The iconic American Hi-Fi brand has released two new stereo components that honor their classic heritage but add a modern twist.
It has been 70 years since the late great audio pioneer Saul Marantz first started building HiFi gear on his kitchen table in Queens, NY. Today the company lives on under the stewardship of Masimo, the company that acquired Marantz' parent company Sound United last year. Based on today's announcement of a new CD player and integrated amp, the company is staying true to its Hi-Fi roots, providing "the most realistic reproduction of sound" but adding a modern spin to keep the brand -- and its products -- relevant to today's Hi-Fi consumers.
Marantz' new CD 50n Networked CD Player ($1,800) and MODEL 50 integrated amplifier (also $1,800) form the centerpiece of an audiophile stereo rig. Just add your favorite pair of speakers and you're good to go. While the CD 50n handles digital music in multiple forms -- discs, networked digital music and streaming -- the MODEL 50 amp features a purely analog design for smooth music playback from any source. Vinyl lovers take note: the MODEL 50 includes an on-board MM (moving magnet) phono preamp for connecting your favorite vintage or modern record player.
The new Marantz CD 50n features the high fidelity ESS Sabre DAC enhanced with custom-designed Marantz Musical Digital Filters to eliminate the harshness that can accompany some digital sources. In addition to playing CDs and accessing local or networked digital audio files, the player includes Denon's HEOS music streaming platform built-in for access to popular music streaming services such as TIDAL and Amazon Music. HEOS also supports synchronized multi-room music playback with any other HEOS compatible receiver, digital player, amplifier or powered speaker.
The CD 50n player also includes Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay2 support to round out its wireless multi-platform compatibility. The player even includes an HDMI input with ARC support so you can connect your TV to the system and access the audio from your TV's built-in audio and video streaming apps or even local TV broadcasts.
Handling the switching of up to six analog sources as well as amplification duties is the Marantz MODEL 50 integrated amp. With 70 watts per channel of high-current Class A/B power, the MODEL 50 is able to drive a wide selection of loudspeakers to room-filling levels. The amplifier's High Current Output architecture is based on parallel push/pull pairs of output devices, coupled with a beefy toroidal power supply and carefully laid out internal signal path topography designed to minimize impedance losses. The MODEL 50 features the latest version of Marantz' HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology resulting in low distortion, effortless power output and the accuracy, transparency and musicality that are hallmarks of the Marantz brand.
The units complement each other, not just in technology, but in aesthetics as well. Both models feature a refined industrial design, solid knobs and switches and crystal-clear fascia displays. The MODEL 50 includes that iconic Marantz porthole display that Marantz fans know and love.
The CD 50n networked CD player and MODEL 50 Integrated amplifier will be available to order on Marantz.com as well as select audio retailers starting today (October 24, 2023). Both units feature a 5-year limited warranty.
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