Respected manufacturer Marantz has introduced a pair of stereo superstars to spin the billions of CDs out there begging to be played on a proper hi-fi system rather than a PC.
Marantz is proud to unveil its new CD5004 compact disc player and PM5004 stereo amplifier. Offering a taste of high-end audio at an incredibly competitive price point, the products have been designed from scratch to get the very best from your music.
The remote-controlled CD5004 employs a highly stable CD transport mechanism that delivers excellent data retrieval from compact discs. This sits on a specially designed low-resonance, acoustically damped, impressively rigid chassis. The stylish all-metal casework takes in a thick anodised aluminium front panel. The result is the perfect foundation for the CDs, minimizing any sound-degradating mechanical vibrations that can disturb the sensitive audio circuitry.
At the heart of the design is a Cirrus Logic CS4392, 24-bit/192kHz DAC with fifth-order delta-sigma digital to analogue conversion. This delivers incredibly accurate D/A conversion, resulting in ultra low noise reproduction of music from CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs as well as MP3 and WMA files.
Elsewhere, you'll find gold-plated connectors and premium, high-grade components, such as the Marantz's proprietary HDAM-SA2 modules. These proprietary devices – Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules – replace single chip, 'off-the-shelf' Op-Amps, operating as a buffer amplifier and as a Low Pass Filter. With dramatically improved slew rate they outperform the regular IC Op-Amps and help preserve the music's dynamic structure and tonal quality with their outstanding speed and timbral accuracy.
The Audio EX(clusive) mode further enhances sound quality by switching off superfluous functions, such as the digital output, pitch control and display, all of which aids sonic performance.
Add co-axial and optical digital outputs, CD-Text offering information like artist, album title and track name, as well as a natty headphone socket with level adjustment, and you have an enviable budget CD player package.
Partnering the CD5004 is the excellent, new remote controlled PM5004 integrated stereo amplifier. The unit delivers a meaty 55 watts per channel, though as with all Marantz figures this a conservative measurement.
Unique in its class is to offer current feedback architecture – a feature brought down from the much more expensive Marantz high-end models – the amp delivers fast and accurate signal handling for perfectly balanced stereo sound reproduction and a very open and precise soundstage.
The design takes in five line inputs plus a high quality moving magnet phono stage, tone controls with defeat to bypass, balance control, two sets of speaker terminals, and a headphone socket. A healthy spread, by any standards.
To achieve the best possible audio performance, signal paths are short, direct and mirror imaged. This topology provides incredibly precise, improved stereo imaging by implementing a symmetrical right and left channel layout. Meanwhile, the source direct feature ensures the shortest signal path possible.
Completing the package is a specially designed low resonance, acoustically damped, impressively robust chassis, weighing in at 6kg. This new, stylish all-metal casework takes in a thick anodised aluminium front panel. The result is the perfect foundation, minimizing any sound-degradating mechanical vibrations.
Both designs will be available mid July in either black or silver/gold finishes.
Marantz is a part of D&M Holdings Inc. The company can trace its roots back to the dawn of the first mono LP, when Saul Bernard Marantz, a native of New York, was unhappy with the equipment available to play his cherished record collection on. So he to built his own! Saul officially founded the Marantz Company in 1953. Then, as now, the company's cornerstones were quality and innovation. For over half a century Marantz has been developing unique technologies and bringing landmark hi-fi and home entertainment products to market through its tireless and extensive R&D programmes. Such commitment to audio and video excellence ensures each Marantz design delivers class-leading performance. Additional information is available at www.marantz.com.
D&M Holdings Inc. is a global operating company providing worldwide management and distribution platforms for premium consumer, automotive, commercial and professional audio and video businesses including Denon®, Marantz®, McIntosh® Laboratory, Boston Acoustics®, Calrec Audio, Denon DJ, Allen & Heath, D&M Professional and D&M Premium Sound Solutions. Our technologies improve the quality of any audio and visual experience. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. For more information visit www.dm-holdings.com.