The Article
Marantz ND8006: network music/CD player, with DAC-Mode and HEOS support
21st December 2017
Marantz has announced its first complete digital music source player. The ND8006 is designed as an all-rounder, combining CD playback, network/Internet streaming, external DAC functionality and HEOS support
Built in the company’s Shirakawa plant in Japan, it is based on the NA8005 and SA8005 models and accepts file formats up to 11.2Mhz quad-DSD and 32bit/384kHz PCM, as well as Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth to play music from portable devices.
It features support for NAS drives or computer as well as Amazon Prime Music, Deezer Premium+, Spotify Connect and Tidal.
It can be used with a conventional amplifier via a dedicated fix level output or connected directly to a power amplifier and speakers or active speaker thanks to built-in digital preamp functions by the variable output socket and will even share the music around the home, thanks to its HEOS integration.
The unit features proprietary Marantz Musical Digital Filtering system and an ESS9016 Sabre DAC, with dual crystal clocks. A noise isolation circuit on the USB Type B input and digital audio inputs – two optical and one coaxial – blocks interference from connected components.
Both Ethernet and dual-band (2.4/5GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity are provided.
The ND8006 also has a dedicated headphone amp using fully discrete components including the same HDAM-S2 technology as the main audio circuits and selectable gain to allow it to drive a wide range of headphones. It includes an ‘H/P OFF’ mode. The same on/off option is available for the implemented Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Available in black or silver-gold, the ND8006 will be available January 2018, at €1,199.
Additional information is available at www.marantz.com.
I would be interested in getting a streamer such as this Marantz ND8006 IF I could get Spotify, Pandora, Tidal etc. WITHOUT the need for a tablet or smart phone. I have had bluray players that allow me to connect to such services via WIFI to my router that I can control with my remote control. I just select the streaming service and it automatically connects to my network and starts shuffle play. Or I can select an individual station via my bluray remote. To do extensive modifications to my subscription preferences I go to my laptop.
So my question are 1. Does this play SACDS or just regular CDs? and 2. Can I enjoy paid music subscription services like Pandora, Tidal and Spotify WITHOUT the need for a tablet or smartphone (I do not own either) by just connecting to my network via WIFI and using the Marantz remote? If not do you know of a streamer that will? So far all I have read about REQUIRE a smart phone or tablet to control these music streaming services, unlike many or most bluray player with built-in apps for these streaming services. P.S. I do not care about NAS, as I do not rip CDs or download music. I have NO music stored on my computer. I have 5000 CDs however.
As far as I’m aware the ND8006 is CD only and can only operate Spotify, etc, via a phone/tablet, Rod. I think most streamers use the phone/tablet approach because they see it as an “easier” and “faster” way to access the service in terms of inputting search terms, etc. I know of some Marantz hardware that started out with remote operation but then was upgraded to app-only operation later on. Seems to be the way the world is going. There are streamers out there in which a remote retains full control but Spotify et al tends not to be the focus, which is the downside of course.
Hello all – I have recently acquired the ND 8006. Disclaimer – I provide the following to assist any perspective listeners considering buying one – not to try and impress anyone or accomplish anything other than assist to listening community. I also stress that listening preferences and pleasures are as varied as there are listeners. While their is some obvious objective criteria in benchmarking a unit, beauty is – very much – in the ears of the beholder. My personal view is that ND 8006 is beautiful, in its execution, build quality and value.I have several systems comprised of Levinson, Krell and McIntosh gear. However, I am running the ND 8006 through mostly Conrad Johnson equipment – LP70s amp, Art 2 pre-amp. Speakers on this systems is Vienna Acoustics Strauss. Cabling includes Siltech speaker cables, Cardas interconnects and Furutech power cords. I felt this set up would nicely complement the indigenous warmth usually associated with Marantz gear. And it did.The detail in the mids on this $1200 player equaled, and, on some tracks, surpassed the Auralic Aries, Polaris and Berkley Alpha DAC streamers I auditioned. The AVM excelled, but at $15K, it should. And that is an unfair comparison in my view as the ND 806 has no channel amplification, plays SACD’s (a noticeable deficiency on the ND 8006, but easily overlooked as it plays HQ DSD files) Those units cost hundred and, in some cases, thousands more. The Mytek Brooklyn DAC was a contender but without WiFi connectivity it was not an option for me. Yet, the ND 8006 had such exquisite detail, especially on voice, string and piano pieces of high resolution quality. My speakers are quite revealing so I really was able to perform critical listening.Convenience is also – as far as I am concerned – an important consideration for the serious listener. The ND 8006 shines here, and the dual clock jitter reduction works exceedingly well, albeit Bluetooth playback loses coherence as it does on virtually every player I auditioned. That is why WiFi was important to me as there is no capacity for ethernet in that particular listening room. The connectivity to a network and usage of the unit with Spotify and Tidal was so easy and intuitive that a caveman can do it (my apologies to appearing insensitive to cavemen) . The remote is at first overwhelming but I used it for all set up functions and survived. And no, it is not metal as most of my other remotes are, but that’s okay by me. Turning to the CD function, as far as I’m concerned this is a throw in and a nice one. I have thousand of CDs and while it is becoming more and more seldom, I might just fling one on and with this unit I can and the sound, up-sampled, is quite satisfying. I extracted my Sony SCD-1 SACD player from the system to make room for this unit (I also have the Marantz UP7007 connected so I can still play SACDs), but, to be honest, the Sony was the best SACD player I ever experienced at any price – yes that includes DCS Puccini and Esoteric. Just my ears folks. But I digress. The CD functionality of the ND 8006 is not an afterthought – it appears to be targeted at those getting into streaming Hi Rez and not willing to place their entire CD collection carefully amassed for years into the attic – or eBay. And it is quite nice on my tube based system. Instrumental air, soundstages and spaciousness and separation of the instruments are boxes the ND 8006 checks quite well. Three year warranty is standard but this unit, made in Japan, seems solid and exudes reliability. Time will tell on that one. To sum up, some will dismiss this unit out of hand and go for the more “audiophile” names some of which I discuss above. They would NEVER consider Marantz in an “audiophile” application. Same with the Cambridge units i.e. 851N (which are also excellent and attractive alternatives which should be auditioned). This comes from years of experience and, in some cases, overpaying for gear where I shouldn’t have. So, people have a choice – be a sound snob and focus on the nameplate (Saul Marantz was one of the audio pioneers who “invented” the high end BTW) , and exclusivity at inflated (sometimes grossly inflated) acquisition cost, or enjoy the sound. If you put more of a premium on quality of sound and convenience, value and sheer enjoyment of listening, then audition this unit!!!! If you are the “other” kind of audiophile, then the more obvious choice to acquire a DAC/network/streamer is to hop in your Bentley and drop the first $5000.00 as quick as you can.
Many thanks for your extensive insight, Howard. I’m sure you’ll intrigue and tempt readers with that report.