paul barras

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2680.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
The CD-7's playback is incredibly, almost ridiculously accurate and will destroy the worst of recordings, making them near unlistenable. Its bulk makes it a pain to move around, a critical consideration for those audiophile college students, if there is such a breed. It lacks flexibility by being unable to play anything other than CDs, no HDCDs, no SACDs, no DVD-As, as such it is an anachronism. The final factor, it must be admitted, does not affect the majority, who own CDs and do not wish to convert their entire collection to the latest and greatest. In the end, with the advantages of a first class performance, build quality and the ability to act as a DAC for other equipment, the disadvantages can easily be discounted. If you are looking for the best CD playback, you need look no further, the CD-7 is it. It is still the player to beat.

Strengths:
Great CD playback Solid, Vault-like build quality Pretty, pretty remote Ability to work as a DAC

Weaknesses:
Heavy CDs only

Similar Products Used:
Sony SCD-1

Price Paid:  $4500.00

Summary:

This CD player is well known the world over but in the US it is a complete sleeper. My advice to anyone looking at CD players in this price range is to audition the CD-7. I am sure there will be people who will not prefer the CD-7 sound but I think most people would agree that it is a stunningly beautiful approach to music reproduction.

The build is also very solid and the remote is very sexy.

Strengths:
Transparency, Drive, Rhythm, Bite, Microdynamics, Macrodynamics, Monet inspired tonal portrayal, Incredibly smooth and extended upper frequencies, Rock solid lower frequencies, Superbly clear and articulated midrange, Complete coherence under any circumstances

Weaknesses:
taken as a whole - NONE

Similar Products Used:
BAT, Resolution Audio, Electrocompaniet, Sony SCD1, Linn Ikemi

Summary:
As you can see I have tried out a number of machines, each with their own character and style. I have gone for the CD-7 as it does almost everything very, very well, whereas the other contenders just fell down on one or two things that I was not able to live with. The BAT - a little too warm, lacks the drive that the CD-7 most certainly has. The Wadia - I still don't know what to make of this machine. The Naim - still lacks tonal colour. The Sony - bound to be a sound investment but I'm going to wait and see as the CD-7 will take care of my 16 bit disks forever and I'll buy a dedicated SACD/DVD-A machine when the time is right. (Or maybe upsampling...?) To cut a long story short the Marantz is a great CD player, with drive, rhythm, clarity and transparency throughout its presentation. Ken Ishiwata, its designer, set out to make his statement 16 bit CD player and he has done so. It retails for £3,500 which is alot of money, but I have no doubt that I picked the right one. They say only 750 have been made. If you're in this price range for heaven's sake make sure you get to hear one before it's too late.

Strengths:
A beautiful machine in all regards.

Weaknesses:
Soundstage could be a little bigger. Must be partnered with top range equipment.

Similar Products Used:
BAT VK-D5, Wadia 830, Naim CDX/XPS, Sony SACD1.

Summary:
I've waited to see whether anyone else has woken up to this secret of high-end audio. Having been in the market for an audiophile cd player for the last year, I was on the verge of purchasing the impressive Naim CDS2 - a very good design, that has truly escaped Naim's usual cul-de-sacs.
The Marantz was introduced to me by an astonishing review in the British press, and having heard it, I can say that I wholeheartedly agree with Martin Colloms. Its an exceptional player, combining the strengths of players like Accuphase's DP 65V with those involving characteristics of Naim's top models.

The sound is utterly clear, and authoritative, and wonderfully engaging. Yet it still manages to sound rich and informative. For me it bests Wadia's 860, Naim's CDS2, Accuphase's DP65V, Mark Levinson's No. 39, and Audio Synthesis' Dax Decade. It performs more like a Linn CD12 with a bit more bite!

Auditioning is highly recommended, but you may be disappointed if you don't act quickly as only a few will be made due to the scarcity of the TD1541A Double Gold Crown mulitbit dacs employed. Please write to me if you want a further description.

Summary:
A truly superb CD-Player. The CD-7 is detailed yet smooth without a trace of harshness, a superior soundstage (wide and deep) and dynamic.It has tight articulate bass, a sweet midrange with a clear and open top end.
In addition the build quality is first class. What more do you want ?

Current System :

Marantz CD-7
Krell KRC Pre-amp
Krell KAS2 Monoblocks
Hovland Gen II (XLR) interconnects
Hovland Reference Speaker Cable
Egglestonworks Andra's