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Physical Media Isn’t Dead! This Is How You Build a Modern CD Transport.

Old Guy Hifi

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The Shanling CT90 is a $999 top-loading CD transport that combines the tactile appeal of physical media with the connectivity of a modern digital front end—and after spending time with it, I came away very impressed. NOTE: It is not an SACD compatible device.

In this review, I look at the CT90’s excellent build quality, virtually silent operation, SAA7824/DA11 transport system, CT7302 upsampling, Pure CD Mode, ten-mode I²S implementation, dual AES/EBU outputs, USB connectivity and external master-clock support.

More importantly, we’ll talk about how it performs with external DACs and why the DAC you pair with a transport still plays such an important role in the final sound.

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All of my reviews are completely subjective. I do not accept payment for reviews.

*DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below contain affiliate links from Skylabs Audio, Amazon, eBay or other resellers. If you purchase with those links, I do receive a small commission but, it doesn't affect your price or your ability to return something.

My Reference Set up includes:
• Advance Paris A12 Classic: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref...
• Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: https://blackiceaudio.com/integrated-...

Speakers:
• Martin Logan Impression 11 ESL: https://www.martinlogan.com/en/produc...
• Magnepan LRS+: https://magnepan.com/collections/buy-...

DACs:
• LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-dac
• Douk Audio Q100 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC: https://doukaudio.com/products/douk-a...
• Singxer SDA-6 PRO2 AKM DAC: https://aoshida-audio.com/products/si...

DDC/Re-Clockers
• Singzer SU-2: https://apos.audio/products/singxer-s...
• LAiV μDDC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-uddc
• Douk Audio U2 Pro (2025): https://amzn.to/3WfNKy8

Streamers:
• Audirvana is my primary streaming platform. 30 day free trial here: https://audirvana.com/try/
Atoll MS120 Streamer DAC: https://www.paragonsns.com/products/a...
• Cambridge MXN10: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/cam...

CD Transports/Players
• Shanling CT90 CD Transport: https://forte-distribution.com/produc...
• ONIX Zenith XST20 Top-loading SACD/CD transport: https://forte-distribution.com/produc...

Analog:
• Fluance RT-84 turntable: https://amzn.to/4aMuZrt.
• Black Ice Fusion 9 MKIII Tube Phono Preamplifier: https://blackiceaudio.com/preamplifie...

Accessories/Cables:
• IsoAcoustics Isolation Products: https://skylabsaudio.com/collections/...
• Cabling by VIABLUE: https://viablue.de/en/.
• Cabiling by WireWorld: https://www.theaudiolegacy.com/collec...

Desktop gear:
• LAiV Crescendo Verse: https://www.laiv.audio/crescendo-verse
• Fyne F5E: https://upscaleaudio.com/products/fyn...
• Cambridge Audio MXW70: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/mxw...
• ISOAcoustics Aperta Series Stands: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/iso...

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:48 Opening Take
02:22 Product Overview
04:56 Close Up Look
10:43 Key Features
12:34 Listening Setup
13:34 Listening Impressions
15:12 Usability
16:13 Comparisons
18:18 Final Thoughts
21:25 Outro

20 Comments

@OldGuyHifi Creator 3 weeks ago Pinned

The biggest compliment I can give the Shanling CT90 is that it made me want to start pulling CDs off the shelf again. It’s beautifully built, almost silent in operation, easy to use and gives you an unusually wide range of digital connections for pairing with different DACs. NOTE: This is not SCAD compatible. If you wish to join the channel please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership.

@brochg 3 weeks ago

Great review, Ed! Thank you!

@BobbyTwoTimes 3 weeks ago

That is an awesome unit! Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

@bengleason508 3 weeks ago

Old Guy Hifi transports us with Modern Hifi Reviews!

@henrywu3561 3 weeks ago

In addition to the CT90's excellent CD playback performance, I've found its DSD512 upsampling to be really impressive. It makes regular digital music, whether from CDs or streaming services, sound noticeably better.

I was so impressed with the results that I even connected my source streamer to the CT90, letting the CT90 upsample the incoming audio to DSD512 before feeding it to my DAC. The result has been fantastic.

@JG-gg9wk 3 weeks ago

Thanks. Pretty much covered it all.

@jeronronnunkoffunk4691 2 weeks ago

Whats up Ed i enjoyed the review , as it happens my friends over at my local mom and pop shop happen to be connected to distributors that carry Shanling products. I appreciate the education and thorough review on this unit. Great work as always, sir.

@bamthwackerson39 3 weeks ago

Agreed, Ed, that is a pretty nice display. Great review.

