Price Paid:  $1400.00 from A-1 Audio Melbourne.

Summary:
I replaced my technics slp2000 with the cd17 mk2.At first I was very dissapointed as the sound was wooly and really one dimensional,but after a long run-in period I have come to appreciate its subtleties.It is not an exceptional player and I would say that it is just about worth the $1400 that it cost me. (in Australia) I have never owned a marantz cd player before but judgeing by the way the hi-fi magazines are always raving about them,I really expected a lot more.However buyers looking for a clean,slightly warm sounding player with the ability to excell with top quality cd's should put this on their audition list,but try to find one that has been well run in.

Strengths:
well made cd's sound superb.Build quality is exceptional.Remote is beautiful.Cd text is a nice touch

Weaknesses:
Ruthlessly revealing on average quality cd's.Long run in.Price.

Similar Products Used:
Roksan caspian.Arcam alpha 9.Arcam alpha 7.

Price Paid:  $750.00 from Private

Summary:
Very good at the price. Now you can find at 500 $.
Best with valv amp. Careful about signal cable, better silver types.

Strengths:
Sweet, good bass,meed and higth. Choerence. etc.etc.etc. Music!!!

Weaknesses:
Volume setting.

Similar Products Used:
NAD, CAMBRIDGE, ARCAM, MYRYAD, MARANTZ cd6000

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Private

Summary:
This one was from my friend, it was 6 months old. Exchanged it for a Sony CDP-XA555ES. What a dissapoitment!!! It doesn't change sound over time (no warm up period, which is good) but sounds too polite, flat and uninvolving, with dry bass and nothing special could be said about highs - no details, they sound harsh etc. Sony CDP-XA555ES beats it in every aspect of music. CD17 has a nice reproduction of voice, that is all. On the other side, the case of this player is beautifully designed and crafted, so it draws attention to it. It could be nice if You would use it as a piece of furniture :)

The mechanism is cheap one from the Philips, they should use something of the better quality (for example CDM9Pro or similar).

Based on the critics for the previous version of this CD player, Marantz made the best remote control (all metal) I have seen yet. And CD Text is a nice feature.

Conclusion: the worst sounding so-called high end CD player I have tested yet. I am not sure if it sounds better than Sony CDP-X333ES (model form 1990., 500 EUR)

Strengths:
Fantastic design, very well build quality, fantastic all-metal remote control. CD Text is a fine option. Mids are good.

Weaknesses:
Sounds cheap, like 400-500 EUR CD player. Bass is weak, no authority, highs lack details, the sound out of it is deeply uninvolving. CD mechanism (as I remeber, it is a next generation of Philips CDM12.3) is a cheap piece of junk.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz: CD-74, CD-63SE, CD-65; Philips: CD-304/304 MK2, CD-920, CD-721; Sony: CDP-X333ES, CDP-X779ES, CDP-XA555ES;
Denon: DCD3300 and many many others

Price Paid:  $1000.00

Summary:
This is undoubtedly one of the best player below the 1500 eur prize range.
This is unordinary that the player had it all good sound and nice design. The Marantz cd-17MKII had it all stylish metal finish design and absolutely stunning sound.

This is right that before run in period ( minimum 100 hours ) it sounds very muddled and bright. But since the run in is done it started to sound superiorly.
Seems like all things are on right place - highs are brilliant clear and natural, mid-range is likewise wery clear and warm, seems like the singer is in your room, bass had it all the higher kick and the deep bass. In summary this player had a realy warm, smooth and musical sound without loosing the clearity and attack.

This player is much more better than Arcam cd-72 (wich had wery veiled sound)and Denon ones ( not so warm and airy sound, likewise not so clear ). And the cd-17MKII is ( my taste ) better sounding than Arcam cd-23 and Meridian 508.

For these Singapore guys I suggest to buy a good amplifter and good speakers.

Strengths:
Almoust everything, design and super detailed sound.
Wery opened and natural mid-range, wery musical and smooth. Warm and airy sounded player wich had easy to listen.

Weaknesses:
Maximum running in period 500 hours. This is worth it!

Similar Products Used:
Meridian 508-24, Arcam fmj cd-23, Arcam cd-72, Denon DCD-755AR

Price Paid:  $850.00

Summary:
Very good cd player.You have to lower the volume setting of the analogue outputs too make this player a real star. Will modify it with a Guido Tent XO2 clock modification.

Strengths:
balance, sound stage

Weaknesses:
volume setting

Similar Products Used:
sony nps 900; philips dvd 963 sa