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Marantz CD-40 - CD Player - Fair
Why This One
Fair condition - noticeable imperfections, priced to reflect it
TDA1541A-R1 DAC and CDM-4/19 transport - a respected vintage digital pairing.
A sought-after vintage DAC combination available at a fraction of the original cost.
Condition: Fair
This Marantz CD-40 is a fair-condition CD player. This unit has not been functionally tested by our team. Note: The bottom of the unit is significantly dented. The power plug is non-standard and will require an adapter or rewiring before use. Please review all photos carefully, as they provide an accurate representation of the cosmetic condition of the product.
What's Included
Marantz CD-40
No additional accessories included
About This Model
The Marantz CD-40 is a late-1980s compact disc player built around the Philips TDA1541A-R1 16-bit DAC with 4x oversampling and the CDM-4/19 pivoted swing-arm laser transport - a combination regarded as a benchmark in that era of consumer digital audio. It delivers a frequency response of 2 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.3 dB), THD of just 0.0025%, and signal-to-noise and channel separation figures both reaching 102 dB. The chassis uses a high-impact polystyrene honeycomb construction for vibration damping, and the fully-floating mechanism features improved servo control. A motorized push-to-play tray accepts standard CDs and singles, while a front-panel headphone output and a 24-key remote with volume control add everyday usability.
A great opportunity to own a Marantz CD-40 at this price point.
Is this the kind of well-kept CD player you’d grab quickly at this number? At US$65, it lands well below the US$107 25th percentile and looks like a strong bargain versus the typical US$150 median for recent comparables.
That makes it an easy buy if the transport reads discs cleanly and the front-panel functions behave as they should. This model has a solid reputation for smooth, musical Red Book playback and Marantz’s usual straightforward ergonomics, so a complete, working example at this price has real upside. If the original remote or manual is included, even better; if not, the price still leaves plenty of room.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Marantz originated in the United States, founded in 1953 by Saul Bernard Marantz, a music enthusiast and amateur musician born in Brooklyn in 1911. Dissatisfied with the audio equipment of the era, he crafted the groundbreaking Audio Consolette preamplifier in 1952 from his New York home, selling the first 100 units rapidly and prompting the formal establishment of the company in Woodside, Queens. Though production later shifted to Japan in partnership with manufacturers like Standard Radio in 1966, and the brand evolved through ownership changes including Superscope and eventual integration into larger groups, its heritage remains rooted in American ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of musical fidelity.
The brand excels in high-end audio components, particularly amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems that defined its golden era. Iconic models like the Model 7 preamplifier (1958), Model 9 power amplifier (1960), and Model 10B tuner (1964) set benchmarks for performance, while later offerings expanded to tuners, receivers, and CD players. Marantz briefly ventured into speakers under designer Ed May in the 1970s but focused primarily on electronics rather than turntables, headphones, DACs, or cables, emphasizing separates renowned for their "Most Musical Sound."
Marantz commands a premium position in the hi-fi market, revered as a high-end pioneer that shaped the audiophile landscape through the 1970s zenith. Today, it blends vintage allure with modern elegance, appealing to discerning buyers who value durability, innovation, and warm, detailed sound signatures over mass-market accessibility.
See all Marantz listings on RADAR.
