MISSION 778CDT CD TRANSPORT ADDED TO COMPACT 778 SERIES
Mission has expanded its compact 778 Series with the launch of the Mission 778CDT CD transport, completing a trio that now includes the 778X integrated amplifier and the recently announced Mission 778S music streamer.
The new model is designed for listeners who continue to use physical CD collections and prefer a dedicated transport paired with an external DAC or digital amplifier.
MISSION 778CDT CD TRANSPORT DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT 778X AND 778S
The Mission 778CDT CD transport has been developed as a logical partner for the 778X amplifier, which already includes an internal DAC. By separating disc transport and digital-to-analogue conversion into different enclosures, Mission aims to reduce electrical noise and interference that can affect signal quality in integrated CD players.
Physically, the unit matches the rest of the series, using the same half-width chassis measuring 236 x 96 x 357mm (WxHxD). It features a symmetrical front panel layout and a dimmable OLED display, maintaining a consistent appearance across an all-Mission system.
MISSION 778CDT CD TRANSPORT
The Mission 778CDT CD transport focuses entirely on disc reading and digital signal output. Its aluminium chassis and internal architecture are designed to minimise vibration and external interference, with a shielded transport mechanism intended to protect signal integrity.
At its core is a high-precision CD mechanism paired with a custom servo control system. Mission states that this combination is designed to maintain stable disc rotation and accurate tracking, reducing read errors and jitter before the signal is passed to an external DAC via the digital outputs.
DIGITAL CONTROL ARCHITECTURE
Control of the disc mechanism in the Mission 778CDT CD transport is handled by a dual-core processing setup, consisting of a 32-bit RISC CPU working alongside a dedicated microcontroller. This arrangement manages servo operation and error correction, with the aim of delivering a stable and consistent digital data stream.
Digital output is provided via optical and coaxial connections, allowing the transport to be used with a wide range of DACs and digital amplifiers from Mission or other manufacturers.
POWER AND CLOCKING
Power supply design is a key focus of the Mission 778CDT CD transport. A low-noise toroidal transformer is used, with separate power supplies for the motor and laser servo circuits and the digital decoding stage. Mission says this separation helps prevent noise from the mechanical systems affecting the audio data.
Timing accuracy is handled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), which acts as the master clock for the servo and decoder. This clock is powered by its own independent linear regulator and grounding scheme, intended to reduce power-related jitter in the S/PDIF output.
MISSION 778CDT CD TRANSPORT SUPPORT FOR DISC AND USB PLAYBACK
In addition to standard Red Book audio CDs, the Mission 778CDT CD transport supports CD-R, CD-RW and data CDs. A rear-panel USB-A port allows playback from USB storage devices, extending its use beyond optical discs.
Supported file formats include FLAC, WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3 and APE. Files played via USB are processed using the same internal clocking and low-noise architecture as CD playback, with a dedicated power supply for the USB input.
MISSION 778CDT CD TRANSPORT AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The Mission 778CDT CD transport will be available from late January in black or silver finishes. Pricing is set at £449. Mission also offers a bundle combining the 778CDT with the 778S music streamer for £1,099.
HiFi PiG Says: This looks like a great pairing with the recently announced streamer.
