports read all the 0s and 1s perfectly they would all ‘sound’ the same. But they don’t and this explains differences.

[@dynodin81]

Power supply, digital noise, etc - those things can change the sound.

[@pixym]

Hello, Thanks so Much for this great review. Maybe I will but one this week to Link it with my new Lyngdorf TDAI 1120.

[@howardskeivys4184]

I’ve recently auditioned both. You’ve nailed their sonic characteristics pretty well. I, generally prefer a more relaxed, effortless musical reproduction, but, listening to these 2 components side by side, blind testing them, the Audiolab, stood out! Just sounded clearer and with a wider, deeper soundstage. It gets my vote.

[@bburkie55]

Looking for a CD transport my choices were narrowed to the Leak, Cambridge CXC, and the Audiolab. This review along with some not so glowing reviews of the Cambridge pushed me toward the Audiolab. $150.00 off regular price clinched the Audiolab for me.

[@howardskeivys4184]

@@bburkie55 i don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Audiolab. It performs well above it’s price tag. A quality product at a competitive price, as, in my opinion, all components should be. Enjoy the music!

[@bburkie55]

@@howardskeivys4184 So far so good with the Audiolab, zero buyer's remorse. It's a great match with the rest of my system, Musical Fidelity V90-DAC, Musical Fidelity M2si integrated amplifier and ESS RM-II 6" speakers. What I REALLY LIKE about this unit, it has continuous playback!!. No more gaps when listening to CDs, as Dark Side of The Moon, Abbey Road, Zappa's Uncle Meat and Studio Tan or any other CD with tracks that segue.

[@AT-wl9yq]

@@bburkie55 Are you saying that other CD players or transports don't have gapless playback? That should never happen. If you're playing files, gapless playback can be a problem, but I've never heard of an actual CD player doing this.

[@bburkie55]

@@AT-wl9yq Yes that is exactly what I'm saying. I don't play files at all. It seems that most entry to mid level all in one CDs are built that way.

[@amarcy5369]

Hi paul very interesting assessment . I know you have a lot of respect for the Audio-lab CD player , and I remember you saying about the better the dack you used the more the audio lab would keep on giving . Now I’m not sure what gear you used with the leek , but would you say the same applies . Also is it me but when you show close ups of the front panel it does look a bit rough around the edges, not what we expect these days I’m afraid . They my have bought the name , but not the soul . So when i change my CD player I’m going for the audio lab . You are by far the best hifi reviewer on utube , and trust me I have watched a lot. Your knowledge and friendly demeanour are a breath of fresh air to a somewhat crowded market. I know you are a regular contributor to a well known hifi magazine , so when my subscription expires on my particular hifi mag I shall be giving your said publication my full attention . Best wishes and kind regards 😃👍👍👍

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Your comments exactly reflect my purpose here. I’m here merely to offer evidence to help you make an informed decision. if that decision is to buy a 6000CDT, then my work is done :)

[@amazoidal]

For me it's the Audiolab 6000CDT OR the Rogue CD-11 Tribute.

[@keithwoollen5745]

I agree it does look a bit rough from the front I,ve got the audiolab cdt I,m very happy with it.

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

@@amazoidal Rotel?

[@amazoidal]

Yes, Rotel Tribute would be a good comparison. Notice that no one tests with specs. We had better comparisons in the 70's and 80's.

[@classicrock7890]

Slot loaders! There have been reports of scratched CDs with some units of the 6000CDT. I would be cautious in using these models from IAG.

[@dynodin81]

No issues with my Audiolab CDT. Thankfully.

[@fletchermunson6225]

I've been listening to some modestly priced COAX digital cables lately. To take some anxiety out of a good cable match, you would find a good sounding bargain in the Mogami 2964 cable or a Canare digital cable available on Amazon and Ebay for about $40. (I prefer the Mogami as the Canaare is very stiff) Both perform very well at their price point and above. Up from that, a Kimber Model 30 at $95 won't disappoint.

[@TheOrthodoxMachine]

Need to speak to the dealer about mine but it occasionally when starting up makes a god awful grinding noise

[@paulhickey6896]

One noob question I have is how does the CDT colour the sound? My understanding is it simply reads the disc and passes the information to the DAC, which is where I would have thought and colouration would occur? Very helpful video, thanks!

[@nunofernandes4501]

Great review. Now, for the sake of completeness, a review and comparison of the Cambridge CXC is almost mandatory. Please, or my OCD will get the best of me. :) Oh, you didn't mention the DACs you used with the CDT.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Hi Nuno - the DACs are listed in the Description, under Reference. I've never properly reviewed the CXC but colleagues do express the preference to the Audiolab (or at least, they did before the Leak appeared).

