Marantz KI Signature Mania

[ESP2009]

I've always loved the sound of my Marantz CD63 MkII KI Signature, purchased new in the late 1990s. So much so that yesterday I snapped up a second, as a back-up, for under £170 (including mains cable upgrade). At about a third of the price of the original, I hope this can be considered as a ‘bargainous' investment as I really don't have any serious intent to pursue an upgrade path.

However, having spotted a few other KI Signature models out there it did make me wonder: if I were to come across a CD6000 or CD17 MkII KI Signature at sub-£300 prices, is it worth grabbing them - would they be a worthwhile step up? Or is it simply best to rest on my laurels? Yes, I know, I have already had advice about interconnect and power upgrades - it's just a different angle to consider.

Indeed, I may well do the same for the Audiolab 8000S amp (buy a back-up, if I can get one cheaply) rather than face a £500+ replacement cost should my original fail. Of course, it may be that a modern (or otherwise) sub-£300 alternative may be a good/better partner for the Marantz?

I welcome your opinions/guidance.

 

[Andrew Everard]

CD17MkII KI-S yes, CD6000KI no - IMO, of course...

 

[Thaiman]

Andrew Everard:CD17MkII KI-S yes, CD6000KI no - IMO, of course...

and me! the 17 KI's bass is something very special.

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:CD17MkII KI-S yes, CD6000KI no - IMO, of course...

Thanks for the fast response on that one - any particular reason why not the CD6000 version?

 

[ESP2009]

Thaiman:

and me! the 17 KI's bass is something very special.

I would assume that care might need to be taken with the speakers in that case? My TDLs are already sounding a touch too 'boomy' since I've relocated them into the living room and can't move the perishers far enough out from the walls! I may have to look at some alternatives.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Simply that of the lower-priced KIs, I still think the original is the best. And yes, mine's still going strong, too...

 

[professorhat]

As is my CD63 MkII KI - lovely little player, will be very sad when it dies...

 

[ESP2009]

professorhat:

As is my CD63 MkII KI - lovely little player, will be very sad when it dies...

Exactly why I bought a backup with some spare cash (well, if it's not worth saving the stuff nowadays, what else good is it?!)

Mind you, I just couldn't resist at least looking at the other KI versions!

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:Simply that of the lower-priced KIs, I still think the original is the best. And yes, mine's still going strong, too...

Very re-assuring - thanks.

 

[Andrew Everard]

And mine is one of the very first ones made...

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:And mine is one of the very first ones made...

If they knew it was on its way to you, I'm sure they made damn sure it was top class!

 

[Andrew Everard]

IIRC it was off the pilot run before they started modding them on a commercial basis. It was made when no-one had any idea if anyone would even be interested in the whole KI concept...

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:IIRC it was off the pilot run before they started modding them on a commercial basis. It was made when no-one had any idea if anyone would even be interested in the whole KI concept...

What, with legions of enthusiastic audiophiles out there?

 

[the record spot]

Andrew Everard:IIRC it was off the pilot run before they started modding them on a commercial basis. It was made when no-one had any idea if anyone would even be interested in the whole KI concept...

So was your model one of these experimental over-engineered examples Andrew? I hear some of the earlier Sony models threw the engineering book at the budget and went for it as well; must be two of many examples of Japanese manufacturers doing the same?

 

[Andrew Everard]

No, it was standard KI-Sig specification - let's just say that KI had more hands-on input on the one I have, rather than it being built to his spec.

This piece from a New Zealand magazine may give you a clue why I have it...

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:

No, it was standard KI-Sig specification - let's just say that KI had more hands-on input on the one I have, rather than it being built to his spec.

I hope his hands were steady under that kind of pressure!

 

[Andrew Everard]

I don't think Ken would view that as any kind of pressure - after all, the original Marantz plan was only to make 500 or so of the players and see whether anyone would be interested.

It went on to sell something in the region of 300,000.

 

[ESP2009]

Yes, an interesting article (hope you don't mind being referred to as a 'journo').

I'm not sure whether to feel good or bad about being among 300,000 purchasers of the product - not as exclusive a band as I thought! Still, it's nice to know I'm in august company.

Incidentally, any KI Sig amps to watch out for, second-hand, as a partner?

 

[Andrew Everard]

ESP2009:Yes, an interesting article (hope you don't mind being referred to as a 'journo').

I've been called worse, and I gather the term is quite common parlance among the upside-down people.

ESP2009:Incidentally, any KI Sig amps to watch out for, second-hand, as a partner?

The classic choice is the PM-66 KI-Signature, which was the first of the KI-S amps, launched on the back of the success of the original player.

 

[seasiders rock]

If you can find a cd17 mk 2 ki under £300 snap it up, it,s a no brainer. had mine aprox 5 years and it is staying.

upgraded from a creek cd43, (which was good) massive improvment, bass is on another planet.

I got mine 2cnd hand, original owner paid £1150 from super fi and sold it on mint 10 months later for £600 , bargain.

highly recommended.

 

[ESP2009]

Thanks Seasiders Rock for the input, I will certainly keep my eyes peeled. If it's that good, I might even go higher should one come along!

 

[ESP2009]

Andrew Everard:

ESP2009:Incidentally, any KI Sig amps to watch out for, second-hand, as a partner?

The classic choice is the PM-66 KI-Signature, which was the first of the KI-S amps, launched on the back of the success of the original player.

Just found out that it doesn't have the two pairs of posts for biwiring speakers, unlike my 8000S, which is a pity...unless someone knows better (I'm not that well clued-in).

 

[seasiders rock]

you dont need two pairs of post, 2 into 4 does the same job.....

 

[ESP2009]

seasiders rock:you dont need two pairs of post, 2 into 4 does the same job.....

Hmmm, how interesting, I just did a quick search on the forum for bi-wiring and discovered yet another can of worms best left unexplored further than a quick read of the label. Naively, I always thought the two pairs of posts on the Audiolab were there to ensure that the correct signals were transmitted to the correct destinations at the speakers. Just goes to show how easy it is to find yourself blinded by science if you can't be bothered to do a bit of research yourself. Mind you, that said, way back in the late 1900s when I had more of my faculties, I probably had it all explained to me, was convinced that biwiring was the way to go with the equipment I had (after all, the cable came free because I bought the CDP and amp together), and have since forgotten everything I was told. I even had to refer to the original sketches provided in 1997 when I recently re-located everything. Duh!

Well, now I have four different sets of cable to play with, I can wait until the other half is away somewhere and spend happy hours experimenting! At least it doesn't discount the possibility of snapping up a cheap KI sig amp to try out.

Life is a learning experience, and we all improve each day with that bit more knowledge...it's just that some of us have more improving to do than others!

Oh, and thanks for gently enlightening me - there are those who might have been, well, less than polite!

Long live the WHF Forum!!

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

My old 63se beats the newer 6000ose. The 6000ose was more detailed upfront sound. The 63se was more natural sounding and tonally balanced with a deeper airy soundstage. Multi instruments - bands etc preferred the old 63se, single instruments were more refined on the 6000ose but the 63se had more body. I think the originals also beats the new 6002 as well.

Cheers,

Steve