• About
    • About HFA
    • HFA Awards
    • Associated Equipment
    • Banners on HFA
    • HFA Analytics Data
    • HFA Audio Setup History
    • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
    • Sitemap
    • Contact
  • HFA Awards
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Amplifier
      • All Amplifier Reviews
      • Integrated Amplifier
      • Preamplifier
      • Power Amplifier
      • Phono Preamp
    • Loudspeaker
      • All Loudspeaker Reviews
      • Passive Speaker
      • Active Analog Speaker
      • Active Digital Speaker
    • Digital
      • All Digital Reviews
      • CD Player
      • SPDIF DAC
      • USB DAC
      • Music Server
      • Network Player
      • Digital Recorder
      • Digital Interface
      • Audio Software
    • Turntable and Accessories
      • All Turntable and Accessories Reviews
      • Turntable
      • Tonearm
      • Phono Cartridge
      • Turntable Accessories
    • Cable
      • All Cable Reviews
      • Analog Interlink
      • Phono Interlink
      • Speaker Cable
      • Power Cable
      • Digital Cable
    • Accessories
      • All Accessories Reviews
      • Racks / Stands / Feet
      • Tuning / Tweaks
      • Power Connector
    • Industry Update
  • Insights
    • All Insights
    • Analog Insights
    • Cable Insights
    • Connector Insights
    • Digital Insights
    • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
    • Generic Insights
    • System Synergy Q&A
  • Specials
  • Show Reports
    • All Show Reports
    • Alkmaar Audio Show
    • Chattelin Audio Systems
    • Dutch Audio Event
    • Enosound
    • HifiDeluxe
    • HifiLive
    • Munich High End
    • XFi
  • Classics
    • All Classics
    • Analog Classics
    • Digital Classics
  • Links
  • About
    • About HFA
    • HFA Awards
    • Associated Equipment
    • Banners on HFA
    • HFA Analytics Data
    • HFA Audio Setup History
    • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
    • Sitemap
    • Contact
  • HFA Awards
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Amplifier
      • All Amplifier Reviews
      • Integrated Amplifier
      • Preamplifier
      • Power Amplifier
      • Phono Preamp
    • Loudspeaker
      • All Loudspeaker Reviews
      • Passive Speaker
      • Active Analog Speaker
      • Active Digital Speaker
    • Digital
      • All Digital Reviews
      • CD Player
      • SPDIF DAC
      • USB DAC
      • Music Server
      • Network Player
      • Digital Recorder
      • Digital Interface
      • Audio Software
    • Turntable and Accessories
      • All Turntable and Accessories Reviews
      • Turntable
      • Tonearm
      • Phono Cartridge
      • Turntable Accessories
    • Cable
      • All Cable Reviews
      • Analog Interlink
      • Phono Interlink
      • Speaker Cable
      • Power Cable
      • Digital Cable
    • Accessories
      • All Accessories Reviews
      • Racks / Stands / Feet
      • Tuning / Tweaks
      • Power Connector
    • Industry Update
  • Insights
    • All Insights
    • Analog Insights
    • Cable Insights
    • Connector Insights
    • Digital Insights
    • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
    • Generic Insights
    • System Synergy Q&A
  • Specials
  • Show Reports
    • All Show Reports
    • Alkmaar Audio Show
    • Chattelin Audio Systems
    • Dutch Audio Event
    • Enosound
    • HifiDeluxe
    • HifiLive
    • Munich High End
    • XFi
  • Classics
    • All Classics
    • Analog Classics
    • Digital Classics
  • Links
scroll down for more
Digital Classics

CD Mechanism Masterpieces – Marantz

Christiaan Punter 14 May 2013 No Comments
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Marantz is well known for its collectable CD player classics such as the CD94, CD7 and the CD12.

What they all have in common is that they look great, sound even better and are utterly reliable.

Marantz CD94

Retail price approx 1000 euro (no longer available)

cd-94-img_0073_550pix

Marantz, like Philips used CDM1 through CDM4 in their best players. Many of the 80’s units are still playing and I can testify myself to them being virtually indestructable. I have had and still have various old CDM-1 based players and with the exception of one CD84 that had a fault in the servo board, they all still play perfectly.

