Reassurance needed!

T

Your system is about half of what it will be. It takes about 3 weeks to sound what you expect and a week or two beyond that before it sparkles.

Also the performance goes up and then down etc. It is a PITA but it will be worth the wait.

Stick with it.......you know it makes sense

Regards

Mick

I had this combo and it was superb. It sounded wonderful the first 3 or 4 hours and after that it began to break in, which took 6 weeks.

Don't worry! You have to wait. In the meantime fix the mains. There is always something to be improved.

In the future think about changing the 2 x hi-cap with a supercap. This will give you a good balanced system and an excellent sound.

Emil

All, thanks. The kit was installed by the dealer to I expect the set up and cabling to be right.

The system sounds fine, well as good as it can, driven by a DVD source so I don't want to think about the room just yet, nor that the new kit is faulty in some way.

It certainly sounded a bit better today (3 days in) so I guess its wait and see.

You know, if it takes Naim kit 5 weeks to break in, how did they ever design and test it in the first place? Just a thought.

T

I'm with Tom.

I reckon such statements as "It was unlistenable for two weeks" are nonsense.

CDX2/XPS2 should blow your socks off, out of the box.

What follows and develops is icing on the cake.

I fear that this combo may not be to your taste.

tpc,

did you listen to them before you commit to the purchase?

In what area CDX2/XPS2 not meeting your expectation ?

Naim gear, whilst it gets better as they are on a while, should perform pretty good out of the box. ( unless of course, some system mismatch or a listener just doesn't get on with the sound )

What rack(s) are you using?

In which order have you placed your equipment on the rack(s)?

I trialled a CDX versus the CD5/FC2 nearly three years ago and the CDX didn't sound any better than theCD5/FC2. In fact, in some areas the CD5/FC2 was better until I sorted my equipment stand.

Then the CDX was a complete no-brainer.

quote:

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In the future think about changing the 2 x hi-cap with a supercap. This will give you a good balanced system and an excellent sound.

---

Ugh! That's throwing yet another 2.5k at the problem.



Regards,

Steve.

I've found often that straight out of the box Naim stuff sounds great, but then goes through a bit of a lull 1-5 days in. I would'nt start moving things around until you've got at least 2 weeks mileage on. If after 2 weeks it's still sounding poor then start worrying a bit more.

Greeny

Spot on advice.

Regards

Mick

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
T

Your system is about half of what it will be. It takes about 3 weeks to sound what you expect and a week or two beyond that before it sparkles.

Also the performance goes up and then down etc. It is a PITA but it will be worth the wait.

Stick with it.......you know it makes sense

Regards

Mick

---

Hy Mick!you have also experiences
with burnt in naim amps that were off voltage
for a longer time? i have the feeling performance changes, and think it is not the
mains.
O.J.

I find it hard to accept that after a few hours it isn't cooking, even if it will continue to improve. If I had bought this combo, I would have used the CDX2 alone for a month before adding the XPS2, just to quantify the outlay. Prior to the CDS3, this would have been the best money could buy. There is no way it should even be close to what it replaces - there should be no contest! Five grand and it isn't an improvement? No way.

It's clear that some people like the CD sound and some (myself included) much prefer vinyl.
It's clear that some people like Jazz and others (myself included) could leave it alone.
It's clear that some poeple like Guinness (myself included) whilst others prefer Lager.

Given that in almost every aspect of life different people "get" different experiences is it just possible that some poeple are more succeptible to the aspects of the music that are affected during burn-in?

Personally I'm almost 4 months into my latest upgrades and can still hear that certain aspects of the performance aren't yet what they should be. Other's were from day one clearly better.There is still a cycle of variation going on, albeit superimposed on a continuing improvement. (Perhaps I should alsopoint out that for more than half the past four months I have been on a different continnt to my system so aggregate useage is I estimate 120 hrs).

Willy.

Running Them In

T, all good things come to those who wait patiently, and this couldn't be truer for your recent purchase.

