Schiit URD CD Transport SOON?

The URD actually uses the same basic drive as the CD Pro 8.  The Pro 8 is different in that the drive/sled assembly is housed in a CNC machined aluminum block, as opposed to molded composite frame.  The electronics/servo board in the URD is the CD88, while some use the CD84 (Project).  There is basically no difference between the boards, other than the form factor. For most practical purposes, the URD drive is more or less equal, and I note that the excellent Bryston BCD3 ($4500) uses the same Stream Unlimited drive and electronics board as the URD. For most high end manufactures, there are few drives and laser head assemblies to choose from.  Many (if not most) are using the Stream Unlimited drives.  Only with the few very expensive CD transports (like the Teac Esoteric) do you get what could be considered a true "high end" CD drive that is able to fully maximize data extraction from a spinning CD disc. Most CD drives and laser heads have gone the way of "cheap" compared to what once was the case.

@fastcat95 ah ok. But IMO the solid aluminum block and carbon fiber housing of the Pro 8 drive, as used in the RS2T or the $30k Gryphon Transport, is the significant factor. But obviously costs more for that performance. But the basic Pro 8 drive and functions here for $1200 from Schiit will surely still be good price to performance. 

jriggy:  I worked in Acoustics & vibration research & development for 33 years. The Pro 8 housing is a very hollow block of aluminum (most of it has been CNC machined out).  The housing (now with thin aluminum walls) would still be subject to resonant vibration issues (no internal damping applied).  The only real advantage (a very mild one) is that possibly the alignment of drive parts will be a bit more precise in the CNC milled box.  As to the carbon fiber, it is very light and stiff, but is used in a way that is likely to have no impact as far as vibration or resonant energy. And carbon fiber is not noted for any superior vibration damping characteristics (it is actually very low)  There have been discussions at DIYaudio.com about the deceptive elements of the Pro 8 aluminum drive; the earlier Phillips "PRO" drives that had a die cast enclosure (not entirely unlike the Pro 8) were similarly deceptive in that it could be perceived that there were "superior" components inside, which turned out not to be quite the case.

The Schii tUrd could arrive early in the morning tomorrow (maybe a lot earlier than that with Miralax 😁).....these goofballs and their product names...

I received an Urd and have been having problems with the transport recognizing disks. About half of the time it will work properly then I have to reset it by unplugging. I tried a Moon Audio Silver Dragon USB C to B cable (which works fine from another source directly into the DAC) but I kept getting the broken USB icon on the transport. I used an AES/EBU to connect and it does sound very good. I have a Jays CDT2 Mark 3 which does sound better but not superior, I would say that the Schiit is about 85% of the Jays. My DAC is a Denafrips Terminator II 12th.