Classic Marantz and Philips players compared

marantz-cd94-img_5255_550pix

cd-94-img_0074_550pix

marantz-cd94-setup-dec-08-rowland-met-m2-img_6664_550pix

The CD94 is a brilliant transport, rivalling even the belt-driven CEC TL1-x.

marantz-cd94_550pix

marantz-cd94-inside_550pix

Above: CD94

marantz_cd94-mkii-059_550pix

Above: CD94 MKII


Marantz CD11LE

Retail price approx 4000 euro in 1992

marantz_cd11le_img_6724_550pix

The CD11LE is the successor of the CD12LE. The latter was made famous in no small part because a well known audio reviewer declared it his reference for analog-like digital playback. The CD11 had the difficult task of living up to this legacy, and in spite of careful marketing it failed. It being a bitstream player rather than multibit sure had something to do with this. Marantz did not sit around passively though and had Ken Ishiwata tweak the player in an effort to make it sound better. This tactic succeeded and the CD11 was moderately successful after all. The CD11LE is an even more tweaked version but I do not know what the differences consist of. In any event my CD11LE sounds mighty fine, even if it doesn’t have the CD94’s all out bass drive and overall slam.

Classic Marantz and Philips players compared

marantz_cd11le_img_6720_550pix

marantz_cd11le_img_6726_550pix

marantz_cd11le_img_6719_550pix

Output transformers and TDA1547 bitstream DAC.

marantz_cd11le_img_6730_550pix

Utterly reliable CDM-4 CD mechanism


Marantz CD12LE

Retail price approx 4000 euro in 1988

marantz_cd12_img_6387_550pix

The CD12 consists of the CD12 CD transport and the DA12 DAC. They comprise what you could say is a maximum version of the CD94, and the combo does sound similar indeed. However, the dearer combo has an even richer sound, more voluptuous bass, even more fluid treble and a more organic flow. I wish i2s connections were common back then, because the combo surely would have sounded even better then. My sample likely had gone off spec slightly because all CD’s sounded a little slow and rounded off. This is a partly why I was so impressed with the CD11LE, as it retained many of the CD12’s plus points while sounding more speedy and bringing new levels of transparency.

Classic Marantz and Philips players compared

marantz-cd12-img_6383_550pix

CD12 combo on top of the CD80. The latter IMHO was not as special as most other Marantz players.

marantz_cd12-139_550pix

CD12 transport inside with the copper shielding plates on.

marantz_cd12-140_550pix

With the copper plates removed

marantz_cd95-dr-032-cd12_550pix

CDM-1: the world’s most reliable CD mechanism.

marantz_cd12-le-cdm1-500pix

I can’t help it: there is just something about these classic players, be it their slick and fast operation or their fluid sound: there is something very right about them.


More CD Mechanism Masterpieces

Accuphase
Burmester
Krell
Linn
Meridian
Mark Levinson
Pioneer
Sony
Teac/Esoteric
Wadia

Read Also

The almost Complete CDM range of CD Mechanisms
Inside Pics of classic Philips and Marantz CD players
Classic Philips and Marantz CD players compared
Marantz DAC and Transport List
Philips DAC and Transport List

Marantz timeline
Philips timeline
Wadia Digital Company Special

Related Posts
Wadia CD Mechanisms
Philips CDM Mechanisms – Page 1 – CDM-0, CDM-1, CDM-2, CDM-3
Philips CDM Mechanisms – Page 2 – CDM-4, CDM-1 MkII, CDM-9
Philips CDM Mechanisms – Page 3 – CDM-12 and CD Pro
Bang & Olufsen CD-7000
Bang & Olufsen CD-X
CD Mechanism Masterpieces – Krell
CD Mechanism Masterpieces – Burmester
Marantz
  • Share This:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Christiaan Punter Owner of Hifi-Advice.com

Your comment Cancel reply

All feedback is welcome but I may not be able to respond to every comment. First-time comments need manual approval which may cause a slight delay. Avoid using links to prevent marking as spam.

