Oracle Audio CD2000 MkIII CD Transport

The Oracle Audio CD2000 MkIII is a reference-grade CD transport built around a massive aluminum floating chassis, the Philips CD PRO 2LF drive mechanism, and Oracle's proprietary four-tower suspension system containing over 48 individual components working together to isolate the laser assembly from vibration. With three digital output options (BNC S/PDIF, XLR AES/EBU, and ST glass fiber optical), the CD2000 MkIII sends a clean, stable digital signal to your external DAC with the kind of mechanical precision that Oracle has spent over four decades perfecting.

The CD2000 MkIII is Oracle's reference transport, and the gap between it and the CD1000 is not incremental. Where the CD1000 uses Delrin pillars and urethane feet for two-stage isolation, the CD2000 floats its entire transport mechanism on a massive aluminum chassis suspended by four multi-component towers, each containing over 12 isolation elements targeting different vibration frequencies. At $13,920, this is a transport for systems where every upstream component has already been optimized and the disc reader is the remaining variable. If you're feeding a DAC in the $5,000+ range and want the transport to match that level of investment, the CD2000 is where Oracle's turntable-derived isolation technology reaches its most extreme expression.

Key Features of the Oracle CD2000 MkIII

• Massive Aluminum Floating Chassis: The transport mechanism sits on a floating chassis mechanically decoupled from the outer frame, operating in near-total isolation from external vibration.
• Four Suspension Towers (12+ Components Each): Each tower combines Delrin pillars, conical suspension springs, spring-rubber bushings, sorbothane dampers, felt dampers, and spring adjustment sleeves, targeting vibration across multiple frequency ranges.
• Philips CD PRO 2LF Drive Mechanism: Professional-grade swing-arm transport selected for its precision tracking and low error rates across CD, CD-R, and CD-RW formats.
• Magnetic Disc Clamping with Vacuum Seal: Adapted from Oracle's turntable platter clamp, the magnetic puck with urethane washer eliminates disc chatter and keeps the CD stable at all rotational speeds.
• Three Digital Outputs: BNC S/PDIF (75 ohm), XLR AES/EBU (110 ohm), and ST (AT&T) glass fiber optical.
• Redesigned Power Supply: The MkIII generation features a completely redesigned power supply stage for cleaner operation.
• Top-Loading Design: A felt-lined aluminum cover lifts off to reveal the transport, and discs are secured with the magnetic clamp.
• Built to Order in Canada: Handcrafted in Oracle's Quebec facility with hand-brushed aluminum finished in high-gloss polyester lacquer.

The Four-Tower Suspension System

The defining feature of the CD2000 MkIII is its four-tower suspension system, developed from Oracle's Delphi turntable suspension technology. Each tower is a multi-stage mechanical filter containing no fewer than 12 individual components. Delrin suspension pillars address mid and higher-frequency vibrations. Upper spring-rubber bushings control spring resonances. Conical suspension springs handle lower-frequency vibrations. Spring adjustment sleeves provide calibration while controlling additional resonances. Sorbothane dampers act as mechanical energy traps, absorbing residual vibration and converting it to heat. Felt dampers address inner spring resonances. All of these components work as an integrated system. The result is a floating chassis that allows the Philips CD PRO 2LF mechanism to read disc data in conditions approaching laboratory-level isolation.

Transport Mechanism and Disc Handling

The CD2000 MkIII uses the Philips CD PRO 2LF, a professional-grade swing-arm transport that has earned its reputation across dozens of high-end CD player designs worldwide. Oracle mounts this mechanism on the floating chassis via Delrin decoupling pillars, giving the laser assembly a stable, vibration-free platform. The top-loading design means you lift off the felt-lined aluminum cover, place your disc on the spindle, and secure it with the magnetic clamp. The clamp incorporates a thick urethane washer that creates a slight vacuum between clamp and disc, eliminating the wobble and chatter that occurs when a CD spins at high speed. This disc clamping approach was originally developed for Oracle's turntable platters.

Digital Output Configuration

The CD2000 MkIII provides three digital output connections. The BNC S/PDIF output delivers 0.5 volts peak-to-peak into a 75-ohm load, using a BNC connector rather than RCA for a more secure mechanical connection and true 75-ohm impedance match. The XLR AES/EBU output operates at 4 volts peak-to-peak into a 110-ohm load, providing a balanced digital signal with superior noise rejection over longer cable runs. The ST (AT&T) glass fiber optical output uses a 650nm wavelength signal and provides complete electrical isolation between transport and DAC, eliminating any possibility of ground-loop interference.

How the CD2000 MkIII Differs from the CD1000 MkIII

Both transports share the same Philips CD PRO 2LF drive and Oracle's disc clamping system, but the isolation approach differs fundamentally. The CD1000 uses Delrin pillar decoupling and urethane feet, a two-stage system that works well. The CD2000 uses a massive floating chassis suspended on four multi-component towers, each containing Delrin pillars, conical springs, sorbothane dampers, felt dampers, and rubber bushings calibrated for different vibration frequencies. The CD2000 also adds the XLR AES/EBU digital output. The chassis is larger and heavier (35.2 lbs vs. 30 lbs), reflecting the additional mass of the floating suspension. For systems where maximum transport performance is the goal, the CD2000 MkIII represents Oracle's reference approach to getting data off a disc.

Explore the Full Oracle Audio CD Range

Oracle's CD lineup shares a common engineering philosophy rooted in their turntable heritage.

• Oracle Audio CD1000 MkIII CD Transport - Oracle's entry-level transport with Delrin pillar decoupling and four digital outputs, ideal for pairing with your existing DAC.
• Oracle Audio CD2500 MkIV CD Player - The complete CD playback system with the same floating chassis plus an integrated Burr Brown PCM1792 DAC and balanced XLR analog outputs.
• Oracle Audio Delphi MkVII Classic Turntable - The turntable that started it all, where Oracle's suspension technology was originally developed.

The Listening Room Difference

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Oracle CD2000 MkIII Specifications