{"id":8097,"date":"2018-10-12T08:43:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T19:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/?p=8097"},"modified":"2018-10-12T08:46:14","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T19:46:14","slug":"marantz-cd6006-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/marantz-cd6006-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Marantz CD6006 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>It&#8217;s gone up in price but the latest Marantz CD player is absolutely worth it\u00a0<span class=\"testedAtPrice\">Tested at \u00a3400<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/35Xqmt54srzSaprgGxfA3W-1200-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8100 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/35Xqmt54srzSaprgGxfA3W-1200-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/35Xqmt54srzSaprgGxfA3W-1200-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/35Xqmt54srzSaprgGxfA3W-1200-80-768x418.jpg 768w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/35Xqmt54srzSaprgGxfA3W-1200-80.jpg 790w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"box contrast less-space verdict\">\n<div class=\"sub-box full\">\n<h3>OUR VERDICT &#8211; 5 Stars<\/h3>\n<p>Marantz remains a master of the affordable CD player<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"box contrast less-space pro-con\">\n<div class=\"sub-box\">\n<h4 class=\"icon icon-plus_circle\">FOR<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Big sound<\/li>\n<li>Good timing and focus<\/li>\n<li>Fine build and finish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sub-box\">\n<h4 class=\"icon icon-minus_circle\">AGAINST<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Favours easy listening over out-and-out detail<\/li>\n<li>Meaningful increase in price over CD6006<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At no point has it been broken \u2013 a string of\u00a0<em>What Hi-Fi?<\/em>\u00a0Awards dating back to the turn of the 21<sup>st<\/sup>\u00a0century attests to that \u2013 but nevertheless Marantz has gone ahead and fixed its 6000 series CD player every year regardless.<\/p>\n<p>This latest version, the CD6006, has undergone numerous changes from the 2015 Award-winning\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whathifi.com\/marantz\/cd6005\/review\" data-track-type=\"click\" data-index=\"1\" data-component=\"Inline links\" data-count=\"10\">CD6005<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 not least a price hike to \u00a3400 from the outgoing machine\u2019s \u00a3330.<\/p>\n<p>None of the changes are fundamental, but taken as a whole they contribute to making the CD6006 a superior disc-player to the CD6005 it replaces.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"build-and-connectivity\">Build and connectivity<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/drL7EWKsVRj4D8pRX7ZrsX-650-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8101 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/drL7EWKsVRj4D8pRX7ZrsX-650-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/drL7EWKsVRj4D8pRX7ZrsX-650-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/drL7EWKsVRj4D8pRX7ZrsX-650-80.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Looking at it, though, you\u2019d be forgiven for think Marantz had, for once, left well enough alone. The chassis dimensions and the fascia layout will be familiar to anyone who\u2019s so much as glanced at a 6000 series CD player in the past.<\/p>\n<p>Up front there\u2019s a central tray-loading mechanism with (bright, legible) display beneath, the usual controls, and USB socket and 6.3mm headphone output with gain control.<\/p>\n<p>Around the back it\u2019s the bare essentials: stereo analogue output along with digital optical and coaxial outputs for by- passing the 6006\u2019s DAC and using it purely as a transport.<\/p>\n<p>Control is by finger or by the usual logical, responsive and decently hefty Marantz remote control.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/gY8QUSGfADZDuAewqEPbBb-650-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8102 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/gY8QUSGfADZDuAewqEPbBb-650-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/gY8QUSGfADZDuAewqEPbBb-650-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/gY8QUSGfADZDuAewqEPbBb-650-80.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But rather than by-passing the DAC inside the Marantz, we\u2019d recommend making the most of it.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a high-quality, high-resolution (24-bit\/192kHz) Cirrus Logic CS4398 affair that\u2019s capable of dealing with better-than-CD-quality digital files. It can be accessed via the USB input, so if you\u2019ve any hi-res WAV files on a USB stick then the 6006 can becomes a hi-res audio player. The USB will also handle (lower quality) MP3, AAC and WMA files, as well as being a direct input for Apple devices.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, the CD6006\u2019s headphone output is remarkably well specified for a product of this type \u2013 it\u2019s compatible with a wide range of headphones (and headphone impedances) and is far from the afterthought this sort of feature can be on other players.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"performance\">Performance<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JtxSeUzbzwq6rMKGSfL3KK-650-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8103 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JtxSeUzbzwq6rMKGSfL3KK-650-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JtxSeUzbzwq6rMKGSfL3KK-650-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JtxSeUzbzwq6rMKGSfL3KK-650-80.