In an attempt to review more CD players, I here measured the
Marantz CD6000 OSE KI Signature
Launched in the early 2000s, the CD6000 was Marantz' "normal" range CD player.
They then launched, and sold for a premium, the CD6000 OSE, supposed to be an improved version.
And then the CD6000 OSE Ki Signature entered as the top version.
KI stands for Ken Ishiwata, who was supposed to have added his secret sauce to the recipe for this version.
(Marketing...)
I purchased mine new for around 500€, if I remember well.
That was before Qobuz times...
As usual, my measurements are done using RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE (Optical SPDIF and Analog inputs) and Virtins Multi Instrument 3.9.8.1
Test CD validation
First, I wanted to make sure my Test CD-R was read without error.
I therefore first checked with RME 16 bits bit test with SPDIF output and got the expected confirmation message.
A quick and easy confirmation.
SPDIF output measurements
Measuring the digital output is also a perfect way to check all our tests signals from the CD and to set expectations.
But this is to exclude errors: we expect bit-perfect results here.
The actual measurements of the CD player's performances are further below, in the Analog ouptut section
SINAD
SINAD through SPDIF is what we know is perfect for our 16 bits dithered test signal
Multitone (32 tones)
Same here
The signal's crest factor is much higher than for a simple sinusaoidal signal. This explains the lower TD+N figure.
That's perfectly normal.
This is the exact same result than when analyzing the original AudioPrecision test WAV file.
Frequency response
Just to make sure my test signal is valid, I measured frequency response as well.
Of course, in full digital, this is ruler-flat.
Jitter
I also tested my 16 bits J-Test signal track from CD, to make sure it works through the SPDIF.
We see here a perfect 16 bits Jitter measurement.
Analog output measurements
SINAD
SINAD remains very good through the analog output.
We see an increase of third harmonic, but level is still below -105dB.
Multitone (32 tones)
This test always gives a good input, as it shows noise, harmonic and intermodulation distortions, and frequency response in one single measurement.
Here, if you except some mains harmonics (here mains frequency is 50Hz), it's actually very clean.
We also see 20Hz-20kHz level remaining within +0.02/-0.23dB.
Frequency response
I'm now using a Fast Frequency Response signal from this page.
This confims the excellent results of the Multitone
Jitter
Almost perfect result for this test as well.
NB: Analog input from ADC is shifted a bit, so the main component is not exactly at -3 dB. This is due to my measurement.
Conclusion
This is actually very good performance.
Of course, this is not as comprehensive a set of measurements as we can do for a DAC,
but this at least gives us some indication of good engineering.
Marantz CD6000 OSE KI Signature
Launched in the early 2000s, the CD6000 was Marantz' "normal" range CD player.
They then launched, and sold for a premium, the CD6000 OSE, supposed to be an improved version.
And then the CD6000 OSE Ki Signature entered as the top version.
KI stands for Ken Ishiwata, who was supposed to have added his secret sauce to the recipe for this version.
(Marketing...)
I purchased mine new for around 500€, if I remember well.
That was before Qobuz times...
As usual, my measurements are done using RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE (Optical SPDIF and Analog inputs) and Virtins Multi Instrument 3.9.8.1
Test CD validation
First, I wanted to make sure my Test CD-R was read without error.
I therefore first checked with RME 16 bits bit test with SPDIF output and got the expected confirmation message.
A quick and easy confirmation.
SPDIF output measurements
Measuring the digital output is also a perfect way to check all our tests signals from the CD and to set expectations.
But this is to exclude errors: we expect bit-perfect results here.
The actual measurements of the CD player's performances are further below, in the Analog ouptut section
SINAD
SINAD through SPDIF is what we know is perfect for our 16 bits dithered test signal
Multitone (32 tones)
Same here
The signal's crest factor is much higher than for a simple sinusaoidal signal. This explains the lower TD+N figure.
That's perfectly normal.
This is the exact same result than when analyzing the original AudioPrecision test WAV file.
Frequency response
Just to make sure my test signal is valid, I measured frequency response as well.
Of course, in full digital, this is ruler-flat.
Jitter
I also tested my 16 bits J-Test signal track from CD, to make sure it works through the SPDIF.
We see here a perfect 16 bits Jitter measurement.
Analog output measurements
SINAD
SINAD remains very good through the analog output.
We see an increase of third harmonic, but level is still below -105dB.
Multitone (32 tones)
This test always gives a good input, as it shows noise, harmonic and intermodulation distortions, and frequency response in one single measurement.
Here, if you except some mains harmonics (here mains frequency is 50Hz), it's actually very clean.
We also see 20Hz-20kHz level remaining within +0.02/-0.23dB.
Frequency response
I'm now using a Fast Frequency Response signal from this page.
This confims the excellent results of the Multitone
Jitter
Almost perfect result for this test as well.
NB: Analog input from ADC is shifted a bit, so the main component is not exactly at -3 dB. This is due to my measurement.
Conclusion
This is actually very good performance.
Of course, this is not as comprehensive a set of measurements as we can do for a DAC,
but this at least gives us some indication of good engineering.
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