One for Chebby ...

[tino]

If you didn't like the gloss black or gloss domino effect Marantz 610 .... maybe this is more to your liking.

Unfortunately it looks like it's for Japan only

 

[tino]

Hopefully it'll make it over to these shores??

And here's another view

 

[chebby]

It's still plastic rather than a metal case and doesn't look as good as my M-CR603.

That finish has been available in Japan since launch.

(Much better and cased in metal.)

 

[Jota180]

Does that have a vinyl roof? They'll have to rename it the Marantz Ford Cortina MKIII.

 

[ID.]

I can confirm, it's the same crappy plastic case and not a patch on the old metal casing.

 

[chebby]

Notwithstanding it's looks and plastic build, the M-CR610 never offered any changes or updates that were useful to me. If I wanted Spotify Premium i'd use it via AirPlay from my iPad and I have no interest in streaming 24/192 content.

Going by anecdotal evidence on this forum (and others) selecting inputs and changing radio channels would seem to be much slower on the M-CR610 and startup from standby with network connected much slower too. (I've lost count of people reporting intermittent network connection* on the 610 whereas my 603 has always been very robust.)

I still think Marantz 'missed the boat' by not offering an 'SE' version of the 603/610 (PM-CR810 maybe?) as a natural upgrade path and an alternative to going back to separates (or buying into something like the Naim Uniti range) to achieve the next step in performance.

*Although this may be due to people overreaching the speed and reliability of their internet connections and blaming it on the hi-fi.