[@nunofernandes4501]

@@TheAudiophileMan thank you, lazy me didn't scroll down. :) Do you think the Audiolab CDT hooked to a Topping E30 (which I already own) would beat my Marantz CD6006, or would I need a much higher end DAC?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

That would be a great start - then upgrade the DAC *only* when you want better sound. The 6000CDT should be fine for DACs up to around £3,000 or slightly more. Any higher, you'll need a better transport.

[@JBLClassic]

I’m considering getting this to go with my CXN. I had a Cambridge 840c that died after 10 years so I’m a little hesitant on getting the CXC transport.

[@nunofernandes4501]

@@JBLClassic I imagine the CXC would match the CXN's looks perfectly... And also, the CXC has a robust, specialized, very high quality transport mechanism and no dac or analog output so there's less chances something will fail.

[@derekclark7545]

Well well well, so they are not the same internals (6000CDT/Leak CDT) this is going to be an interesting audition when I can.

[@robertm8518]

Great review and comparisons!

[@jagmedrex]

One armed people in the crowd 🤪😂 love your videos 👍

[@jackturtle131]

Thank you for this review

[@mrkitewine7700]

Thanks for the review Paul. You mentioned pairing it with the analogue only Rega Brio amplifier; which DACs would you recommend in this case?

[@drde4010]

Nice review, thank you.

[@belarus_am]

I've bought Leack recently after using Rotel 1070 as a transport for a year. Listening to it 2 days, the sound is flat, bas is booming, vocal moved somewhere yo the second plan. Think to sell it, I don't know what to do even, didn't expect such a huge difference. Maybe it's not warmed enough? I'm using Arcam FMJ 19, Arcam ir-dac, Ricable primus coax, Black rhodium symphony interconnect and Focal chora speakers.

[@stephenbailey9969]

One certainly wouldn't want a cdt to color the sound at all, simply to accurately and without jitter or degradation transfer the digital information from the cd to whatever dac one is using. Reassembling that information involves the processing in the dac and the amplifier sections, which might create variations in sound. The real question regarding the cdt: is the Leak accurate to the source or not?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I think I answered that one in the video.

[@stephenbailey9969]

@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you for your reply. I was just curious about the technical reasons why the Leak cdt and the Audiolab cdt demonstrated differences in the reading of the source, as you stated between 'precision' vs. 'pulled back'. I also have to thank you for your previous review of the Audiolab 6000 cdt, as it contributed to my own purchase last year. It has done a wonderful job, spinning my cd's without a hiccough.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

@@stephenbailey9969 Sure - well that's down to the choice of parts and how they're put together. Take capacitors, for example. They all sound different. I've known some hifi designs who have sat on an office sofa and 'sound tested' hundreds of capacitors before they decide which goes into their CD player, amp or whatever.

[@lucabattanta9246]

Very nice video, could be interesting a comparison with the Cambridge audio cxc v2.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I haven't reviewed that so I can't talk about that product specifically, even though I've heard it within a non-testing environment. That said, I reviewed this amp from the same company which - I would say - retains a similar sonic signature. It's a 'house sound', you might say. so here's a link to that review. It might provide a clue or three for you in sonic terms, at least: theaudiophileman.com/cxa61-integrated-amplifier-review-cambridge/

[@fullblastman]

why wouldn't you open it up so we can see the quality of the build?

[@baswalpot]

04:46 Just look how sloppy the underside of display feature is milled out of that alu front plate. Ridiculous / scandalous really at this pricepoint for a "quality item"...

[@chrisguygeezer]

Leak users in the past were generally classical and jazz fans. I love most genres of music but, if I were to invest in a stand-alone transport, it would need to read SACD discs as well as red book CDs. A large percentage of jazz and classical issues continue to be hybrid SACD/CD discs

[@howardskeivys4184]

Isn’t the idea behind SACD’s that a standard, red box CD player can play them. I think the Audiolab CDQ is HD ready!

[@chrisguygeezer]

@@howardskeivys4184 only the cd layer, not the SACD layer.

[@howardskeivys4184]

@@chrisguygeezerI can’t remember, because it was 4 months ago when I auditioned the CDQ from Audiolab, but I’m pretty sure it would read SACD’s?

[@chrisguygeezer]

@@howardskeivys4184 No, it's CD only.. As far as I'm aware there are very few SACD/CD transports on the market. PS Audio make one that I can see.

[@howardskeivys4184]

@@chrisguygeezer how about the Morantz SA30N? Retails for around £2100 which is considerably more wallet, and wife friendly than P S Audio!

