Triode TRV-CD6SE: The Quintessential CD Player

Triode, a leading Japanese amplifier brand, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. To mark the occasion, it released the TRV-CD6SE, which is widely regarded as the pinnacle of CD players.

The TRV-CD6SE is a Japanese-made player with both vacuum tube and semiconductor outputs, as well as upsampling capability. It is capable of fully decoding MQA CDs and supports dual clock inputs and I2S HDMI digital output, placing it at the top of the hierarchy for playing contemporary digital music.

Review by Ikuo Tsunoda

The latest CD player from Triode with upsampling and MQA decoding features is the culmination of the company's recent developments.

In celebrating its 25th anniversary, Triode made a splash with the launch of the MUSASHI, a 100-watt integrated amplifier featuring KT-150 vacuum tubes. After that anniversary model, they released their latest CD player, the "TRV-CD6SE," which, while compact, is packed with features for enjoying a variety of listening methods.

During my review, I listened to some familiar CDs that I enjoy regularly. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality, which evokes the warmth of analog and the clarity of high resolution. This is made possible by the use of a sample rate converter (SRC) and the ability to switch individually between semiconductor and vacuum tube outputs, as I will explain in more detail. You can also pair it with your favorite external clock to significantly improve sound quality. In addition, it has a digital HDMI output that separates the clock and data signals, allowing it to function as a CD transport, giving this player added longevity.

The TRV-CD6SE offers the opportunity to compare the sound quality of two distinct systems: vacuum tubes and semiconductors.

Technology and Internal Features

Let's first examine the technology and internal features of the TRV-CD6SE. At first glance, its CD playback capabilities are evident. It uses SRC technology for upsampling in two modes: 352.8 kHz/32-bit DXD and 5.6 MHz DSD. The difference in sound quality resulting from this upsampling capability is noticeable and perceptible to any listener, surpassing the competition.

The high-density playback capability is likely due to the collaboration with the latest DAC chip. This portends even greater possibilities for CD playback, and with MQA CD decoding, it is possible to enjoy the same resolution and wide dynamic range as high-resolution music files.

What is even more captivating is the ability to easily switch from semiconductor outputs to vacuum tube outputs (2 6922 tubes) to experience distinct sound qualities. The balanced outputs are exclusively semiconductor, while the RCA outputs feature separate outputs for semiconductors and vacuum tubes, giving you the flexibility to choose the output based on your personal preferences.

It is also important to mention the high-precision clock input, capable of supporting a 10 MHz clock. In addition to the word clock input that supports frequencies from 44.1 kHz to 45.2 MHz, this unit has two clock inputs, one of which is equipped with a high-precision 10 MHz clock, an item that has recently generated a lot of interest. It is not common to find a product that can handle both types of inputs, which demonstrates Triode's commitment to uncompromising features.

As I mentioned earlier, it is equipped with a HDMI output that transmits the clock and data signals separately, allowing it to function as a CD transport. This is particularly useful for devices that support I2S inputs, such as PS Audio's "gain cell DACs," which can perform digital transfers in the format defined by the SRC.

DAC Chip

The DAC chip is a true masterpiece of sophisticated technology. The CD player is the central hub of the system, sending the read signal to the digital processing unit. In the case of MQA CDs, it is subject to MQA decoding and converted to high resolution. Although the details of the internal technology are kept secret, it is assumed that the digital processing section is equipped with a high-precision SRC as well as a clock synchronization circuit.

Next, the processed signal is directed to the DAC chip, which incorporates the latest ESS "ES9038Q2M" 32-bit SABRE technology. This chip inherits the characteristics of the higher-end "ES9038pro," offering a dynamic range of 129 dB and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of -120 dB on the 2 output channels.

Although the details of the internal configuration are not disclosed, it is equipped with a high-power