The Marantz CD 50n is a CD and network player with HEOS streaming, AirPlay 2 and an HDMI ARC input for the TV. Its USB DAC reaches DSD 11.2, with ESS ES9038 conversion.

The CD 50n plays audio CDs and CD-R/RW discs, including burned MP3 and WMA files, on a JTL-101YP transport. Conversion is handled by an ESS ES9038 chip from the Hyper Stream family, followed by an HDAM low-pass filter and an HDAM-SA2 output buffer. Marantz quotes a 112 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 105 dB of channel separation.
The TV connects to the HDMI ARC input, so film and game sound plays through the hi-fi system over a single cable. One optical and one coaxial input take other digital sources up to 192 kHz / 24-bit. The variable output, adjusted from HEOS or the remote, drives a power amplifier directly.
The HEOS platform opens up Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn radio, and AirPlay 2 takes over from an iPhone. The player connects over dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet and streams up to DSD 5.6 and PCM 192 kHz. Roon Tested certified, it also responds to Amazon Alexa voice commands and joins a HEOS multiroom system.
At the back, the USB-B input turns the CD 50n into a computer DAC, in isolated asynchronous mode and up to DSD 11.2 via DoP. The headphone output uses a current-feedback HDAM-SA2 stage, and Bluetooth can also send the sound to wireless headphones. The casing is 44.2 cm wide, 42.4 cm deep and 13 cm high and weighs 10.3 kg, in Black or Silver Gold, with a three-line OLED display.
Data sheet
Specific References
• Lower-dispersion higher-purity fiber
• Low-jitter (Digital Timing Errors)
• Precision Polished Fiber Ends
• 3 METER AND ABOVE IN-WALL Rated PVC
• 280 Narrow-Aperture Quartz (Fused-Silica) Fibers
• Low-jitter (Digital Timing Errors)
• Precision Polished Fiber Ends
• 3 METER AND ABOVE IN-WALL Rated PVC