Cannot decide between Denon and Marantz CD player

P

phoebus

Audiophyte
Hi,

I'm fed up with playing CDs through the DVD player as the expecience is far from perfect (no display, no buttons on front panel, complicated remote, ...) so I'm looking for a CD player.
It will be connected to Denon AVR X3500h receiver & Q acoustics 30x0i speakers.

In the given budget, I'm looking into:
- Denon 600NE (800NE is way dearer here so I'd rather pick 6006 if I'd step up)
- Marantz 5005 and 6006 (latter is discounted heavilly and much cheaper than 800NE)

TBH, I'd rather choose one of the cheaper models (600 / 5005) but if it is really worth, I might consider dearer model(s), too.
What do you suggest?

And second, how are those DACs compared to 3500h's? Should I use analog or digital connection?

Thanks
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
For a CD player, the important item is silent mechanical operation while spinning a disc. Beyond that, your preference for the loading style is important. I personally prefer the drawer-load vs. slot loading, and want a nice robust and smooth operating CD drawer.

But, I do have a slot loader Parasound zCD that I really like.

As far as DACs, don't worry about it too much. DACs are a commodity chip nowadays. Try each cxn and see what sounds best to you. But, good luck trying to attribute anything to a DAC difference.
 
G

Gmoney

Audioholic Ninja
Get yourself a 4K player, Sony UBP-X700 it has Hi- Resolution plus can also play SACD! Crutchfield has it for 198 bucks.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Another thought would be to rip your cds to your hard drive and simply stream them....
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Hi,

I'm fed up with playing CDs through the DVD player as the expecience is far from perfect (no display, no buttons on front panel, complicated remote, ...) so I'm looking for a CD player.
It will be connected to Denon AVR X3500h receiver & Q acoustics 30x0i speakers.

In the given budget, I'm looking into:
- Denon 600NE (800NE is way dearer here so I'd rather pick 6006 if I'd step up)
- Marantz 5005 and 6006 (latter is discounted heavilly and much cheaper than 800NE)

TBH, I'd rather choose one of the cheaper models (600 / 5005) but if it is really worth, I might consider dearer model(s), too.
What do you suggest?

And second, how are those DACs compared to 3500h's? Should I use analog or digital connection?

Thanks
Overview thinking here...the speakers are generally considered to be the most important piece in audio...some might argue the source/source player is the most important. Regardless, of the two if you get them right you're going to be getting the most out of your listening experience.

If you're content with the speakers you have...get the lower priced CD player...or as I've seen mentioned...consider a streamer. I love spinning my own discs, but I'm seeing the convenience of streaming and working towards a streaming setup myself .

If you think you would upgrade your speakers at some point...maybe I would consider the higher priced player, the transport is likely to be better....maybe longer shelf life. Streaming would still be on the table.

DACs...they all do the same job which is convert the digital signal to analog so the speakers can amplify the signal. The higher end chips do the job better, but it's more than just the DAC chip influencing the SQ...noise/distortion being one, also the frequency the chip can process can be a factor in case the listener wants to get into hi res playback....but you're typically only going to pick up the subtle changes or SQ improvements with higher quality neutral speakers.

So...it doesn't really pay to have a $2,000 CD player/DAC with a $500 pair of speakers, you're not going to realize the best the CD player has to offer.
 
MR.MAGOO

MR.MAGOO

Audioholic Field Marshall
IMO Since Denon and Marantz are basically the same company, it all comes down to features you want and price you want.
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
Another thought would be to rip your cds to your hard drive and simply stream them....
Did this. Haven't looked back. Sound quality is the same if you use a lossless format and the convenience is hard to beat. I have my entire library at my fingertips. No getting up and down to switch cds.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Did this. Haven't looked back. Sound quality is the same if you use a lossless format and the convenience is hard to beat. I have my entire library at my fingertips. No getting up and down to switch cds.
I'm stubborn...I have 90% on HD now, but still spin.

Later this fall (assuming covid-19 doesn't linger all summer and I still have a job ;) )...once I get my streaming setup like I want it, I probably won't look back either.
 
G

Gmoney

Audioholic Ninja
I'm stubborn...I have 90% on HD now, but still spin.

Later this fall (assuming covid-19 doesn't linger all summer and I still have a job ;) )...once I get my streaming setup like I want it, I probably won't look back either.
I’m about to do the same thing, thought i’d never do that old school but time to make the jump.
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
I’m about to do the same thing, thought i’d never do that old school but time to make the jump.
I've pretty much decided on everything now...Salk Stream player Gen 3, (usb to the oppo 205) and the roon/qobuz setup to augment my library.

Once I see what the damage (if any) is with the IRS this year...I'm ready to pull the trigger...I'm not expecting a dime, but if uncle Trump sends me $1200...this is a wrap!
 
G

Gmoney

Audioholic Ninja
I've pretty much decided on everything now...Salk Stream player Gen 3, (usb to the oppo 205) and the roon/qobuz setup to augment my library.

Once I see what the damage (if any) is with the IRS this year...I'm ready to pull the trigger...I'm not expecting a dime, but if uncle Trump sends me $1200...this is a wrap!
nice, you’ll get your 1,200! I done went and Adopted two kids opened up a lawn service just so i can get some of Uncle Trump’s free loan money he gonna be passing out to them Casinos in Vegas and wealthy rich Real estate peeps. Hell bro why not?
All those Special interest groups getting free money why not us
 
2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
nice, you’ll get your 1,200! I done went and Adopted two kids opened up a lawn service just so i can get some of Uncle Trump’s free loan money he gonna be passing out to them Casinos in Vegas and wealthy rich Real estate peeps. Hell bro why not?
All those Special interest groups getting free money why not us
Wow...why not?

No (dependent) kids is killing us (I shouldn't say killing) but we're stroking checks back to the govt the last few years...I reactivated my real estate license to get a few more deductibles....accountant thinks we could break even this year.

$1200...based on the fine print, I would be pleasantly surprised.
 
G

Gmoney

Audioholic Ninja
Wow...why not?

No (dependent) kids is killing us (I shouldn't say killing) but we're stroking checks back to the govt the last few years...I reactivated my real estate license to get a few more deductibles....accountant thinks we could break even this year.

$1200...based on the fine print, I would be pleasantly surprised.
Hope you know i’m just jacking about the bailout thing. Lots will lose in a big way i’m sure, But really if the powers be decide to give out money who am I to say. If they send you 1200 take it bro God knows you been paying the system all your life. ;)
 
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2

2channel lover

Audioholic Field Marshall
Hope you know i’m just jacking about the bailout thing. Lots will lose in a big way i’m sure, But really if the powers be decide to gave out money who am I to say. If they send you 1200 take it bro God knows you been paying the system all your life. ;)
$1200...if I get $600...my streaming set up is well on it's way...lol.
 
G

Gmoney

Audioholic Ninja
$1200...if I get $600...my streaming set up is well on it's way...lol.
Hey I just read the House just passed that bill going to Uncle Trump’s desk today for him to sign!
Man I gonna be like Kramer on Seinfeld with a Big pimp hat nice walking cane and a long coat!!
 
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