Marantz has shown two entry-level components: the MODEL 70 integrated amplifier and the CD 70 compact disc player. The announcement came on 15 July, and sales of the CD 70 start on 15 August on the brand site and through selected retailers. The player costs $750. The amplifier is not sold in North America at all; converted from the European price it comes to roughly $920.
What the maker states. Both components succeed the PM6007 and the CD6007, the most popular Marantz entry-level pair. Against its predecessor the amplifier gains an HDMI ARC input, two-way Bluetooth and an upgraded power supply; the player gains a front USB-A port and a headphone amplifier.
- The MODEL 70 amplifier delivers 50 watts per channel into speakers, a current-feedback class A/B topology.
- The power supply was strengthened with a larger toroidal transformer.
- An HDMI ARC input arrived, so the TV remote controls the volume.
- Bluetooth works both ways, with aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC and SBC codecs.
- An MM phono stage remains for vinyl, a turntable connects directly.
- On the CD 70 front panel there is a USB-A port through which the player reads FLAC HD, ALAC, AIFF and DSD.
- The cases come in Black and Silver-Gold.
Why this matters for headphone listeners. The CD 70 carries a discrete headphone amplifier built on the in-house HDAM circuit, with gain control and automatic detection of connected headphones. So a $750 box also works as a desktop source, not only as a disc player. Our news on the DUNU DTC480 and Shanling Onix XI1 USB DACs shows what a separate device of that kind costs — here it is given away inside the player. What it is worth by ear, our test will show.
What the statement leaves out. Fifty watts per channel is the speaker output of the MODEL 70 amplifier and has nothing to do with headphones. About the headphone output of the CD 70 player Marantz says nothing at all: no power, no load impedance, no model of the DAC used — only the words “high-performance”. For a device sold as a desktop source those are exactly the three figures people choose by. Until the maker publishes them, judging it is premature.
MODEL 70, the amplifier.
- 50 watts per channel into speakers, class A/B.
- HDMI ARC and an MM phono stage.
- Preamplifier and subwoofer outputs.
- Not sold in North America.
CD 70, the player.
- The same DAC as in the amplifier.
- Front USB-A, DSD and FLAC HD.
- A headphone amplifier inside.
- $750, on sale from 15 August.
Would you buy a disc player in 2026? Write in the comments whether you still listen to physical media.
Source: news.harman.com
