ADVISE AND REVIEW
Speakers :Technics honeycomb disc SB-10 (2 x 35 kg)
Amp :Luxman L-550 - 2 x 50W class A (20 kg)
cd :Marantz CD67 SE
Connector:Handwound pure silverthread embraced in teflon

ADVISE: When scanning a decade of various audio magazines, a few components will stand out with topmarks and high acclaim. Usually these components were very expensive as well as higly crafted, hence designed for decades of performance. When refering to "non mechanic-drive units" such as Amps. and speakers a terrific deal can be made when buying secondhand. Often at a fraction of the cost compared to the cost of new equiptment at same
performance level.

REVIEW MARRANTZ CD-67 SE

The Marrantz displays a remarkable detail as well as rythmic engagement. It is a little bit bright - try with cobber cables or if your have a linear equalizer on your amp. - downtilt slightly). The base seems medium deep, but very firm and responsive. The midtone and tweet very pleasant and "airy". When listning to vokals - the persons behind will really stand out.

For the sound 4 stars, for the price/performance relation 5 stars

Marantz CD-67 Special Edition
This is the successor to the praised-all-over (British and USA press) 63SE.
Differences are small: another chipset for the transport and a different
transformer core. So expect the 67SE to sound just like the 63SE, and the
cheaper 67 to sounds quite like its 'upgraded' sibling. Price in Europe,
by the way, is $500 for the 67, and $670 for the Special Edition.

Build quality is excellent for the money, bettering that of many a more
expensive player. Technology is a CDM-12 transport, NPC filter and bitstream
DAC, followed by one JRC 2114 double opamp and one HDAM discrete opamp
per channel. Power supply decoupling uses the costly Silmic silk-mica
electrolytic capacitors.

New out of the box, the 67SE sounded horrible. So I left it on for a week
and this is how it sounded (Sphinx Project Two MkII, Quad 306, Quad ESL):
big soundstage, everything larger than life, warmish, musical, involving, with
a round and rolling bass.
But also less natural than real audiophile players, and sometimes with
a bit of hardness around voices.

So, for the money the 67SE is excellent, provided you use it for its intended
job: as a decent CD in a decent but not over-the-top system. Because an
audiophile or a high-end CD-player this is not! Contrary to what the magazines
want you to believe.

Detail of sound.

The CD tray falls apart too easily!!

This is only my second cd player. My first was a nasty Sony 1998 vintage player.
The Marantz sounds better in every way.

Similar Products Used:

NONE

Currently, I own a Marantz CD-63SE, which apparently sounds identicle to the CD-67SE (I will assume this to the case for this review). I was auditioning integrated amplifiers and went to listen to the Jolida SJ302a. When I listened to the Jolida ($850), it was hooked up to the Rega Planet ($800) and the Ruark Tempest speakers ($1200). I had read wonderful reviews of the Rega and was excited to listen to it. The dealer's system seemed well balanced from a price standpoint.
The whole system sounded very nice. I quit analyzing and just enjoyed the music. I then wondered how the Marantz would stack up next to the Rega. So I asked the dealer if I could bring my Marantz in to compare the two players side by side. He knowingly grinned and said, "sure!"

The following weekend, I came in with the Marantz and prepared for the comparison. We hooked up the Marantz next to the Rega on the same system, using the same interconnects. First, I listened to a few CDs with the Planet. Then I listened to the same disks with the CD-63SE. I expected the Marantz to disappoint. Surprisingly, it did not. It did sound different! I stress different, not better, not worse. Afterall, not all listening tastes are the same. I would like to describe the differences.

The Planet is very smooth and laid back. It presents a wide soundstage, with decent depth, and images quite nicely. The Marantz, on the other hand, is more forward and is a bit more harsh sounding (especially in the upper midrange and highs) than the Planet. The Marantz soundstage is not as grand in width and depth as the Planet's, but does a better job presenting the verticle element. The Marantz does not image nearly as well as the Rega (a big advantage for the Planet). The Rega, however, does not provide nearly the detail or transparency of the Marantz (a big advantage of the CD-63SE). With the CD-63SE, it is much easier to hear the detail of the individual instruments such as the pluck of a guitar string or the breath of the singer. Further, the Marantz has better extension in the bass and treble areas. The highs and lows roll off a bit moreon the Rega. The Rega also seems a little slow in delivery in comparison to the Marantz.

