The Chinese company Opera Audio , which owns the Consonance brand , has introduced a universal digital source Consonance Reference CDS8 , which combines a CD player, DAC and network streamer in one housing. The novelty is equipped with a slotted transport of optical discs. In addition to coaxial and optical digital inputs, there is a USB-B port for connecting to a computer. To integrate the streamer into a computer network, a Gigabit Ethernet port is provided. There are also four USB 2.0 ports for connecting external drives, as well as a Bluetooth adapter for streaming music from mobile gadgets.
The ES9038 chip from ESS Technology is responsible for the digital-to-analog conversion, which allows the Consonance Reference CDS8 to decode PCM digital streams up to 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 when using the USB port. When connected via a coaxial or optical port, resolution will be limited to 24bit/192kHz and DSD64 (Dop). There is also a digital coaxial output.
The network streamer is capable of playing content from DLNA servers on the network and external USB drives. Consonance Reference CDS8 supports ROON and Spotify Connect and can provide access to popular streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz and more.
The Consonance Reference CDS8 is equipped with a Class A discrete analog output stage. In addition, a Lundahl transformer works at the output, which, according to the manufacturer, makes the sound more transparent and musical. To connect to an amplifier, both an unbalanced RCA output and a balanced XLR output are provided. The novelty is equipped with a linear power supply based on a powerful toroidal power transformer.
The Consonance Reference CDS8 Network Streamer CD Player is now available.
Consonance Reference CDS8 Network Streamer CD Player Specifications:
- Supported audio file formats: DSD: DSF (DSD), DIFF (DSD) / PCM: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC
- Supported sampling rates, bit depth: DSD: 2.8 – 22.4 MHz, 1 bit / PCM: 44.1 – 768 kHz, 16 – 32 bits
- LAN: Gigabit Ethernet
- Digital inputs: USB-A 2.0, USB-B, coaxial, optical, Bluetooth
- Digital outputs: USB-A 2.0, coaxial
- Analog outputs: balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
- THD: < 0.0025%
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >110 dB
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 43 x 12 x 36 cm
- Weight: 9.2 kg
