I just received the Marantz 8004 last week. It is connected to a Naim Nait XS as a second system in my office. All I can say is this SACD DAC is exactly what I have been looking for. It has a beautiful sound that draws you into the music. The BMG classical SACD's blow away any redbook CD player I have heard. The bass on the SACD goes right through the floor. I can use my Ipod classic and connect straight into the front USB port of the marantz and the music still sounds good. No need for a Wadia transport and I can use the Marantz remote to control the Ipod. Right now I'm using the headphone jack on the Marantz with my AKG 701 headphones and the sound is very good. I still need to connect my laptop to the marant 8004. I will try that next week. Other CD players I have tried in this system include the Naim 5x, Raysonic 128, and the Ayre 7e. I would decsribe the sound of the Marantz as being closer to the tube sound of the Raysonic 128. Very smooth with a large sound stage. It is not ultra detailed sound you get with the Naim 5x. Personally the Marantz 8004 is one of the best sounding CD players I have heard and to have all the other features makes this one of the best deals in HiFi Audio.
One thing I forgot to mention. The new material used on the transport tray makes the Marantz 8004 utlra silent as a transprot. It reminds me of the Linn Ikemi transprot.
One thing I forgot to mention. The new material used on the transport tray makes the Marantz 8004 utlra silent as a transprot. It reminds me of the Linn Ikemi transprot.