At no level has it been damaged – a string of What Hello-Fi? Awards courting again to the flip of the 21st century attests to that – however however Marantz has gone forward and glued its 6000 collection CD participant yearly regardless.
This newest model, the CD6006, has undergone quite a few adjustments from the 2015 Award-winning CD6005 – not least a value hike to £400 from the outgoing machine’s £330.
Not one of the adjustments are basic, however taken as a complete they contribute to creating the CD6006 a superior disc-player to the CD6005 it replaces.
MORE: Marantz CD6005 assessment
Construct and connectivity
Taking a look at it, although, you’d be forgiven for assume Marantz had, for as soon as, left properly sufficient alone. The chassis dimensions and the fascia structure might be acquainted to anybody who’s a lot as glanced at a 6000 collection CD participant up to now.
Up entrance there’s a central tray-loading mechanism with (vibrant, legible) show beneath, the standard controls, and USB socket and 6.3mm headphone output with achieve management.
Across the again it’s the naked necessities: stereo analogue output together with digital optical and coaxial outputs for by- passing the 6006’s DAC and utilizing it purely as a transport.
Management is by finger or by the standard logical, responsive and decently hefty Marantz distant management.
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However somewhat than by-passing the DAC contained in the Marantz, we’d suggest taking advantage of it.
It’s a high-quality, high-resolution (24-bit/192kHz) Cirrus Logic CS4398 affair that’s able to coping with better-than-CD-quality digital information. It may be accessed through the USB enter, so in the event you’ve any hi-res WAV information on a USB stick then the 6006 can turns into a hi-res audio participant. The USB may also deal with (decrease high quality) MP3, AAC and WMA information, in addition to being a direct enter for Apple gadgets.
Elsewhere, the CD6006’s headphone output is remarkably properly specified for a product of this kind – it’s suitable with a variety of headphones (and headphone impedances) and is much from the afterthought this form of function may be on different gamers.
Efficiency
Slide a replica of Burial’s Unfaithful into the (clean, quiet) disc-tray and the broad strokes of the CD6006’s sound are immediately acquainted. It’s a strong, full-figured supply, giving the low finish’s hectic city exercise actual weight and presence.
This recording additionally exhibits up the Marantz’s lack of absolute authority barely, the relentless bass assault threatening to run away with itself from time to time, however general this a great participant for many who savour a ballsy bass-line.
All through the remainder of the frequency vary, the Marantz CD6006 proves an equally sturdy pay attention. There are first rate element ranges within the midrange, and somewhat extra chunk and shine to the treble frequencies than we’ve been used to from 6000 collection CD gamers up to now – which is certainly a great factor.
Really careless system-matching will provoke a bit of harshness, however in all affordable circumstances the CD6006 is a properly balanced pay attention.
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Timing is nice even when the going will get advanced, as as soon as by Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera (RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta, Ute Lemper) might be demonstrated.
The 6006 establishes a broad and plausible soundstage, positions and focuses properly, and makes the interplay between entire sections or particular person devices apparent – there’s a tangible sense of efficiency that nominal rivals (of which there are few at this value) can’t fairly match.
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It’s not about to get carried away or overexcited, however the CD6006 is a extra engaged and fascinating pay attention than the machine it replaces.
Decrease the temperature from ‘boil’ to ‘simmer’ with Ólafur Arnalds’ Discovered Songs and the Marantz is unflustered, capable of cope with small-scale and delicate simply as confidently because it does city bombast.
The assault and decay of piano notes, the chunk and rasp of violin strings, and the sunshine and shade of synthesiser washes are all delivered deftly.
Finally the CD6006 errs on the aspect of warning, gifting away the final iota of element in favour of sustaining a clean and unthreatening sonic signature, but when judged by the prevailing requirements of £400-ish CD gamers that is nit-picking on our half.
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Verdict
So it’s a case of “meet the brand new boss – mildly upgraded and consequently appreciably higher than the outdated boss”.
A price-hike is all the time a dangerous gambit, however within the case of the Marantz CD6006 it’s a punt that has paid off handsomely.
See all our Marantz critiques
