CD, Rebooted

 

July 12, 2023, Valencia, CA. Today, Schiit Audio announced the availability of Urd, a complete re-invention of the CD player. Urd serves as a hub for an entire modern digital audio system, easily integrating streamers and other digital sources with integrated Unison USB™ digital input and output. Urd also provides USB to SPDIF conversion, for maximum compatibility with legacy DACs. Urd is available today, from $1299.

 

“Urd is the CD player, re-booted,” said Mike Moffat, Schiit’s Co-Founder and head of digital development. “It’s the first and only CD player with a USB output, yes, but it’s really a lot more—it’s the center piece, the focal point, of a complete digital system that includes CDs, streamers, and computer or tablet sources. By providing two USB digital inputs and a USB output, you can run an all Unison USB system. Or you can run it out to SPDIF. Urd also does the normal ‘transport stuff,’ like digital SPDIF output from a CD, but the main thing is that it does everything, does it seamlessly, and integrates with nearly anything.”

 

Urd provides the following functionality:

 

• CD transport to SPDIF output (AES and coaxial)

• CD transport to Unison USB output

• USB inputs (x2) to USB output—USB switching

• USB inputs (x2) to SPDIF output—USB to SPDIF conversion

 

This flexibility allows an Urd owner to spin CDs, then immediately switch to a streamer or computer source (or tablet or phone) for the convenience of a large library, or to compare to the original CDs. With many streamed sources being remastered, the comparison is sometimes very eye-opening. Urd also connects to older DACs that may not have USB input, providing a bridge between modern sources and older, but still beloved, components.

 

Unique technology and convenience is further bolstered by exceptional quality. In Urd’s case, a StreamUnlimited metal tray-loading CD mechanism is the heart of the player. This type of drive is used in products costing much more than Urd, and do not provide Urd’s unique flexibility.

 

From the drive, four 32-bit microprocessors, 100% linear power supply, including two transformers (one just for the drive), aluminum remote control, and a slim, sleek, all-metal, made-in-USA chassis, and a 5-year warranty attest to Urd’s focus on quality. 

 

Urd’s unique USB output was the focus of several person-years of development at Schiit, in order to assure rock-solid performance and broad compatibility. Urd works with all UAC2 compliant sources and DACs that have been through Schiit’s testing; UAC2 is the accepted international standard for USB audio, and is supported by all modern operating systems.

 

“I was a late convert to Urd,” said Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder and head of analog design. “I mean, I figured it would be good. I have several thousand CDs, and I was thrilled to be able to play them on our own transport. But what I didn’t know was how great it would be to have everything integrated—streamer and computer and CDs—and be able to switch between them. Urd is absolutely fantastic in that respect.

 

Urd, like all Schiit products, is designed and produced in the USA. We label it “designed and built in California,” since it’s made at our Valencia, California facility. Urd chassis are made minutes from our facility, transformers are from NorCal, PC boards are from Simi Valley. 

 

Schiit’s Urd is exactly the same size as Freya and Loki Max and stacks well with those products. It’s available in black and silver finish for $1299 and $1349 respectively.