Sony CDR-W66 and Marantz CDR 630

Then the desire to make digital copies of our vintage vinyl LPs that were not available in cd format.  Got myself not one but 2 cd recorders: Sony CDR-W66 and the Marantz CDR630 below.

 

 The Sony is equipped with all the inputs and outputs you can think of - analogue and digital (both RCA and XLR).  It even has word clock input and computer keyboard (for typing cd text) input, below.

 The Sony has all the features that I liked and sounded wonderful, making great copies of my LPs on cds.  The built-in ADC is good and the cd text feature an added advantage.  So, I decided to keep it (Sony) and disposed off the Marantz.  Pictured below with the old favourite TEAC VRDS-10 see how small it is.

Marantz SA-11S1 SACD player

 Then I bought a used Marantz SA-11S1 sacd player to check it out since it was a well reviewed equipment.  It turned out to be too "soft" for me, although very 'clean', it lacked the 'oomph' when compared to my old TEAC VRDS-10 connected to an outboard DAC - the Promitheus Audio DAC.  Hence, after just a few weeks, I disposed of the Marantz without any loses and it was sold within an hour of posting the ad online.  I miss its excellent finish and solid build rarely found on lesser cd players nowadays.

Marantz CD7300 cd player (SOLD)

Marantz CD7300 cdp made in JAPAN, not china. Good review and excellent sounding with HDAM outputs. CD Text display, plays MP3 as well as CDR. It was sold to the guy who purchased my Musical Fidelity integrated amp. I sold it with the intention to upgrade to a new Marantz SA15 cdp but it didn't materialise after auditioning.

In its place I very much later bought a used TEAC VRDS-10 and used as a cd transport. And got a Promitheus Audio DAC, together costing less than the new Marantz SA15. But then it doesn't play SACDs - about the only disadvantage, sonically I think it betters the Marantz.