Digital Drive: REVIEW: Marantz CC4300 CD Player/Recorder by machani

Model:	CC4300
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$299
Description:	5 Disk CD changer. Also plays CD-R
Manufacturer URL:	Marantz
Model Picture:	View

Review by machani ( A ) on March 31, 2005 at 15:00:35
IP Address: 24.86.112.228

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for the CC4300

First, let me start off this review by saying that I have a somewhat limited experience with high-end CD players. So please forgive me for these limitations in my review. Secondly, this is a review of a budget CD-Changer, in the range of the Denons, Yamahas and Onkyos at this price range. So I don't claim that this is the ultimate solution by any means.
That said, why would I go to the extent of posting a review of a player that is expected to soon be phased out and replaced with a hybrid CD/SACD offering? It is because this is the player that has made a Marantz believer out of me!
My initial impression of the Marantz CC4300 was that it was warmer and more dynamic but a bit veiled, with less smooth top end, than my Panasonic F87 DVD-A/HDCD changer (which drew praise by some serious AA inmates last year). But in about a months time the CC4300's top end became very smooth and all the details started to show.
One AA inmate, John C. -Aussie, says a modded version of his CC4300 almost compares to an $8000 player! John had his modified with an Audcom clock (to reduce jitter) and an improved power supply.
I did not go to John's extent of modding, which I am sure would have made even further improvements. But I found on experimenting that this player is extremely sensitive to power line noise. A cheap APC SurgeArrest power bar with EMI/RFI filtering (now replaced with a Panamax) considerably lowered the noise floor, producing even more clarity and deeper soundstage.
With cleaned up power, this player is transparent enough to reveal differences in interconnects. I went from Radio Shack gold-plated RCAs to BlueJeansCable Belden 1505F to a DIY all silver cable based on Greg Weaver's SST. At each stage there was a noticeable improvement. The player is also sensitive to vibration. So using good damping platform will also make it more revealing of the micro dynamic details. (I use a simple solution which works effectively. The player sits on a board resting on an 18" mylar balloon, slightly inflated. I got my mylar balloon from a florist). My Marantz CC4300 now beats my Panasonic F-87 hands down in terms of dynamics, clarity, mid-range richness, bass and soundstage.
The top end is now silky smooth and the bass is deep and controlled. It is also both sensitive and dynamic. But my main praise for this player is that it is capable of bringing out the musical and emotional qualities in CDs which my other previous playes could not. With some CDs, voices sound uncannily real. With the right gear it is capable of wide and deep soundstaging and precise imaging, and it is transparent enough to bring you close to the "you are there" experience. The limitations in my current setup are really my current Cayin TA-30 amp and budget JMLab speakers (which I will be upgrading this year to match my excellent new TAD-150 preamp), NOT the Maranz CC4300. To those of you with high-end CDPs but looking for a CD-changer solution, I say definitely give this player a try!
Technical Details:
FWIW, I did some research on this player. (There are more details in the brochure on the Marantz UK web site). The Marantz CC4300 uses KSS-213CCM mechanism (which is also used in the more expensive CD5400). The DAC is SM5882 (NPC). This is a significant upgrade from the stable SM5872 used for several years (and previous "hi-end" Marantz players). The spec document of the SM5882 claims low-jitter and has substantial improvements, in terms of functionality, over their previous SM5872. In the LPF stage, it still uses the NJM2114 opamp which the audiophile community considers "not bad", but "not great either". (The Audiophile community suggests replacing it with LM6172). It also does not have HDAM, which the higher end Marantz players have.

Product Weakness: Stock power cable is cheap and cannot be detached. Sensitive to power line noise. So-so LPF stage (compared with higher end Marantz).
Product Strengths: Rock solid and has the legendary Marantz look and feel. After break in it becomes dynamic and revealing. Has rich, detailed midrange, smooth top end and deep, controlled bass.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cayin TA-30 (modded with Sonicaps, JJ/Tesla blue bottle E34L tubes)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Tube Audio Design TAD-150
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz CC-4300
Speakers:	JMLab Chorus 714 S
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY all silver ICs (also switch with BlueJeansCable Belden 1505F). Radio Shack 12AWG copper cable with gold-plated banana plugs.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, blues, rock, classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Good speaker and furniture placement.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Six months.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Panamax
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Stock power cable is cheap and cannot be detached. Sensitive to power line noise. So-so LPF stage (compared with higher end Marantz).
Product Strengths:	Rock solid and has the legendary Marantz look and feel. After break in it becomes dynamic and revealing. Has rich, detailed midrange, smooth top end and deep, controlled bass.