Marantz CD5004 CD Player

• Analog audio circuits featuring HDAM®-SA2, High performance Cirrus Logic stereo D/A converter, Current-buffered headphone output
• Audio EX mode for super-quiet performance
• MP3/WMA playback capability, Variable pitch control, Adjustable Quick Replay, CD-Text, MP3/WMA tag data display
• Independent gold plated analog output jacks, IR Flasger Input, IEC type detachable power code
• ELNA Silmic Cerafine Series High Grade Audio Capacitors
• Multiple repeat, random, program, edit play modes
• Pitch control for CD-DA
• Plays CD and CD-R RW, MP3, WMA, CD DA
• Super audio CD grade 192kHz 24-bit cirrus logic CS4392 DAC

Let me start by saying that I am more of an analogue fan (I like the warm natural sound of lps). I also play bass so I like systems which can reproduce this instrument well.

I needed to replace a Carver 490t which after 20 years of use was starting to fail. I wanted something that sounded pretty good and that the kids could abuse.

This unit fits the bill. The Marantz CD5004 does not quite compare with my previous CD which has tubes and which was an exceptional unit for it era. I must say it however comes pretty close. The Carver was $1,200 when I bought it so I did not expect the Marantz could match it and it does not. Doing a side by side test reveals that the Carver is more musical and that it offers a larger sound stage. Its highs are also more natural and less sizzling. The bass is richer and more profound. The overall tone is warmer and more musical. All this is easy to notice with jazz or classical music. When it comes to rock and dance music, the Marantz does quite well because it actually beats the Carver for dynamics. The CD5004 is a hard hitting unit without being fatiguing to the ear. Doing a blind listening test, I could easily sort the Marantz from the Carver with jazz but not with rock.

I guess it speaks volume for Marantz that a $350 unit would come close to a $1,200 unit that was well rated for its era. Note also that the differences I describe can be heard if you pay attention and if you listen to this CD player on a good system. I tend to believe that anybody short of an audiophile would be quite satisfied with this CD player. It offers an amazing value for its price.

I added this review because there is very little written on this CD player.

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I've had the player a little over two weeks now and each time I play a CD for the first time with it I appreciate it more and more. With this grade of D/A converter you of course expect natural high end and great overall imaging, but the thing that continues to impress me the most is the fullness of the center low frequency image. It's tight and full and doesn't waver at different frequencies. I listen to many different types of music and this player brings out the best (and the worst) of all those recordings.

I highly recommend this product for anyone who has a good sized collection of standard CDA's.

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I needed a CD player with headphone capability, but more quality and refinement of sound than the excellent $108 Teac CD-P1260. In the $300 to $500 price range there is no competition, so I decided to try this Marantz CD-5004 (a recent upgrade of the CD-5003). It is a beautifully operating machine with a more refined sound than I had previously heard. The high degree of resolution results in sound that is more detailed and thus more sensuously beautiful and true to the original sound than I thought CD was capable of. And the headphone output using AKG K701 phones is stunning. Unless you want to spend a lot more, or get involved with external headphone amplifiers or preamps with headphone jacks, this beautifully operating player is my recommendation. The supplied manual (in English, French and Spanish) is clear and complete.

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OMG! OMG! I'd been listening to distortion all these years and had thought that it was music. This is an exceptional instrument which won't become obsolete in the near future. Every CD I've played with it has surprised me with details I hadn't imagined were there before, but its strong suit is presence. The mid range is pure and defined to an extent that I didn't think was possible in a unit costing less than $400. In short, this player is an outstanding value!

Update, November 2012: I still love it!

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This CD player offer a absolutely great value for it's price.

I also used it directly with headphone (Grado SR325i) and it deliver a nice and balance sound.

The internal circuit headphone is very good.

So here you get a very good CD player plus a excellent headphone amplifier.

Details are precise and the overall is really musical. For it's price I can assure you that any difficult audiophile like me

will be really happy. The construction is well made and it looks very nice.

This CD player can easy be compared with much more expensive units.

Strongly recommended if you are looking for the best deal in town.