Why the Marantz CD Player Still Feels Special in 2025: Even Against Vintage Legends
When I got my Marantz CD6007 player, I didn’t just buy it; I caught it at the perfect moment. I managed to grab it just before the price increase, and considering how high it’s climbed since then, that decision now feels like a smart investment. Today, its price is almost what you’d call “the cost of a cast-iron bridge,” but once you experience what it can do, you begin to understand why.
Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Marantz radiates that signature premium build quality, dense chassis, brushed metal finish, and an understated yet confident design. It feels less like a piece of electronics and more like a finely crafted instrument meant to last decades.
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I knew from the start that it needed a proper burn-in period. After about 100 hours of use, it really started to come alive; the sound became smoother, more open, and more musical, typical of Marantz’s refined tuning philosophy.
Major Upgrades
This isn’t just a refresh. Marantz has made some thoughtful internal upgrades:
- New DAC (Asahi Kasei AK4490EQ): This was a big step forward. The new DAC gives the player a more detailed, balanced, and organic digital sound. There’s a sense of air and precision that feels more lifelike, especially in the midrange.
- Improved Digital Playback: Now it supports high-resolution audio up to DSD 5.6 MHz and FLAC HD playback directly from flash memory. That means you can enjoy true hi-res tracks without needing an external DAC.
- Headphone Output Upgrade: The headphone section now includes an adjustable gain, allowing for better pairing with different headphone impedances. This not only improves clarity but also offers more punch and dynamic control.
- New Power Supply & Drive: Marantz changed the drive manufacturer and refined the power supply design, improving stability, noise floor, and dynamic performance.
- Separated Analog & Digital Circuits: Another audiophile-grade touch, this separation ensures cleaner signal paths and reduced interference.
Listening Experience
Once burned in, the Marantz delivers the kind of sound it’s famous for: smooth, warm, and emotionally engaging. Vocals carry an effortless naturalness, instruments have body, and the overall presentation is laid-back yet precise.
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It’s the kind of sound that invites long listening sessions. Whether you’re spinning a classical disc or a smooth jazz album, the Marantz keeps things organic, musical, and fatigue-free.
My Honest Comparison: Can It Beat Vintage Legends?
Here’s where things get interesting. Despite all the modern upgrades, it couldn’t quite outperform my 22-year-old Technics SL-PS7 in pure analog playback. That vintage Technics, with its MN64735 1-bit MASH 24-bit DAC and High fs Processing, still holds its own, a testament to how ahead of its time it was.
The Marantz, on the other hand, shines best within its ecosystem when paired with other Marantz components. In that setup, its synergy and balance truly come alive. Outside of it, it remains a very decent standalone CD player, but not an outright game-changer in analog mode.
Verdict:
Okay, so it might have one tiny flaw, but honestly, it’s easy to overlook because the Marantz CD player is just so good. The sound it produces is absolutely great, it’s built so well you can feel the quality, and it masterfully blends the rich, warm feel of classic vinyl with the sharp precision of modern digital. This player is a dream for anyone who wants their music to sound alive and engaging, not just technically perfect. If you’re looking to wrap your favorite songs in that legendary, smooth, and musical Marantz sound, this is the perfect way to do it. It doesn’t just play music; it makes every track a genuinely enjoyable experience.
Pros And Cons:
Pros:
- Rich, smooth Marantz sound signature
- Upgraded AK4490EQ DAC with hi-res playback support
- Adjustable headphone gain
- Improved power supply and separated circuit design
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Can’t fully outperform some high-end vintage CD players
- Best performance when paired with Marantz amps or DACs
- Needs around 100 hours of break-in for best sound
Also Read: Can a Small Marantz Really Sound This Powerful?
Final Verdict:
“A modern Marantz that stays true to its heritage warm, musical, and built to last. Not a revolution, but a refinement done right.”
Marantz CD6007 Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Marantz CD6007 |
| Type | CD Player |
| Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) | Asahi Kasei AK4490EQ 32-bit / 192kHz |
| Supported Audio Formats | CD, CD-R/RW, WMA, MP3, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD 2.8 / 5.6 MHz |
| Frequency Response | 2 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Dynamic Range | 100 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 110 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | 0.002% |
| Headphone Amplifier | HDAM-SA2 circuit with adjustable gain |
| USB Input | Front USB Type-A (Hi-Res Audio playback up to DSD 5.6 & FLAC HD) |
| Analog Output | RCA (gold-plated) |
| Digital Outputs | Optical, Coaxial |
| Power Supply | Improved toroidal transformer and separate analog/digital circuits |
| Remote Control | Yes (shared with Marantz amplifiers) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 440 x 105 x 340 mm |
| Weight | 6.5 kg |
| Finish Options | Black / Silver-Gold |
