Audio Classics, Abbenbroekweg 98, 3086 GC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: (31) (0)10-465-48-33. Fax: (31) (0)10-480-16-92. Web: www.okkinokki.com. US distributor: Sumiko, 2431 Fifth St., Berkeley, CA 94710. Tel: (510) 843-4500. Fax: (510) 843-7120. Web: www.sumikoaudio.net. Available accessories: RCD Dust Cover, $79; RCB Fluid Brush (wood)–for dry cleaning, $15; RCB-G Fluid Brush (goat hair)–for wet cleaning, $25; RCS Replacement Strip Brush Set for vacuum tube, $15; RCF Cleaning Fluid Concentrate (makes 1 liter), $12; RCT 12", 10", or 7" Aluminum Vacuum Tube, $50.
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After writing my very favorable review of Marantz's PM5003 integrated amplifier ($449.99) for the January 2010 issue, I began to fantasize about how it might be packaged with other components to create a dynamite entry-level system for about $1000 (excluding cables). A good place to start, I felt, was the companion model to the PM5003, Marantz's own CD5003 CD player. Since then, both have been replaced with new models, respectively the PM5004 and CD5004, so I sought out review samples of both. (To read how the PM5004 compares with the PM5003, see my "Follow-Up" on the Marantz PM5004…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Single-disc CD player with remote control. Compatible disc formats: CD, MP3, WMA. Compatible sampling frequencies: 44.1kHz (CD); 32, 44.1, 48kHz (MP3, WMA). Frequency range: 2Hz–20kHz. Dynamic range: 100dB. THD: 0.002%. Signal/noise ratio: 110dB.
Dimensions: 17.3" (440mm) W by 4.1" (105mm) H by 13.4" (340mm) D. Weight: 11.2 lbs (5.1kg).
Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: MZ001024000389.
Price: $349.99. Approximate number of dealers: 1072.
Manufacturer: Marantz America, Inc., 100 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041. Tel: (201) 762-…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: Creek Destiny CD player.
Preamplifier: Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 110.
Integrated Amplifier: Creek Destiny, Marantz PM5003 and PM5004.
Loudspeakers: Epos M5i, Paradigm Atom v5.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator. Speaker: Acarian Systems Black Orpheus.
Accessories: Various by ASC, Bright Star, Celestion, Echo Busters, Salamander Designs, Simply Physics, Sound Anchor, VPI.—Robert J. Reina
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system to perform the measurements on the Marantz CD5004 (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). For some tests, I also used my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer.
The Marantz's maximum output at 1kHz was 2.35V, which is 1.4dB higher than the CD standard's 2V. Unless compensated for, this will be audible in comparisons with other players. The output preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting), and was…
For older enthusiasts who wish to stay current, there's a bump in the road to modernity. We all agree on the functions expected of a turntable—or a loudspeaker, or an amplifier, or even a D/A converter. Yet the term music server appears to mean different things to different designers and suppliers.
Hence my quandary on receiving for review the Linn Majik DS-I: What, precisely, is it supposed to do? Does the Majik DS-I contain a hard disk and music-ripping software, so I can use it to store all the music in my CD collection? Does it have a graphical user interface (GUI) that at least…
As for software, the Majik DS-I user must download and install the following: digital media player/management software, such as KinskyDesktop (from Linn) or SongBook DS (from Bookshelf Apps); file-ripping software, such as dBpoweramp (from Illustrate); and a configuration program from Linn called LinnKonfig. Media-server software such as Twonky (from Packet Video) may also be required, depending on the installation. Finally, before the user can download and install much of the above, he or she will need to download and install the appealingly named Mono (from Novell), which is described as…
Some examples: One of my first comparisons was between the recent 24-bit reissue of the Beatles' Let It Be (CD, Apple), ripped as a FLAC file from the CD to the Linn system's QNAP NAS, and the same recording ripped as an AIFF to my iMac. The latter seemed faultless in and of itself, yet the FLAC through the DS offered appreciably better sound and music: greater openness, detail, and texture on the one hand (though in the latter regard it was still short of the best vinyl playback), and more momentum and flow on the other. It was, in fact—and with apologies in advance for the hated cliché—…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier with D/A converter, Ethernet interface, and phono preamplifier. Line-level analog inputs: 3. S/PDIF (coax) digital inputs: 3. Optical (TosLink) digital inputs: 3. Digital outputs: 1 S/PDIF, 1 optical. Digital file formats supported via Ethernet connection: FLAC, AIFF, WAV, ALAC, AAC, MP3. Sampling rates supported: various, up to 192kHz. Word lengths accepted: 16 and 24 bits. Control protocol: uPnP V1.0. Phono input voltage: 50mV RMS, 70mV peak. Phono gain: 40dB. Phono input impedance: 47k ohms. Preamp signal/noise:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 & TD 124 Mk.II turntables; EMT 997, Thomas Schick tonearms; Shindo SPU, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65, Ortofon 90th Anniversary SPU & Classic A SPU cartridges.
Digital Sources: Ayre Acoustics QB-9, Wavelength Cosecant, HRT Music Streamer II & Music Streamer II+, Furutech GT40, Peachtree Audio iDecco (digital input to line output only) USB D/A converters; Stello U2 USB transceiver; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes; Apple iPod Touch; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player; QNAP TS-209II network-attached…