[@mhelenesephoto]

Hello Paul, thank you for this great review. Would you say the Leak offers any more of a full, rich, cohesive presentation than the Audiolab 6000. I have the Audiolab and while it has excellent clarity and startling dynamics, it sounds a little hollow/thin. For me the detailed presentation and degree of separation sometimes has me listen more analytically and takes me out of enjoying the music as a whole, sometimes. Do you think the Leak is much different @The Audiophile Man . Thanks for any guidance

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Full and rich yes but the 6000 is more cohesive. The negative aspects might be down to other areas of your system because I certainly don't recognise those issues. Without changing anything else in your hifi chain, though the Leak might be more to your liking.

[@mhelenesephoto]

@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you for your reply, I will try the Leak to see if it is more of what I'm looking for, the hollowness is only there sometimes with some vocals, for instruments it's spectacular, in my setup. I found your reviews and channel a few months after I already bought the Audiolab, you do a great job. Thank you!

[@rodneydavis1486]

Paul, Could you please give a review of the NAD M50.2 CD Transport? I own one and would love to hear what you think of it.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I’ll make a note.

[@biglovegowild9728]

I’ve just watched .. 2 years after posting, I didn’t get what you had paired the Leak cdt with in a dac. I’ve an opportunity to get a Nuprime Evolution dac but unsure of the combo or would it be better to get the 130 amp and use its dac?? I have a unison research valve amp Thiel CS1.6 speakers .. any thoughts? I’d like the leak but what dac to do??

[@edverbeek6292]

Or use the digital output of your old integrated quality CD-Player (with good power cable and internal fuse bypassed)

[@tomwebb7091]

Personally, when i compared this to the 6000 transport connected to the 130 amp and driving Focal Chora standmounts i couldnt hear any discernable differences. I would buy this to go with the 130 in order to match but i would otherwise buy the 6000 as its cheaper, more rack friendly and normal proportioned. Sound wise, no difference imho

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

I have the Leak 130 and Leak CDT in walnut and I really enjoy them - the only slight hiccup as you mentioned is they are not rack friendly - which to me is not a deal breaker - but it maybe to others -

[@YTMusic29Mar]

I'm a purist, if I want a CD player or transport / DAC then that's it, no more no less. USB inputs belong on multimedia systems, in my opinion. Totally wastes the aesthetics of what is supposed to be a retro looking unit also

[@rockfidelity8229]

Would love to get your thoughts on the outlaw rr2160.

[@jctai100]

So it sounds like the Audiolab has better jitter control?

[@JackieLeejuk]

A CD transport is just a data reader so NO sound involved . The sound depends on the DAC and amplifier/speakers/ room .

[@TheAudiophileMan]

A turntable is also a data reader. Nothing more than that. Would you say that a turntable also has no bearing on the final sound and that analogue sound quality is only dependent on the phono amplifier, main amplifier and speakers?

[@JackieLeejuk]

@@TheAudiophileMan No , a turntable is not a data reader because It is analog It plays back the sound from the grooves but also all the other sounds involved : hum,noise , cracks , and even feedback from the room . Even the pick Up and the tonearm produce sound ( noise ) that you can hear. A CD stores data as binary code this is the goal of digital .The data on the disc and the data readed are identical . Sound is analog thus the diference appears after the DAC transforms bits into an electricity impulse that carries the sound .

[@TheAudiophileMan]

That's a little selective, don't you think? And possibly a definition to fit nicely into a previously chosen argument, perhaps? I've always seen the word "data" as merely a niche label for a broader based information source. That is, as "information that has been translated into a form that is efficient for movement or processing". So that can be digital information sure but also analogue sound, speech, written text on a piece of paper, braille, vibration, etc. It all has to be read in some way by some device, organic or not. All information needs a reader of some sort.

[@JackieLeejuk]

@@TheAudiophileMan on digital domain as far as you don't transform into analog the original data and the readed data are the same . On analog domain ( sound ) the stored sound on whatever format you use always differs from the original sound . So the differences will always be on analog domain ( after DAC ) not on digital domain. It doesn't Matter wich CD reader you use as far as It can read all the data because It will have the same file bit per bit .

[@H.D.O.M.]

i prefer have 2 arms and be calm

[@marklong982]

I’m currently in the market for a new transport. I’ve narrowed my search to either the Audiolab 6000 CDT, Cambridge Audio CXC V2 and this, the Leak CDT. Do you have any thoughts on the CXC V2?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I have yet to properly test it, Mark but colleagues of mind have noted their preference for the Audiolab.

