Marantz NA6006From real comments

Name: Marantz NA6006
Rating: 3 (15 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 15 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%

PROS 57%

CONS 43%

Rank based on 15 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a musical, analogue-leaning sound to pair with a separate power amp
You value Marantz's sound-first design philosophy over extra features
You mainly stream via Spotify/AirPlay 2 and don't need heavy local file libraries

What users love

Positive purchase confidence from reviews0 mentions

Widely praised

Analogue-like sound signature0 mentions

Strongly positive

Works well as a preamp with separate amps0 mentions

Widely praised

Attractive rack appearance0 mentions

Widely praised

AirPlay 2 and streaming service support0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You rely on playing large local file collections, since some report file-format errors
You want a dedicated, simpler, cheaper streamer without CD-player-era menus
You're put off by an aging HEOS app that some feel needs improvement

What users complain about

Unanswered compatibility questions0 mentions

Mildly negative

File format playback errors0 mentions

Frequently criticized

HEOS app needs improvement0 mentions

Generally negative

Fiddly menus and login entry0 mentions

Generally negative

No simpler dedicated streamer option0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

FiiO M15

Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives

FiiO M15

Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature

Powerful driving power for demanding headphones

Premium packaging and build details

High price relative to value for many users

Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility

Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives

Best value

2Mid

FiiO M21

Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ

FiiO M21

Cassette case design

Musical, warm sound signature

Desktop mode with battery bypass

Crackling/popping between tracks

Button/port layout debate

Weak or fiddly EQ

3Mid

Cambridge Audio CXN v2

Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems

Cambridge Audio CXN v2

Detailed, high-quality sound

Broad connectivity and service support

Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem

Treble can sound bright or harsh

App usability issues

Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems

4Premium

FiiO R9

Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth

FiiO R9

Dynamic, lifelike sound

Attractive, understated design

Improvement over the R7

High price

Missing features some wanted

Buggy app and Bluetooth

You are here

5Mid

Marantz NA6006

Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors

Marantz NA6006

Positive purchase confidence from reviews

Analogue-like sound signature

Works well as a preamp with separate amps

Unanswered compatibility questions

Fiddly menus and login entry

File format playback errors

6Premium

Cambridge Audio Azur 851N

Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output

Cambridge Audio Azur 851N

Excellent sound quality

Flexible digital connectivity

Works well as preamp with external power amps

Unclear Roon and DSD support

No HDMI ARC input

No headphone output

7Mid

Onkyo NS-6170

Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player

Onkyo NS-6170

Strong Sound Quality

Hi-Res and MQA Playback

Broad Storage Format Support

Confusing Streaming App Setup

Slightly Muted Treble vs CD

Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player

Cambridge Audio Minx Xi

Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures

Cambridge Audio Minx Xi

Flexible Subwoofer Integration

Versatile Digital Connectivity

Internet Connectivity Failures

9Premium

Sony NW-A105

Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value

Sony NW-A105

Excellent sound quality

Physical buttons and dedicated music focus

Premium build and design

Poor battery life

Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations

High price for the value

10Premium

FiiO M23

Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches

FiiO M23

Exceptional sound quality

Powerful desktop mode & transport use

Build quality and design touches

Buggy, laggy software

Battery life and battery quality concerns

Track playback glitches

Sound quality
1. Sony NW-A105arrow_upward5
2. Cambridge Audio Azur 851Narrow_upward4
3. Onkyo NS-6170arrow_upward4
Build quality
1. Cambridge Audio CXN v2arrow_upward4
2. Sony NW-A105arrow_upward4
Preamp flexibility
1. Cambridge Audio Azur 851Narrow_upward2
2. Marantz NA6006arrow_upward2
Price
1. Onkyo NS-6170arrow_downward1
2. Sony NW-A105arrow_downward3

Overall Impression

Many owners use the NA6006 purely as a streaming preamp paired with an outboard power amp. Commenters describe hooking the NA6006 up to amps like a Rotel two-channel unit or an Emotiva BasX, using its preamp and volume control rather than any onboard amplification. This flexible role, alongside its built-in streaming and optional CD player, is seen as a practical alternative to buying separate components, especially for people building or refreshing a two-channel hi-fi setup around existing speakers.

