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Marantz
CD-23
Marantz CD-23F
Marantz CD-23Da
(1994 - 1998)
Cute
little thingie.
DAC-7
digital-to-analogue system, HDAM modules, diecast aluminium structure
and select componentry.
Plus the blue star which was, however, inaugurated during the Superscope
era and NOT during the original Saul Marantz ownership.
The analogue output is set at a low 150Ohm, while the Philips DAC-7
Bitstream and two Marantz HDAM op-amps-in-a-box provide great sound
quality, all within a discreetely flying saucer-like design. Measuring
25 x 13 x 28cm and weighing 5kg, the CD-23
really is a cute little thingie.
Three
versions were produced : CD-23,
CD-23F and CD-23Da.
The CD-23 uses a CDM-9, the CD-23F uses a CDM-9Pro (shown here),
the CD-23Da adds a pair of digital inputs (1x coaxial, 1x TOS optical)
so that it can be used as a digital-to-analogue converter ; however,
the 23Da uses a regular CDM-9 like the original CD-23.
Outside Japan, the CD-23F was named CD-23Limited
and the CD-23Da was a CD-23DLimited -
simple enough :) When mounted, the CDM-9 and CDM-9Pro can easily
be identified by their spindle : grey plastic for the CDM-9, shiny
metal for the CDM-9Pro.
There
is unfortunately one tragic flaw : said CDM-9
and CDM-9Pro
Philips CD drive are neither as durable as any of the earlier
drives nor can they be rebuild or repaired anymore. I'll never
understand Marantz' choice about this crucial point when at the
same time the CD-15,
CD-16 and CD-16SE
had a CDM-4MD.
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