Shanling is doubling down on physical media with the new CT90, a dedicated CD transport designed for listeners who still value discs—but expect modern connectivity and serious digital flexibility. Rather than chasing all-in-one convenience, the CT90 focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: extracting digital data from CDs with maximum precision and feeding it to high-quality external DACs.
Visually and mechanically, the CT90 follows classic high-end transport principles. A top-loading disc mechanism with a solid stabilizing clamp and tilting aluminum lid keeps vibration to a minimum, while the proven SAA7824 servo motor and DA11 drive ensure stable playback of CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and even MQA-CDs. The industrial design mirrors Shanling’s Hi-Fi SCD series, complete with a full aluminum chassis and a large 4.8-inch front display that gives the unit a serious, no-nonsense presence in the rack.
Although the CT90 is clearly built around disc playback, Shanling has made sure it won’t feel outdated the moment you connect it. The transport can also function as a digital source for high-resolution audio files played directly from USB storage, with playback controlled via the Eddict Player app. Hook it up to a computer, and it becomes a USB digital transport, feeding clean digital audio straight to your DAC.
Bluetooth is also on board—not as a gimmick, but as a practical addition. The built-in Bluetooth 5.0 receiver supports LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, making it easy to stream music from a phone or tablet when convenience matters. There’s no Wi-Fi, and that feels deliberate: the CT90 is about clean signal paths, not network complexity.
Connectivity
Where the CT90 really flexes its muscles is in digital output options. Shanling includes I2S with FPGA-controlled logic and no fewer than ten selectable pinout modes, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of DACs from different manufacturers. Add to that coaxial SPDIF, dual AES/EBU outputs, and a dedicated USB Audio output, and the CT90 becomes a true digital hub for serious hi-fi systems.
Clocking is treated with equal seriousness. Dual high-precision oscillators at 45 MHz and 49 MHz handle internal timing, while an external master clock input allows synchronization to 44.1 kHz or 10 MHz reference clocks. For those who enjoy tailoring their digital chain, the CT90 also offers built-in upsampling, converting all signals to PCM or DSD on I2S, AES, and coaxial outputs (USB Audio excluded).
Linear Power, Solid Engineering
Power comes from a linear power supply built around a 35-watt transformer, chosen to reduce noise and maintain consistent performance. Control options cover all bases, with physical buttons on the chassis, a remote control, and full app support. Despite its solid aluminum construction, the CT90 remains compact enough to slot neatly into most hi-fi racks.
The Shanling CT90 isn’t trying to convince you to rediscover CDs—it assumes you never left. Instead, it acknowledges that even disc-based systems need modern digital integration, flexible outputs, and precise clocking. By combining traditional transport engineering with contemporary digital features, Shanling positions the CT90 as a serious centerpiece for hybrid hi-fi systems that bridge the past and the future.
For listeners who still spin discs but demand cutting-edge digital performance, the CT90 looks like a transport built for the long haul.
