I own a Sony VA555es,I have not heard the Marantz but judgeing by their past record the two channel should be very good.I have a Toshiba 900e dvd player which plays cd s very well too,The two channel amps at work dont sound any better to me!!! than the 555es.Just an opinion of course and I dont think my kits the best because I own a certain model I have an open mind
All the best I am maximus