Test report Marantz CD6003

The Marantz company, which was founded in the USA at the time, has a large range of products. The one manufactured from 2006 also belongs to it CD 5001 OSE. A real reference in CD playback if you ask me. For this reason alone, people were very surprised when Marantz, which now operates with Denon under D&M Holdings, threw an even more sophisticated CD player onto the market. We're talking about the CD6002 here; a visually, in my opinion, not so appealing player, but with all its features and finesse in
the playback across the test magazines and the most important opinions, namely those of his private listeners. No wonder I couldn't miss a test of the successor.

The CD6003 was presented for the first time at the HIGH END 2009 in Munich. The Resonance was correspondingly large, after all at the same time the secret of the 500-piece limited high-endSACD-Player named "KI-Pearl" aired. From the end of July, the device can then be purchased from specialist retailers for a suggested retail price of 399 euros.

It is not uncommon for a lot of fuss to be made about a new product, but in the end it does not or only insufficiently fulfill these advertising promises. This is exactly what happens at Marantz - only with one difference: what is announced and promised is also kept. such as For example, the following quote from the press release: "If you expect excellent CD playback,
excellent sound quality, dynamics and a clear sharpness of detail are what drives you, then you will find exactly the right playing partner for a music lover in the CD6003.”

That's exactly what has happened in the HiFi-Online.net test (where, briefly noted, it is not about any measurement results and supposedly objective opinions of many different editors in sound-optimized rooms, but about the listening pleasure in your own four walls) confirmed. But please read the following pages for yourself.

TECHNOLOGY

The CD6003, which is perfectly processed in all respects, brings a whole lot of features with it. For example, unlike its predecessor, it offers a USB interface for the Connection an iPod or similar devices. To work our way from front to back, let's move on to the other features of the front panel, as there's also a useful headphone jack there. Control buttons also replace the most important functions of the remote control. Unfortunately, the CD6003 only has a standby function (0,3 watts), you can't switch it off completely unless you connect it to a power strip that can be switched off. Conversely, the D/A converter remains constantly active.

The clearly structured and easy-to-read dot matrix display, which also has a dimmer function, takes up most of the space on the front, so it can be switched off completely or its luminosity reduced. The player's CD-Text function, if available on the silver disc, rounds off the front appearance once again.

We find sufficient connection options on the back. The gilded ones are in the left area stereo-Cinch-Connections, right next door there is also a coaxial digital and optical digital output.

But the exciting thing is only just beginning, because now we come to the inner workings. Every layperson will notice the extremely careful cabling and detail processing at first glance. The circuit boards are all structurally separate and screwed solidly. The whole thing unfolds on a double-reinforced base plate, which allows the CD6003 to grow into a real bolide at seven kilograms.

The efficiency is enhanced by a lush Power Supplies guaranteed. With the high quality of the CS4398 as a converter, which is supported by the output amplifier stage, the HDAM-S2, specially developed by Marantz, an almost spectacular sound image is achieved, from which you can not only hear CD playback, but also via the USB connection benefits. However, an increase in the sound experience is still possible: using the Audio EX mode, the display, the Pitch–Control and the digital outputs are switched off, which has a noticeable effect on the playback quality. Allâ?? this puts together a total package that comes with a high Resolution over the entire frequency range (2 Hz to 20 kHz) and improved transparency (distortion factor 0,002%) and sound accuracy more than convincing.

In terms of playback functions, the CD6003 is also properly equipped. An automatic play is also available, as is the random mode. In terms of playback formats, the player not only masters the CD-RW, but also the compressed sound formats in addition to the standard CD MP3, WMA and AAC.

Of course, a very well made remote control is also included with the player, with which all important functions of the player can be called up from afar. I see a small shortcoming at this point in the aspect that the remote control unfortunately has no backlight, so that the buttons can be used without errors even in darker rooms.

A quick look at the flawless workmanship of the case:

                    

SOUND

The issue that matters in the end is that Klang. Many music enthusiasts don't care what kind of D/A converter or electrolytic capacitor is installed in the device, the main thing is that it fulfills its purpose to the satisfaction of the listener. Without beating too much about the bush, I can say that the CD6003 fulfills its purpose with the best results. Anyone who knows and appreciates its predecessor, the CD6002, will bring even more joy into the house with this player. Even those who are rather skeptical about the digital world of ones and zeros should perhaps overcome their inner "bastard" and test the player of the small silver discs - it's worth it!

An old misconception, I think, is still the basic idea: the better the equipment, the more inaudible bad recordings become. From experience I can say that this is pure nonsense. The CD6003 sees it the same way, by the way. As one of the most honest players in its class, it mercilessly reproduces the quality found on the CD - sometimes more, sometimes less.

The modern designed device played all types of music without compromise. Starting with more modern albums from the rock and pop area, some CDs by Lizz Wright and Jack Johnson, through the best female jazz with Rebekka Bakkens to Charles Lloyd - one of the best tenor saxophonists in my opinion. I used his CD “Lift Every Voice” as my “test CD”. All for one simple reason:

With this album, Charles Lloyd demonstrates that jazz can spread calm as well as create unrest. But the Marantz player masters the reproduction of the saxophone and the piano, etc. excellently by playing very finely, extremely precisely and spatially very tidily. And the astonishing thing about it is that he manages to do all this with an enormous liveliness that amazes at one time or another.

Other songs that are played back with the CD6003 exude an enormous level of detail. The Marantz doesn't show any weaknesses, especially with well-rehearsed hi-hats. The high-frequency reproduction is precise, open and clear.

Especially compared to, I would say, somewhat outdated players, which may still be standing around in many racks, the CD6003 seems much more agile.

CONCLUSION

The very well processed and designed CD6003 is a player for everyone who attaches great importance to excellent CD playback without any unnecessary frills. With this device, Marantz proves once again that less is often more. In terms of sound quality, I would particularly like to emphasize the crystal-clear high-frequency reproduction, the liveliness and, above all, the attention to detail that lies in this model. The CD6003 is a more than worthy successor to the CD6002 and cements Marantz's position as one of the best manufacturers in the hi-fi and home cinema industry.