AMSCD (DISCONTINUED) - Overview
Quite simply, the AMS CD is the finest digital product we’ve ever made. It combines reference-standard CD playback with a multi-input DAC; it’s the true hi-fi heart of a modern music system.
The AMS CD uses the best possible CD transport mechanism, which is further optimised by being paired with our upsampling DAC design and a unique power-supply suite.
As well as being applied to CD playback, all the sonic benefits of the 24bit/192kHz DAC are available to other digital devices via optical and coaxial and balanced inputs.
From spinning disc to streamed music, digital data is faithfully retrieved and converted, with the absolute minimum of jitter, noise and distortion. The outstanding results are fed on to the amplification of your choice via a pure Class A output stage.
All this plus the premium build quality and fabulous finish found across the entire AMS range. The AMS CD is a reference source you’ll be proud to own and love to listen to.
AMSCD (DISCONTINUED) - Design and Build
From using key components to ensuring their optimised implementation, no effort has been spared to make the AMS CD the very best hi-fi source possible.
At its heart is a selected, custom-made Philips CD Pro mechanism, regarded as the world’s best design. It’s extremely reliable, stable and robust, but most importantly of all, it has astonishing data-retrieval properties. Used in tandem with our unique engineering, this means you’ll hear more from your CDs than ever before.
That faithfully retrieved data is then fed to our exceptional 24bit/192kHz upsampling DAC, a quad, dual-differential design complete with state-of-the-art detail such as mu-metal screening to minimise magnetic interference. It’s an exclusive implementation that benefits from our years of digital expertise, resulting in ultra-low levels of jitter, noise and distortion.
Such digital excellence deserves to be accessible to more than just CDs – which is why we’ve designed the AMS CD so its DAC can also boost the performance of any digital source connected to the product’s balanced, optical and co-axial inputs. From discs to downloads, we’ve got a world of music covered.
After using the world’s best CD mechanism and our best-ever DAC design, we still haven’t finished optimising the AMS CD. We’ve paid particular attention to its power supply – a vital part of any digital product. This is because digital circuitry can introduce digital artefacts that reduce the performance of other stages. By using no fewer than 12, premium power supplies, we ensure a regulated, stable performance immune to digital noise.
The final outstanding technical feature is the AMS CD’s pure Class A, fully balanced output stage, which guarantees the best possible connection to the pre-amp or integrated amplifier of your choice, via any reasonably conceivable length of cable.
But enough of technology: how does the AMS CD sound? The answer is truthful, neutral and revealing - just as the very best hi-fi should be. You hear the music as it was performed; the AMS CD adds no character of its own to alter the enjoyment. The true speed and scale of recordings is reproduced, from the sweetest highs to the deepest lows. Such reference-standard replay is the result of all our effects to ensure the maximum of data is retrieved from every digital source, and delivered in the best possible quality.
That quality approach extends to the AMS CD’s casing, too. Like all its AMS siblings, the AMS CD is beautifully built. The front panel is machined from solid, military-grade aluminium with an exclusive titanium G2 finish, in silver or black. The top, sides and back are also made from solid aluminium, finished to the highest standard, with the attention to detail extending right down to the unit’s badges – crafted from medical-grade stainless steel. Even the AMC CD’s remote control features solid aluminium casing and buttons.
The AMS CD is a timeless product that will deliver state-of-the-art digital performance for years to come.
