Vintage Marantz CD player 'pecking Order'?

[Old George]

Hi folks,

I've been looking at some second-hand Marantz CD players on fleabay, these are just some of the models available....

Marantz CD52 Mk II Special Edition
Marantz CD-62
Marantz CD-65
Marantz CD75

Marantz CD5001
Marantz CD6000 OSE
Marantz Cd 6000 OSE KI Signature

I know the 'KI' variants are desirable, but what is the best model out of the one's i've listed? I would like them listing in order of sound quality please.
I used to own a Marantz CD4000, how does this compare to the players listed above?

Could you list any other reasonably priced s/hand Marantz models (sub £150) and fit them in appropriate sonic order to the above models?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

[Gordon Steadman]

I wonder how many people will have listened to them all!!!

I have the CD62 in one of the bedroom systems. I prefer it to the much lauded CD63SI (now in the 'spares' department) and its very close to the Pioneer Stable platter machine in the main system, just subtly different.

I think the CD62 cost me around £10.

[Macca]

'best' is always going to be subjective and possibly system dependant as well. So a tough one to answer even for someone who has heard them all which I haven't. from what I have read the 6000 KI Sig seems to be regarded as very good as does the 63 KI Sig which you haven't shortlisted.

Personally I'd buy a Sony ;)

[PaulStewart]

I have had a few of these and the 63 KI sig was top notch at the price, but my favourite was a 75 I think mk2 KI sig which I gave to my son in a moment of madness.

[Rush2112]

I've still got a 52mk2.full working order boxed etc any offers ?

Seriously there are some great Marantz players and DAC's I had a CDA 94 DAC it was excellent

[The Barbarian]

The original 'CD-73' for me

[StanleyB]

Also known as the Philips CD-303. Great sound, but a lousy CDP to repair.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Hi
The CD50 is very good, but a lot better after changing its opamps for opa1612 or AD827. and overall a really good player, the infamous TDA1541 contributing to its good sound
the CD5400 is excellent, but has IMO a strange implementation of turn on relay. It uses some exotic JRC opamps that are very good, slightly better though with opa1612
the CD80 what a magnificent player, once again a change of opamps does wonders.
the 7300 nice sounding player that is different in presentation, that suits some CD's

a nice variation on Marantz is the 300 disc Sony CX555ES with AD827 op amps, it rivals the best I have heard from Marantz.


Cheers / Chris

[Spectral Morn]

I have had a few of these and the 63 KI sig was top notch at the price, but my favourite was a 75 I think mk2 KI sig which I gave to my son in a moment of madness.

There was a CD 75 se at one time but not a KI version as the 75 pre-dated KI but the SE designation was the beginnings of Ken tweaking stuff.

I had a CD65 se at one time before moving to a CD85 and then CD94 mk 2.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Hi folks,

I've been looking at some second-hand Marantz CD players on fleabay, these are just some of the models available....

Marantz CD52 Mk II Special Edition
Marantz CD-62
Marantz CD-65
Marantz CD75

Marantz CD5001
Marantz CD6000 OSE
Marantz Cd 6000 OSE KI Signature

I know the 'KI' variants are desirable, but what is the best model out of the one's i've listed? I would like them listing in order of sound quality please.
I used to own a Marantz CD4000, how does this compare to the players listed above?

Could you list any other reasonably priced s/hand Marantz models (sub £150) and fit them in appropriate sonic order to the above models?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

My thoughts would be CD85 or CD94 mk2, though both have laser mechanisms that are now harder to find and more costly than the more common types to replace. However in my opinion both of these, but more the CD94 mk2, gave the best Marantz take on multibit, excluding the rare CD7 which sells used for big money these days and the CD12 which pre-dates it but sells for even crazier amounts considering its age.

Regards Neil

[Old George]

Interesting relies Guys, thanks very much for your views.:)
Any more opinions folks?

[dowser]

CD40/50/60 series are all good choices for modding, using the classic cdm4/7220/1541 setup. Lots of space inside. SE versions have better smoothing caps already.

I just got a CD60 for its premium casework (I have disabled variable & headphone outputs - so technically it's now same as cheaper CD40).

[Accudazed]

An easy one this! Of the players in your list, the Marantz CD6000 OSE wins by a mile.

Why? The performance/quality it gives per pound is unbeatable! I got one for £50. It's unusually heavy for a Marantz CD player too (high end models excepted of course). You still get much of the warmth and bass of the earlier Marantz's but the treble is much more detailed.

I've seen Marantz CD6000 OSE's go for as low as £30 which is unbelievable.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[Old George]

An easy one this! Of the players in your list, the Marantz CD6000 OSE wins by a mile.

Why? The performance/quality it gives per pound is unbeatable! I got one for £50. It's unusually heavy for a Marantz CD player too (high end models excepted of course). You still get much of the warmth and bass of the earlier Marantz's but the treble is much more detailed.

I've seen Marantz CD6000 OSE's go for as low as £30 which is unbelievable.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Thanks Steve.

[PaulStewart]

There was a CD 75 se at one time but not a KI version as the 75 pre-dated KI but the SE designation was the beginnings of Ken tweaking stuff.

That's the one check with the boy wonder and it's still going strong in his system and has seen off many others. Wish I'd kept it. :lol:

[Audiocom AV]

Hi,

The Marantz CD63 KI Signature was the best budget Marantz IMO.

I modified a lot of Marantz players over the years, from the early budget CD-65 to the SA-1/SA-7. The CD63 KI & CD6000 KI were very similar, but the CD63 had a certain magic about it, even though technically the 6000 was better.

[Gordon Steadman]

Hi,

The Marantz CD63 KI Signature was the best budget Marantz IMO.

I modified a lot of Marantz players over the years, from the early budget CD-65 to the SA-1/SA-7. The CD63 KI & CD6000 KI were very similar, but the CD63 had a certain magic about it, even though technically the 6000 was better.

Its wierd how we hear such different things. I have the CD63 KI signature and the older bog standard CD62. I prefer the older one, it seems less hi-fi and more music to me.

[icehockeyboy]

FWIW, I had a 6000 OSE, I liked it at the time......but wouldn't go out of my way to get another, or any CDP come to that! :)

[Spectral Morn]

That's the one check with the boy wonder and it's still going strong in his system and has seen off many others. Wish I'd kept it. :lol:

Nice player Paul (best sound if left on and with a shorting plug in the digital output) as was the 65Se too (I owned one, an upgrade from a Marantz 273 Le) however they were very plasticy affairs, which is why when I was able I upgraded to the CD85, and then onto a 94Mk2 - which I still own, still going strong after the drawer opening and closing belt was recently replaced.


Regards Neil