Rotel Diamond Series DT-6000 CD Player DAC

A CD player and DAC built for a 60th anniversary

The Rotel Diamond Series DT-6000 CD Player DAC is a combined CD player and digital-to-analogue converter that marks Rotel's 60th anniversary. Alongside its tray-loading CD mechanism, it adds PC-USB, optical and coaxial inputs so it can serve as the digital hub of a hi-fi system. An 8-channel ESS Sabre DAC and fully balanced XLR outputs put clean, detailed sound at the centre of the design.

Why You'll Love It

• CD player and DAC in one box. Play discs on the tray-loading transport, then connect a computer, streamer or TV through PC-USB, optical or coaxial to cover your other digital sources.
• High-resolution and MQA ready. PC-USB handles up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD and MQA, so hi-res files and MQA streams play at full quality. The unit is also Roon Tested.
• Balanced and single-ended outputs. Fully balanced XLR outputs sit alongside standard RCA, so the DT-6000 matches balanced or conventional amplifiers.

Under the Hood

• ESS Sabre conversion. An 8-channel ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC dedicates four channels to each stereo output for an ultra-low noise floor and strong channel separation, quoted at greater than 115 dB at 10 kHz.
• Quiet power delivery. Dedicated supplies feed the critical circuits from an in-house toroidal transformer, with isolation techniques to lower residual noise and distortion.
• Proven CD engineering. The tray-loading mechanism draws on Rotel's decades of CD player design, backed by front-panel controls, a two-line display and a back-lit remote.

CHT Insider Verdict

The DT-6000 is a strong choice if you still value discs but also want a capable standalone DAC for streaming and computer audio. Distortion figures below 0.0012% and a signal-to-noise ratio above 115 dB point to a genuinely quiet, detailed source, and the balanced outputs suit it to higher-end amplifiers. RS232 and 12V trigger connections make it easy to fold into a controlled system.

Pro Tip: To get the most from a computer source, use the rear PC-USB input (up to 32-bit/384kHz with DSD and MQA) rather than optical or coaxial, which top out at 24-bit/192kHz; install the supplied USB driver first so the computer sees the DAC in USB Audio Class 2.0 mode.