 

Categories

  • Accessories Reviews
  • Active Analog Speakers Reviews
  • Active Digital Speakers Reviews
  • Alkmaar Audio Show
  • Amplifier Reviews
  • Analog Classics
  • Analog Insights
  • Analog Interlink Reviews
  • Analogy Records
  • Apogee Acoustics Company Special
  • Audio Software Reviews
  • Audiophile Insights
  • Cables Insights
  • CD Player Reviews
  • Chattelin Audio Systems
  • Connectors Insights
  • Digital Cable Reviews
  • Digital Classics
  • Digital Insights
  • Digital Interface Reviews
  • Digital Recorder Reviews
  • Digital Reviews
  • Dutch Audio Event
  • Enosound
  • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
  • Generic Insights
  • HFA Audio Setup History
  • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
  • HifiDeluxe
  • HifiLive
  • Industry Update
  • Integrated Amplifier Reviews
  • Marantz & Philips Classics
  • Munich High End
  • Music Server Reviews
  • Network Player Reviews
  • Passive Speakers Reviews
  • Phono Cartridge Reviews
  • Phono Interlink Reviews
  • Phono Preamp Reviews
  • Power Amplifier Reviews
  • Power Cable Reviews
  • Power Conditioning
  • Power Connector Reviews
  • Preamplifier Reviews
  • Racks / Stands / Feet Reviews
  • Rhapsody
  • Show Reports
  • SPDIF DAC Reviews
  • Speaker Cable Reviews
  • Specials
  • System Synergy Q&A
  • Tonearm Reviews
  • Tuning / Tweaks Reviews
  • Turntable Accessories Reviews
  • Turntable and Accessories Reviews
  • Turntable Reviews
  • Uncategorized
  • USB DAC Reviews
  • XFi

