Whether you use SACD or not, this is a brilliant CD player which incorporates a lot of Marantz’s high-tech specialist audio componentry. Your system can only sound as good as the source allows, so getting the best from your discs is essential.

See full details at the Product page here. Our End Of Year Clearance list can still be found here, but check with us re stock remaining.

Marantzs' AirPlay enabled NA7004 streamer.

AktiMate Mico - award winning, and at $385pr excellent value.

NAD Viso 1 - NAD's challenge 'Find a better smart music streaming dock.'

Focals' stunning Little Bird shelf system.

Finally – while on the subject of wireless devices there is a tremendous amount of press coming from overseas regarding Focals’ Bird system. This is in reality a simple inexpensive shelf system comprising of speakers (which is what Focal is famous for), amplifier, a built-in (and ingenious) subwoofer and a tuner. It has both digital and analogue inputs, and streams wirelessly from you computer or iDevice.
There are three variations and the least expensive sells for $1,199, so I was surprised to see a review in this industries bible, The Absolute Sound (they usually confine themselves to products we can only dream about.) Even more surprising was their comment ‘To hear the Bird system is to experience a certain amount of audiophile-grade shock and awe’.
While the Focal Bird system may not be a hi-end audiophile product (despite the lavish praise offered by The Absolute Sound) it really does set a very high bar for anyone looking for a small, compact, affordable system.

Marantz PM11S1

1) PM11S1 Integrated amplifier. This amplifier has just been superseded; although it is still on the Marantz price list at $5,999. The newer version is the SA11S2 which will sell for $6,490.

This is part of their Premium Series, and the range is appropriately named. It is meticulously constructed, the kind of build and feel that you will cherish for years to come. It is also an excellent sounding amplifier, and has been touted in some quarters as the finest integrated amplifier built (while not taking anything away for the SA11 I think this is a bit of an ambitious statement.) The SA11S1 is rated at 100 watts per channel RMS.

We are offering the PM11S1 for $3,999.

Marantz SA15S1

 

2) SA15S1 SACD Player. Also part of their Premium Series this unit has also just superseded, again by the ‘S2’ version – which sells for $2,780. This is a substantial Super Audio CD player. If you think SACD is going to disappear quietly thank again. I just went to the Birdland Records site and searched for SACD, and came up with almost 500 discs.

Keep in mind that this player will also do a superb job of non-SACD discs as well.

We are offering the SA15S1 SACD player for $1,999.

Marantz SA8003

 

3) SA8003 SACD Player. This is part of their conventional range, and like the previous models it has been superseded. The SA8003 had an RRP of $1,699. In this case the replacement has been a substantial upgrade in the form of the $2,299 KI Pearl Lite. Not only are we offering the SA8003 for less than half the price of the KI Pearl Lite, but it is $200 cheaper than the model below it.

We are offering the SA8003 for $999.

This player won the ‘Audio Source of the Year’ from the European industry body EISA. The judges comments summed this unit up perfectly.

“Modern audio players face many challenges and Marantz’s SA8003 meets them all. It plays CDs and the stereo tracks of SACDs. It handles MP3, AAC or WMA files via an advanced USB port, which can even control an iPod directly. Based on the successful SA7003, the SA8003 benefits from the work of Marantz’s ‘tuning wizard” Ken Ishiwata, who pushed the quality up to audiophile standards. This has been achieved through various technical and mechanical upgrades, including the use of Marantz’s trademark copper-plated chassis. You will find lots of other familiar Marantz ingredients in this player, such as the powerful HDAM output stages and low noise disc drive. So it’s top among the players in its class”

When Tom Moon from ‘Good Sound’ reviewed this unit he stated “It may be the best CD player I have ever heard, given its excellent rendition of detail without sounding strident, the depth and width of soundstage, and the relative “blackness” of the background.”

Stock is limited for all these models.

We will offer free shipping anywhere in Australia on each of these products. Please note that all models are available in Silver finish only.