Let it bed in; it also takes time to really warm up. I remember my CDS2/XPS sounded clinical when I first hooked it up, but it did hint at its amazing sonic prowess, which obviously kept me hooked and listening more. I would say my CDS2 took a full three months or so of everyday play for a couple of hours before I felt it had really stretched its feet to the fullest, and within that time, it continued to improve. In this regard, my experience with its run-in time apparently differs from Greeny's and Mick's assessment of a relatively short fortnight, but you'd have to find that out in your own system.

Patience pays with Naim stuff. And then when they do eventually strut their stuff, would your toes be tapping!

Leave it on permanently.

There was a thunder storm once, and for safety, I switched off the player, unplugged it from the wall and left it for the day - to some later regret, because it somehow took about 10 days in my system before I felt it had come into full song again from power up, which taught me a valuable lesson - never to turn off the damn thing for more than a few minutes if you are keen to hear it in all its glory most of the time!!!

The platform supports on which Naim CD players in particular are placed also play a crucial role to its sound, so be forewarned and certain to pay attention to this (as with the whole Naim system actually!)

Enjoy.

Good listening; the music's groovin' frightfully more.

Philip

naimniac for life

I agree about how long it can take to get the absoulute final "top" sound out.

BUT I have a concern about 2 things

1) Every bit of Naim kit I have bought has given a good demonstration of it's potential during the first week of running.

With a power amp ther seems to be a point about 3 or 4 days in where it all "goes away" and needs about 3 weeks to come back and get even better.

With the power supplies SC and XPS2 this was not noticed. They sound pretty good straight away. They get better during the first week or so but they don't seem to go thru' the bad phase experienced on the power amp.

My "bare" CDX2 took a while to really give it's all (about 2 weeks) but did demonstrate how it was going to sound pretty much right away. WhI have just added the XPS2 & I heard the "difference" right away and by the second day (yesterday) I was pinned to the chair with a silly grin on my face working my way thru' my CD's because I heard so much I had'nt heard before

I'm not sure what burning in both the CDX2 & the XPS2 at the same time should sound like, but based on the above I would think you should hear a lot of the "wow" sound within 24 -48hrs. If it does'nt give this effect in the frist week I would consult the dealer.

BTW what sort of music are you into and what speakers are you using?

regards
GEOFF

quote:

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With a power amp ther seems to be a point about 3 or 4 days in where it all "goes away" and needs about 3 weeks to come back and get even better.

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Yes indeed Geoff - I've banged on about this phenomena in the past. My timing differs a little from yours in that I reckon 24 - 48 hours from switch on, is when (particularly power amps) Naim products produce their worst sound (it goes a bit thick and shut in).

The sound then seems to clean up, open up and get some control back after 3 to 5 days (from switch-on)

However; one should still be happy with the sound produced, through this period.

I would also concur with Greeny - if you're still not happy after a couple of weeks from power-up; something isn't right (for you)

Good luck.

All, thanks again for your input and insight.

We are now on day 6 and last night I was starting to get some real 'feel' from the system. Like Phillip, I am now hearing so much more and the sound is drawing me in.

The fact that this is due to get better over the next few weeks just makes me want to get home from work earlier each day.

With regard to some of your other kind comments, my music tastes are very eclectic but I have recently been listening to the likes of Nora Jones, Katie M and last night got into my daughters current favourite, Damien Rice.

What's missing, well after last nights experience not a lot really. The only thing that I can adversely comment upon is that the sound is still somewhat two-dimensional. When I upgraded from my original 32.5 pre amp to the 82, the sound moved from coming out of the speakers to being both big and about 3 feet or so up the room, this was a wonderful effect and for the first time I felt I was really getting the true audiophile experience.

This has now shrunk back although it has improved since the CDX2/ XPS2 combo has been burning in. I am hoping that it will continue to improve and, hopefully, eventually improve beyond what I had before.

More detail, more control, more musicality and some depth of field, who could ask for more?

The one comment that I need to take on board is the rack. Given lack of space for all of the Naim boxes I now have, the CDX2 is sitting on top of the XPS2. It was intended that this would be the case until I can afford a Friam in a couple of months, I might just try and do something about this sooner rather than later.

Will give you an update in a week or so.

