CD Players - Marantz

CD players are still available for hi-fi seperates systems - our range includes both fantastic value and high end purist models, as well as models also capable of playing SACDs. Despite the popularity of streaming and the resurgence of vinyl, CD still reigns king as a music source for many, thanks to CD's durability, sound quality, size and many who have existing large collections. CD players have evolved and many now feature streaming capabilities, pre amplifiers and/or DACs that can accept connections from other digital sources, although we also sell more purist CD players that are designed simply to get the best possible sound from your CDs and nothing more. We also sell blu ray and universal disc players

A CD player consists of two key components – a CD transport and a DAC. The CD transport is the mechanism which reads the disc via a laser and provides raw digital data in which the music is contained. This is where the DAC comes in. DAC stands for Digital to Analogue Converter, and does just that; takes pure digital audio and converts it into an analogue signal, which is what is required for playback and to actually play music out loud. Both CD transports and DACs vary in quality, and so can be purchased separately. CD players feature both a transport and a DAC in a single unit, adding convenience and eliminating the need to pair and match two components sonically.

Marantz is a leading hi-fi separates and home cinema audio brand and was founded by Saul Marantz over 70 years ago. Their current range includes both fantastic value budget and high end hi-fi separates as well as home cinema amps and receivers.

Their first product was designed and built by Saul Marantz in New York in 1953. During the 1980s and 1990s - while owned by Philips, Marantz released some very well reviewed CD players including later in the 1990s the iconic CD63 range.

During the 1990s, Marantz also moved into higher end hi-fi separates. Several models were also developed with Ken Ishiwata - who later became the long standing brand ambassador, and some 'KI Signature' models were released that had been tweaked and improved, as well as the legendary PM-KI Ruby. Its true to say much of their experience in this period has carried through into the aspirational models available today.

In 2001 Marantz Japan acquired the brand, which later merged with Denon into D&M Holdings which was bought by Sound United, itself now part of Masimo. Marantz has always managed to cater to both the great value and high end parts of the market, allowing new hi-fi enthusiasts to own the brand, with somewhere for these same customers - and owners of other brand hi-fi separates, to upgrade to in future.

Marantz also introduced SACD players into their range and in 2002 they introduced the SC-7S1 pre amplifier and MA-9S1 power amplifier, with the now familiar M1 design with a porthole and blue star. More recently at the top end of the range, Marantz released the PM10 amplifier and SA10 SACD player, a new standard for their high end range.

Marantz has remained true to CD and as many still enjoy playing CDs, most of the current amplifiers feature a matching purist CD player model - although of course most amps also feature support for streaming and/or onboard phono stages for turntable use if you prefer vinyl.

Most CD players feature digital outputs, typically optical and coaxial, enabling you to use your unit as a transport and take the digital output and feed it directly into an external DAC. This enables you to upgrade your CD player in the future, and improve the overall sound experienced from it. As with amplification and many aspects of hi-fi, the use of separate boxes and units can have a profound effect on the overall sound quality. Separating noisy power supplies from delicate circuitry can result in greater overall fidelity and sound quality, which is why separate CD transports and DACs are regarded as the pinnacle of hi-fi, just as a separate power and pre amplifier are the pinnacle of amplification. All in one units often represent excellent value, and are not necessarily worse than separate transport and DAC solutions. In fact, at entry level and mid level price points, an all in one CD player typically outperform a similarly priced separate solution.

The quality of the CD transport mechanism, whether that is a standalone unit or the transport in a one-box CD player, can have a massive effect on the overall sound from your Compact Discs. Some high end models use a manual drawer rather than a slot-loading or mechanised disc tray, which eliminates the need for additional motors, circuitry and potential noise interfering with the sound quality achieved. Internal resonance control and prevention of laser refraction ensures that a precise read can be achieved, which ultimately results in the best sound quality.

One box CD players feature analogue RCA outputs for connecting to a pre amplifier or integrated amplifier. As mentioned, some models also feature digital outputs, enabling you to connect a DAC which in turn is connected to an amplifier via RCA cable. A good quality cable can also offer an improvement to the sound you achieve, and can also help to alter or adjust the tonal characteristics of your system – for example adding a more well-rounded sound to an overly bright system.