MARANTZ CD80

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows minor signs of wear. Supplied with remote control and manual; original packaging not included.

The Marantz CD-80 is a CD player developed to deliver outstanding sonic performance and exceptional mechanical robustness. One of the company's flagship models from the 1990s, it stands out for its extremely solid construction, featuring a massive chassis and advanced engineering solutions designed to ensure precise disc reading, long-term reliability, and high-quality audio reproduction.

At the heart of the player is the renowned Philips CDM-1 MkII transport, built around a robust die-cast frame and driven by a long-life brushless Hall motor. The entire transport assembly is mounted on a floating suspension system with springs and dampers that effectively isolates external vibrations, ensuring stable and accurate disc reading. The tracking mechanism employs a distinctive swing-arm design instead of a conventional linear tracking system, maintaining constant reading accuracy through a carefully balanced counterweight arrangement. Newly developed servo circuitry further improves access times and enhances overall operational stability.

Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by carefully selected Philips TDA1541A-S1 DACs, identifiable by the prestigious "Crown" grading, operating independently for the left and right channels. A 16-bit, 4x oversampling digital filter works in conjunction with the conversion stage to minimize unwanted digital artifacts, delivering a natural, highly detailed, and well-balanced sound capable of revealing even the finest nuances of the original recording.

The attention to build quality extends throughout the entire chassis, which is constructed according to Marantz's proprietary Antivibrating Unified Frame (AUF) design. The die-cast main chassis, non-magnetic aluminum top panel, heavy-gauge metal base, and die-cast side panels form an exceptionally rigid structure engineered to minimize resonance and preserve signal integrity. Heavy aluminum isolation feet further contribute to effective vibration damping.

The power supply has been designed with particular care and features a large power transformer combined with dedicated supplies for the servo, digital, analog, and display sections, minimizing interference between the various circuits. The use of low-impedance Celafine capacitors, carefully selected components, and increased copper thickness in critical signal paths further enhances electrical stability and overall audio performance.

The output stage adopts a DC-coupled design, eliminating the need for coupling capacitors in the signal path and thereby reducing any potential signal degradation. This approach preserves greater transparency, dynamic range, and overall musical fidelity.

From a functional standpoint, the Marantz CD-80 also incorporates the proprietary FTS (Favorite Track Selection) system, allowing users to permanently store custom playback programs for up to 126 CDs, with automatic recall of up to five favorite tracks per disc.

In addition to its technical excellence, the player is distinguished by its refined aesthetics. The front panel features a characteristic transparent window illuminated by a blue light, allowing the spinning disc to remain visible during playback—a distinctive design element that enhances the unit's visual appeal and emphasizes its unique character. Thanks to its exceptional transport mechanism, sophisticated digital-to-analog conversion, and uncompromising construction, the Marantz CD-80 remains a highly regarded CD player for enthusiasts seeking precision, detail, and musicality.

Technical specifications:

• Disc format: CD.
• D/A converter: Philips TDA1541A-S1.
• CD mechanism: Philips CDM-1 MkII.
• Frequency response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 95 dB.
• Channel separation: 93 dB.
• Analog output: 2 V.
• Digital outputs: coaxial; optical.
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 454 × 136 × 363 mm.
• Weight: 15 kg.