BRANDS

  • A&B Systems
  • A10 Audio
  • Aavik
  • Acapella
  • Accuphase
  • AcousticMatters
  • Acustica Applicata
  • Admire Audio
  • Aequo Audio
  • AG Lifter
  • Aidas
  • Akiko Audio
  • Analog Domain
  • Analogy Records
  • Analysis Audio
  • Analysis Plus
  • Ansuz
  • Anthem
  • Anti-Cables
  • Antipodes
  • APL
  • Apogee
  • Apogee Acoustics
  • Aqua
  • Arcam
  • Aries Cerat
  • Artesania
  • ASI
  • Astin Trew
  • atm audio
  • A Tube High Fidelity
  • Audeze
  • AudioAanZee
  • Audio Aero
  • Audio Club Premier
  • Audio GD
  • Audiolab
  • Audiolympic
  • Audiomeca
  • Audio Note
  • Audionote
  • Audio Origami
  • Audio Physic
  • AudioQuest
  • Audio Research
  • Audio Synthesis
  • Audio Technica
  • Auralic
  • Aurender
  • Aurum Cantus
  • Avalon
  • AvantGarde
  • AVID
  • AVIDHIFI
  • Ayon
  • Ayre Acoustics
  • B&W
  • Bals
  • Bang & Olufsen
  • Behringer
  • Belden
  • Benz
  • Bergmann
  • Black Rhodium
  • Boenicke Audio
  • Bowers & Wilkins
  • Bricasti
  • Bryston
  • Burmester
  • Børresen
  • CAD
  • Cardas
  • Care Orchestra
  • CAT
  • CEC
  • Chord Electronics
  • CH Precision
  • Clarisys Audio
  • Classé
  • Clearaudio
  • Concert Fidelity
  • Conrad Johnson
  • Consonance
  • COS
  • Curious Cables
  • D'Agostino
  • DAD
  • Dali
  • Daniël Hertz
  • Daudio
  • dCS
  • Degritter
  • Denafrips
  • Denon
  • Devialet
  • Devore
  • Diptyque
  • Doepke
  • Driade
  • DS Audio
  • Dynavector
  • Dynavox
  • E&T
  • EC-Designs
  • Echole
  • Elac
  • Electrocompaniet
  • Elijah Audio
  • EMAG
  • EMMLabs
  • Emotiva
  • EMU
  • Enosound
  • Ensemble
  • Esoteric
  • Estelon
  • Euphony
  • Exogal
  • Fadel Art
  • Fezz Audio
  • FIM Gold
  • Final
  • Final Touch Audio
  • Finite Elemente
  • FoilFlex
  • Franco Serblin
  • Furutech
  • Fusion Audio
  • Gauder Akustik
  • Genelec
  • Gigawatt
  • GiK
  • Goldmund
  • Graham Audio
  • Grandinote
  • Grimm Audio
  • Gryphon
  • Gustavson Audio
  • Halcro
  • Hanze Hifi
  • Harman/Kardon
  • Harmonic Resolution Systems
  • Harmonic Technology
  • Harmonix
  • Heaven's Gate
  • Hifi-Tuning
  • HiFi.nl
  • HifiMan
  • High Fidelity Cables
  • Hofa
  • Holo Audio
  • Home Audio Fidelity
  • HRS
  • IeGO
  • Ikigai
  • IMF
  • Isotek
  • Jadis
  • Jay's Audio
  • JCAT
  • Jeff Rowland
  • Jena Labs
  • JMF Audio
  • Jorma Audio
  • Jorma Design
  • Joseph Audio
  • JPLAY
  • JVC
  • Kemp
  • Kharma
  • Kimber
  • KingRex
  • Kinki Studio
  • KlinktBeter
  • Kora
  • Krell
  • Kroma Audio
  • Kupp
  • LAiV Audio
  • Lampizator
  • Lapp
  • LAST
  • Lector
  • Leema
  • Lejonklou
  • LessLoss
  • Line Magnetic
  • Linn
  • Logitech
  • LOK
  • Loudness War
  • Lumin
  • Luxman
  • M2Tech
  • Mad Scientist
  • Magico
  • Magnan
  • Magnepan
  • Mamba Audio
  • Manley Labs
  • Manunta
  • Marantz
  • Mark Levinson
  • Marten
  • Martin Logan
  • Master
  • Matrix
  • MBL
  • McIntosh
  • Melco
  • Melody
  • Meridian
  • Metrum Acoustics
  • Michell
  • MIT
  • MJ Acoustics
  • Modus Audio
  • Mogami
  • Mola-Mola
  • Monitor Audio
  • Monrio
  • Moon
  • Morel Hifi
  • Musical Fidelity
  • Mytek
  • Nagaoka
  • Naim
  • Naiu Laboratory
  • Nakamichi
  • NBS
  • Network Acoustics
  • Niels Setup
  • Nordost
  • NuPrime
  • Ohm Audio
  • Olive
  • Onkyo
  • Onzow
  • Origin Live
  • Ortofon
  • Oyaide
  • Panasonic
  • Paradigm
  • Parasound
  • Pass Labs
  • Philips
  • Pink Faun
  • Pioneer
  • Playback Designs
  • Precision Audio
  • PrimaLuna
  • Proceed
  • PS Audio
  • PUUR AVD
  • PUUR hifidelity
  • Pylon Audio
  • Qln
  • Qobuz
  • Quad
  • R.T.F.S.
  • RAAL Requisite
  • Raidho
  • Reference Sounds
  • Reference Tweaks
  • Rega
  • Rein Audio
  • REL
  • Resonator Stockholm
  • Revel
  • Ricable
  • Roon
  • RTFS
  • SAEQ
  • SAT
  • Schiit
  • Seawave Acoustic
  • Sennheiser
  • Shakti
  • Shuguang
  • Shunyata
  • Shure
  • Signal Projects
  • Silent Angel
  • Siltech
  • SME
  • SolidSteel
  • Solid Tech
  • Sonic Frontiers
  • Sonos
  • Sonus Faber
  • Sony
  • Sooloos
  • SOtM
  • Soulution
  • Sound Anchor
  • Sound Lab
  • Spectral
  • Spotify
  • Stack Audio
  • Stealth
  • Stillpoints
  • Straight Wire
  • SW1X Audio Design
  • Symo
  • Synergistic Research
  • Synology
  • Synthese
  • T+A
  • Taiko Audio
  • Tascam
  • Teac
  • TechDAS
  • Technics
  • The Chord Company
  • Thorens
  • Transparent Audio
  • Trends
  • Tung Sol
  • Unison Research
  • UpTone Audio
  • VAIC
  • van Damme
  • van den Hul
  • van Medevoort
  • Vermeer Audio
  • Vermouth Audio
  • Vibex
  • Vifa
  • Vincent
  • ViRa High End
  • Viva
  • Vivid Audio
  • VTL
  • Wadax
  • Wadia
  • Wattgate
  • Wattson
  • Way Cables
  • Weiss
  • Western Electric
  • WestminsterLab
  • Widealab
  • Wilson Audio
  • Wilson Benesch
  • Winyl
  • Wires 4 Music
  • Wireworld
  • Wolf von Langa
  • Wooden Bull
  • XACT
  • Xavian
  • xFyro
  • Xindak
  • XLO
  • Yamaha
  • Zanden
  • Zesto
  • ZYX

Visit HFA on Social Media

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

LEGAL

Privacy Policy

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. All rights reserved © 2021 - hifi-advice.com.
  • Contact
  • Home