Firstly, thanks to Mark and the Castle Sound & Vision staff for an excellent (if a bit hot) afternoon/evening.

I'm not very good at articulating how it sounded, but I'll have a go anyway.

The Ovators both looked and sound good, my main impression was a more richer sound but I don't think I can describe it any further. Its also worth mentioning that they can do bass, although that might have been helped by the demo room. I'm looking forward to the next one down in the range being released as this should perform better in the demo room and also be more in my price range.

Like others have commented, the DAC in combination with the new CDX2* brings a more opened sound and a new upgrade path to owners of CD players with digital out.


But now I've had time to reflect on the evening (and upgrade options), I have a couple of questions that hopefully either Naim or other forum members can answer:

1. Now the CDX2 has a digital out and the DAC contains CD555 circuitry, what's the point of the CDS3?

2. Can the CDX2 -> DAC combination decode 20bit HDCD discs?

Thanks,

Matty


* As I own one of the original CDX2's, I personally don't think it's right to completely change it's internals, add a digital out and still call it a CDX2 (rant over).

This is a very interesting issue : CDX2 + DAC against CDS3, both with 555PS : what is the difference?

quote:

Originally posted by The Matty:
But now I've had time to reflect on the evening (and upgrade options), I have a couple of questions that hopefully either Naim or other forum members can answer:

1. Now the CDX2 has a digital out and the DAC contains CD555 circuitry, what's the point of the CDS3?

2. Can the CDX2 -> DAC combination decode 20bit HDCD discs?

Thanks,

Matty

1. No point - I reckon the CDS3 could be the 'sacrifice' in the current CDP range to allow the DAC to hook up with the newer CDP's that have dig out.

2. Dunno, but as the CDP will only be acting as a transport, I think Naim will confirm this in due course when their White Paper is published for the DAC (if not sooner )

Regards

Allen

HDCD isn't 20 bit but 16 bit with a bit of trickery and there's no reason it can't work with that combo.

quote:

CDX2 + DAC against CDS3, both with 555PS : what is the difference?

Or even cd5xs+dac vs the two options above!

I've got a cdx2 + xps-like power supply right now, and my original goal was to get to cds3/555ps.

If I can get to virtually the same quality using cd5xs/dac/555ps, that'd be fantastic! Especially since I can then plug my airport express into the DAC too.

Guess we just have to wait for a few months until the production versions start shipping and people start experimenting. And also maybe Naim will eventually release some news on the fate of the cds3, possibility of a reference CD transport, etc.

If it's hdcd enabled it will need a Pacific Microsonics chip to "decode" it properly.
You used to have to put a Microsoft logo somewhere I think as the hdcd technology is licensed from them.

As I understand it the CDS3 will get a simular switching arrangement to the CDX2-2 and be available as retrofit upgrade.At a price

quote:

Originally posted by Kartik:

I've got a cdx2 + xps-like power supply right now, and my original goal was to get to cds3/555ps.

Same here. It’s now looking more like HDX/555/DAC subject to auditions, funds etc. Things just got a lot more interesting. How soon and in what direction depends on the cost of retro fitting digital out to our old CDX2. If this is feasible the path will likely go, add DAC, replace CDX2 with HDX, swap XPS2 for 555PS. But the CDS3 is still under my skin. I think it is a very special player. There could be much beard stroking to come. Or maybe not. It’s sure going to be fun finding out.

quote:

Originally posted by Rattlesnaic:
As I understand it the CDS3 will get a simular switching arrangement to the CDX2-2 and be available as retrofit upgrade.At a price

At Stroud they said 'they might' do that in future.

I really can't see the point of using a £3200 or £5750 CD player just as a transport, when there are several purpose-designed transports out there. You'd be mad to buy a CDX2.2 + DAC instead of a CD5XS + DAC + XPS2, for example.

At least the 'the DAC is only designed for streamers and MACs' brigade seem to have gone quiet.

I wasn't thinking of buying a DAC in the past. I've bought the CD5XS just because it is a step above the CD5i. Now that the concept of the digital out+DAC is maturing, the idea of the DAC being a future upgrade for me becomes appealing. In the past I was aspiring to the CDS3 as my final source upgrade many years down the line. Now this could change to a CD5XS/DAC/555 PS. Won't happen this decade though .

Regards...

It would be definitely be interesting to hear if there is a difference in transports between the CD5XS - HDX - CDX2 - CDS3 when connected to the DAC.

I think I'll now change my upgrade strategy go either the (HDX or CDX2) + DAC + 555PS route rather than (CDX2 or CDS3) + 555PS which was my original plan.

quote:

Originally posted by Rattlesnaic:
As I understand it the CDS3 will get a simular switching arrangement to the CDX2-2 and be available as retrofit upgrade.At a price

At the Nottingham event I asked this question in relation to a CDX2 and was told by Mark that they would look into it but would probably be a no-go due to price (as they would be replacing everything except the transport). I don't know how major the changes would be to a CDS3, hopefully someone from Naim can comment.

Thanks,

Matty

Slightly different emphasis but essentially the same message at Bath. They believe it can be done. It will probably come down to price. No way will we chop in a CDX2 and pay thousands over again for something that is essentially a CD transport. The plan is to go HDX at some point. It would be nice and more comfortable to get there via a CDX2 upgrade. I guess we’ll see. This does assume that a CDX2 retro fit would turn out to be an upgrade. That shouldn’t take more than one afternoon to scope. Should it happen.