Marantz DV12S1

Advantages: Uncover brilliant level of detail solid build
Disadvantages: Some features seem useless

...I have had this cd player for close to a year now and i can confidentally say it still works exactley the same from the day i purchased it, which compared to some of its rivals wheer the laser goes weak or the motors go slugish the marantz cd5400 truly has a high quality build to it. If your a marantz fan then you should already have trust in what they can produce and to me the marantz cd5400 is the back bone to a nice high quality system. It is not the best cd player around but for the money I can gurantee you will find it very hard to fin a cd player more impressive then the marantz cd5400. When i first listened to my cd5400 i was that impressed by the acoustical detail it uncoverd i actully had to go down stairs and steal my moms mozart collection just to see how great it was. The only draw backs to this cd player is... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quality sound and build/nice features
Disadvantages: A bit too trebly and crisp

...and I couldn’t have got better than the Marantz CD4000. SOUND Marantz are well known for quality products, so I really didn’t need much convincing to get this one. The important thing about separates is balancing your components to create an overall lively but controlled sound, which can be tricky. Your speakers reproduce the sound, the Amp decodes it but your CD player creates it, making it an important starting point in the audio process. The Marantz is sharp and clear, with a very distinct vivid, vibrant sound that would clean up even the most bass orientated systems. It lacks depth however, which would disappoint the bass lovers out there and I find it prefers rock tracks rather than dance or R&B. The old classics belt out nicely, like Mike and the Mechanics `Living Years` and Mike Oldfield’s `Moonlight Shadow`. FEATURES As... Read review

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Advantages: Features, durability, looks and abilities as a Dolby 2.0 Receiver
Disadvantages: Poor control over demanding music, weak midrange and a general lack of muscles.

...This is an ok amp. Nothing more, nothing less. It plays neutral with a coloring a bit towards the warm side (typical Marantz). It is has all the features needed for an amp today (Thumbs up for the 'Source Direct' switch!), looks good and is easy to use. The problem with this amp is, unfortunately, it's ability to present music. Even though it has no "screaming" weaknesses, it has no apparent strengths neither. It becomes a bit boring too me. Midrange is the weakest side of this amp. When given songs where theres a lot going on in the midrange (Soilwork - Follow The Hollow, Pink FLoyd - The Dark Side of The Moon), it gets messy. It also lacks the open "top" to give Tool - Vicarious or Dire Straits -The Man's Too Strong the snappy sound it deserves. Also the bottom tends to get a bit "wool-like". Almost as it looses controls when... Read review

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