Marantz MODEL 70 Integrated Amplifier & CD 70, But North America Misses Out

Marantz Model 70 Integrated Amplifier and CD 70 Introduction

Marantz’s entry-level stereo components are always among the most recommendable options for audiophiles just getting started in the hobby, or anyone looking for high-value gear at accessible prices. The brand’s award-winning PM6007 integrated amplifier and CD6007 CD player have been best-sellers for six years now, but stiff competition from brands like Rotel and Cambridge Audio forces even a market-leader like Marantz to keep things fresh. Now the company is introducing two new products to replace the acclaimed PM6007 and CD6007: the new MODEL 70 integrated amplifier and CD 70 CD player. The good news is that these new models include upgraded internals and updated styling to match the rest of Marantz’s current stereo and AV lineup. The CD 70 ($750) costs a Benjamin more than its predecessor, but in today’s economic climate, that should surprise nobody. The bad news is that the very appealing MODEL 70 amp is not going to be available in North America, and that Marantz’s lovely silver gold finish will also be unavailable on this side of the pond. Depending on where you live, that bad news might be irrelevant, but it’s certainly disappointing for those of us here in the USA.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the next evolution of Marantz’s entry-level hi-fi offering, which the company says combines its “celebrated sound signature, refined craftsmanship, and premium industrial design with enhanced performance and features tailored to contemporary listening habits.” The PM6007 and CD6007 were among the last Marantz products still sporting the company’s older design language, which had a masculine look with a hint of Art Deco influence. The new MODEL 70 and CD 70 adopt Marantz’s latest design language, making this more modern aesthetic available at lower prices than ever before. The textured surfaces and sculptural forms of the front panels contribute to a level of elegance and visual sophistication usually reserved for more expensive products, and the visual appeal alone will be enough to attract customers who value refined design. But these are not just dressed-up versions of older components. On the inside, the MODEL 70 and CD 70 have been engineered to deliver an elevated listening experience, according to Marantz, by way of optimized internal layouts, carefully-selected components, and vibration-resistant chassis structures.

While visiting the Denon and Marantz company headquarters in Japan in the spring of 2026, Chief Audioholic Gene DellaSala had a chance to listen to the MODEL 70 and CD 70, comparing them to their predecessors via a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 standmount loudspeakers. 

Marantz Sound Master Room - Kawasaki Japan

Gene says the improvements were quite remarkable. There was more bass control on the new Model 70 amp, and the CD 70 “definitely extracted more detail from high-resolution recordings,” according to Gene. “The upgraded components made a difference,” he concluded.

Marantz MODEL 70

The MODEL 70 amplifier will sell for €850 in Europe and £749 in the UK, representing a roughly 50% premium over the launch price of the outgoing PM6007, which originally sold for €549 in Europe and £499 in the UK. That’s a significant price jump, but the new model does boast an upgraded current-feedback Class A/B amplification topology supported by an enhanced power supply and larger toroidal transformer. Delivering 50 watts per channel (8-ohms) and 65 watts/ch (4-ohms), the MODEL 70 provides only a modest on-paper upgrade over the 45-watt PM6007, but Marantz says to expect greater dynamic expression, improved speaker control, and increased authority across a wide range of loudspeaker pairings with the new model.

Features include a high-performance ESS-based DAC offering exceptional digital playback quality, according to Marantz, and proprietary HDAM circuitry that “preserves the speed, accuracy, and musical character that define the brand’s renowned sound.” Speaking of the built-in DAC, it can be accessed via HDMI ARC — an extremely useful feature not found on the PM6007. A simple 2-channel (or 2.1-channel) system can replace a soundbar in some circumstances, and using the TV’s remote to adjust the MODEL 70’s volume control is very handy indeed. Bluetooth support has also been expanded on the MODEL 70, which can receive aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and AAC, alongside the standard SBC codec. The MODEL 70 can also transmit Bluetooth audio from any source (including TV audio via HDMI), allowing the user to enjoy personal listening via wireless headphones. The MODEL 70 also features one coaxial and one optical digital input.

