Audiolab has introduced the Audiolab 6000CDT MKII, the second generation of its affordable CD transport. Eight years after the original 6000CDT, the British brand has fitted a completely new slot-loading CD mechanism, revised servo control and a reworked power supply, drawing on engineering from its 7000 and 9000 Series.
A new mechanism at the heart
Audiolab calls the new transport the most fundamental change compared with the previous model. The servo continuously controls laser focus, tracking and disc speed, and adjusts for speed changes, surface imperfections and eccentric discs. According to Audiolab, this leads to more stable data recovery and makes better use of CD error correction, which helps with older or slightly damaged discs from your collection.
A high-precision master clock provides a stable timing reference for the digital signal. The Audiolab 6000CDT MKII is a pure transport: it does not convert to analogue itself, but sends the digital signal to the DAC in your amplifier, preamplifier or a separate converter.
Quieter power supply
The power supply has been redesigned to manage the needs of each section separately and to reduce motor and electrical noise. A custom-specified transformer delivers a consistent current. Together with the new mechanism and servo, Audiolab promises quieter, faster and more consistent disc playback.
Coaxial and optical outputs
The Audiolab 6000CDT MKII has a 75-ohm coaxial output and an optical S/PDIF output, which also provides electrical isolation from the connected component. It plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW, and data CDs with FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3 or APE files at sample rates up to 96 kHz. An OLED display, programming of up to 99 tracks, a 12V trigger input and output, automatic standby and firmware updates via USB complete the package.
The transport matches the other components in the 6000 Series, such as the 6000A MKII integrated amplifier with its built-in DAC. Audiolab also recently launched a dedicated phono stage, as you can read in our article on the Audiolab PPA7 phono preamplifier.
Who is it for?
CD is enjoying a modest revival, and many listeners still have large collections on the shelf. For them, the Audiolab 6000CDT MKII is an affordable way to play those discs through a good DAC they already own, without paying for a converter twice.
The original 6000CDT earned a strong reputation as a budget transport, and the MKII builds on that with a better mechanism and cleaner power. Because the quality of the final sound depends largely on the connected DAC, the Audiolab 6000CDT MKII can also grow with your system: upgrade the converter later, and your CD collection benefits immediately. The slot-loading design and the compact 6000 Series footprint also make it a neat fit on a desk or in a small rack.
Pricing and availability
The Audiolab 6000CDT MKII will be available from late November 2026 in Black and Deep Silver, priced at £399. Euro pricing has not yet been announced. More information is available on the Audiolab website.
Key specifications
- Type: CD transport (no internal DAC)
- Mechanism: new slot-loading transport, revised servo
- Clock: high-precision master clock
- Outputs: 1x coaxial (75 Ω), 1x optical
- Formats: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, data CD up to 96 kHz
- Features: OLED display, 12V trigger in/out, auto standby, USB firmware updates
- Dimensions: 445 x 80 x 307 mm
- Weight: 5.5 kg
- Price: £399
