With upgrade very detailed right down to the lowest note

Didn't last 100 years

I am the owner of a Marantz CD 80 which I purchased in 1987, I had it upgraded with Burr Brown chips, shielding around the automatic volume control, and I believe some wiring has been bi passed directly to the power supply the upgrade cost $400. After the upgrade the sound quality was superb and can only be rated as the best CD player I have ever heard, then in 1998 disaster struck, the transport unit would not read my CD's, the CD's would actually spin backwards, at the present time it is still in for repairs they believe it is a chip that controls the transport unit. I hope they can repair the machine as it would be very sad to see it go. In my opinion it is one of the best machines ever built, however things don't always last forever.

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Dynamics, rhythm and speed

none

My first review was in 8-28-99. Three weeks ago, I replaced 10 elctrolytic 100uf 25v capacitors with same OEM brand name from ELNA Cerifine. I also replaced four single operational amplifiers 5534D with "Burr-Brown" Music Plus series.

I have used it for 8 hours only since the upgrade (more time is needed for burn-in). The sound is detailed clear with great bass extension. Soundstage is wide and deep found only in audiophile players. Instruments and vocal separation is great. Cost of each OpAmp is 1.68 USD.

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Can't think of one

This player was made in 1989 and was worth all the money (500 British pounds or 800 USD - was sold under PHILIPS brand name in north america). The DACs are the highly acclaimed 16 bit TDA1541-A S1 Crown coupled with 7220 P/B 4X oversampling digital filter and a diecast CDM-1 swing arm mechanism. The chassis is made of the same material found in the mechanism. Side panels are included for extra stability giving it a total weight of 33 pounds.
The sound is powerful and dynamic with smooth high frequencies and controlled bass. Though I must admit the newer players do sound superior and musical.

I recall comparing this player side-by-side to players from Proceed, Krell, Micromega and other high-end units, this player did very well.

Incidentally, the new Marantz CD-7 reference player uses the same DACs as the Marantz CD-80 due to their superior dynamics and self-calibration capability.

I give this player 5 stars for sound quality - based upon CD technology a decade ago and superb construction that very few manufacturers can offer at an affordable price.