Marantz CD 50n CD Player & Streamer – Preview

All Image Credit: Marantz

Marantz have just announced their latest CD player, the Marantz CD 50n. What makes this player quite unique is the fact that it also comes with a HEOS-based hi-res-capable network streamer that supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect plus Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Prime Music, Pandora and Tune-In for Internet radio. It’s also certified as Roon Ready for use with the popular subscription-based music management software. Rear panel I/O signal connectivity is very flexible and there is a choice of Ethernet, wi-fi or Bluetooth for streaming.

Besides playing CD, CD-R, SACD, WMA and AAC physical media audio discs, the DAC (ESS Hyper Stream ES9038 PRO) supports; Hi-Res/lossless DSD, FLAC HD 192/24, ALAC 96/24 and WAV 192/24, lossy MP3, WMA and AAC plus DSD audio streaming up to DSD128 and up to PCM 384kHz/32 bit.

Rear panel signal connectivity is extensive and includes; analog fixed and variable unbalanced RCA outs, TOSLINK and coaxial digital out, with USB DAC, TOSLINK and coaxial digital inputs. The DAC may also be accessed via Bluetooth input. Connectivity is enhanced with USB-B for PC and Macs; USB-A to stream from directly attached storage devices, plus HDMI ARC for direct TV connection. For personal listening headphone connectivity is supported by both the front panel 1/4″ (6.4mm) headphone socket and Bluetooth, there is level control and three gain settings for different headphone impedances.

For audio purists the CD 50n has a built-in pre-amplifier that drives the variable analog outs. These may be connect directly to your power amplifier for the shortest and cleanest signal path. Level control is available via the remote, front panel or HEOS app. There are even two selectable EQ filters and a digital lock range available.

The front panel three line OLED display shows track and album information and is also used to configure the systems setup options. Access and control is available using; the front panel controls, the supplied RC003PMND remote, voice control using Amazon Alexa, app control (HEOS) using an iOS or Android device or via D-Bus, IP or serial RS232.

With all these advanced streaming features it is easy to forget that the CD 50n is still a true CD player with its rear-panel coaxial and TOSLINK outputs enabling traditional CD transport functionality.

Features At A Glance:

• Network audio streaming:
  • Spotify Connect / Tidal / Deezer / others
  • Amazon Prime Music / Pandora
  • AirPlay 2
  • Roon Tested
  • Internet radio: TuneIn
  • HEOS Multiroom and Streaming
• Voice Control: Works with Amazon Alexa, microphone built-in
• CD Compatibility: CD / CD-R/ SACD / WMA / AAC
• Supports: ID3 Tag / WMA Meta Tag
• USB input for memory stick
• DAC Master Clock Design
• DAC operation mode: USB-B / Coax / Optical
• Asynchronous mode rear USB-B
• Bit-perfect transmission
• USB-B DSD Audio Streaming (DoP): DSD2.8 / DSD5.6 / DSD11.2
• Signal isolator for DAC Mode operation
• HDAM version: HDAM + HDAM SA2
• Toroidal power transformer with separated rectifier circuit for analogue and digital circuitry
• High grade, customized audio components & symmetric circuit layout
• Digital out off mode
• Headphone: Current feedback HDAM SA2

Partial Specifications:

• Remote Control: RC003PMND
• Wi-Fi / Wired LAN: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth on / off mode
• DSD audio streaming up to DSD11.2, PCM up to 384 kHz (via update)
• Lossy formats: MP3 / WMA / AAC
• Lossless formats: DSD / FLAC HD 192/24 / ALAC 96/24 / WAV 192/24
• Gapless Playback (FLAC, WAV, DSD)
• Remote App: iOS / Android
• App controls: AMP / CD via Network Player
• Selectable filters (2): CD / DAC-Mode (PCM Only)
• Fixed & Variable Analogue Out (RCA): 1 pair each
• HDMI ARC: input for TV
• Digital Optical & Coaxial In / Out: 1 each
• Max Sample Rate S/PDIF Input: 192 kHz / 24-bit
• USB Audio: rear
• USB type B input for PC: rear
• Sample Rate USB type B In: up to DSD11.2 KHz and PCM 384 KHz
• Headphone out with volume control
• Bluetooth / Bluetooth HP transmission
• Control: Ethernet port, IP control, flasher Input, RS232, D-Bus
• Disc Mechanism: JTL-101YP
• DAC: ESS Hyper Stream ES9038
• Low pass filter stage: HDAM
• Output Buffer: HDAM SA2
• Headphone amp: HDAM SA2
• Frequency Response: 2 Hz–20 kHz
• Dynamic Range: 100 dB
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 112 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.000016%
• Channel separation: 105 dB

MSRP (silver or black):

• US: $1,800.00
• UK: £1,600.00
• EU: €11,799.00

For more information visit the UK Marantz or US Marantz web sites.

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