Forté Distribution, the official U.S. distributor for Shanling Electronics, has announced the immediate availability of the Shanling CT90 CD Transport in the United States. Priced at an SRP of $999, the CT90 represents a significant step up from Shanling’s popular ET3 model, delivering enhanced digital performance, expanded connectivity, and a refined Hi-Fi aesthetic tailored for audiophiles seeking a dedicated, high-performance CD source.
The resurgence of interest in physical media, particularly compact discs, continues to inspire manufacturers to innovate. As Roger Fortier, VP and Director of Sales at Forté Distribution, notes: “The interest in compact discs from audiophiles and casual listeners alike is driving innovators like Shanling to create new products that bring out the best in digital physical media. The CT90 is the perfect match for high-performance DACs that maximize the pure, distortion-free digital signal streaming from the transport.”
Top-loading mechanism
Building on the foundation of the ET3, the CT90 adopts a top-loading mechanism with a magnetic CD puck and tiltable aluminum cover, echoing the design language of Shanling’s premium SCD3.3 SACD player. This full-sized chassis (280 × 230 × 91 mm) features a robust linear power supply with a 30W transformer to minimize electrical noise, ensuring clean digital output. At the front, a large 4.8-inch elongated display (294 × 1024 resolution) provides clear playback information, complemented by hardware buttons and a control wheel for intuitive operation.
Industry-standard SAA7824 servo chip
Core to the CT90’s performance is the industry-standard SAA7824 servo chip paired with a reliable Philips DA11 disc drive, which handles standard CDs, CD-R/RW discs, and MQA-CDs with precision. The unit focuses exclusively on digital outputs, delivering a clean, unadulterated signal to external DACs or digital systems.
Connectivity is notably versatile:
- I²S output via HDMI, powered by an FPGA with 10 selectable modes for optimal compatibility with various DACs, supporting PCM up to 768kHz and native DSD512.
- Dual AES/EBU outputs (ideal for high-end active speakers), alongside coaxial and optical S/PDIF.
- USB Audio output for high-res file playback (PCM up to 768kHz, DSD512 without upsampling).
- USB input allowing the CT90 to function as a USB digital transport when connected to a computer.
- Bluetooth input with support for LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, and AAC codecs.
- USB drive playback from external storage, controlled via Shanling’s Eddict Player app.
- External clock input for 44.1kHz or 10MHz master clocks to further refine timing.
Dedicated upsampling
A dedicated upsampling circuit elevates Red Book CD data (when using I²S, AES/EBU, or S/PDIF outputs) to higher resolutions—up to PCM 768kHz or DSD512 native—while S/PDIF/AES connections are limited to PCM 192kHz or DSD64 via DoP. This makes the CT90 particularly appealing for users pairing it with advanced DACs capable of exploiting these elevated formats.
Fortier emphasizes the CT90’s role in today’s market: “One only has to look at audiophile media and lifestyle audio coverage to see that the CD market is solid and strong. For customers with high-end systems in need of a simple, rugged, and reliable transport, the CT90 is the perfect fit.”
Originally announced internationally in late 2025 with an MSRP of $899 (with U.S. pricing adjusted accordingly), the CT90 is now shipping through Forté Distribution and select U.S. retailers.
