Audio research announces new cd6se and reference cd9se
 

http://audioresearch.com/en-us/news/...ype=all&page=1
AUDIO RESEARCH ANNOUNCES NEW CD6SE AND REFERENCE CD9SE
April, 9, 2019
Audio Research is pleased to announce a special edition update to the CD6 and Reference CD9 Transport/DAC. The new CD6SE and Reference CD9SE feature beautiful faceplate updates that closely match ARC’s Foundation and Reference-series components. The redesigned faceplates, with matching buttons, illumination, and black plexiglass display allow an integrated and uniform look across the latest model platforms.

Both SE units boast the latest V3.0 USB audio card, providing compatibility with macOS, Windows 10, and any Linuxbased system that supports ALSA devices. This feature allows full streaming capability from products like Aurender, or Roon’s Nucleus. This USB audio card offers a state-of-the-art FPGA design that re-clocks data and formats appropriately; firmware updates are not required. Digital inputs on the original CD6 included two TOSlink inputs, in addition to RCA and USB. The CD6SE will have one TOSlink input and one AES/EBU input, in addition to RCA and USB. Digital inputs on the REF CD9SE will remain unchanged, with the same inputs as the CD6SE.

The CD6SE and REFCD9SE capabilities include:
• PCM Sample rates up to 192kHz
• 16, 24 and 32Bit depths supported
• MacOS sample rates to 192kHz
• SPDIF (RCA), TOSlink, AES/EBU (XLR) and USB 2.0 digital audio inputs
• AES/EBU (XLR) and SPDIF (BNC) digital audio outputs
• MacOS, Windows, Linux compatibility for USB 2.0 digital audio input

http://www.audioresearch.com/Content...%20full(0).jpg

I confirmed with my dealer, these models will not play SACD if that is important to you.

Seems like a significant deficiency. I know Mac had to develop an MCT input/output in order to accommodate SACD. A lot of folks have SACD's.

That's because they still use the top loading Philips CD Pro 2 transport, which is Red Book only.

Big product positioning miss IMO because most people wanting a disc spinner today will also want SACD.

Yup

When I buy music, I tend to look for HD flac files.
I'd like to get into vinyl and SACD.
My ARC dealing friend warned me that ARC's DAC tech is outdated by several years. (conversation took place months before this launch)
If we can't get SACD, hopefully the DAC is top notch.

I also bought my first SACDs recently. I was craving some Dire Straits and they don't sell HD flac files online.

I do not believe that Audio Research has ever sold a disc player that played SACD only CD.