@JimmShaffer-vr9wu 3 weeks ago (edited)

I currently own a Sony UBP 800 for my CDs/ SACDs, an older Sony DVD/CD/SACD player, a Samsung bluray player, another Sony CD player, and a vintage Teac CD player that I need to repair. And I catch myself dreaming of the Magnetar 900. So why am I still interested in the newest CD players? I don't know, but I just am. Shanling seems to make some very good CD players. Thank you for your review on this latest model.😊

@ChrisPTA 3 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing Ed. Looks to be a solid unit.

@montycaps8235 3 weeks ago

I’m loving everything Shanling is doing these days. This one is on my radar in the near future. I love my sm1.3t. I can’t wait to start seeing the reviews for the EH90 dac. I’m close to picking one up. Cheers from Canada!!

@mikecampbell5856 3 weeks ago (edited)

Great video as usual young man! That unit has a bit of a retro look. I like the fact that the internet can't take my physical media away unlike some music. In my set up I need a front loader. Top loading seems to be the big thing today. BTW Ed, are you a Cubs fan? I'm a Brewers fan. lol

@dragonfire61 3 weeks ago

I'm still loving my Audiolab CDT-6000 transport running from the coaxial output to my Luxsin X8 🔥

@rolandlickert2904 3 weeks ago

I had Esotric Tranport in 1990 lasted over 20 years had a Denon ,Marantz no spareparts avaible in Indonisia now use a NAD 546 BEE very good service when you needed have over 1850 CDs greetings from Bali

@colleenschwartz2838 3 weeks ago

Very interesting unit and review! I do like the connectivity. But still holding fast to my Revox B225! The drawer is utter eye candy and the sound is quite nice in my system!

@jeremiahchamberlin4499 3 weeks ago

I really like the dual AES/EBU outputs.

@RobChambon-xp3mf 3 weeks ago

Hello Ed. Great review, as always. I have both the ET3 and the CT 90. For me, using my own ears and in my system, I do think the CT 90 has better sound. I hear more detail and a slightly bigger and more open sound too. I just bought the Matrix ND-1 DAC, replacing my LAIV Harmony DAC. Wowzer, what a nice combo! Since both accept an external clock, I am tempted to get both hooked up to an LHY Audio OCK-2P external clock. Matrix offers a much more expensive external clock which is out of my price range. It has gotten outstanding reviews, but I need something more affordable for my price range. Keep up the great reviews, Ed!

@vladimirafaunov7050 3 weeks ago (edited)

Nice review! I have ordered the unit some time ago (still waiting for it though), and its main appeal for me was a feature you've not focused much upon in the review. A lot of people buy separate DDC units for their DACs, but most of them only convert the USB signal to I2S or SPDIF using higher precision clocks, internal or external, and providing galvanic isolation. Very few so far (two ultraexpensive DDC models) actually upsample the signal. This cd-transpot does it! It can accept the USB signal from a streamer/PC/media player etc. and convert it to i2s HDMI, while applying its advanced upsampling to highest PCM or DSD on the fly! And some venerable reviewers mentioned that this particular hardware upsampling implementation is very good, especially with LAIV R2R DACs (which I own and enjoy). Thus this upsampling method can be enjoyed not only with CDs but with any local music collection AND services like Tidal and Qobuz. If you add some inexpensive little extras like Topping HS02 isolator and Leo Bodnar Precision GPS Reference Clock, I don't think any DDC will be able to challenge that set regardless of price. I have some 2k cd collection but haven't listened to them in 8 years, so for me cd playback is a nice bonus but the real value is the upsampling DDC stuff.

@mindhead1 3 weeks ago

Nice review Ed. Impressive device.

All my CDs were ripped to FLAC. I still pick up CDs when they are available for cheap and rip them to the SSD drive.

I like the idea of getting a transport, but can’t really justify it. I’ll keep my physical media vinyl for the time being.

@davegamlin2764 3 weeks ago

Another fine video, 👌with no stone left unturned.... if I want to know anything about a piece of Hi-Fi equipment, you Sir, are my first port of call, to see if you've reviewed it.
Sounds like it's an amazing CD transport, but with it's £899 price tag on this side of the pond, it's way outside my current budget unfortunately, but maybe one day?🤞🤞
So, for the moment I'll stick with my Cambridge Audio CXC v2 Transport, paired with the CXA81 Mk2 Integrated Amp, within my main setup, and in the 'Man Cave' is my £13 charity shop purchase, the Pioneer DV350 (DVD/CD with working remote😁👍) which I use as CD transport in a Fosi Audio Monoblock setup, using the ZH3 DAC, the ZP3 pre-amp & 2 x ZA3 amps, driving my 11 year old Cambridge SX80 Floor standers, sounds great!!