Marantz CD12+DA12 vs CD94MKII??

[raychak]

Marantz CD12+DA12 vs CD94MKII?

Which is the better choice? CD12+DA12 using one TDA1541AS1 (single crown), CD94MKII using two TDA1541A... Any expert here have experience compared these two players before?

Thanks!

[X.G.]

maybe Peter Daniel have campared them?.....CD12+DA12=LHH1000 ...

[jdunham]

No direct experience, but a comment!

With the separate DAC/Transport the digital interface will use S/PDIF - not so good.

With the CD94 the interface between transport and DAC will be I2S - much better!

So any comparision will not directly tell you whether 1 x TDA1541A S1 is better than 2 x TDA1541A (no crowns)!

And yes I'd be interested in this comparision as well!

Regards,

Jonathan

[Geoff]

Originally posted by jdunham
So any comparision will not directly tell you whether 1 x TDA1541A S1 is better than 2 x TDA1541A (no crowns)!

Just a slight correction. The CD-94MkII uses two TDA1541A/S1.

raychak

I cannot comment on the sound quality of the CD12/DA12 but I would not part with my CD-94MkII which, for me, outperforms the more recent (and more expensive) players with which I have been able to carry out a side-by-side comparision.

I have a short test report from Hi-Fi Answers (Nov 1989) which gives some info on the DAC arrangement in the CD-94Mk2 and also compares it to the CD-12. Email me if you would like a copy.

Edit: forget the email, I have attached a copy.

[raychak]

Originally posted by Geoff


Just a slight correction. The CD-94MkII uses two TDA1541A/S1.

I think there will be variation because I sure that the one I have been offered is using 2 TDA1541A instead of TDA1541AS1...

By the way, thank you very much for the Hi-Fi Answer report!

[raychak]

Hi Geoff,

Any chance that you can post a picture of internal view of your CD94MKII? I really want to see the components used compared to CD12...

THANKS!

Raymond

[Geoff]

Originally posted by raychak
Any chance that you can post a picture of internal view of your CD94MKII? I really want to see the components used compared to CD12...

Raymond

Sorry, I cannot post a picture - no digital camera. However, if you email me with details of the parts you are interested in I will check the service manual for details.

Note, the service manual quotes TDA1541A/S1, as well as the Hi-Fi Answers article, and I can confirm that my player has the single crown devices.

Geoff

[raychak]

Geoff,

Two things I want to know inside the CD94MKII:

1. Are all hardware, blot, case with copper plated?
2. What type of transformer used? EI or toroidal transformer?

Thanks a lot!

Raymond

[jdunham]

Geoff, thanks for the correction/clarification.

I didn't realise the CD94 was a dual TDA1541A as well as the DA12.

I can see why these players/DAC's are still sought after - I recently had the pleasure of listening to a Marantz CD7 in my system, it sounded superb. I guess the CD7 was the "ultimate" CD94 upgrade!

Regards,

Jonathan

[Geoff]

Raymond

The Hi-Fi Answers article is nearly correct in that the majority of the casework is fabricated from a non-ferrous alloy. However, the back panel, and a smallish bracket on the right hand side, are steel according to my magnet. I cannot tell whether the back panel has been copper plated as it has a thick coating of paint which has not (yet!) been scratched. The bracket has definitely not been plated.

The CDM-1 mechanism appears to be standard, with a non-plated ferrous frame. All screws (except some in the transport assembly) are copper plated. Two small, internal, heatsinks are formed from copper.

The transformer is EI.

Elna Cerafine electrolytics have been used in critical positions in the analogue stage.

Geoff