1970s Fascia · 384kHz Heart

A transport built to outlive its own converter.

Name: Unitra CSH-801 CD Player
Brand: Unitra Audio
SKU: CSH-801-03
Price: 3999.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

Behind the backlit CD viewport sits a 32-bit DAC decoding up to 384kHz, holding distortion to 0.004% and noise 112dB below signal.

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Transport and Converter

Typ CSH-801 Zakład Warszawa

The transport can outlive the DAC

Most CD players from the format's twilight years were built to a budget: an off-the-shelf DAC run at its spec-sheet minimum, a fixed analogue-only output, a display that dims within a few years. The CSH-801 was engineered against that pattern, with no price point setting the ceiling. Every measured figure below is published, not implied, and the digital outputs mean the transport can outlive whichever DAC sits behind it.

DAC architecture Generic chip run at bare minimum spec 32-bit DAC decoding to 384kHz, rated at 112dB SNR

Distortion control THD+N left unpublished or rounded up 0.004% THD+N at 1kHz, stated on the spec sheet

Digital flexibility Fixed DAC path with no way out Coaxial and optical outputs let it run as a pure transport into an external DAC

Display longevity LCD segments that dim and drop out within years 3.7-inch backlit E Ink display with CD-text, built to stay legible

Chassis construction Stamped steel shell behind a plastic fascia Full metal housing with an aluminium front-panel trim

32-bit decoding to 384 kHz, distortion at 0.004%

Digital outputs, so the DAC behind it can change

Distortion and Noise

Behind the viewport

112dB

Signal-to-noise ratio at the analogue output, keeping the noise floor far beneath the music.

0.004% THD+N

Total harmonic distortion plus noise at 1kHz, 0dBFS — low enough to stay out of the way of the recording.

384kHz PCM

Maximum decoding rate of the internal 32-bit DAC, driven from a standard Red Book CD.

Technical specifications

DAC	32-bit, decodes up to 384kHz PCM
THD+N	0.004% (1kHz, 0dBFS)
Signal-to-noise ratio	112 dB
Frequency response	7Hz – 20kHz
Output level	2.1V RMS / 3V max (RCA)
Digital outputs	Coaxial and optical (S/PDIF), transport mode bypasses internal DAC
Disc compatibility	CD, CD-R, CD-RW
Display	3.7-inch backlit E Ink, CD-text support
Dimensions / weight	440 x 355 x 105mm, 6.9kg

What DAC does the CSH-801 use, and what does it support?

A 32-bit DAC capable of decoding up to 384kHz PCM, delivering a 112dB signal-to-noise ratio and 0.004% THD+N at 1kHz.

Can the CSH-801 be used as a transport with an external DAC?

Yes. It has coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs, and a transport function that bypasses the internal DAC so you can feed the digital signal to an outboard converter.

What disc formats does it play?

Standard Red Book CD, plus CD-R and CD-RW.

What is the display like?

A 3.7-inch backlit E Ink display with CD-text support, designed to stay legible over the long term. LCD segment displays dim with age; this one does not.

Is the CSH-801 part of an award-winning design?

Yes. It's part of Unitra's stereo hi-fi system — alongside the WSH-805 amplifier, a turntable and speakers — that won a Red Dot Design Award in 2025.

What are the dimensions and weight?

440 x 355 x 105mm and 6.9kg, with a full metal chassis and aluminium front-panel trim.

About the Unitra CSH-801 CD Player

A CD Player and DAC in One Beautiful Box

The Unitra CSH-801 CD Player is a modern disc spinner with a twist: it's both a CD player and a standalone DAC/transport, styled to match Unitra's new line of components. Spin your silver discs with a proper dedicated transport, or feed it a digital source and let its 32-bit converter do the work. Either way, you get clean, dynamic, detailed sound and a rich information display that puts every track detail at your fingertips.

Transport and DAC, Working Together

The CSH-801's 32-bit DAC delivers a THD+N of just 0.004% and a 92 dB dynamic range, with 90 dB of channel separation for a wide, stable stereo image. A 2.1V RMS output (3V maximum) drives any preamp or integrated with ease, and both analog RCA and digital optical outputs give you flexibility in how you connect it into your system.

Full Control and a Rich Display

Beyond the basics of play, pause and skip, the CSH-801 offers repeat-all, repeat-one and shuffle modes, plus fast forward and rewind at ×5, ×10 and ×15. Its display shows album title and artist, total time, track count, track details, playback status and elapsed time, with menus available in Polish, English, French and German. A full remote control is included.

Why You'll Love the CSH-801

CD player with dedicated transport plus standalone 32-bit DAC function
Low distortion (THD+N 0.004%) and 92 dB dynamic range
Analog RCA and digital optical outputs
Rich information display with multi-language menus
Full playback control and included remote

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the CSH-801 be used as a standalone DAC?

Yes. It functions as both a CD player with a dedicated transport and a standalone DAC, with analog RCA and digital optical outputs.

What output level does it provide?

2.1V RMS nominal (3V maximum), comfortably driving any preamplifier or integrated amplifier.

Does it include a remote?

Yes, a full-function remote control is included, and the menu is available in Polish, English, French and German.

CSH-801 Technical Specifications

Type	CD player with DAC and transport function
DAC	32-bit (16-bit data)
Frequency response	7 Hz – 20 kHz
THD + N	0.004% (1 kHz, 0 dBFS)
Dynamic range	92 dB
Channel separation	90 dB
Output level	2.1 V RMS (3 V max)
Outputs	Analog RCA, digital optical
Playback modes	Repeat all, repeat one, shuffle; FF/RW ×5/×10/×15
Menu languages	Polish, English, French, German
Remote control	Included