Best regards

Tim

All I ever do is talk about Carbon Isolators from Stands Unique. I've found that my CDX (not 2) is very sensitive to what it's sitting on.
I think there'll be a few people throwing up their hands in horror to hear you've got the player on top of its PSU. They should be FAR apart. You could even consider putting the XPS on the floor. (My preamp's Hi-Caps lived behind a sofa for quite a while.)

Paul

Tim

It's good to have at least 30cm between CDX2 and XPS2. Normally you have do keep this distance between the boxes without a transformer and PSU or amps.

Emil

"the CDX2 is sitting on top of the XPS2."

Might be worth a try with the XPS2 on top.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

All

XPS2 is on the floor and the CDX2 on the top shelf by itself. Things are sounding better and better although the sound stage is still somewhat short front to back.

Still, I'm playing more and more music every night.

More next week.

T

Tom

Yes it is now a lot better. Mind you, the Radford cost around £800 10yrs ago when £800 was a resonable amount of money. Also, the DaCapo cost £1,400, so it not surprising that it needed a bit of time for the CDX2 to get there.

All I need to do now is stop a humming/ buzzing sound through the speakers when I watch normal TV or a DVD (I drive everything through the 82 and SBL's).

This has only started since the CDX2 was installed. If I disconnect the signal cable from CDX2 to the 82 the humming/ buzzing goes away.

I have tried different mains cables, different inputs on the 82, ran the CDX2 without the XPS2, etc with no joy.

If I unplug the mains cable from the XPS2 the buzzing again goes away.

When playing CD's on CDX2/ XPS2 all is well.

It sounds to me that there may be an earthing problem in the CDX, so its back to the dealer tomorrow for some assistance.

Will let you know how I get on.

T

Earthing problem:

The CDX is not at fault. It is designed to connect earth to signal ground your old player did not. You now have two earth to signal ground connections in the system. This causes the hum.

Idoru

Hi, I think you are right, the DaCapo was/ is a good piece of kit. Like you the only reason I have moved to the CDX2/XPS package is because of a 'feature' with the DaCapo that I could not live with anymore.

Although the unit worked well, once it got hot, after a couple of days, it started popping and crackling and this could only be resolved by unplugging the mains lead for 30 mins to let it cool down. After that all was well again for another 2 days.

I tried both the Ordinal and DaCapo at the time of purchase, as well as all the various filter options.

In the end I went for a DaCapo/ 24 bit filter combo. Despite its special 'features', I used it for over 8 years and only made the move because of family pressure to get something more user friendly.

Like you I would agree that the CDX2/XPS package is far better as was shown during the A/B demo's that we did, but that does not go to say that the DaCapo is poor in any way.

After a week and a half the new Naim kit is warming up well although the sound is still further back, if that makes sense, than I am used to. With the old set up, the sound was out in the room, well in front of the speakers.

All assure me that the CDX will get there; if it does then the new kit will have really met my expectations.

BTW, how long did it take for your CDX2 to come fully on song and how does it now compare with your original set up?

Best regards

T

quote:

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Originally posted by reductionist:
Earthing problem:

The CDX is not at fault. It is designed to connect earth to signal ground your old player did not. You now have two earth to signal ground connections in the system. This causes the hum.

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Yes, I spoke with Naim about this and they said the same thing. I am going to follow their advice and earth the surround sound processor this evening and see how that goes. Will let you know.

Thanks anyway for your feedback, this really is a great forum full of people, like yourself, keen to help.

T

Gotta disagree with anyone who says that CDX2/XPS2 should always sound better out of the box than previous kit. My CDX2 took a god five weeks to get going after an initial burst of a day. I went through hell with it and in a comparison with my Micromega Stage 3 I nearly sent it back. Considered all sorts but went for patience and lo.. guess what happened.

A year later I added an XPS2 and found five weeks of excessive harshness at the treble end and an overemphasis on transients that was at first fascinating (I found myself listening to the hi-hat alone on entire tracks); then inconsistent and finally - awesome. At no point in the first few days would I even contemplate describing it as "better" than a bare CDX2. It took the worst aspects and brought them to the fore and then gradually everything came together and now I am a happy bunny.

Patience is a much under-rated virtue when it comes to hi-fi.