Sound quality draws consistent praise for its analogue, musical character. One long-time fence-sitter noted the streamer's analogue-like sound as a strong selling point, tying it to Marantz's philosophy of prioritizing sound over flashy features. Another owner streaming Spotify via AirPlay 2 found a USB DAC improved things slightly further, and a different buyer simply said the unit looks beautiful on the rack and sounds good, confirming satisfaction after purchase.

File playback and app usability are the clearest weak points reported by users. One commenter reported shocking file-format handling, getting error messages even with correctly formatted files, while others asked basic compatibility questions like NTFS support for external drives. Multiple people also flagged the HEOS app as needing improvement, and one wished Marantz made a simpler, cheaper dedicated streamer instead of bundling in CD playback and legacy menu quirks.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

check_circlePositive purchase confidence from reviews

3 mentions

Widely praised

Several commenters said the review convinced them to buy or reinforced their decision, citing helpful, no-nonsense information about the unit's capabilities.

@zedvirgo1129

Thanks for your brilliant review. I have a soft spot for Marantz due to my old man's influence. I'm leaning towards either the NA6006 or the NR1200.

smart_display

December 2, 2021

@knockshinnoch1950

Thanks for the no nonsense ego free review. I'm one of those \"hold outs\" although I had an i-pod that I used on the go and in the car the idea of paying a subscription to access and steam my music was difficult to get my head around. As an old timer with a very large collection I love having that physical copy of my music. The thousands of mp3 files on my computer and i-pod? I don't include them as part of my collection- I can't make that mental connection. This Marantz unit looks like the best bet for me and your info breakdown and sharing your experience has helped a great deal. Thanks

smart_display

November 5, 2021

@kellyrossman6032

After watching this review I pulled the trigger on the na6006 . Then reading comments I see you are wanting to move on from the na6006 . Hoping I made a wise choice . Thanks

smart_display

April 1, 2021

graphic_eqAnalogue-like sound signature

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters describe the NA6006's sound as analogue-like and musical, tying it to Marantz's stated sound-first design philosophy. One buyer called this observation well-founded after long consideration of the purchase.

@jkaiserling

Thanks for your opinion and review on this unit. I like you keeping it real! I have been sitting on the fence with this purchase for months. The model is getting older and I thought, as Marantz is refreshing other models now, that this would get some update. Nothing seems to be in the pipes publicly. That typed, I want to attach a streamer to my SA-KI Special Edition system that was designed for Ken Ishiwata's 40th Anniversary with the company, may he RIP. I am so close to pushing the Purchase Button.\n\nYour comment on the streamer sounding Analogue-like is well observed. Marantz prides itself to maintaining its belief in sound first and then circuitry, as compared to other companies trying to amaze us with features, etc. The YouTube videos that feature Ken Ishiwata, he tells of his life story and what that translates into Marantz philosophy for their audio products. Keep the sound real and design the technology to fulfill that mission.

smart_display

April 13, 2021

@allemyr

Hi, what unit do you stream from, do you use Airplay 2?\n\nI'am using the Marantz NA6006 with Spotify and and an iPhone so using Airplay 2.\n\nUsing a USB DAC the sound is slightly better.\nI'am streaming thru ethernet cable, will try wifi soon and see if its better

smart_display

January 24, 2021

tuneWorks well as a preamp with separate amps

2 mentions

Widely praised

Owners use the NA6006's preamp and volume control functions to drive outboard power amps like a Rotel or Emotiva BasX, giving flexibility beyond an all-in-one receiver setup.

