Marantz CC-45 (1992–1994)
The Marantz CC-45 is a 5-disc CD changer from the early 1990s. It uses a magazine-style loading system, so you load discs into a cartridge before inserting it into the player. Inside is a 1-bit dual D/A converter design with an 8-times oversampling digital filter, the sort of conversion architecture Marantz was championing in that era.
The specs are respectable for the period. Dynamic range is 96 dB, signal-to-noise ratio is 100 dB, channel separation is 96 dB, and THD is rated at 0.0035%. Frequency response is specified at 5 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB, with a 2V output. The rear panel carries both line output and a digital coaxial output. It measures 440 x 127 x 375mm and weighs 5.8kg. The RC-45CD remote control was offered as an optional accessory.
The CC-45 showed up in period equipment directories. Audio (October 1995, p.74) listed it among CD players and transports with digital outputs. Beyond the specifications and magazine listings, little else is documented. No original price has surfaced, no period review with listening impressions has been found, and no collector's market data exists in the record. What we have is essentially the spec sheet and the fact that it was produced from roughly 1992 to 1994. The original instruction manual still circulates online, which suggests owners continue to keep these running.
If you own a CC-45 and can add anything, such as how it sounds, what it cost new, or how the magazine mechanism has held up, the archive would welcome it.
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