CD sales increased for the first time in 17 years in 2021, up 21% to $584 million. Although it will another year or so to establish a true upward trend, the fact is that listening to music on physical media isn’t dead and vinyl records (and even audio cassettes) may not be your only choice in that realm. The ability to own music on a physical medium is important!
With that in mind, Marantz has introduced the CD 60 high-performance CD player at the 2022 High-End Munich Show.
What the CD 60 Offers
To start, the Marantz CD 60 features an industrial design and sturdy build that not only looks good but contributes to stable performance free of unnecessary vibration.
The design also serves to visually complement other Marantz Hi-Fi components such as the previously announced Model 40n integrated stereo streaming amplifier. As a pair, they make a great combination for music listening fans, especially those who haven’t given up their CD collections as well as provide access to streaming sources as well.
Marantz was in on the development of the CD format with their first player, the CD 63. Now, the CD 60 has benefitted from the legacy of engineering and refinement that includes the latest HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) utilized in the analog output stage. The new HDAMs provide superior response compared to off-the-shelf solutions found in other branded products.
These modules have been further optimized for the CD 60 offering significantly lower distortion at high frequencies than the previous generation model.
The CD 60 also includes the exclusive Marantz HDAM-SA2 high-performance Headphone Amp circuit with three gain settings (Low/Mid/High) for a perfect match with almost any headphone. The headphone amplifier can also be switched to “off” when not in use, eliminating any unwanted interference.
CD playback compatibility includes CD/CD-R/CD-RW discs. CDs with MP3 and WMA files are also playable. HDCD discs are playable, but access to the 4-bit extension is not provided. SACD playback capability is not included (according to the specs provided by Marantz).
Tip: More details on HDCD and SACD.
In addition to CD playback, the CD 60 provides a convenient front panel USB-A port that supports digital file playback for MP3, WMA, AAC and WAV, FLAC HD, ALAC, AIFF (up to 192-kHz/24bit), and DSD (up to 5.6-MHz). All are accessible via a plug-in USB flash drive.
For added music playback support, the CD 60 includes an updated reference-class 24-bit D/A converter (DAC) which also provides two filter options.
- Filter 1 delivers a gentle roll-off.
- Filter 2 provides a sharper roll-off for more precise imaging.
Connectivity includes both Analog RCA and Digital Optical/Coaxial audio outputs, as well as wired remote control connections for integration with other components or systems.
The CD 60 also comes with a wireless remote in addition to onboard controls.
Pricing & Availability
The Marantz CD 60 player will be available in Black or Silver with an MSRP of $999 at authorized Marantz retailers and online at www.marantz.com beginning sometime in June 2022.
The Model 40n Integrated Streaming Amplifier is priced at $2,499.00 and is available (also in Black or Silver) now on Marantz.com, Amazon, and Best Buy.
ORT
May 19, 2022 at 9:13 am
This is gorgeous! Marantz is not just “on a roll”, its design team is, to quote one of the all time great film lines delivered by the talented thespian, Harvey Korman in the roll of Hedley Lamarr that should have won him on Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” in the seminal Cinematic masterpiece, “Blazing Saddles”:
“My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.”
In truth, the designers at Marantz must have been chanting that line as they feverishly and ferociously pursued the creation of what is surely a diamond no longer in the rough – the new CD60.
All “pretentiousness” aside, this really is a beautiful piece of kit, worthy of my hard earned, albeit meager means.
I do not merely want one, I desire one. I can hear some of the peanut gallery murmuring softly, “How pathetically, precociously, pretentious of you, ORT! Surely you jest with your flowery language and adroit use of phraseology and are merely damning this with tarted up faint praise?!”
Nope. I like it. A lot. I think it worthy of comparison to Lang’s “fembot” in his magnum opus, “Metropolis”. At once industrial and cold and yet some how warm and inviting. In plain speak, this is totally bitchin’ gear.
How to afford it and a new Pro-Ject Automat A1?
All pretentiousness aside, it really does look cool and invoke some of the admiration I have long held for Lang’s creation. I really wanted the Marantz 40n but it is hard to justify or even rationalize the price of that beauty for such as I. This is less than half the cost and has 100% of the class and style. Time to go on a diet.
Thank you for the preview, Sir Robert of Silva!
ORT
Ian White
May 19, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Ditto!!!!
Ditto?
😉
Ian
ORT
May 21, 2022 at 12:43 am
Ditto, indeed!
Ian, my brother…You are The Man! You have the Sixth Sense. The Sense of Humor.
In all ways and for always, be well.
ORT
StratoTull
May 25, 2022 at 2:43 pm
A thousand dollars for a box that does not play DVD-Audio or BluRay Audio or even SACD? Why?
Ian White
May 26, 2022 at 11:37 am
The audience for DVD-Audio or BD-Audio is so small at this point, I doubt it even figured into their thinking.
SACD I can understand being part of the player for audiophiles who invested a lot of money in the format.
I have a review sample coming next week.
Best,
Ian White
ORT
June 7, 2022 at 3:26 am
This thing is “sold out” at Best Buy and I have asked several times to be alerted to when they are in stock and they fail to do so every single time…
I have also axed to be alerted when the Denon DCD-900NE is in stock. We shall see…
I am quite frustrated. The black one is currently available through Marantz Direct but not the silver/gold. “Sigh”…I try to buy local when ever possible.
In truth, I do NOT neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed one of these or the DCD-900NE but I reeeeeeeeeeeally WANT one! That is the way of all things audio. At least for me and I am incredibly honest about my stereo addiction to what I can afford.
ORT
Ian White
June 8, 2022 at 5:13 pm
I have the Marantz on my desk. To be started when I return from California.
Ian