Distortion with CD 3.5

Could the output from the 3.5 be too high for the amp?
Also, I can't say that I recollect the Corrs being that great a recording.

Paul

I have the a Chilli's album and the recording isn't too great are you using,naim interconnects?Looks like you have made a massive increase in quality I suspect you are hearing inadaquacies in the recording.If there was a fault with the CD player then this would probably show on all cd's.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I suppose it is possible that the CD output is too high for the amp - I'll check whether or not louder CDs are more prone to the problem than quiet ones. Would you expect that with both being Naim components though?

Regarding interconnects: I'm using Naim speaker cable but not a Naim DIN lead - I don't know who it's made by, it's one the guy who sold me the amp gave me and said was reasonable. I'll try to get hold of the correct one.

Thanks again

Chris

What's your location (county)?

Paul

I'm in Hampshire

I have a CDX2/XPS2 and i have to say ive noticed something similar on the RHCP album californication, the track scar tissue in paticular, first time i heard it i though there was a problem with my speakers or a connection somewhere.. it sounded terrible but as it didnt happen on other CD's i put it down to a bad recording...

I definitely concur that virtually all of Californication is an abysmal recording! However I noticed that on my old player (as well as just about anything else I've listened to it on!)
I'm now noticing some distortion on discs where I never did before though.
What I haven't done yet is changed back to my old player to see whether I notice it now that the Naim has brought it to my attention though!

On some material, the 3.5 can sound a bit grainy and harsh. Mine certainly did. It would help to get a proper Naim inter-connect, but the real solution to the problem is the addition of a HiCap power supply to the 3.5 (or even a FlatCap). This will make an enormous difference and in my case removed any tendency towards harshness. Like yours, mine is also going into a Nait3. Impedance matching and input overloading is unlikely to be the problem unless there's a serious fault in the CDP.

David

"So young" by the Corrs sounds distorted (in the vocals mainly) on all players I've used it on, from my discman to a Rega Planet. It's a duff recording...

Try playing Elastica's "Stutter" if you REALLY want your ears to bleed though

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I guess that's what I was kind of hoping someone would say.

I have now played that track (plus a few others off that album) on the two players side by side and, although the distortion is much less noticeable on the Philips, it is there.

You wouldn't have thought there was any need for recordings of that (poor) quality to go into production nowadays (or even for the last 50 years) would you?

Thanks again for the replies - great forum.

Chris

So it looks like perhaps the CD 3.5 is revealing the shortcomings of your recordings.
Ho-hum, welcome to the world of hi-fi!
You're now going to get a new obsession in your life...

Paul

Hi Chris,I used to have a 3.5 didnt notice the problem your having until I upgraded it with a flatcap then realised how much smoother a flatcap makes the sound.Adding a Hicap improves things in the same way but more so.I have now upgraded to a CDX and although there is a massive improvement overall I notice the coarseness has returned due to a lack of power supply I am now itching for a PSX!!
I agree with others here that the forther up the chain in CD players the more revealing they are of recordings.
It may be worth you having a demo. of a flatcap/2 to put your mind at rest.
Got a feeling you have my old CD 3.5. so I hope there is nothing wrong with it.

Paul, this is nothing new to me - I've found over the years that some setups/components are more forgiving towards poor recordings than others, often with the kit that sounds best on the best recordings being the worst on the worst ones IYSWIM! The Nait and the Intros seemed to be the exceptions to that, sounding great with just about any source. Sadly, despite being an awesome sounding player, it seems the CD 3.5 is a little more fussy! Looks like I might need to start keeping my eyes open for a Flatcap!

Hicapman, yes - just noticed your location so I think you're right! Don't take this to mean I'm displeased with the player - at its best it sounds amazing - brought an involuntary smile to my face when I first set it up - way better than I'd dare hope! And I don't think there's actually anything wrong with it - especially after what I've read here - there's just quite a big difference between its best and its worst!

Chris

Hi Chris,
I think a flatcap/hicap is the way to go, but I think you should get a Naim interconnect first this may help a great deal and they go quite cheap on ebay.Recently sold a Nordost blue heaven (£170 new) because the improvement(?) over the Naim was minimal and the Naim had more musicality.If you are in Bristol again get in contact you can have a listen to my CDX PM me if you need my email ad.

A Flatcap smoothed my CD5 out no end, and improved the bass to boot.

If you want harsh grainy sound though, try The Smiths' "The queen is dead" - Morrissey's sibilants on that track verge on painful IMO!

Elastica's "Stutter" is just treble hash - on any stereo I've tried it on... Euugh. Shame really as it's an ACE track. It's no better on vinyl BTW.

__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!