Marantz have two new “Slim-line” audio/video receivers, the NR1402 ($780) and NR1602 ($1080), both priced very competitively. For the extra money the NR1602 gives you a host of features flowing from its “network connected” capability, and seven channel amp.

The NR1402 is a five channel amp and leaves out the network capability, so is ideal for those people who have no need for those features while still seeking a great item at a great price. With their stylishly sculpted front-panel designs, both receivers feature Marantz’ sleek “Slim-line” chassis design (just 105mm high), making them more placement-friendly in the modern setting.

Both the NR1402 and the network-capable NR1602 build on the foundation of Marantz’ 2010 receiver line, and add features such as multiple HDMI 1.4a inputs (with 3D pass-through capability), Dolby Pro Logic IIz featuring Front Height Effects Channels and Bluetooth connectivity via MX-Port.

Marantz has two new 7-channel networking audio video receivers that bring consumers and professional custom integrators a host of exciting options for creating ultimate-quality home entertainment systems. The 110 watt-per-channel SR6006 (RRP: $1,970) and the 100 watt-per-channel SR5006 (RRP: $1460) both provide consumers with leading-edge feature sets, while delivering heightened levels of performance, convenience and flexibility.

Notably, both new receivers allows users to stream their iTunes music from their Mac or PC, as well as music stored on their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch with optional Apple AirPlay®. With an aesthetically pleasing elegant design featuring the recognisable Marantz® star and porthole display, they feature multiple HDMI 1.4a inputs (6 in the SR5006, 7 in the SR6006), Bluetooth capability and more. Thanks to the network connection, these AV Receivers can easily be controlled through a free Marantz Wizz App for Apples iDevices.

These are now on show in the store, and further details will be up on our Product pages as soon as possible. Marantz have delivered two very advanced products at very competitve prices, and we expect them to grab a good share of the surround receiver market.

Marantz's versatile CR603

The CR603 ($1299) is not only a good-looking, good-sounding CD Receiver; it also gives you effortless access to a myriad of different music sources. Firstly, it gives you high-quality playback of CD content as well as MP3 and WMA files from CD-R/RW. And as it is a receiver, a radio is built-in and you can select analogue FM radio or take advantage of digital radio broadcasting (DAB+), which offer superior sound quality and supplementary information. The USB port is iPod-digital-compatible and is iPhone certified. But it doesn’t stop there: you can also connect the Melody Media to the Internet or your PC via the Ethernet input on the back. The DLNA 1.5 certified Melody Media plays thousands of free-of-charge Internet radio stations from all over the world via vTuner. You can even access your own music library on your PC. Whatever you want, the powerful 60W RMS x 2 plays music loud and clear… and effortlessly, because the large display makes operation easy. The Melody Media has it all.

Control System: The Marantz Wizz App transfers control of the CR603 into the palms of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch owners. A beautifully designed GUI combines with an intuitive layout enabling a superbly easy way to control Marantz products via a home network.

The optional Airplay feature ($60) allows you to easily stream music from your iTunes collections to the CR603 with just the tap of a finger. With the incorporation of AirPlay on Marantz products, you can now open up their iTunes to a whole new experience, enjoying not only the ability to stream iTunes music from their PC or Mac on their home network, but access to artist information, album art and elapsed and remaining time.

The NA7004 is a multi-function source which can act as radio, media streamer or DAC – whether it’s from your PC, external hard disc, or as an AM/FM/DAB+ radio station, or even on the other side of the world via Internet radio or an online music service. The NA7004 connects to them all. That’s because it incorporates technology based on the DLNA1.5 standard for audio streaming.

To make this a real hifi component Marantz has taken extra care with the design: rigid cabinet structure, strong power supply, audio output stage applying the famous HDAM-SA2, and fine-tuning by customized components. This network audio player is even useful for people with no network installed in the home. Simply hook-up the NA7004 via USB connector on the back to your PC and it will recognize the NA7004 as an external sound card. That’s the most direct way to enjoy excellent quality from your hard-drive stored music. And there’s more: digital inputs, iPod-digital-compatible USB and optional Bluetooth reception.