@etsuHoopsFan

Great review. You answered my main question as using it as a preamp with volume control since I want to connect it directly to a Rotel 2 channel amplifier. I had in the past the Marantz M-CR611 all in one receiver/cd player/streamer and those NA6006 menus look pretty familiar. I hear you about inputting usernames and passwords! Also the 611 was so buggy, would freeze, some problems reading a USB thumb drive, etc. Have you noticed any clitches with your 6006? Have you tried using the thumb drive to play music files that way? Thanks again for the review.

smart_display

May 2, 2022

@joaquinbarreto9398

Phenomenal review but towards the end I think I was left a little confused and I'll explain why. So I purchased a pair of JBL 4309 Studio Monitors. I want to use it as a hifi 2 channel set up. I was going to get the Marantz PM8006 & ND8006 player. I realized that the player had preamp, cd and streaming all in one. So I then figured that I could get the Emotiva basx A2 amp to power the JBL and cut back on the cost of the PM8006. Then I found out that they offered this unit which if I'm understanding correctly can do preamp and streaming. I want a cd player but I rather get it later since I made such a huge investment on the speakers. \n\nNow that I've explained this basically use this player as a preamp and streamer using the emotiva to power then later add the player. Where I got confused is when you started comparing it to an onkyo avr. I have a modern yamaha avr hooked up to a surround sound that I'm contemplating getting rid of. I have front left & right preamp outputs. So are you suggesting to just basically use the yamaha add the emotiva and the use the aux for cd instead of spending the money on the marantz streamer? I mean I guess I could do this. My other question is the ND8006 cd player all in one. Do you think this streamer and the 6006 cd player are basically the same as the nd8006 just together in one unit? Thanks

smart_display

April 6, 2022

visibilityAttractive rack appearance

1 mentions

Widely praised

A buyer who purchased the unit specifically noted it looks beautiful sitting on the rack, in addition to praising the sound quality.

@Add_Surasak

Marantz look beautiful on the rack. Also the sound quality. I did get one this week.

smart_display

January 18, 2021

castAirPlay 2 and streaming service support

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user confirmed streaming Spotify through AirPlay 2 from an iPhone works on the NA6006, with sound further improved when adding a USB DAC.

@allemyr

smart_display

January 24, 2021

helpUnanswered compatibility questions

2 mentions

Mildly negative

Prospective buyers asked basic questions like whether the unit supports NTFS-formatted external hard drives and how to wire it to a Marantz amplifier, suggesting documentation gaps.

@benoittroncatti945

Hello does the Marantz NA 6006 support NTFS format on external hard drives?

smart_displayTranslated from French

June 3, 2021

@benoittroncatti945

Hello how did you connect the na 6006 to the Marantz amplifier: On the fixed or variable output?

smart_displayTranslated from French

June 2, 2021

errorFile format playback errors

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reported shocking file-format handling, getting file error messages even when the file format was reportedly correct, suggesting inconsistent local file playback support.

@kernowvideosolutions

File formats on this are shocking, always get File Error message even when the file format is correct.

smart_display

April 30, 2023

thumb_downHEOS app needs improvement

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter explicitly said Marantz needs to improve its HEOS app, wishing for a more refined dedicated streaming experience.

@xstensl8823

i don't need a cd player. i wish Marantz would produce a dedicated streamer only for under a grand. with it's R and D and manufacturing resources i believe it could produce this and the boutique brands would run for cover. i agree Marantz needs to improve it HEOS app.

smart_display

May 8, 2021

keyboardFiddly menus and login entry

1 mentions

Generally negative

Users compared the NA6006's menus to an older Marantz all-in-one unit and complained about the hassle of inputting usernames and passwords through the interface.

@etsuHoopsFan

smart_display

May 2, 2022

remove_circleNo simpler dedicated streamer option

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter wished Marantz offered a dedicated streamer-only model under a certain price without a CD player, feeling the current lineup doesn't fully meet streaming-focused buyers' needs.

@xstensl8823

smart_display

May 8, 2021

Marantz NA6006chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Sound quality

Build quality

Preamp flexibility

Price

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Marantz NA6006From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression