The Marantz CD60 is a CD player designed to pair with the Model 40n and Model 30 amplifiers. It uses a dedicated electronic architecture and proprietary circuits developed by the brand for disc playback.
The CD60 decisively abandons the minimalist approach of its predecessors in favor of a generously sized chassis (442 × 129 × 396 mm) and a weight of 7.5 kg, immediately signaling uncompromising build quality. The brushed aluminum front panel, available in black or “silver-gold” as per Marantz’s terminology, features a distinctive honeycomb motif subtly reminiscent of a golf ball’s texture. This visual signature, shared with the Model 30 and 40n amplifiers, creates an illusion of the central panel floating, giving the CD60 a unique visual presence.
The loading tray, concealed behind this sophisticated façade, operates with remarkable smoothness and silence. The monochrome LED display and physical controls, symmetrically arranged on either side of the tray, evoke a touch of nostalgia while remaining perfectly legible and functional. One detail worth noting: the control buttons are not backlit, which can make them difficult to use in a dimly lit room—a surprising choice for a device in this range.
The SECC (Steel Electrogalvanized Cold-rolled Coil) chassis ensures exemplary rigidity and effective isolation from parasitic vibrations. Anti-vibration feet complete this mechanical isolation scheme, essential for preserving the integrity of the digital signal during disc playback.
At the heart of the CD60, the HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) are far more than a mere technical signature of the brand. These proprietary circuits, developed in-house for decades, replace conventional operational amplifiers with discrete designs using carefully selected components. For the CD60, Marantz pushed optimization even further by completely revising the component layout on the audio board.
The symmetrical placement of elements and the creation of more direct signal paths deliver a noticeable improvement in soundstage compared to previous generations. The classic HDAM module handles the main analog output stage, while the HDAM-SA2—specifically developed for sensitive audio applications—takes care of the headphone signal amplification. This dual-module architecture ensures optimal channel separation and preserved dynamics, whether you’re listening through your main system or headphones.
The CD60’s power supply deserves special attention. The engineers opted for a high-current EI transformer (with E and I core) paired with fast-switching Schottky diodes. Valued for their low forward voltage drop and minimal recovery time, these diodes significantly reduce switching noise that could contaminate the audio circuits. The oversized filter capacitors, with higher capacitance values than previous models, ensure a stable current reserve even during the most demanding musical passages.
ESS Technology’s ES9016K2M DAC is the core of the conversion chain. This chip, identical to the one used in the Model 40n amplifier, offers outstanding measured performance: harmonic distortion of just 0.0005% when playing USB 24-bit PCM and a signal-to-noise ratio reaching 118 dB. These figures, impressive on paper, translate into tangible sonic transparency and particularly successful micro-detail resolution.
One of the CD60’s strengths lies in its customizable digital filter, accessible directly from the front panel. Filter 1, with slow roll-off, favors a deep spatial rendering and a sonority Marantz describes as “traditional”—meaning warm and enveloping. Filter 2, with sharp roll-off, delivers a more precise stereo image with tighter, punchier bass. This flexibility lets you tailor the sonic signature to your preferences or the type of music you’re listening to—a feature usually reserved for high-end external DACs.
Frequency response extends from 2 Hz to 20 kHz for standard CDs, and reaches up to 50 kHz (-3 dB) when playing DSD files via USB. While this extreme treble extension is not directly audible, it contributes to the sense of air and space that characterizes high-resolution recordings.
While the CD60 excels at its primary role as a compact disc player, it doesn’t stop there. The front USB-A port accepts USB flash drives and external hard drives (5V/1A power supplied), turning the player into a true music hub. The list of supported formats is impressive: MP3, WMA, AAC for compressed formats, but especially WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and AIFF up to 192 kHz/24-bit, not to mention DSD files (DSF and DFF) up to 5.6 MHz.
This extensive compatibility makes perfect sense given changing listening habits. Many music lovers now combine a physical CD collection with a high-resolution digital library. The CD60 lets them enjoy both worlds at the same quality level without multiplying devices.
The integrated headphone amplifier, built around the HDAM-SA2 module, offers three gain levels (Low/Mid/High) to match your headphone’s impedance. With an output power of 28 mW into 32 ohms, it comfortably drives the majority of headphones on the market, from portable models to more demanding studio cans. A nice touch: this stage can be completely disabled when not in use, eliminating any potential interference with the main signal.
Marantz has deliberately chosen simplicity for the CD60’s connectivity. No digital inputs to use the DAC with other sources, no built-in network streaming—these functions are delegated to amplifiers in the lineup like the Model 40n. This purist approach focuses efforts on the essentials: top-quality CD and USB file playback.
Outputs are limited to a pair of gold-plated RCA for analog, complemented by an optical Toslink and a coaxial S/PDIF for digital. The latter can be disabled via the menu, a subtlety that slightly improves analog signal clarity by eliminating unused digital circuits. Wired remote connections (in and out) allow integration into a complete Marantz system, with the ability to control multiple devices from a single remote.
The included system-type remote controls not only the CD60 but also compatible Marantz amplifiers. Its ergonomic design and logical button layout make everyday use easy, although some users lament the somewhat unintuitive organization of certain functions on the device’s front panel.
The CD60’s positioning within the Marantz range deserves clarification. Contrary to what its name might suggest, it does not directly replace the CD6007, which remains in the catalog, but slots in between it and the SA-10, creating a new rung in the hierarchy. The differences are substantial and justify the roughly 300-euro price gap between the two models.
Starting with construction: where the CD6007 uses a standard chassis with more compact dimensions (440 × 340 × 105 mm at 6.5 kg), the CD60 asserts itself with its larger size and more premium materials. The aluminum front, reinforced SECC chassis, and overall assembly exude higher quality. The CD60’s HDAM circuits have been optimized specifically for this model, whereas the CD6007 uses earlier versions.
The DAC is another notable difference. The CD6007 underwent a forced evolution during production: initially equipped with an AKM AK4490 chip, it migrated to the ESS ES9010K2M after the AKM factory fire in 2021. The CD60, by contrast, uses the ES9016K2M from the outset, a higher-tier version offering better measured performance. Sonically, the CD60 stands out with increased transparency, better extension at both ends of the spectrum, and more assertive dynamics, while the CD6007 cultivates a softer, warmer sound, sometimes at the expense of definition.
Can the CD60 play SACDs? No. Unlike the SA-10 or the SACD 30n, the CD60 focuses exclusively on standard CDs and digital files via USB. Marantz made this choice to optimize costs and offer a high-quality CD player at a more accessible price. SACD enthusiasts should look to higher-end models in the range.
What is the concrete difference between the two digital filters? Filter 1 (slow roll-off) lets more very high-frequency information through, creating a greater sense of space and depth—particularly appealing with acoustic recordings and jazz. Filter 2 (sharp roll-off) cuts more decisively beyond 20 kHz, offering a more precise stereo image and crisper transients—ideal for electronic music or rock. These differences are particularly noticeable with headphone listening.
Can the CD60’s DAC be used with other digital sources? No, the CD60 has no digital inputs (USB-B, coaxial, or optical). If you want a versatile external DAC, Marantz offers this functionality on the Model 40n or the SACD 30n. This deliberate limitation allows the CD60 to focus on excellence in CD and USB playback, without the compromises associated with multiplying circuits.
Are the front-panel buttons backlit? No, and this is indeed a weak point raised by many users. In a low-light room, the controls become hard to distinguish. Marantz could address this detail in a future revision. In the meantime, the remote remains the most practical solution for controlling the device in the dark.
What is the maximum capacity of supported USB devices? The manual does not specify a theoretical limit, but users report difficulties with very large hard drives (2 TB and above). USB flash drives up to 256 GB work without issues. The file system must be formatted in FAT16 or FAT32, which in practice limits partition size to 32 GB for FAT32 under Windows.
How does the CD60 compare to modern network players in terms of sound quality? The CD60 delivers sound quality that many consider superior to streaming, even at CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz). The absence of multiple conversions, network buffering, and complex software processing preserves signal integrity. For high-resolution files via USB, quality matches that of the best streamers, with Marantz’s characteristic signature that prioritizes musicality.
Is the headphone amplifier’s gain sufficient for high-impedance headphones? With its three gain settings and 28 mW into 32 ohms, the headphone amp correctly drives the majority of headphones up to around 250 ohms. Beyond that (Sennheiser HD800, Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohms), a dedicated headphone amplifier remains preferable to fully exploit their potential. Low-sensitivity planar magnetic headphones may also benefit from a more powerful external amplifier.
Eric
Very good product and also very attractive delighted with my purchase, many thanks again to the whole very professional Compiegne team.
Comment from May 07, 2026
Jean Michel
Purchased to replace a Sungden model that was giving me reliability issues, I recommend it, a natural and powerful sound and much cheaper 👌
Jean Michel.
Comment from April 17, 2026 — Experience from April 06, 2026
Chris
Great bargain !
Excellent product.
Comment from March 02, 2026 — Experience from February 19, 2026
