Marantz CD-80
Little is documented about the Marantz CD-80 beyond its technical specifications. It was a single-box CD player from Marantz's early CD lineup, listed in the brand's own historical model directory with no narrative attached. The surviving information is almost entirely a spec sheet from Hi-Fi Engine, and even that is thin. No production years, no original price, no dimensions or weight have surfaced.
The internals are the interesting part. The CD-80 used the Philips CDM-1 MK II transport mechanism and TDA1540 DAC chips, listed as "4× TDA1540". Sources don't say whether that means four separate DACs or a quad-multiplied configuration. Hi-Fi Engine also lists 4× oversampling. The measured figures look good on paper: total harmonic distortion at −20 dB of 0.0012%, signal-to-noise ratio greater than 120 dB, and channel separation of +112 dB at 1 kHz. Frequency response is stated as 1 Hz to 63 kHz, and output is a single pair of analog RCA jacks at 2 V.
Notably, no digital output is listed in the spec sheet, and period coverage of this model is limited to dealer advertising copy, such as a Philips dealer ad in Audio (May 1990, p.179) that lists the CD-80 among recommended components. A single Audiogon listing shows a unit in "very good condition, plays fine" offered at $549, but with no sale date attached, that's of limited historical value.
Known specifications (per Hi-Fi Engine):
- DAC: 4× TDA1540
- Oversampling: 4×
- Transport: CDM-1 MK II
- Frequency response: 1 Hz – 63 kHz
- THD (−20 dB): 0.0012%
- S/N ratio: >120 dB
- Channel separation (1 kHz): +112 dB
- Output: 2 V, analog RCA (1 stereo pair)
If you own a CD-80 or have a period brochure, the Archive would welcome the details.
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