Replace Marantz 52 MKII with Marantz 6003

[admin_exported]

I would like to replace my old Marantz CD 52 MKII which is still working fine (but I think is the weak link in my system) with the new Marantz CD 6003 which has received good reports in WHF.

But I was wondering whether my Arcam Alpha 5 amp and Castle Isis speakers (on Target stands) would still be up to the new challenge.

Appreciate any thoughts on the planned set up.

Thanks

Dave

 

[chebby]

With any system - where you are going to upgrade one component - you are always going to worry if the other two components will be 'up to it'.

But you are starting in exactly the right place (by traditional thinking) with the source. Any improvement to the source should have a positive effect on the sound.

I cannot find much about your speakers other than a comment on Hifi World that they are 'lively' and 'well worth the price' (£230 in 1996) so nothing much wrong there it seems.

I would go ahead and do the CD upgrade as planned and follow up with the matching 6003 series amp next, when funds allow.

 

[rtweed]

If the 52 is still playing CDs OK and if it has an SPDIF output, I'd just buy a DAC and use the 52 as a more than capable transport.

 

[the record spot]

rtweed:If the 52 is still playing CDs OK and if it has an SPDIF output, I'd just buy a DAC and use the 52 as a more than capable transport.

Good suggestion; Musical Fidelity V-DAC would be a good and reasonably priced option with a big step-up.

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks, everyone, for the information will lok at all the options suggested may go for both the CD and amp at the same time.

Thanks

Dave

 

[rtweed]

If you're wanting to replace anything, my advice is that your best bang for the buck will be to focus on your speakers and a DAC. The amp you have is a pretty decent one and a replacement will at best provide a subtle change in sound. Any noticeable improvement in sound will be due to the better DAC built into the newer CD player. The new CD player's transport will be no better than the one you have already and won't have any effect on the sound. A separate DAC is likely to be a lot better than the built-in one and will be more flexible as you'll be able to plug other devices with SPDIF or USB interfaces into it, effectively using it as a "digital pre-amp".

So DAC first, then start auditioning new speakers if you want further significant improvements. Well that's what I'd do! Trying to save you money, based on many years experience of being a hi-fi enthusiast! 🙂

 

[chebby]

Six Marantz related threads at once on the front page?

Is it Marantz day?

 

[the record spot]

Not before time IMO...

 

[Anonymous]

Hi - many thanks appreciate your detailed reply.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a SPDIF output and not sure if my CD has this output as its a few years old.

If I went down the DAC route which one would you recommend and what cables would I need.

Hope I'm not asking too many questions.....LOL

Thanks again

Dave

 

[Kevin Stephens]

The transport packed up on my Marantz 52, maybe better to change the whole thing while you are at it

 

[rtweed]

On the back you should see what looks like an RCA phono socket marked something like "Digital Output". Pop down to Dixons, Maplins or wherever and buy a *video* RCA/phono to phono lead - they often have yellow connectors to distinguish them. Plug one end in the 52's digital connector and the other in the corresponding SPDIF input on the DAC and away you go! You'll now be bypassing the DAC that's built into the 52 and sending out the raw stream of 1's and 0's from the CD transport instead.

S/PDIF stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format (more commonly known as Sony Philips Digital InterFace) You'll find all about it on Wikipedia and elsewhere.

 

[Anonymous]

Many Thanks, RT, will check it out.

Dave

 

[a91gti]

The dac chip in a CD52 is among the best ever produced, bypassing it in favour of an outboard dac would be a waste.
I would suggest having a look at modifications to your cdp before taking any action.

 

[a91gti]

The dac chip in a CD52 is among the best ever produced, bypassing it in favour of an outboard dac would be a waste.
The CD52 also has a great transport that if maintained well can contribute to a great sounding cdp.
I would suggest having a look at modifications and upgrades to your cdp before taking any action.

 

[rtweed]

You could well be right. However something like a Beresford DAC isn't going to break the bank and will provide the basis of a "digital pre-amp" into which other digital sources can be plugged. It would be interesting to hear what if any differences are noticed between the 52's own DAC and a more modern alternative such as the Beresford.

In any case there's a lot to be said these days for dispensing with the CD player altogether and ripping all your CDs into something like iTunes (use a lossless codec such as Apple Lossless), and plugging into a USB-interfaced DAC such as the Beresford (or if you have tons of money to get rid of, the Benchmark). You're then simply streaming the 1's and 0's that were originally on the CDs from a hard drive instead, and you have all the convenience of being able to find tracks instantly, play at random etc etc. Provided you make sure you follow the advice provided on the Benchmark web site about setting up iTunes and your PC/Mac, then you'll be feeding your DAC with exactly the same information that your CD player's transport would have been feeding to the DAC, so it's going to sound indentical. Which makes you wonder why anyone would bother with a CD player at all these days, and I certainly can't understand any justification for the high-priced "CD Transports" that you see bandied about: what a con they are, except as expensive luxury furniture.

 

[Anonymous]

I worked in a hi-fi shop at the time the Marantz CD 52 MkII was current, so I had plenty of opportunity to compare it with the competition. I thought it was the best at the price but I found its handling of rhythm unimpressive.

I cannot remember what generation of Arcam Alpha we sold but I was always pleased when customers seeking a well known British amp at twice the price asked if I could suggest alternatives. This allowed me to dem it against the Alpha and see the disbelief on their faces when, contrary to their review-inspired expectations, they realised that they preferred the Alpha!

As for your speakers, I am afraid I cannot remember which Castle speakers I have heard but I do remember being impressed by some of the smaller models.

Consequently, in your place I would expect a new CD player to be an essential first step.