Marantz CD6004 CD player

The Marantz CD6004 CD player is considered one of the strongest budget CD players on the market, and continues to dominate the hi-fi industry despite tough competition from many quarters. With its strong solid build, charging and playback facility for iPods and iPhones, and excellent sound reproductions, it's no wonder it has a 5 star review from What Hi-Fi? magazine, and also is the winner of their prestigious Best CD player up to £500 award in 2011.

The CD6004 can also handle MP3, AAC and WMA file formats both from disc (CD-R or CD-RW) or via its integral USB port. That USB port is of course how you can also connect your iPhone/iPod/iPad to the CD6004, allowing you to both charge and playback simultaneously. Rather handy on a CD player! There' s also handy digital outs on the back of the player which will allow you to integrate into an off board DAC (for example, your home cinema receiver).

So how does it sound? Well, admittedly there are £500+ CD players that sound better - but the price on this unit is fantastically low for the quality you get. There's an incredible level of detail revealed that gives real weight and depth to the music. Subtle drum beats, the whispered huskiness of a vocal and the vibration of strings are revealed in glorious detail - rather sumptuous sounding to be honest!

It's however when you combine the CD6004 with the complimentary amplifier the Marantz PM6004 that the real magic happens. Marantz have worked hard at creating a perfect partnership, and this one certainly works. Together, the sound really does blow you away and gives new levels of enjoyment to your music collection. It's rare that we feel so strongly about a partnership like this, but it really does work. Of course, each is a competent and reliable machine in its own right, so if you simply dont need an amplifier, then the CD6004 still offers a perfect solution - however try both and you will really be blown away.