Price Paid:  $250.00

Summary:
This review concerns the CD6000KI version.

I always loved the looks of this machine, but didn't have the money at the time to buy one - I bought a Marantz CD5000 instead.
6 years later I found a 2nd hand deal and I didn't hesitate to buy one.

Much heavier and sturdier built than the CD5000 and rave reviews all-over, this in strong contradiction to the CD5000 which received rather luke-warm reviews, I had high hopes for this KI machine.

The CD6000KI was supposed to be a full-blooded Marantz, whereas the CD5000 was nothing more than a souped-up Philips, with a rather lean, 'rough and ready' sound.

Since I have both now I can honestly claim that there are far more similarities than differences between the two players.
Both have this distinct warm/cool mixture: lush and rather warm mids and pretty bright highs - but not aggressively so.
Both machines don't add that much drive to the music, they are more or less observant and objective.
They play the discs and nothing more, except maybe adding some pleasing warmth to the material.

So both are full-blooded Marantz players or both are souped-up Philips players, just a matter of perception.

So the differences aren't that big at all and think the higher cost of the CD6000KI at the time ($750 for the CD6000KI, $250 for the CD5000) isn't really justified when it comes to sound alone.

The CD6000KI plays just a little more confident, with more force and with bigger strokes - though at the same time with more refinement than the CD5000.
This isn't audible with every cd I play and in hands on testing with the CD5000 I many times wasn't even able to hear a subtle difference.
Most differences occurred when I had settled to the new sound of the CD6000KI for a week or so and then decided to listen to my old cd player again.

The CD6000KI is definitely more fluid and analogue sounding, but still it isn't like night and day.

Now for the worst part:
My old and cheaper CD5000 plays every disc without a problem, not the CD6000KI.
Strangely enough it doesn't have a problem with CD-R's, it plays them and skips to another track with very little effort.
But some original cd's aren't recognized at all: the CD6000KI starts to make loud noises and finally decides to give up.
"ERROR"
After a couple of tries it then accepts to play some music, but do not ask him to skip to another track...

Not a very big issue, because in the end it will play the discs and I kept my faithful CD5000 as a back-up machine, but needless to say that it's pretty annoying.

So.
How to rate the CD6000KI?

For the price I paid for it it isn't a bad deal.
The sound is better than CD5000's sonics and the machine is handsome, in fact to me the best looking cd player ever made.

If I had bought this KI machine full-price in 2002, paying $750 when I could have a bought a very similar $250 Marantz CD5000 then in retrospect I would rate it pretty low.

Overall 3 stars
Value 3 Stars

Strengths:
see summary

Weaknesses:
see summary

Similar Products Used:
Marantz CD5000

Price Paid:  $250.00 from second hand

Summary:
as i mainly listen to vinyl, it was a challenge to find an affordable cd player that would deliver an accceptable sound quality. i tried many popular makes but settled for the marantz 6000oe trichord clocked. this modification is highly recommended and will lift the marantz to perform to its true capability. i was amazed at the quality of detail this machine revealed from my cd's, and handles cd-rw copies well, as long as you don't mess around with the track order numbers.

Strengths:
excellent lively sound, good transport mechanism. easy controls, track details/description on some cd's.remote.

Weaknesses:
none really!

Price Paid:  $190.00 from audio_excellence

Summary:
i seen a marantz on ebay and it was a 6000se so i asked the guy if he would mod mine the same spec, i sent it off and i got it back in 48 hours amazing. after a run in of three days i compered it to a a £2000 meridian cd player i was gob smacked my marantz ,was now a super player. it was every bit as good and, my marantz had more detail,and space than a meridan wow, if you own one tweak it cos it is the best money i have ever spent. i now need a better amp and speakers to match this quality player

Strengths:
giant slayer

Weaknesses:
none what so ever

Similar Products Used:
meridian 508 24 bit

Price Paid:  $250.00 from audio_excellence

Summary:
mine is modifed with a modified trichord clock 2 and work on the power supply and a silver plated woven mains cable it is now every bit as good as a £1950 naim cd5x with the flat cap2 audio_excellence dose the work for £160 it the best £160 i have ever spent bargain

Strengths:
deep bass and sweet treble massive step up from the ki

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
naim arcam exposure

Price Paid:  $499.00 from Audio dealer

Summary:
This review is for the KI Signature ( price is in pounds sterling )
The Signature Version is well worth the extra money in terms of the improvement in sound quality.
I have heard a lot of different types of CD player in this price range, but the CD6000 OSE KI Signature is the most impressive. It's a seductive sound that communicates the emotion in the music, as well as digging out the detail. Instruments and voices are natural, yet timing and rhythm is spot on. The sound is refined, yet accurate.
This is a great player, that can compete with players twice the price.
5 stars no question.

Strengths:
Very involving natural sounding player, excellent build quality.

Weaknesses:
None at the price

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Arcan, Naim