The D731 is part of a succesfull studio CD players that started with the introduction of the Studer A730 in 1988. Several upgrades have been made to this initial model and in 1993 there was introduced the D731 and the corresponding D730 rackmountable version. The CDS Series are a STUDER and PHILIPS Development product for studio use. In professional audio applications the reliability is of utmost importance. The best technical specifications have only theoretical value if a unit breaks down during on-air operation or if does not survive a shaky tip in an OB van. This applies to CD players as well. The moderator or DJ must be able to rely on the editing and display precision if the music program or show is to become a flawless performance. Highly rigid die-cast aluminum alloy chassis are used wherever the precision and long-term performance to the original specifications is important. The basic chassis of the new CD-drive mwchanism has a sufficiently large mass for excellent shock resistence, but small moving mass for excptional responsiveness. The drive principle has remained unchanged: Balanced linear drive with play-free, low-friction bearings - in other words the well-proven moving coil principle in its most advanced design.
The STUDER D730 compact disc player can also be flush mounted into a console while the D731 can be rack mounted. Both are based on the same technology and their operating ergonomy and display concepts have been devised so as to make them practically identical for both units. Initially conventional CD players had problems not only with the SKIP functions but also with playing back CD-Rs (a new technology back then) that have not been completely recorded, i.e. without TOC. On the STUDER D730 and D731 such CD-Rs can be played without difficulty. In a quick scan they create a table of contents in memory and then play the CD-R without TOC. The CD players can be controlled from a PC via the RS232 interface, whereas the parallel interface supports various versions from simple controls up to external full-key pads. A parallel remote control with or without display used for the A727 or A730 CD player can also be connected to the D731/D731. Audio outputs are available for direct digital connections (XLR) and for analog signals in transformer balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (cinch) configurations. The format of the digital output can be configured according to AES/EBU as well as SPDIF.
