Streaming may dominate the way most people listen to music in 2026, but physical media refuses to go quietly into the cloud. Vinyl is still spinning on turntables everywhere, and CDs—once written off as obsolete—have been slowly clawing back relevance with listeners who value ownership, reliability, and sound quality without subscription fatigue.
Shanling has been one of the more aggressive players in that resurgence, rolling out a steady stream of CD-focused products across multiple categories. In just the past few years, the company has launched portable CD players, full-size players, and dedicated transports including the ECZero AKM, CD80 II, EC Zero T, CR60, and others—clearly betting that discs still matter to a meaningful slice of the hi-fi audience. That strategy continues with the newly announced $999.99 Shanling CT90 CD Transport, distributed in the U.S. by Forte Distribution.
What makes the CT90 especially interesting isn’t just another spin on disc playback, but Shanling’s decision to blur the line between old-school and modern by adding Bluetooth connectivity with high-resolution codec support. Including Bluetooth on a CD transport—particularly with aptX HD and LDAC—signals that Shanling understands how people actually listen today: sometimes wired, sometimes wireless, and often somewhere in between.
Shanling CT90 Overview
The Shanling CT90 CD Transport represents a clear step up from Shanling’s earlier Shanling ET3 ($899 at Amazon), bringing with it a revised digital architecture, expanded digital output options, and a more modern hi-fi design language. The industrial aesthetic takes cues from the Shanling SCD3.3 SACD player ($3,899), highlighted by a large rectangular front-panel display that makes playback information and system status easy to see from across the room.
Where the ET3 leaned heavily into network features—offering Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and DLNA alongside CD playback and USB support—the CT90 takes a more focused approach. It retains Bluetooth connectivity, including high-resolution codec support, but drops AirPlay and DLNA, positioning the CT90 squarely as a disc-first CD transport with modern wireless flexibility rather than a full network streamer.
“The interest in compact discs from audiophiles and casual listeners alike is driving innovators like Shanling to create new products that bring out the best in digital physical media,” said Roger Fortier, VP and Director of Sales, Forte Distribution, U.S. distributor of Shanling Electronics. “The CT90 is the perfect match for high-performance DACs that maximize the pure, distortion-free digital signal streaming from the transport.”
Similar to the Shanling SCD3.3, the Shanling CT90 uses a top-loading CD mechanism and is clearly aimed at higher-end audio systems than Shanling’s more entry-level Shanling ET3. At its core is the widely used SAA7824 servo chip, an industry-standard solution responsible for disc decoding accuracy and precise control of data retrieval—critical factors for minimizing read errors and jitter before the signal ever reaches an external DAC.
True to its role as a dedicated transport, the CT90 is strictly digital-only and omits any internal DAC or analog output stage. Digital connectivity includes dual USB ports—one for playback of high-resolution files from USB storage via Shanling’s Eddict app (iOS and Android), and another dedicated USB digital output for direct connection to a computer-based audio system.
Additional outputs include I²S, coaxial, optical, and AES/EBU, with both I²S and SPDIF/AES paths benefiting from dedicated upsampling circuitry. The result is a disc-first transport designed to feed high-performance external DACs with the cleanest possible digital signal.
The CT90 handles standard CD formats, including CD-R and CD-RW playback, as well as MQA-CD and Bluetooth (LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, and AAC).
Comparison
| Shanling Model | CT90 (2025) | ET3 (2024) |
| Product Type | CD Transport | CD TRansport |
| Price | $999 | $899 |
| Exterior Design | Modern Shanling Hi-Fi design inspired by SCD3.3 | CNC-machined metal body |
| Servo and Disc Drive | Philips SAA7824 servo and DA11 disc drive | Philips SAA7824 servo & Sanyo HD850 Laser |
| Loading Mechanism | Top-loading with puck and tiltable cover | Top Loading |
| Disc Format Support | CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MQA-CD | CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MQA-CD |
| Upsampling | Dedicated upsampling circuit (not active on USB output) | CT7302CL Upsampling chipAll-to-DSD or All-to-PCM Upsampling function |
| Physical Outputs | 1 x I2S output with FPGA and 10 selectable modes 2 x AES/EBU outputs 1 x Coaxial 1 x Optical SPDIF 1 x USB Audio output | I2S output 1 x AES output 1 x Coaxial 1 x Optical SPDIF 1 x USB Audio output |
| Physical Inputs | 1 x Clock input for external 44.1 kHz / 10 MHz master clock 1 x USB input for use as a USB digital transport – USB drive playback (controlled via Eddict player) | 1 x USB input for use as a USB digital transport – USB drive playback (controlled via Eddict player) |
| WiFi | No | 2.4G/5G |
| AirPlay | No | Yes |
| DLNA | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth with LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC | Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC Codec Support |
| Power Supply | Linear power supply with 30W transformer | 15W |
| Front Display | 4.8″ elongated display (294 x 1024) | IPS 320 x 290 |
| Onboard Controls | Hardware buttons and control wheel | Hardware buttons and control wheel |
| I2S Output Sampling Rates | PCM up to 768 kHz DSD512 Native | PCM 768kHz / 32-bit, DSD 512 |
| SPDIF / AES Output | PCM up to 192 kHz DSD64 DoP | PCM 192 kHz / 32-bit DSD 64 |
| USB Output | up to PCM 768kHz / 32-bit DSD 512 (no upsampling) | up to PCM 768kHz / 32-bit DSD 512 |
| Dimensions (WDH) | 280 x 230 x 91 mm | 188 x 255 x 68mm |
| Weight | ~3.5 kg (7.72 lbs) | 2.5 kg |
| Included Accessories | Power Cable Remote control CD Puck Quick Start Guide | Power Cable Remote control CD Puck Quick Start Guide |
The Bottom Line
The Shanling CT90 is a $999, disc-only CD transport designed for listeners who still buy and own CDs and already have digital inputs available in their system. It offers a top-loading mechanism, a modern industrial design, multiple digital output options (USB, I²S, coaxial, optical, and AES/EBU), and Bluetooth with high-resolution codec support—an uncommon but interesting addition for a dedicated CD transport.
What it does not include is equally important. There is no built-in DAC, no analog outputs, no headphone output, and no SACD compatibility, meaning an external DAC or a preamp/receiver with digital inputs is required. The top-loading design also requires vertical clearance, which may complicate installation in racks or tight shelving. It’s also notable that Shanling supports SACD playback on higher-priced models while limiting the CT90 to CD and MQA-CD.
The CT90 is for CD collectors who want a dedicated transport with flexible digital connectivity and already own the rest of the signal chain. It’s not an all-in-one player, and it’s not designed for systems that rely solely on analog inputs.
Price & Availability
The Shanling CT90 is priced at $999 at Forte Distribution.
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