Kann ich den Atoll CD400 Evolution als reinen D/A-Wandler nutzen?

Ja. Er hat einen koaxialen, einen optischen und einen asynchronen USB-B-Eingang. Damit hängst du Fernseher, Streamer oder Computer an und nutzt die doppelte PCM1792A-Wandlung samt symmetrischer Class-A-Ausgangsstufe – ganz ohne CD im Laufwerk.

Was ist ein Top-Loader und was bringt er?

Die CD wird von oben eingelegt und mit einer Klemme fixiert, statt über eine Schublade zu fahren. Das spart die gesamte Schubladenmechanik, reduziert bewegte Masse und Resonanzen und gilt als der robustere Aufbau. Der Deckel bleibt beim Abspielen geschlossen.

Hat der CD400 Evolution einen Kopfhörerausgang?

Nein. Der CD400 Evolution ist Quelle und Wandler, kein Kopfhörerverstärker. Der analoge Ausgangspegel liegt fest bei 2,1 Volt und lässt sich nicht regeln – er gehört also an einen Vollverstärker oder eine Vorstufe, nicht direkt an eine Endstufe.

Was bringt der AES/EBU-Ausgang am CD400 Evolution?

Er gibt das digitale Signal symmetrisch über XLR aus, störungsärmer als koaxial oder optisch. Damit kannst du den CD400 Evolution auch als hochwertiges Laufwerk an einem externen Wandler betreiben. Koaxial und optisch stehen zusätzlich bereit.

Warum den Atoll CD400 Evolution bei HD Zürisee kaufen?

Weil ein Player dieser Klasse in eine passende Kette gehört – sonst verpufft, wofür du bezahlst. Wir klären mit dir Pegel, Verkabelung und ob symmetrisch oder unsymmetrisch besser passt, und übernehmen Lieferung, Installation und Service mit eigenem Techniker.

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Atoll CD400 Evolution CD Player with DAC, Silver

CHF 5'800.00

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The Atoll CD400 Evolution is a CD player with a top-loading transport and an integrated DAC that also accepts external digital sources via coaxial, optical, and USB-B, in addition to CDs.

The CD has been declared dead more than once. It stubbornly persists anyway — probably because it doesn't buffer, doesn't rebuffer, and doesn't ask anyone for a password. The CD400 Evolution is Atoll's answer to how seriously you can take that.

Why the CD400 Evolution?

Because it's two devices in one, without either being an afterthought. The transport loads from the top and clamps the disc down instead of shuttling it in and out on a tray. From there, two Burr-Brown PCM1792A chips take over — one per channel — along with a symmetrically built, discrete Class A output stage. The whole thing is powered by four transformers and ten regulated power supplies with 48,000 µF of smoothing capacitance.

What you'll hear

Substance. Voices gain body instead of contour, cymbals decay naturally instead of cutting off, and the bass simply stands there without pushing. Through the balanced XLR output, it gets a shade calmer still. And when you connect a digital source — a TV via optical, a streamer via coaxial, a computer via asynchronous USB-B — it suddenly sounds better than it has any right to.

Who is the CD400 Evolution for?

For anyone with a grown CD collection that shouldn't be banished to the shelf — and for anyone who also needs a good converter. Plain talk: it doesn't stream on its own; Qobuz, Tidal, and Roon come via a connected device. Its output level is fixed, so it doesn't replace a preamp and shouldn't go straight into a power amp. There's no headphone jack. And anyone who only spins a CD now and then will find a more sensible purchase further down the Atoll lineup.

Our verdict

Anyone still building a CD player of this calibre today means business. James Palmer wrote on 11 November 2025 in The Ear: "It has timbre, texture, warmth and depth in abundance, while never lacking in sparkle and detail." And further: "This is what you need. This is the good stuff." If you want to know whether the leap from your current player is really worth it, call us: 044 680 22 00 or WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 – we at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil will tell you honestly.

Technical data

Type: CD player with top-loading transport and integrated DAC, true dual mono
Transport: top-loader with clamp (puck), lid opened by hand
Converter: 2 × Burr-Brown PCM1792A, one per channel, 24-bit/192 kHz
Output stage: balanced, discrete construction, Class A
Digital inputs: 1 × coaxial, 1 × optical, 1 × asynchronous USB-B (up to 32-bit/192 kHz)
Digital outputs: 1 × AES/EBU (XLR), 1 × coaxial, 1 × optical
Analogue outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × stereo balanced XLR
Output level: fixed, 2.1 Vrms – not adjustable
Headphone output: not present
Power supply: 30 VA plus 2 × 10 VA toroidal for the audio stages plus 1.6 VA logic, 10 regulated supplies
Smoothing capacitance: 48,000 µF
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
THD: 0.002% at 1 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: 132 dB
Output impedance: 5.6 ohms
Slew rate: 1.3 µs
Power consumption: 18–24 watts in operation, under 0.5 watts standby
Chassis: 10 mm thick aluminium front in bi-colour design, 2 mm steel chassis
Colour: Silver
Dimensions (W × H × D): 440 × 100 × 340 mm
Weight: 12 kg
Warranty: 2 years
Included: Atoll CD400 Evolution, system remote control, power cable, user manual

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the Atoll CD400 Evolution as a standalone DAC?
Yes. It has a coaxial, an optical, and an asynchronous USB-B input. That lets you connect a TV, a streamer, or a computer and use the dual PCM1792A conversion together with the balanced Class A output stage – with no CD in the transport at all.

What's a top-loader and what does it offer?
The CD is placed in from the top and fixed with a clamp instead of being loaded via a tray. That eliminates the entire tray mechanism, reduces moving mass and resonances, and is considered the more robust design. The lid stays closed during playback.

Does the CD400 Evolution have a headphone output?
No. The CD400 Evolution is a source and converter, not a headphone amplifier. Its analogue output level is fixed at 2.1 volts and can't be adjusted – so it belongs in front of an integrated amplifier or a preamp, not directly into a power amp.

What does the AES/EBU output on the CD400 Evolution offer?
It outputs the digital signal in balanced form via XLR, with less interference than coaxial or optical. That lets you also run the CD400 Evolution as a high-quality transport into an external DAC. Coaxial and optical are available in addition.

Why buy the Atoll CD400 Evolution at HD Zürisee?
Because a player of this calibre belongs in a matching chain – otherwise what you paid for just evaporates. We'll sort out levels, cabling, and whether balanced or unbalanced suits you better, and take care of delivery, installation, and service with our own technician.

Pairs well with

Its natural partner is the Atoll IN400 Evolution from our integrated amplifiers, or alternatively a combination of a preamplifier and a power amplifier. Add floorstanding speakers and balanced cables.