Marantz CD players

[bullpup]

I need to start thinking about a second CD player for my main system- my Marantz CD85 which was only bought as a temporary fix when my CD10 went missing - about 6 years ago - is currently firmly based in my office and fastened to my headphone amps!

I like the Marantz house sound and am tempted by a secondhand CD17 KI signature, Mike I think you use one and indeed used to have a CD10?

Is this a good idea or does anyone have any other recommendations for a good (secondhand) CD player?

Many thanks

[PinkFloyd]

bullpup said:

I need to start thinking about a second CD player for my main system- my Marantz CD85 which was only bought as a temporary fix when my CD10 went missing - about 6 years ago - is currently firmly based in my office and fastened to my headphone amps!

Yes I owned a CD-10 with trichord mods and what a fantastic player she was... beautifully wide soundstage, class on a stick! Here she is: www.rock-grotto.co.uk/audiogeddon/Marantz%20CD-10%20Trichord%20mod/index.html

I like the Marantz house sound and am tempted by a secondhand CD17 KI signature, Mike I think you use one and indeed used to have a CD10?

My CD17KI still sees active service but has started to skip a bit now and then I think it needs a new CDM 12.4 laser (easy to source) I'll get round to sourcing / fitting one one of these days.

Is this a good idea or does anyone have any other recommendations for a good (secondhand) CD player?

It's a great idea if you can source one in good nick, the CDM 12.4 should last many many years (mine has seen greater than average usage )

What are you looking at spending?

[Deleted]

I don't know about the later Marantz players, but my old CD65 started to give no end of trouble due to various connectors. Ended up having to hardwire many of them. Could be worthwhile checking the PCB pins on any old Marantz and cleaning with Isopropyl or something too.
SandyK

[bullpup]

Hi there

I am drying to do this on a tight budget - just had a steep vets bill

so say sub £500.

[derekrumble]

This does not really address your question - but just wanted to add a general comment about an older Marantz cd player. While debating with myself about what to do with a failed Denon DVD2900, I bought the MF x-dacV3; I then needed to find a CD player to use as a transport which would be better than a few old machines I had knocking about the place.

Through Ebay I won a Marantz CD52 Mk II, Special Edition and paid 12 quid plus delivery. On it's own it's a good player; as a transport it's fabulous.

Incidentally, paid 150 quid to get my DVD2900 fixed and it was worth every penny. The mech had failed (for the second time) and my local hifi store (Salop Music Centre) installed a new mech (aparently the part number has changed so maybe it's an improved design) and it sounds even better than it did before. SACD really liquid and smooth. But the Marantx CD52 really is great - prefer CD52 / x-dacV3 for CD.

derek

[Deleted]

Derek
Are you still using the wallwart with the X-DAC V3 ? If you are, investigate Mike's "Little Pinky" or build your own from his posted plans.Don't waste money on MFs own accessory. It works, but at a premium price. The X-DAC V3 can be taken to much higher levels of
performance, and the Little Pinky is a very good step up the ladder.
SandyK

[derekrumble]

Sorry - this is getting off topic; yes I will consider either a ready built Pinky or make one myself. It's not urgent for me though - I am enjoying the x-dacV3 just as it is for now. It has plenty of virtues and I can enjoy these for a little lonegr I think until I feel a need for an upgrade.

Virtues of the 'straight' x-dacV3 ? Micro detail, separation between instruments / performers in the mix. What I call 'bass focus'. Extended HF end without hashness. Music stops and starts as it should.

Derek

[bullpup]

Derek thanks for the idea.

I dunno why I didn't think of using an old player as a transport and adding a (x)dac-pretty obvious really. I had better start looking!!

[PinkFloyd]

Through Ebay I won a Marantz CD52 Mk II, Special Edition and paid 12 quid plus delivery. On it's own it's a good player

I was in a charity shop today and bought a Marantz CD-52 MK2 for £3 (yes three pounds!!) Quite funny really as it comes with a "3 month money back guarantee" as it's an electrical item.

The best three quid I've spent in a long time I can tell you, the machine is immaculate (no remote though) and totally trounces the MHZS CD-33 and the Deno DCD-835. Swinging arm laser mechanism means track access is instantaneous.... she's got a lovely warm sound with DEEP bass... three quid? I'll be back into that shop a lot more from now on

[leo]

admin said:

Through Ebay I won a Marantz CD52 Mk II, Special Edition and paid 12 quid plus delivery. On it's own it's a good player

I was in a charity shop today and bought a Marantz CD-52 MK2 for £3 (yes three pounds!!) Quite funny really as it comes with a "3 month money back guarantee" as it's an electrical item.

The best three quid I've spent in a long time I can tell you, the machine is immaculate (no remote though) and totally trounces the MHZS CD-33 and the Deno DCD-835. Swinging arm laser mechanism means track access is instantaneous.... she's got a lovely warm sound with DEEP bass... three quid? I'll be back into that shop a lot more from now on

Excellent buy there Mike!
I have a scanned copy of the service manual I can email you if you want it, not a great copy but readable, these are highly tweakable if your into that kind of thing, uses the old SAA7350 dac chips

[fanboi]

Leo,
I have 2 of these players and have done a little tinkering with one of them and have some more in mind.
Would it be impertinent of me to enquire of you regarding a copy of the manual?
I'm sure it is so a simple sod off is OK
cheers
Tony G

[PinkFloyd]

leo said:

admin said:

I was in a charity shop today and bought a Marantz CD-52 MK2 for £3 (yes three pounds!!) Quite funny really as it comes with a "3 month money back guarantee" as it's an electrical item.

The best three quid I've spent in a long time I can tell you, the machine is immaculate (no remote though) and totally trounces the MHZS CD-33 and the Deno DCD-835. Swinging arm laser mechanism means track access is instantaneous.... she's got a lovely warm sound with DEEP bass... three quid? I'll be back into that shop a lot more from now on

Excellent buy there Mike!
I have a scanned copy of the service manual I can email you if you want it, not a great copy but readable, these are highly tweakable if your into that kind of thing, uses the old SAA7350 dac chips

Sure Leo, that would be excellent It's actually a bloody lovely sounding machine (really full and blooming) what laser mechanism does it use?

[leo]

fanboi said:

Leo,
I have 2 of these players and have done a little tinkering with one of them and have some more in mind.
Would it be impertinent of me to enquire of you regarding a copy of the manual?
I'm sure it is so a simple sod off is OK
cheers
Tony G

Sorry gents, I forgot about this thread PM me your email and I'll send it, its not the best scanned copy but is readable

[leo]

admin said:

leo said:

Excellent buy there Mike!
I have a scanned copy of the service manual I can email you if you want it, not a great copy but readable, these are highly tweakable if your into that kind of thing, uses the old SAA7350 dac chips

Sure Leo, that would be excellent It's actually a bloody lovely sounding machine (really full and blooming) what laser mechanism does it use?

PM me a an email address you wnt it sending too, you can go as mad as you like with these units starting from just a few simple component replacements