Marantz announced a $1,200 Network Audio Player and DAC (Digital-analogue converter). Engineered to reproduce a rich and full spectrum of sound from all of today’s popular music sources, the Marantz NA8005 is equipped with an Ethernet port to make connections with a home network. Access thousands of Internet radio stations and the popular music streaming service Spotify Connect as well as Apple’s Airplay to stream users iTunes music, whether from a Mac or PC, as well as directly from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
With its DLNA 1.5 compatibility, music lovers can also access their local file libraries such as Network Attached Storage devices (NAS) and playback numerous audio file types, including WAV, WMA, MP3, MPEG-4 AAC, FLAC and ALAC, as well as FLAC HD 192 kHz / 24bits files and WAV 192 kHz / 24bits. Gapless is supported for the uninterrupted enjoyment of a live concert or classical recording.
Front and rear panel USB inputs expand the musical horizons even more, allowing users to enjoy iPhone and iPod audio via a digital connection. Users hear the music with new detail and richness through their home audio system, with sonic refinements made possible thanks to the NA8005’s advanced circuitry. The front panel USB type A port is open for portable devices or USB memory. Most remarkably, the backside USB-B input enables computer stored music files or streaming audio from internet music, video and film services to be processed and played via the NA8005 for the highest possible sound quality.
The computer recognises the Network Audio Player as an external soundcard, completely bypassing its own lower quality audio electronics. Any digital audio formats that can be played from the computers own media player can be processed by the NA8005, even DSD the native file format for SACD, in 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz resolution. That is the most direct way to enjoy excellent, studio-like quality. And users can also stream the high resolution FLAC and DSD files most conveniently via the network connection as well. Digital and coaxial inputs round up the extreme connection versatility.
Based on the highly-acclaimed Reference Class NA-11S1, the NA8005 claims to offer new levels of high-quality music reproduction for today’s demanding yet price-conscious audiophile. The audio circuitry employs Marantz’s exclusive HDAM and HDAM-SA2 in a hybrid configuration to achieve low noise and high speed. Marantz engineers have fine-tuned the player’s reproduction of musical details and spatial expression by using thorough isolation and filtering to shut out noise that enters sound from a PC.
Features
- DLNA 1.5 Network Audio Player with Network streaming, AirPlay, Internet Radio and Spotify Connect integration
- Network streaming: up to DSD, FLAC 192/24, WAV 192/24, ALAC and Gapless support
- DAC Mode with 3 Digital Inputs (USB-B, Coaxial, Optical) and USB-A on front
- USB-B port works in asynchronous mode and is capable of handling PCM up to 192kHz/24bits and DSD2.8 & 5.6Mhz direct streaming
- Analogue audio circuits featuring Marantz HDAM®-SA2 for high quality audio
- High Current Audiophile DAC and accurate dual system clock
- High quality customized components
- Full Discrete Headphone Amplifier
- System remote to control Amplifier, CD-Player and Network Player
Price and Availability
The Marantz NA8005 Network Audio Player and DAC is expected to be available in July 2014 for $1,199.
