[CharlesC]

I have a new Marantz CD5004 and find the headphone out is not as detailed or forward as I would like.  Could I change the sound significantly just by adding an amp or should I plan to get an external DAC as well?  The CDP has a Cirrus Logic CS4392 built in so I don't know if I should look to bypass that as well as the amp.  Thanks for any help.

 

[CharlesC]

OK, so I dug out my old Nuforce Icon Mobile which is the only dac/amp I have around with an analog input.  Bypassing the CD5004 built in headphone amp, even with this old unit, improved things a lot.  Based on this rather unscientific test, I'm thinking that the built in DAC may be good and all I need to do is add a nice, new amp - likely either a Magni or an Asgard 2.

 

[HeatFan12]

Hey Charles,
 
I would go just with an amp.  I have the CD5001 and used it as a transport with a DAC for a long time until I decided to just add an amp to it.  Built-in DAC sounds great.

 

[CharlesC]

  Hey Charles,
 
I would go just with an amp.  I have the CD5001 and used it as a transport with a DAC for a long time until I decided to just add an amp to it.  Built-in DAC sounds great.

Thanks for the reply. I think I will do as you suggest. I'll update the thread once I'm set.

 

[CharlesC]

I received the Schiit Magni today and must say that it does a great job of overcoming the limitations of the built in headphone amp in the CD5004.  After spending $350 for the cd player, dropping another $100 on the amp was money well spent.  My hope was that I could easily get to a sound quality that I became used to listening to the microStreamer and I think I've done that (without having done any A-B comparisons, which I probably won't do any time soon).
 
So, my impressions of the Marantz CD5004 at this point are:
On the positive side:  silent transport mechanism, simple layout, excellent DAC.
On the negative side: don't expect much from the built in headphone amp, wish it were a little or a lot smaller.

 

[allets]

I haven't heard the CD5004, but I think the headphone amp in marantz players must have come a long way since. I think somebody mentioned it was night and day difference. I'm insanely impressed by the CD6005 which is driving my HD600. It's doubled the emotional content of my music. I use the Audio EX 2 mode on it which seems to add that bit extra. Marantz rocks... however I don't like how they push their sister company Denon when asking about headphones with CD6005 haha.

 

[spiderking31]

Marantz CD5004>Little dot MK3->blue dragon V3>sennheiser HD650
The marantz is a pretty awesome CD
Player, but i was actually thinking of adding maybe a schiit bifrost DAC to the marantz, but i'm not even sure if that will even make the sound better in my rig though.....if anyone has advice, please share!

 

[CharlesC]

Recently I have used both the cd5004 and Modi playing thru a Magni and HD598. My impression is that the marantz has a warmer, laid back sound. When I first started testing the Modi it seemed a little harsh compared to the marantz but as my ears and brain have adjusted I've begun to like the Schiit better than the cd5004. Hope that helps.