Marantz CD-72

The Marantz CD-72 is a single-disc compact disc player from the early 1990s, sold from roughly 1991 to 1993. It uses a Philips TDA1541A DAC, a well-regarded multibit chip. The transport is the Philips CDM-4 mechanism, and two Philips SAA7220P/B digital filters handle 4x oversampling. That puts it squarely in the line of Philips-based Marantz players of the era. It was offered in black.

Period coverage in HiFI-Stereo (February 1993, p.93) listed the CD-72 among current CD players. The figures given were a frequency response of 4-20,000 Hz (+0, -1.5 dB), S/N of 105 dB, dynamic range of 92 dB, THD of 0.01%, and channel separation of 90 dB at 1,000 Hz. The measured figures in the fact sheet are somewhat better: dynamic range of 98 dB, S/N of 112 dB, channel separation of 95 dB, and THD of 0.0025%. That likely reflects manufacturer specifications versus review measurements. The player draws 16W at AC 230V/50Hz per the service documentation.

Owner reports are limited but generally positive. One listener praised the CD-72's imaging and natural high-frequency reproduction, calling it relaxed and "full of air, never bright," while another noted superb reliability. A single reviewer mentioned a "feeler switch" issue as the only fault encountered. The original MSRP was $549.99.

Known specifications (from hifiengine.com unless otherwise noted):