French luxury audio manufacturer Metronome Technologie has revealed the Kalista Ultimate SE, a high-end CD transport priced at approximately £50,000 ($77,000). Engineered for audiophiles seeking the absolute pinnacle of CD playback, the Ultimate SE centers around a heavily modified Philips CDM12 PRO 2 pickup mechanism, featuring a bespoke clamp and custom enhancements to ensure flawless disc reading and sonic precision.
The transport is powered by the Elektra power supply, which utilizes a sophisticated five-level AC filter and three toroidal transformers. To eliminate interference, six independent regulators—supported by over 1.2 Farads of capacitance—provide isolated power to the display, servo mechanism, microprocessor, and digital output stage.
The unit offers a versatile array of high-quality digital outputs, including S/PDIF via a WBT connector, AT&T ST in a rugged metal case, and AES/EBU, all supporting resolutions from 44.1 to 96KHz. To ensure maximum stability and vibration control, the system can be paired with a specialized silent base and a dedicated Kalista stand.
Technical Specifications
Pickup Mechanism: Modified Philips CDM12 PRO 2 with custom clamp
Power Supply: Elektra unit with 5-level AC filter, 3 toroidal transformers, and 6 independent regulators
Power Consumption: 100 VA (Compatible with 100V, 120V, and 240V AC)
Digital Outputs: 1x S/PDIF (WBT), 1x AT&T ST (Metal Case), 1x AES/EBU (44.1 – 96KHz)
Dimensions (WxHxD):
Kalista Ultimate: 450 x 160 x 466 mm
Silent Base: 450 x 75 x 392 mm
Kalista Stand: 450 x 522 x 392 mm
Elektra Power Supply: 450 x 120 x 400 mm
Weight:
Kalista Ultimate: 22 kg (49 lbs)
Silent Base: 10 kg (22 lbs)
Kalista Stand: 30 kg (66 lbs)
Elektra Power Supply: 20 kg (44 lbs)
[ Source: Metronome ]
