ONIX Zenith XST20 Ultimate SACD & CD Transport with Native DSD64 I2S Output

A Dedicated SACD Transport That Sends True DSD to Your DAC

The ONIX Zenith XST20 is a pure disc transport: it reads SACD, CD and MQA-CD and hands the digital signal to your own converter, with no internal decoding in the way. A top-loading mechanism and a heavy CNC-machined aluminium chassis keep the disc and the clock isolated from vibration, while a 3.4-inch touch screen handles track selection and settings. That combination is what lets the XST20 lift a native DSD64 stream off a hybrid SACD and deliver it intact to the DAC you already own.

Native DSD64 Over I2S, and DoP or D2P on Every Other Output

SACD copy protection normally forces a player to convert DSD to PCM before the signal can leave the box. The XST20 avoids that. Its I2S output carries SACD audio as native DSD64, while the optical, coaxial, BNC and AES/EBU outputs carry DSD64 through DoP or D2P for DACs that accept those formats. Compact discs are output at PCM 44.1 kHz across every connection. The USB output also runs CD at 44.1 kHz, but SACD audio is deliberately not available over USB.

Ten I2S Pinout Modes for Near-Universal DAC Compatibility

I2S over HDMI is the cleanest route for a DSD stream, but pinouts are not standardised between manufacturers. The XST20 answers that with switchable hardware covering ten different I2S pinout modes, so it can be matched to practically any I2S-equipped converter rather than only one brand's own. The I2S stage is FPGA-assisted, and the whole design is intended to sit at the front of a system built around a completely different make of DAC.

Multi-Layer SACD Switching and Full MQA-CD Support

Hybrid SACDs carry both a high-resolution layer and a standard CD layer, and the XST20 lets you switch between them so a single disc works on any system. It also reads single-layer SACDs and MQA-CDs. For MQA-CD the transport offers MQA Full Decoder, MQA Core and MQA Source expansion, giving up to 4x expansion of the original sample rate. SACD playback is gapless, so live albums and continuous works run without an audible pause between tracks.

Talema Transformer, 45.1584 MHz Clock and a Vibration-Damped Chassis

Power comes from a 25VA Talema toroidal transformer, and a dedicated supply keeps the digital stages clean and stable. Timing is handled by a built-in 45.1584 MHz clock, the frequency family that suits 44.1 kHz-based disc audio, which keeps data processing precise and jitter low. The CNC-machined unibody aluminium chassis and ribbed lid add mass and damp the mechanism, so the disc stays stable while it spins and reads.

What You Need in the Box, and the Voltage You Must Choose

The XST20 ships with the accessories needed to run it straight away: the XRC-3C remote control, a three-pin IEC power cable, a CD clamp and a CD cover for the top-loading platter, plus a quick start guide and a warranty card. The power supply is region-locked and offered in 110 V or 220 V versions, so the voltage has to match your mains before ordering. At 32 × 24 × 7.2 cm and 5.2 kg it deserves a proper shelf rather than a stack.

Specifications

• Type: Dedicated SACD / CD / MQA-CD digital transport
• Disc Support: CD, Multi-layer SACD, Single-layer SACD, MQA-CD
• SACD Layer Switching: Yes, switchable between the SACD and CD layers of a hybrid disc
• MQA-CD: MQA Full Decoder, MQA Core and MQA Source, up to 4x expansion
• Disc Drive: SANYO HD870
• Loading: Top-loading with disc clamp
• Chassis: CNC-machined unibody aluminium alloy
• Display: 3.4-inch high-definition touch screen
• I2S Output: CD: PCM 44.1 kHz — SACD: DSD64 (native)
• I2S Pinout Modes: 10 selectable modes, FPGA-assisted output stage
• Optical / Coaxial / BNC / AES-EBU: CD: PCM 44.1 kHz — SACD: DSD64 via DoP or D2P
• USB Output: CD: PCM 44.1 kHz — SACD not supported
• Power Supply: 110 V or 220 V AC, region locked
• Transformer: 25VA Talema toroidal transformer
• Clock: Built-in 45.1584 MHz
• Gapless Playback: Yes, for SACD
• Dimensions (including base): 32 × 24 × 7.2 cm
• Weight: 5.2 kg
• Remote Control: XRC-3C supplied

What's Included

• 1 × ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD / CD transport
• 1 × XRC-3C remote control
• 1 × AC power cable (3-pin IEC)
• 1 × CD clamp
• 1 × CD cover
• 1 × Quick start guide
• 1 × Warranty card