Nowadays, streaming solutions carry as much pressure to deliver in every respect as world-class heptathletes – something Marantz is clearly well aware of.
Through either an Ethernet or dual-band 2.4/5GHz wi-fi connection, its new ND8006 offers network streaming from a NAS drive or streaming service such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal or Deezer.
As the ND8006 doesn’t have built-in amplification, it isn’t quite a just-add-speakers solution like the Onkyo TX-8250 or Naim Uniti Atom. However, there’s a degree of system flexibility – it can plug straight into an integrated or pre/power amplifier via its fixed level output - or, thanks to its built-in volume control, into a power amplifier or pair of active speakers via its variable output.
If you’re choosing to go down the former path, Marantz might point you to its PM8006 integrated amp – not least as the ND8006’s remote control is able to control both units.
A dedicated headphone amp features selectable gain, can drive a wide range of headphones, and has ‘H/P off’ mode designed to ensure optimal performance when the headphone stage isn’t required.
The Marantz ND8006 (which will be available in black or silver-gold, priced at £1099, from next month) is certainly a do-it-all solution on paper. Now all it needs to do is sound good...
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