Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007: which is the best entry-level CD player?

If we’re talking about the best CD players we have tested in the past decade, pound for pound, the Marantz CD6007 has to be in the conversation.

Not only is it a fantastic five-star performer, it has walked away with multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards over the years, too.

But the truth is, it’s a little long in the tooth. It launched back in August 2020 and, following a refresh of Marantz’s other hi-fi and home cinema electronics, it has always been a matter of when not if it would be replaced.

Following the launch of the CD 70, that time has come. That’s right, when current stock runs out, the CD6007 will be no more.

So what does its replacement have to offer? Should you be looking to stick with the old model or twist with the new one? We’ve tested both side-by-side and will cover all this and more below.

Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007 - Price

Given current market conditions, you won’t be surprised to hear that the CD 70 costs more than the CD6007 did when it launched back in August 2020. The size of the jump really depends on where you buy it.

The new model will set you back £499 | €600 | $750 | AU$1000 (exc VAT), compared with the £399 | €449 | $650 | AU$999 that you have to pay at the time of writing for its predecessor.

The CD6007 can regularly be found discounted across various territories now, though, and it’s unlikely we’ll see anything off the CD 70 for a while. So if you want a saving on a mighty fine Marantz CD player, the old model is the way to go for now.

**Winner: Marantz CD6007**

Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007 - Design and build

The shift to Marantz’s more recent design language is quite obvious, but which you prefer the look of can only come down to personal taste.

Each player offers something different and although the CD 70 might appear the more modern of the two, there’s still a lot to be said for the more industrial and workmanlike appearance of the CD6007.

The CD70 has a chunky front panel with a main section that protrudes from the rest of the fascia and is flanked by textured surfaces on either side.

They both feel sturdy and solid, like they're built to last. Both sets of buttons are responsive and nice to use, although the slightly larger volume dial on the headphone output on the CD 70 is easier to get to grips with.

The CD6007 appears a bit more straightforward and uncompromising in its stance, but there’s still enough character in its appearance to give it presence on your hi-fi rack.

The CD 70 is the slightly larger of the two units, but the difference in dimensions isn’t massive – 10.9 x 44.2 x 35.1cm next to 10.5 x 44 x 34.1cm (hwd).

Inside, the CD 70 uses an upgraded power supply, which Marantz claims helps to reduce noise. The headline news, though, is that the CD 70 gets a new ES9020Q DAC chip compared with the older ES9010K2M chip found in the CD6007. The new model also gets an upgraded digital clock to reduce jitter (digital timing errors).

**Winner: Draw**

Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007 - Features

The dot-matrix display on both players appears virtually identical, as do the buttons on the front – although the eagle-eyed among you will notice that their positions and functions have changed a little.

The CD6007 has its controls positioned vertically, with individual buttons for play, pause, and stop on the right of the unit, and eject, skip forwards, skip backwards and a button for switching to the USB input on the left.

The CD 70, by contrast, has its buttons positioned horizontally, on either side of its ‘porthole’. Skip forwards, backwards and one button combining play and pause sit on the right; input selection, stop and eject on the left.

Both offer a USB Type-A input to the left of the display and a 6.3mm headphone socket, complete with a volume-control knob positioned on the right.

A remote control comes with the CD 70 and looks very similar to the remote you get with the CD6007, but with a new finish. Look a little closer and you’ll see some of the labelling has changed, together with some of the icons used.

The rear layout of both machines is identical. There is an analogue output, plus optical and coaxial digital outputs.

File compatibility remains the same with both machines able to play CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs, while the USB input that features on each machine supports the same file formats: WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and DSD.

The CD 70 offers a choice of two digital filters for sound quality, similar to the CD6007, and also the option to turn off the digital outputs and the display if you’re not using them, both of which, Marantz claims, will help improve sound quality. There's not much in it here.

**Winner: Draw**

Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007 - Sound

In our Marantz CD6007 review, we called it a “crisp, open performer” and said ”larger-scale dynamics are delivered with verve and punch”.

It's a fabulous player in its own right, but after putting it up against the CD 70, we do notice a few differences.

In our opinion, the key change is that the new machine favours a different sonic balance. It's more forward in its approach to music, while the CD6007 sounds more relaxed and considered.

As we said in our Marantz CD 70 review, "The older CD6007 might paint the dynamic shifts with a bit more delicacy, but you can’t argue with the CD 70’s newfound sense of precision and power."

The CD 70 does sound punchier and more lively in the way it expresses music. There's a greater sense of control over the different elements of a recording.

We described the player as "an impressive performer for the money", but it isn't all one-way traffic. There's still plenty of sonic appeal in the old model even if the CD 70 is the more sonically capable of the two.

**Winner: Marantz CD 70**

Marantz CD 70 vs CD6007 - Initial verdict

So, which is the better CD player? The CD6007 is still a classic, is still competitive, and at the time of writing is cheaper than the CD 70.

It has a more relaxed approach to music than the CD 70, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This actually makes the older model very flexible when it comes to system matching.

But, in outright terms, the CD 70 does sound better. It’s punchier, more precise and clearer across the frequency range, even if the older model still handles dynamics wonderfully.

If you already own a CD6007, we wouldn’t be in a huge rush to upgrade, but it's good to know there's a five-star player for anyone coming into hi-fi with a suitable budget.

MORE:

Read our full Marantz CD6007 review

Our pick of the best CD players for every budget

End of an era as Marantz waves goodbye to two hi-fi classics and unveils new entry-level Model 70 integrated amplifier and CD 70 compact disc player