As with all components within a similar price range, there are trade offs. Both the Marantz and the Rega have their strengths and their weaknesses. It is up to you to decide which you can live with and which you can live without. Remember, this comparison was done on a budget oriented system (approx. $3000). Personally, I like the Marantz. The most significant trade off was the detail and frequency extension in the Marantz for the imaging quality of the Rega. Personally, I don't want to give up the detail and frequency extension for better imaging, although many "audiophiles" think imaging = musicality. Plus the Marantz is $300 less than the Rega. In all, I was a little disappointed in the Rega Planet. Thumbs up for the Marantz.

I agree with Mark, it lacks involvement, dynamic drive, pace and ambiance.Unfortunetley, I was locked in to a purchase from a dealer that did not carry
Parasound so I'm stuck.

I compared the 67se at another dealer where I bought most of my system. I only compared it to the NAD 512 and Rega Planet. Planet was by far the best, followed by the 67se and the 512 a very distant third.

While spending time noting the diffs between the Planet and 67se (with the system I eventually bought)a distr. for Black Diamond Racing Cones walked in to the store. Sensing my dissapointment with being locked in to the 67se and my admiration of the Planet, he suggested that we try the cones. Both the no. 3 and no. 4 made an incredible difference, enhaning the detail and sstage. It was Majic. I am now much happier with the 67se. I recommend these cones for any mid to high-end system. Read some of the reviews on the net for other uses too. Experiment!!!

Note: He also showed me this lava rock like stone that can be used on (or near) your components. I wont go in to detail but depending on your components this can also have wonderful effects.

System: (not much but I think it's very good for being on a budget)

Amp:Rega Brio Int. amp (next model up, Elex, is on back order for me)
CD:Rega Planet
CD:Marantz 67se
CD:NAD 512
Speaker:JM Labs Daline 3.1
Speaker:Rega Kyte (for another small room)

I'm going to brief: This player is a good player in the sense that it doesn't offend but at the same time, it lacks involvement and dynamic drive. Highs are smooth but low level detail is poor compare to other CD Players in the same price range. I'm not sure what the hype is about? If you want budget high end digital, look else where.
The similarly priced Parasound is a better buy; hell the new Sony 20ES is a better player. If you want entry level high end, save your money for something like the CAL Icon MkII which is now discounted due to the new HDCD version.

Looks :

slim line chasis is nice and player is defintely hefty



Features :

well equipped with taping and programming functions

allows display dimmer but no off

has both optical and digital outputs

nicely sized remote but no on off button on remote

cd player can also be controlled by system remote

power plug is non detachable



sound :



treble was clean

bass rather tight, not bloomy but a slight lack of extension

image more forward and allows more music retrieval in general

more resolution and definition

but

in some systems it can be rather bright

with the treble really too energetic if your system is already bright

but i'll still consider it as you can really hear real difference



current setup :

HK avr 25 MK II dolby reciever

TDL RTL 3 full range fronts

Polk Audio cs 150 centre

JBL control 1g rears

Pioneer LD player

cable talk 3.0 all round

Esoteric interconnect cables

I also purchased a CD-67se and was tremendously uninpressed. I would give it fairly high marks for high end clarity, but the mid rage was weak and the low was almost non-existant. I took it back and got a Parasound CDC-1000 a much better product in my opinion

clarity sound, well-done construction

overblown bass, no output volume memory between power cicles,

Now Marantz 67se is the best player for the price. It is incorrect to compare it with Rega Planet, becouse Planet costs $750 and 67se - only $250 in local dealer`s store. With Tannoy loudspeakers it`s a touch of a real hi fidelity sound.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD48, Denon DVD3000