Marantz CC4001 and PM4001, Music in abundance

Even at a time when physical media seems to be just a step away from disappearing (in favor of files distributed over the network), I am not surprised to see that the tradition of enjoying music by loading and unloading discs in a player is still alive. And I don't mean the classic, and no longer so old-fashioned, vinyl record, but the universal format par excellence since the mid-eighties: CD-DA.

In fact, Marantz has never lost interest in this segment (in the next issue you will have the chance to discover a new turntable from the brand), and now it is offering us an interesting combination with real musical character: the CC4001 multi-disc player and the PM4001 stereo integrated amplifier. What sets the CC4001 apart is its ability to load up to five CD-DA discs, which will let the more "traditional" listeners avoid getting up more than once if they plan well or, to look at it another way, avoid using one of the popular compressed audio formats such as MP3 (with which, incidentally, it is also compatible). A simple, basic CD-DA player with a few interesting touches. Its random and programmed playback options, for example, stand out, and they make real sense when up to 5 discs can be included in the program. In fact, if those discs are packed with MP3 files, you will understand how many hours of music this unit can deliver. But of course, Marantz is not presenting a "compressed music machine", but a player with musical character. Seen in that light, its KSS-213CCM transport stands out for its broad ability to read all kinds of discs (not only CD-DA, but every recordable version available). It is paired with the CXD3017Q decoder which, according to the manufacturer, offers excellent thermal stability and therefore a very long service life. Extremely easy to use, it offers modest but by no means insufficient connectivity. Marantz forgoes any audiophile pretensions and equips it with nothing more than unbalanced analog stereo audio outputs, along with two digital outputs (one in each of the familiar formats: EIAJ-TosLink and S/PDIF). Using the latter two, we can make identical recordings of our favorite music in whatever order we like.

We have also received a new (and equally simple) integrated amplifier: the PM4001. Simple, since according to its user manual it delivers 40 W RMS into 8-ohm loads. A more than sufficient rating when paired with a set of medium- or high-sensitivity loudspeakers, ideal for personal listening or medium-sized rooms. Marantz claims it fully respects the linearity of the incoming signal, delivering at the output a "simply" amplified version. To achieve this, they have designed circuitry in which the signal travels along the shortest possible paths, on symmetrical PCB layouts to ensure an excellent stereo image and precise tonality.

It has 6 switchable sources, all of them with unbalanced analog stereo audio inputs only (there are no digital inputs). One of them, labeled phono, accepts MM/MC cartridges. Speaker connections are provided by binding posts of adequate quality, which also come in a dual configuration. Loads from 4 to 16 ohms are supported. Both units do, however, boast an excellent finish. With metal front panels, they offer a physical sturdiness that many will appreciate. Very similar styling makes the visual synergy between the two perfect.



TESTED



I used this system connected to a pair of high-sensitivity PMC speakers. The CD-DA player responded quite quickly, even in random mode, which sets the unit's tray in motion with each new musical selection. It makes some noise, obviously, but it is not bothersome at all. Five conventional CD-DA discs provide quite a few hours of music. The amplifier performs really well. Although it is fast on transients, it perhaps lacks somewhat in low-frequency reproduction, which invites you to raise the volume slightly and, if the dynamics are demanding, to notice a certain distortion, albeit almost imperceptible. The combination comes across as a music system capable of delighting its owner with long hours of music (whether we want to enjoy CD-DA discs or CD-R/RWs with MP3 files). The amplifier fulfills its role perfectly, although I do recommend using high-sensitivity loudspeakers to achieve improved dynamics, especially in the low frequencies. If what you want is uninterrupted music, consider this combination.

Specialists' rating: 5

Ana Cabezas, Marantz España.



A good, well-judged combination for enjoying music, well beyond a standard portable player. Worth highlighting are its excellent value for money, complete connectivity and superb reproduction, even with MP3. Products with Marantz quality within everyone's reach.

Marantz CC4001 and PM4001, Music in abundance

Specifications

CC4001, €295.

CD-DA PLAYER with 5-disc capacity. COMPATIBLE FORMATS CD-DA, CD-R/RW, MP3. TRANSPORT KSS-213CCM. DECODER CXD3068Q. D/A CONVERSION Multi-bit, Delta-Sigma, CD4392. FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz-20 kHz. DYNAMIC RANGE 100 dB. SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 100 dB. TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION 0.002%. CHANNEL SEPARATION 110 dB. FINISHES Black. CONNECTIVITY Analog audio outputs via RCA and EIAJ-TosLink and S/PDIF digital. RS-232C. POWER CONSUMPTION 19 W. DIMENSIONS 440 x 404 x 114 mm. WEIGHT 6.9 kg.

PM4001, €259.

AMPLIFICATION 40 W RMS into 8 ohms (55 W RMS into 4 ohms) per channel. FREQUENCY RESPONSE 10 Hz-50 kHz (+0, -1 dB). TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION 0.005%. DAMPING FACTOR 100. FINISHES Black and silver. CONNECTIVITY 1 phono input for MM and MC cartridges. 5 unbalanced analog audio inputs. 2 unbalanced

analog audio outputs. Dual speaker outputs via binding posts. POWER CONSUMPTION 100 W. DIMENSIONS 440 x 343 x 116 mm. WEIGHT 6 kg.

DISTRIBUTOR Marantz España (902888784, €0.15/min).