Entry-level CD player and amplifier spearhead new Marantz attack

They have an all-new chassis design, and cosmetics derived from the company's flagship Reference products.

The £200 CD5003 CD player uses a high-performance Cirrus Logic stereo digital-to-analogue converter, a version of the company's Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules, or HDAMs, and a symmetrical circuit layout.

It plays CDs and CD-R/RW discs, including MP3 and WMA files, and has an 'Audio EX' mode to bypass the digital output and pitch control the player offers.

There's also a high-quality headphone circuit, buffered to avoid interference with the main audio circuits, and the front panel combines glass-fibre reinforced engineering resin and extruded aluminium.

The matching PM5003 amplifier (illustrated) delivers 2x40W and will sell for £220. It adopts the current feedback circuit found in more upmarket Marantz amps in the volume and power sections, and also the separate preamp, tone control amp and power amp found in the same products.

The inputs are buffered to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and the amp also has a source direct switch to bypass the balance and tone circuits.

Watch this space for our world exclusive review of the new player and amp, and news of more Marantz products heading this way.