[Review] Marantz CD7

Dear Arlequen:

Sorry for not getting back to you before now, but I am rightfully excused since I just been seduced by the sound of my CD-7, but Yes I am sure the Holland Chips are better and some day I would like to hear them. But tell me Arlequen, do you have one or two of these S1 (Double Crowns) installed in your DAC 960??

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely Stax.

 

On the Philips DAC 960 there is only 1 (one) TDA1541 S1 Double Crown Holland

 

Serial

Inspired by this discussion I took a short trip to the back panel of my CD7 only to discover serial number 001!

It won't change my attitude towards the player hovewer. It gave me already countless hours of ultimate pleasure for couple of years, so I could't respect this marvel of audio design more.

Cheers

System

CD7, BAT preamp VK 5i, Electrocompaniet 250R, Hales Revelation 3, MIT balanced interconnects

 

I just took long hard look at your sample of S1 double crown, and as much as I'm trying not to be paranoic I can see that bottom crown has somewhat different shape than the upper one. Both should be exactly the same If marked on the production line I guess, as in your example of S2 DC.

Cheers

 

I've heard the Marantz CD7 countless times. It's a good player for sure but I think people get carried away when they say how good it is.

 

The Dutch TDA1541 S1 one or double crowns are not better then the ones produced in Taiwan.
I have this 'stereosound - all about marantz' book, it says this:

Read more on my website:
http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_evolution_of_dac_the_digital_filter/

 

Nice website - thanks for the link!

 

Hi, If you would ever decide to sell this player, please contact me, I would be very interested! And of course I would give you a very good price for it!

Cheers

 

I have a CD7 too. Before that i had a CD15. I traded the CD15 for a CD12.
When i first heard the CD15, i was suprised by it sound. It sounded lively, musical and entertaining. Then i got the CD7. It was a dreamplayer for me, i read many good things about it so this had to be a play with a beautiful sound. But i was disapointed when i first heard it. It did not suprise me like the CD15 did. But i thought it needed time, i thought i had to discover the sound of the CD7.
Then i could get my hands on the CD12 LE. Again, i was suprised by the sound. Beautiful, very very musical, and above al entertaining. Like a childrens music box, it has a beautiful sound.
With that player i know the sound of the CD7 was not my sound. to me the CD7 sounds to 2D, to upfront and to analytical. It doenst have that rich edge like the CD15 or CD12 has.
For now i am going to enjoy the CD12 for a while, then i will connect the CD7 and will try to hear what the CD7 does to me.
But that CD12 LE, what a special and wonderful player it is!!

 

Pics of the CD12 LE









More:
http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/marantz_cd12_cdplayer/

 

cdm-1 mech

Hi all,

I have a Philips LHH-1000, the identical North American version of the European CD-12LE CD/DAC.

Does anyone know of any CDM-1 drive mechanisms available anywhere in the world? Mine is shot.

DAC blew up 6 months ago too, the DACs need replacing. TDA1541S1s are impossible to find, likely I'm getting S2 replacements which seem to still be around.

Any help is appreciated.

Chris

 

Chris,
Sorry to hear about the problems with your classic player. There is a Philips CDM1 mechanism currently listed on ebay Germany and Taiwanese S2 DAC chips are available from a seller in Australia also through ebay.
Tweedle-Dee

 

My CD7 is for sale: http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/For_sale-Marantz_cd7_cdplayer_tda1541_s2/