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Slide a copy of Burial\u2019s\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/1C30LhZB9I48LdpVCRRYvq\" data-track-type=\"click\" data-index=\"4\" data-component=\"Inline links\" data-count=\"10\"><em>Untrue<\/em><\/a>\u00a0into the (smooth, quiet) disc-tray and the broad strokes of the CD6006\u2019s sound are instantly familiar. It\u2019s a robust, full-figured delivery, giving the low end\u2019s hectic urban activity real weight and presence.<\/p>\n<p>This recording also shows up the Marantz\u2019s lack of absolute authority slightly, the relentless bass attack threatening to run away with itself on occasion, but overall this a good player for those who savour a ballsy bass-line.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the rest of the frequency range, the Marantz CD6006 proves an equally sturdy listen. There are decent detail levels in the midrange, and rather more bite and shine to the treble frequencies than we\u2019ve been used to from 6000 series CD players in the past \u2013 which is definitely a good thing.<\/p>\n<p>Truly careless system-matching will provoke a little harshness, but in all reasonable circumstances the CD6006 is a nicely balanced listen.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bxzoeS7d6sR5J4gYuSefhZ-650-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8104 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bxzoeS7d6sR5J4gYuSefhZ-650-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bxzoeS7d6sR5J4gYuSefhZ-650-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/bxzoeS7d6sR5J4gYuSefhZ-650-80.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Timing is good even when the going gets complex, as once through Kurt Weill\u2019s\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/5T03vSeKQMHjvG7qWw4QEH\" data-track-type=\"click\" data-index=\"6\" data-component=\"Inline links\" data-count=\"10\"><em>The Threepenny Opera<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta, Ute Lemper) demonstrates.<\/p>\n<p>The 6006 establishes a broad and believable soundstage, positions and focuses well, and makes the interaction between whole sections or individual instruments obvious \u2013 there\u2019s a tangible sense of performance that nominal rivals (of which there are few at this price) can\u2019t quite match.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JuvhWaJuUhxrBNvtWSvJfH-650-80.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8105 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JuvhWaJuUhxrBNvtWSvJfH-650-80-300x163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JuvhWaJuUhxrBNvtWSvJfH-650-80-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/JuvhWaJuUhxrBNvtWSvJfH-650-80.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not about to get carried away or overexcited, but the CD6006 is a more engaged and engaging listen than the machine it replaces.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-0-648\">\n<div>Lower the temperature from \u2018boil\u2019 to \u2018simmer\u2019 with\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/olafurarnalds\/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&amp;fref=nf\" data-track-type=\"click\" data-index=\"8\" data-component=\"Inline links\" data-count=\"10\">\u00d3lafur Arnalds<\/a>\u2019\u00a0<em>Found Songs<\/em>and the Marantz is unflustered, able to deal with small-scale and delicate just as confidently as it does urban bombast.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The attack and decay of piano notes, the bite and rasp of violin strings, and the light and shade of synthesiser washes are all delivered deftly.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately the CD6006 errs on the side of caution, giving away the last iota of detail in favour of maintaining a smooth and unthreatening sonic signature, but if judged by the prevailing standards of \u00a3400-ish CD players this is nit-picking on our part.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"verdict\">Verdict<\/h3>\n<p>So it\u2019s a case of \u201cmeet the new boss \u2013 mildly upgraded and consequently appreciably better than the old boss\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>A price-hike is always a risky gambit, but in the case of the Marantz CD6006 it\u2019s a punt that has paid off handsomely.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more at:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whathifi.com\/marantz\/cd6006\/review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.whathifi.com\/marantz\/cd6006\/review<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Where to buy Marantz CD6006:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/Marantz_CD6006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.abtec.co.nz\/Marantz_CD6006<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s gone up in price but the latest Marantz CD player is absolutely worth it\u00a0Tested at \u00a3400 OUR VERDICT &#8211; 5 Stars Marantz remains a master of the affordable CD player FOR Big sound Good timing and focus Fine build and finish AGAINST Favours easy listening over out-and-out detail Meaningful increase in price over CD6006 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8097"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8097"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8109,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8097\/revisions\/8109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abtec.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}