The Marantz CD-11, particularly in its Limited Edition variant, is a sophisticated compact disc player that showcases advanced engineering and premium components. At its core, the CD-11 LE utilizes the Philips SAA7350 and TDA1547 chipsets, incorporating Bitstream Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) technology for high-quality audio output. The unit features a robust die-cast chassis and an all-alloy transport system, enhancing durability and performance. It is equipped with a single-beam Philips CDM-4 Professional optical mechanism known for its reliability and swift data retrieval capabilities. The audio processing path begins with the laser pickup, which sends data to the SAA7310 decoder before passing through an NPC SM5803 digital filter. The dual TDA1547 DACs operate in a differential mode, contributing to the player’s impressive audio metrics. Users can connect via unbalanced phono jacks or transformer-coupled balanced XLR outputs. The CD-11 LE includes a full-function shuttle-dial remote control, providing ease of operation. While the player is praised for its overall sound quality, it does exhibit some weaknesses in out-of-band noise and absolute phase inversion. Yet, overall, the CD-11 LE delivers an outstanding listening experience befitting a high-caliber audio device.
