Marantz announces new MusicLink CD player

Marantz has unveiled its new HD-CD1 CD player, part of its MusicLink series. The design of the HD-CD1 is centred on the company's Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) which, it says, provide "a wide dynamic range and wide frequency response" with the lowest possible distortion of MP3, WMA and AAC files, as well as standard CDs.

The player has analogue as well as optical and coaxial digital outputs, so it can be connected to an amplifier or an external DAC such as that used in the HD-DAC1 or HD-AMP1. It also includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack with a HDAM-SA2 amplifier featuring 'Low', 'Medium', and 'High' gain settings.

According to the company, the HD-CD1 features the same Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC found in top-flight digital hardware and is capable of handling a 24-bit/192kHz audio.

The player also has a double-layer chassis that limits unwanted vibrations, and an auto-standby mode to reduce power consumption.

The Marantz HD-CD1 will be available from September, priced £450.

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Adam was a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?, reviewing consumer gadgets for online and print publication, as well as researching and producing features and advice pieces on new technology in the hi-fi industry. He has since worked for PC Mag as a contributing editor and is now a science and technology reporter for The Independent.