While vinyl enthusiasts might already have an outboard phono stage, the  MODEL 70 includes a high-quality MM phono stage. The phono stage in the outgoing PM6007 was an excellent performer at this price level, and we expect the MODEL 70’s phono input to be at least as good, if not better. There are three more sets of analog RCA inputs on the MODEL 70’s back panel, along with a subwoofer output and a stereo preamp output. The front panel sports Marantz’s signature porthole display and a symmetrical knob layout, giving the amp a chic and stylish appearance.

Marantz CD 70

Marantz CD6007 (left) and CD 70 (right)

The CD 70 continues Marantz’s longstanding commitment to exceptional disc playback, building upon the success of the CD6007, which has been a go-to player for budget-minded audiophiles since its 2020 launch. If you value the collection-building aspect of physical media — or if you just enjoy the ritual of playing a physical disc while perusing the liner notes — the CD 70 should provide good sound and reliable operation for years to come, at a price that remains reasonable.

The CD 70 is engineered around the ES9020Q DAC chip from ESS, which is an upgrade over the older ES9010K2M chip used in the CD6007. (Marantz switched from Asahi Kasei Microsystem’s AKM chips to ESS chips after a fire destroyed AKM’s semiconductor factory in Nobeoka, Japan in 2020, just months after the CD6007 was introduced.) The CD 70 also benefits from Marantz’s proprietary HDAM circuitry, which contributes to the player’s “detailed, expressive and emotionally-engaging reproduction of compact discs,” allowing the user to enjoy “every nuance from treasured music collections,” according to the company. And if you have a digital file-based music library in addition to discs, the CD 70 has a front-facing USB-A input that adds playback support for high-resolution audio formats including FLAC HD, ALAC, AIFF, and DSD.

Even at the entry level, Marantz is known for delivering good build quality, and the CD 70 is no exception. The player’s construction has been “carefully optimized to minimize noise and preserve musical detail,” according to the company. From the double-layered chassis base and rigid isolation feet to the “strategically deployed copper hardware,” the CD 70 is built for improved stability and reduced interference, according to Marantz. Inside, the new player gets an upgraded power supply and an upgraded digital clock to reduce jitter. The user can choose from two digital filters, offering a modicum of customization to the final sound. Headphone users will appreciate the fully discrete headphone amplifier featuring HDAM technology. Personal listening is clearly not an afterthought for Marantz, as the built-in headphone amp includes adjustable gain control, allowing the user to dial in the right amount of juice for sensitive in-ear monitors or harder-to-drive over-ear cans. Automatic headphone detection provides “an engaging and refined listening experience without requiring additional equipment,” according to the company.

Marantz says that both the MODEL 70 and CD 70 are packaged using environmentally conscious materials designed to reduce plastic consumption while maintaining a “premium ownership experience.” Marantz’s ongoing sustainability initiatives include the use of responsibly-sourced, FSC-certified carton materials and paper-based protective elements.

MODEL 70 and CD 70 perfectly capture what Marantz stands for today. They honor the legacy of two of our most successful and celebrated products while introducing a new level of design sophistication, performance, and versatility. Each component is designed for music lovers who want authentic hi-fi performance, beautiful craftsmanship and effortless integration into their modern lifestyle. Together, they perfectly represent Marantz’s enduring commitment to musical excellence.

— Lyle Smith, President of Sound United brands at HARMAN

Why No Marantz Model 70 for North America?

When asked about the choice to withhold the MODEL 70 amplifier from the North American market, Marantz points to other products in the company’s lineup that should meet customer demand for stereo amplification, namely the compact MODEL M1 Streaming Amplifier ($1,000) and the STEREO 70s Stereo Receiver ($1,200). The M1 is a compact streaming amp akin to an upscale WiiM product, while the STEREO 70s is basically a 2-channel AV receiver, loaded with HDMI inputs. Both are compelling products for the right audience, but neither caters to the traditional audiophile customer quite as well as the MODEL 70. If they did, why would Marantz make the MODEL 70 at all? Perhaps the ongoing confusion surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff policy caused Marantz to think twice about introducing a new amp that would command a premium price while offering less power and fewer features than the similar-looking STEREO 70s? 

All we know for sure is that Marantz says the company remains “committed to bringing innovative products to North America and will continue to introduce new models that align well with the needs of the region.” For now, CD fans have plenty to be excited about with the new CD 70, which will be available starting August 15th at Marantz.com and from selected retailers.

More information: Marantz CD 70