My only real complaint with this player is the intermittent channel loss I experience because of the pretty basic quality phono connectors used. Wiggle the connector and it comes back on, no matter what interconnect I use. Rather than copper plate everything in sight, I would suggest that Ken I -san spent the money more wisely on good solid connectors (like on my MF X-RAY) and more soldered connections inside the player. Poor parts quality where it really matters is the hallmark of mass-market, throw it away in two years trash, not something that has pretensions to the high end. Otherwise the Marantz sounds okay for the money, and quite pleasant with a good class A valve amp and punchy speakers.

We had high expectations for this CD player which is not sold in the USA. Boy were we disappointed. The sound is very Mid-Fi. The Arcam Alpha 8 completely blew it away.

The first minute when I picked the Ki-Sig out of the box, I knew it was a serious player. The physical weight and the need for air vents on the back gave me a feeling that my time would not be wasted on the trial. I have had bad experiences of Philips, and more notably Marantzs, because they keep on breaking down. Unfortunately, the Ki-Sig confirmed the worst, and out popped a cd drawer, the quality of which should be seen on my brothers £100 Philips 711. However, as some people say, its how it sounds that counts. Well, It sounds bloody brilliant. It literally transformed my system to the same degree that the Atacama Se24 stands did. The imaging and treble was precise and spot on, you could hear real bass extension, and the mid range like nothing else.

A substantial Hi-Fi improvement on the stock CD63SE, superb value for money.

Only a slight musical improvement (Pace, rythm, timing) on the stock CD63SE.

This unit was purchased new for UKP 250, making it the same price as the CD63SE when first released. It was the best player I could find at this price, offering enough musicality to allow me to listen to CD's without immediate face-grimacing reactions!

Long term or serious listening resulted in my turning the player off and reaching for my LP12 and a lump of black plastic to drag a rock around.

The player has a smooth treble, with little harshness, but it lacks the clarity and low level detail retrieval that my analogue front end offers. It also has a much deeper extended bass response when compared to the CD63SE, but it still sounds anaemic and lacking rythm when compared to vinyl. In short it doesn't have an ounce of the musical pace, rythm and timing that I had been used to and that I consider essential for an involving musical presentation.

There is more to come though, and a recent upgrade of the internal clock using the inexpensive LClock XO from LC Audio has transformed the player.

Whilst there are Hi-Fi improvements (much more low-level detail, a more realistic treble and a tighter and deeper bass), it is musically that the differences are most noticeable.

I can now listen to CD without missing vinyl, and the 'foot tapping' element is now present to a degree I find difficult to believe.

The only other player I have heard in my system that offered any sense of musical correctness was the Naim Audio CD3, but this is considerably more expensive, and the Marantz now comes close enough to satisfy me.

Similar Products Used:

Naim Audio CD3

With every upgrade of other components the Marantz shines again

There are but not worth replacing with a newer CDP

This is my second post. I have had the KI now for more than three years and it has been playing in several upgrades and systems.

Currently I am a eager vinylphile and use the CDP only ocasionally.

The most significant upgrade that showed the real beauty of the KI was when I replaced my AudioLab with a Marantz PM17 MKII amplifier. This transformed the KI completely, which goes to show just how important matching is.

If you can get one second hand grab it as this player will become a collectors item.

A few small tweaks is also worth it and is well described on several web pages.

I got this cd player at the price of S$750.00 - far cheaper than the recommended price in both 'WHAT HI-FI' and 'HI-FI CHOICE' magazines. I pair it with MARANTZ PM66-KI Signature Integrated Amplifier. My interconnects are Cable Talk's, speakers are the Mission 752f floorstanders.
I ran a burn-in test of 48 hours with the player on auto-replay - as recommended by the dealer. After which a real improvement on vocal clarity and sweet treble came out. Bass is tight and really controlled. I had listened to the Cyrus dAD3 and MARANTZ CD67SE. Over these two players the 63KI sounded more warm and open - its high and vocals are just sweeter! Play it with Toni Braxton's 'Let It Flow' track or Celine Dion's duet with Luciano Pavarotti on 'I hate you then I love you'.

I have not listened to ARCAM's. They too had fairly good reviews especially the Alpha 9. If you'd ask my taste however, the CD66-KI Signature is a player worth a respect for it's reviews and sonic performance.

Transparent, warm, clean, excellent midband

Demands quility componets

This is a player that demands high quility amps and speakers. Preferably, tube amps. Only then the full potential of this cd player can be appriciated. Excellent player for the money. Very important to leve it swiched on all the time if you listen every day. Also it is more that advisable to change the mains cable, you won't believe the difference.

Similar Products Used:

Naim cdII, Sugden, Arcam 8SE, Exposure, Rega, etc.

Sound, clarity, optimum low end

None

I bought the CD 63 in order to upgrade my system, and it was a great bargain. The sound is almost at the highest level possible in its range. Perfect with the music genres I usually listen to, classic and jazz.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz Cd 72

Not much. Good with vocals perhaps.

Not versatile with other kinds of music. There's a hi-frequency sibilance that grates when you turn up the volume.

I had the same experience like Tony below and found that the KI sucked during an audition at a 2nd hand shop. I use an Arcam 8SE which has a warmer and sweeter sound. The KI has an upper frequency that grates with normal pop CDs (it isn't that bad on my Arcam.) I have an older marantz 53 Mk II that sounded better. You don't buy a CD player and find that 60 per cent of your collection sounds unforgiving.
Maybe the KI is okay with h vocals and classical but this is not a versatile machine. Past its prime.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam 8SE

Very warm. Bring out lots of sweetness. Excellent channel seperation. Very good components used. Good marketing effort.

Lack transparency. Bassline without belt. Some details are missing most of the time. Overwhelmed reviewed and over-priced. Cheapo and noisy tray. Only good for slow piece. Lots of jitter loss for such an exotic player. A Phillips Signature instead.

I, unreservedly, agreed with Micheal Scott.

I was conned by all the reviews globally. Bought it right away when it arrives in Asia.

Later, I got a 2nd hand Alpha 6 and KI was thrown into the cold palace. Sold it away after 2yrs without any problem.

However, it utilized the best components available but design problem keep the player from performing.

My 1st advice is: Buy it if you listen to oldies or slow music.

My 2nd advice is: Listen to it numerous time with another similar priced player as comparison, like Pioneer PD-S06.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer PD-S904 and Arcam Alpha 6.