[@tonygiles9304]

Hi Paul, what one do you think would suit the moon neo ace ? .

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Hi Tony - do you mean in CD transport terms? Depends on your own sonic preferences but if you're into the Ace's neutrality, the Audiolab 6000CDT.

[@ivyong66]

hi every one

[@dynodin81]

21:00 So true! Lol

[@mechantl0up]

How does a transport impact the frequence response when it reads bits off a CD and then sends that stream onwards? Does it manipulate every one thiusands of a bit, for instance, while leaving others intact, to consistently affect those bits that code for mid range? Or what is going on here? I do not understand how a purely digital chain wuthout format transformations is supposed make the sound “warmer” compared to another such chain. Is the transport now also a signal processor?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Divorce the notion of digital, the data and the disc itself from the delivery system which dominates how the final sound will be presented to the ear and confuses just about everyone when you discuss the changing sound qualities of CD players or streamers. To give you one tangential example, the highest resolution *affordable* home format currently on the market is a vinyl disc. And I use this example because its high resolution is fixed and impossible to modify. If I play it on my reference system, that disc sounds sublime. If I take it off my £15k turntable and play it on a £50 Crosley turntable it sounds truly terrible. Same disc. Same music. Same resolution. Different delivery system. How the information is translated and delivered is more important that the actual data and during that translation and delivery, the sound and its personality can change. This is also why a 16bit CD *silver* disc can (and too often does) sound way better than a 32bit/768kHz streamed file. Streaming delivery systems have a way to go in attaining sonic maturity.

[@mechantl0up]

@@TheAudiophileMan I still doin't get it. The vinyl example is invalid, since as an analog format every part of the reproduction chain is subject to signal corruption. The wave form will perforce change at every stage that it is manipulated. However, this is not the case inside two CD transports. They output the same bit stream. There may be jitter introduced at the DA stage, as well in the disc itself in corollary of its recording process, but both timing-related issues are outside the control of the transport and are from its implementation point of view transparent. Simply calling the transport a "system" does not explain anything. Of course it is a system. All audio reproduction chains are systems. Streaming services create a whole lot more complicated system. They are not transports. MQA, for instance, turns out to be lossy or at least have lower resolution than CD when decoded. I believe sound differences between CD transports that function to spec (esp. their ports) are placebo. For instance, digital cables do not introduce jitter and hence sound identical. But even that cable is outside the transport.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

That's great. I'm really not here to change your mind on this. You asked my thoughts on the matter and you have those now. If you love streaming and the sonic output from that then that's all that matters. Your enjoyment of the music you love. This channel is not about nit picking or points scoring. It's about the love of music. We're all different and we all have bias and a niche to find. Enjoy your chosen vibes.

[@mechantl0up]

@@TheAudiophileMan OK. I do not think I talked about enjoying streaming, though. I think this was about whether there are sonic differences between CD transports. Thanks.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Sorry CD - I was talking to someone else about streaming, word stuck in my head :)

[@panblue43]

Hi! Sorry for my post but the leak and the audiolab are overpriced empty house only includes a transport unit. An entry level marantz is far better equipped and more universal. I mean that marantz has dac-so analog output+digital outputs too, adjustable 6.3 headphone jack connection, traditional reliable transport unit.For example the cd5005 was half price of the leak or audiolab and I dont think they sounds far better for this price. 🤔 My personal favourite (value to price) is the denon dcd720ae.

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

I switched from Marantz 6006 amp and CD to bought the Leak Stereo 130 and CDT in walnut.. and I really do like them - however I do think my old Marantz had better sound quality.. more punchy. So am am pondering on moving over to the Marantz 8006 - analogue amp sound .. as I play a lot of vinyl - sound boxes are Linton's / I am not bothered with streaming - but the Marantz 40N looks interesting ... and in the past I had a desire for Yamaha AS1200... :)

[@robertbrody4032]

I hunted for a CD transport and tried out Leak, Audiolab and Cambridge. NONE of these are bad at what they do, but if you own a fairly modern and highly resolving system, go for the Audiosource. Paired with the NuPrime IDA-16 & Magnepan speakers, the Audiolab is the neutral winner that punches well above its weight and cost. I don't like audio gear that colors the recording or limits it in a obvious way. Of course your choice of DAC and the system at hand will have a huge impact on which your prefer, but the Audiosource will be the more transparent of the three.

[@chrisguygeezer]

Please less full stops between words.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Sorry, that’s me. If you don’t like me then there’s plenty of other KZbinrs out there to choose from.

[@chrisguygeezer]

@@TheAudiophileMan nope, really enjoy your presentations. 😉