If you're still holding on to your SACD and CD collection, you're not alone—and Shanling’s latest release under the Onix brand seems aimed squarely at those who prefer spinning discs over streaming. Meet the Onix Zenith XST20, a new SACD/CD transport that's all about high-quality physical media playback, set to begin shipping in April 2025.

With a U.S. retail price of $2,299 (or $2,099 internationally), the Zenith XST20 isn’t trying to be an all-in-one solution or a jack-of-all-trades streamer. Instead, it’s a dedicated transport, meaning it’s designed to read discs and pass the digital audio signal to an external DAC or amplifier—no internal conversion or amplification here.

At first glance, the Zenith XST20 stands out for its top-loading mechanism. Instead of a typical tray or slot, it uses a glass disc that functions as both a puck and a lid. That’s not just for looks—this kind of design helps ensure that discs are held securely and spin smoothly. It's the kind of thing users might appreciate if they’re concerned about mechanical stability during playback.

The chassis is made from CNC-machined aluminum and carries Onix’s familiar visual touches, including gold accents and minimalist detailing. The whole thing has a low profile—measuring about 32 cm wide and just over 7 cm tall—but weighs in at a substantial 5.2 kg (around 11.5 pounds). So, while compact, it feels more like serious audio hardware than a lightweight media player.

The Zenith XST20 is built to support a variety of disc formats. Standard audio CDs? Check. Single-layer and multi-layer SACDs? Also covered. It even plays MQA-CDs, a niche but growing format that uses the Master Quality Authenticated codec on standard discs.

There’s gapless playback as well, which means it handles transitions between tracks without the awkward pauses some players introduce—something classical and live album fans will appreciate.

Since this is a transport, the real story is in how it connects to other equipment. The Zenith XST20 offers six digital outputs: I2S, coaxial, BNC, AES/EBU, optical (TOSLINK), and USB. Each one has its own strengths depending on what DAC you’re using.

The I2S output is particularly notable here. If you want to play native DSD (Direct Stream Digital) content from SACDs, I2S is your only option. All the other digital outputs can handle DSD64, but they use DoP (DSD over PCM), which isn’t quite the same as pure native DSD. And if you're thinking about using the USB output—it works, but it's limited to PCM audio and doesn’t support SACD playback.

Another key feature is the I2S port’s flexibility. It comes with FPGA-assisted technology that lets users choose from 10 different pinout configurations. That may sound technical, but it basically means you have a much better chance of getting it to work with your existing DAC, even if it's from another brand. You can cycle through the settings on the built-in 3.4-inch touchscreen until everything lines up properly.

This isn’t a streaming box. There’s no Wi-Fi, no apps, and no network connection. The goal here is to keep things focused on disc playback. All controls are handled through the front-panel touchscreen or with the included remote.

That might sound like a throwback in today’s app-heavy world, but for users who want a clean, reliable way to enjoy their physical media without added complications, the interface design makes sense. It also avoids the risk of outdated software or discontinued services—a common issue with streaming hardware.

Powering the Zenith XST20 is a 25VA Talema toroidal transformer, known for supplying stable current while generating minimal noise—something that can matter in sensitive audio setups. The internal components are organized for clean signal flow, and the sturdy aluminum chassis helps reduce vibration.

The XST20 is just the start. Onix has hinted at more products coming soon, including a matching DAC and a Linux-based streaming transport. These devices will likely be designed to pair physically and sonically with the Zenith XST20, offering users a modular upgrade path depending on how they want to build out their system.

The Onix Zenith XST20 is clearly targeted at people who care about high-quality disc playback and already own—or plan to purchase—a DAC. It’s not a product for casual listeners or streaming-first users. But for audiophiles with a sizable SACD or CD collection, or those looking for a dedicated transport to add to a serious hi-fi system, the XST20 provides a focused, purpose-built option.

In an era where most digital audio is moving to the cloud, the Zenith XST20 is a reminder that there’s still a space for physical formats—especially when they’re handled with care and attention to sound quality.