Gadgets and just Gadgets

Marantz CR201 CD Player

If you still haven not converted your CD collection to MP3 files, and if you can afford it, this Marantz CR201 CD player might look very good in the living room or bedroom. It is a nice mirror surface that opens to reveal the CD drive. Just underneath the shiny surface, there’s a primitive display that shows basic information. It’s not easy to trust a flat-speaker, but it is likely that the sound is actually pretty decent.

It also uses an “intelligent 3D sound” system that ensures “accurate and high quality sound reproduction” which seems more like marketing speak to me than a real innovation. Of course it’s pointless to release any kind of home audio gear without including some type of MP3 support, so the CR201 also includes a USB connection that will accommodate a flash drive full of music files.

It’s currently available from AudioCubes for $759. But keep in mind you’ll have to deal with a manual and remote that are both printed in Japanese.

Tags: Marantz CR201, CD Player, Mp3 files, intelligent 3D sound, audiocubes, USB connection