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Marantz HD CD 1 Awesome Transport

About a month ago my decade + old Pioneer PD 65 with extensive Musical Concept mods (including outboard power supply), spit out the laser lens. I glued it in but it still would not read the discs. I called Pioneer but they are no longer stocking parts.

my Oppo 105 (with upgraded incoming power wire loom, including IEC and linear power module did not come close to the Pioneer, which put me in an intense ’in search of’.mode.

The best replacement I found was the NuPrime CDT 8, but even at $800 it was more than I was comfortable spending. I came across a Marantz HD CD 1: MSRP $600. Even that was a stretch but the specs sounded like it was a high end bargain, so I hit the used audio market. I found one for $450 out of state, and just after telling the seller I wanted it, another one came up a days shipment away. AND, it was new, box opened only for inspection. I would rather it had been broken in as all the internals can take 100-200 hours to loosen up.

Opening the box I was very pleased to see how well built it is, and being a smaller chassis means less potential for bad vibes. I connected it to my Audio Alchemy DAC/PRE via WireWorld toslink and WW series 7 power cord, plugged into a Core Power 1800, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated line

I let it run 12-24 hours at a time with short breaks in between. I intermittently used several different burn in discs, too. Slowly it got better, but even after ~ 100 hours it was not strutting its stuff. I kept this up for another 6 days.

Well, last night it finally loosened up (both with a silent 3D sound stage and note breathing- extending to their full decay) and rewarded me with even better sound than the Pioneer ever did! .

2 CDs I layed were the ShoutFactory reissue of Famous Blue Raincoat followed by Frank Sinatra Live at the Sands, dics I know quite well.

The remote is not without it quirks: it is not backlit, and the input selector is directly above the pause/play button, which caused some palpitations. requiring a bit of investigation to figure ou as the manual is on a disc!

Anyone searching for a great transport that happens to be very affordable, look no further.. I have no idea what it sounds like as a player, and hope I never need to, but it’s there, and stuff happens

hth
tweak1
tweak1 OP
3,679 posts
 
whether it's my new found left ear hearing, or something else (I am also hearing better right channel information), cds I am extremely familiar with, like The Judds, or Chet atkins & Mark Knopfler Neck and Neck , which I played yesterday sound incredibly better than I ever heard it/them. The 3 dimensional separation of voices, and instruments made for most joyful listening

The HD CD 1 is a absolute bargain, at least as a transport
zug
42 posts
 
Thanks for your review. How is the bass? 
tweak1 OP
3,679 posts
 
Currently out of the system

After adding Machina Dynamica New Dark Matter (highly recommended) the player started frequently skipping. No issues with my Oppo 105, so, probably just a coincidence

I was trimming the NDM while on the tray, and a sliver could have gotten into the mechanism. Haven't gotten around to investigating, which could simply be turning it upside down and giving it a few shakes. It is not in warranty, and at $80+ for bench time I haven't bothered

Been too preoccupied with many other system changes, mostly done now, so thanks for the reminder
tweak1 OP
3,679 posts
 
SO.... after turning it upside down and gently shaking it, I just reinserted it. Fingers crossed that the skipping was due to a lodged sliver of NDM

Only been fired up for maybe 10 minutes played 2 cds, no issues so far. It is much more focused than the Oppo with a deeper sound stage, and a more organic sound. Plus, I am able to play it at a lower volume with excellent tone

Assuming it doesn't skip anymore, the Oppo will be relegated to SACD and DVD-A playback

Thanks for contacting me today!
tweak1 OP
3,679 posts
 
Really good news so far, no more skipping 

The difference is the Marantz has an astonishing black (quiet) background for the music to present itself. The pluck on strings has the appropriate instant awareness and tone, voice is titled more into the midrange than the Oppo, which improved significantly, post upgrades. 

When I bought the Marantz I wanted a Jay's Audio CDT 2 Mk 2, which has a reasonable MSRP of $2500, but way out of my retired budget. I scored this virtually new HD CD-1 for $500!

Anyway, one thing I've learned, regardless of hobby, be it motorcycles, cars, boats... squeezing another 5-10% performance costs quite a bit more money over stock.

I am confident the Marantz will not disappoint, AND it's also a player, which I have not tried

hth 
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