This is versatility in the extreme, but amazingly it’s also extremely easy to operate via the large display. As a bonus, you can control it with the iPad!

Main features:
• vTuner Internet radio
• Supports Napster
• Streaming music from PC
• DAC Mode: 2 digital inputs and USB type B
• DAB+ radio.
• Stereo FM tuner and AM band
• High quality D/A converter CS4398
• Discrete symmetric circuit architecture
• HDAM-SA2 circuitry • iPod/iPhone compatible
• Dynamic Range Expander for MP3
• Remote bus
• RS-232c
• Remote control
• Available in Black now, and Silver in due course.

I believe that the conclusion from a recent British review sums up the product very well:

‘Ken Ishiwata’s thirty year long tenure at Marantz has been a fruitful one, and the KI Pearl system shows why. These are sophisticated Hi-Fi separates, carefully designed, beautifully built, and very cleverly voiced to deliver the musical – as apposed to Hi-Fi – goods, regardless of what type of music you care to feed in. They’re excellent on their own, but I’d suggest that the whole of the system is greater than the sum of the separates; together the Pearls really fly. A wonderful combination to behold, and excellent value too, my only criticism is that they’ll not be around as long as their creator: those five hundred units are soon to go.”

I have also recently come across a video of Ken discussing the products in person – it’s worth a look.

If you are in the market for a very good quality amp and/or CD player, and if you (like me) appreciate both build quality and performance, these should be on your short list. These are products that will stand the test of time!

The KI Pearl amplifier and CD player sell for $4,999 each.

Another new disc player that is now on our shelves is the UD8004 Universal Blu-ray from Marantz. I am sure that we all know (or at least suspect) that Blu-ray and DVD players do not make great CD players, and if you want the best out of both worlds you need to have both. The UD8004 changes all of this. Not only is this an absolute first class Blu-ray player, but the same can be said for its CD and SACD capabilities as well. This is an obvious choice for anyone looking for the best of both worlds, but who is not keen on the idea of owning two hi-end boxes.

Also from Marantz we have just received their ‘KI Pearl’ amplifier and CD player. These two products have been built, under the watchful eye of industry guru Ken Ishiwata, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ken’s involvement with Marantz.
These are beautifully engineered pieces, with performance to match. I love to see this kind of product come onto the market, product built to last a lifetime with great performance.
The Marantz KI Pearl amplifier and CD player sell for $4,999 each.

Yet another recent edition to our range is the Sitara loudspeakers from Audio Physic. My admiration for this brand of speaker is well known, and the Sitara is a welcome addition. This is a replacement for the very successful Spark –and as we would hope is an improvement on its predecessor – which in itself is no mean feat.
The Sitara is a 2.5 way, 3 driver design in a cabinet that leans backwards at seven degrees to provide time alignment of the drivers. The cabinets are beautifully crafted, and they are available with either traditional timber veneers (five versions), or in high-gloss white or black (we have the white on display.)
 Like all Audio Physic speakers these provide a very balanced sound, and one that is very easy to listen to. No area of the music demands your attention, the result being a speaker that will provide many hours of enjoyable listening.
I think that the conclusion from Canada’s ‘Son and Image Magazine’ sums these speakers up very well:
 ”Competence, assurance and ease are the three words that kept coming back to me during the time I spent listening casually or intently to music through the Sitaras. With these speakers I always felt confident that any track I chose would be a musical experience unmarred by exaggeration or distortion anywhere in the frequency band. I started the listening session convinced that sooner or later the 5.9 inch drivers would call attention to themselves by a resonance in the highs, but I gave up my search, because in addition to the leitmotif of “No loss of fine detail” it should be added “No addition of artificial detail.” If you are looking for speakers that combine holographic imaging, excellent tonal balance, dynamics, emotion, all presented in top-notch cabinetwork, then have a good look and listen to the Sitara.”