RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
The Marantz CD-63 MKII is a classic early-1990s high-fidelity CD player that earned a strong reputation among audiophiles for delivering detailed, musical, and surprisingly refined digital playback at its price point.
Built during Marantz’s “golden era” of CD design, the CD-63 MKII combines a solid, vibration-resistant chassis with a well-engineered internal layout, including a dedicated transport mechanism and carefully designed analog output stage. The result is a player known for its clarity, stability, and engaging sound character.
Sonically, it is often described as slightly forward and highly detailed, with crisp high frequencies and a clean, articulate midrange. Bass response is controlled and tight, though not overly dominant, giving the player a balanced presentation that tends to favor acoustic, vocal, and instrumental music. Many listeners appreciate its ability to extract fine detail without excessive harshness, especially when paired with warm or neutral amplifiers.
Technically, the CD-63 MKII offers strong performance for its era, with low distortion, a wide dynamic range, and excellent channel separation. It also includes practical features such as remote control operation and analog output level adjustment, which was uncommon in many competitors at the time.
Today, the CD-63 MKII is considered a vintage “classic” CD player—sought after both for its build quality and its distinctive Marantz sound signature. While it may not match modern DAC-based players in absolute resolution or convenience, it remains highly respected as a reliable, musical, and characterful piece of hi-fi history.
In short, the CD-63 MKII is valued less as a modern utility device and more as a nostalgic, audiophile-grade CD player that still delivers enjoyable, engaging sound decades after its release.
Please note: Collection from our Murarrie showroom or freight at buyer's expense. We do not offer free shipping on traded equipment.
Contact The Audio Tailor today to arrange an audition.
Compared with a new budget CD player or a simple streaming box at this money, A$750 for a Marantz CD-63 MkII is on the steep side unless it’s been fully serviced, is cosmetically exceptional, and includes the remote and original box. For a clean used unit, I’d expect more like a fair-to-strong buy if it lands around the mid-A$400s to A$600s; at A$750 it reads ambitious rather than a bargain.
That said, this is a cult favorite for a reason: smooth, musical presentation, solid build, and enough vintage Marantz charm to make it worth owning if you want a classic red-book spinner rather than a disposable transport. The big upside is scarcity in good condition, especially if the drawer is quiet and the laser is healthy. Just make sure the tray, display, and skip function are all solid, and ideally confirm whether any recap or laser work has been done.
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.
