{"product_id":"atollcd400evobl","title":"Atoll CD400 Evolution CD Player with DAC, Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the CD400 Evolution?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubstance. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the CD400 Evolution for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone with a grown CD collection that shouldn't be banished to the shelf — and for anyone who also needs a good converter. \u003cstrong\u003ePlain talk:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: CD player with top-loading transport and integrated DAC, true dual mono\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTransport: top-loader with clamp (puck), lid opened by hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConverter: 2 × Burr-Brown PCM1792A, one per channel, 24-bit\/192 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput stage: balanced, discrete construction, Class A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital inputs: 1 × coaxial, 1 × optical, 1 × asynchronous USB-B (up to 32-bit\/192 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital outputs: 1 × AES\/EBU (XLR), 1 × coaxial, 1 × optical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnalogue outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × stereo balanced XLR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput level: fixed, 2.1 Vrms – not adjustable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadphone output: not present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower supply: 30 VA plus 2 × 10 VA toroidal for the audio stages plus 1.6 VA logic, 10 regulated supplies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmoothing capacitance: 48,000 µF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTHD: 0.002% at 1 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignal-to-noise ratio: 132 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput impedance: 5.6 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlew rate: 1.3 µs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower consumption: 18–24 watts in operation, under 0.5 watts standby\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChassis: 10 mm thick aluminium front in bi-colour design, 2 mm steel chassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour: Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (W × H × D): 440 × 100 × 340 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 12 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty: 2 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: Atoll CD400 Evolution, system remote control, power cable, user manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use the Atoll CD400 Evolution as a standalone DAC?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's a top-loader and what does it offer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the CD400 Evolution have a headphone output?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the AES\/EBU output on the CD400 Evolution offer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy the Atoll CD400 Evolution at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts natural partner is the Atoll IN400 Evolution from our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/vollverstarker\"\u003eintegrated amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e, or alternatively a combination of a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/vorverstarker\"\u003epreamplifier\u003c\/a\u003e and a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/endstufen\"\u003epower amplifier\u003c\/a\u003e. Add \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/standlautsprecher\"\u003efloorstanding speakers\u003c\/a\u003e and balanced \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/kabel\"\u003ecables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atoll","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53412968202576,"sku":null,"price":5800.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/atoll-cd400-evolution-cd-player-schwarz-schraegansicht.png?v=1787157927","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/atollcd400evobl","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}