Schiit Urd CD Transport

Description

The Schiit Urd is one of the most innovative CD transports to appear in years. Rather than simply reviving the traditional compact disc player, Schiit Audio reimagined what a modern digital transport could be by combining a high-quality Red Book CD transport with a sophisticated USB digital hub and digital-to-digital converter (DDC). Designed by Schiit co-founders Mike Moffat and Jason Stoddard, the Urd is intended to serve as the centerpiece of a contemporary digital audio system, seamlessly integrating CDs, streamers, computers, and external DACs into a single, elegant component.

Unlike conventional CD players, the Urd contains no internal digital-to-analog converter. Instead, it focuses entirely on extracting the digital data from a compact disc with the highest possible accuracy before passing it to an external DAC. What truly sets the Urd apart is its proprietary Unison USB output, making it one of the first CD transports capable of sending CD audio directly over USB to compatible DACs. Traditional AES/EBU and coaxial S/PDIF outputs are also provided for use with virtually any external converter. In addition, two Unison USB inputs allow the Urd to function as a USB switch and USB-to-S/PDIF converter, enabling users to connect streamers, computers, tablets, or music servers through a single digital hub.

Internally, the Urd is built to audiophile standards. It employs a premium StreamUnlimited metal tray-loading CD mechanism, the same family of transport found in many considerably more expensive high-end players. Four 32-bit microprocessors manage transport control and digital routing, while a fully linear power supply with dual transformers—one dedicated to the transport mechanism and one for the digital circuitry—helps minimize electrical noise and maximize signal integrity. Like all Schiit products, the Urd is designed and assembled in California using a heavy all-metal chassis and backed by a five-year warranty (with a two-year warranty on the drive mechanism).

Although the Urd does not alter the digital data contained on a CD, reviewers consistently praise the quality of its engineering and flexibility. Audio Arkitekts described it as “set to transform the CD listening experience,” noting that Schiit has breathed new life into the compact disc by combining advanced digital technology with traditional transport performance.

Reviewer Lachlan Fennen of Passion for Sound also praised the Urd’s versatility, highlighting its effectiveness not only as a CD transport but also as a digital-to-digital converter and USB switching hub. He concluded that its unique functionality makes it unlike virtually anything else available in the marketplace, particularly for listeners who use multiple digital sources with a high-quality external DAC.

The Urd is particularly attractive to audiophiles who have invested in premium external DACs such as Schiit’s own Bifrost, Gungnir, or Yggdrasil models, although it works equally well with any UAC2-compatible USB DAC or conventional S/PDIF-equipped converter. Rather than duplicating DAC circuitry that owners may already possess, Schiit concentrated its engineering effort on creating an exceptionally capable digital transport and switching center. The result is a component that bridges physical media and modern streaming, allowing CDs to coexist naturally with today’s computer- and network-based music sources.

Product Specifications

• Component Type: CD transport / digital hub (no internal DAC)
• Disc Compatibility: Red Book audio CDs only
• Transport Mechanism: StreamUnlimited metal tray-loading drive
• Digital Outputs:
  • 1 × Unison USB (UAC2)
  • 1 × AES/EBU
  • 1 × Coaxial S/PDIF
• Digital Inputs:
  • 2 × Unison USB
• Functions:
  • CD transport
  • USB source switch
  • USB-to-S/PDIF digital converter
• Maximum Digital Resolution (USB routing): Up to 32-bit/192 kHz
• Processors: Four 32-bit microprocessors
• Power Supply: Fully linear with dual transformers
• Construction: All-metal chassis, designed and built in California, USA
• Remote Control: Included aluminum infrared remote
• Power Consumption: Approximately 15 watts maximum
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 16 × 8 × 2 in. (406 × 203 × 51 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 8 lbs. (3.6 kg)