CDX/XPS vs. CDX2

Posted by: Claus on 01 April 2004

Hi,

It seems like the prices for cdx/xps (s/h) and a new cdx2 is quite comparable, with the first probably being a little cheaper.

Can anyone share their experience from comparing these setups?

Of course there will be benefits from buying new, but if the cdx/xps is clearly better then I would go for that. Oh yeah, cdx2/xps2 is not an option due to financial restrictions.

How about xps2 compared to xps1 with a cdx1?

Thanks for any comments.

Claus

Posted on: 01 April 2004 by HardBop

Claus,

I compared this exact set up. I intially was looking at CDX2 v Ikemi and would have been hard pressed to chose between. However, when the change was made to CDX/XPS v CDX2/Ikemi then no contest IMO. CDX/XPS gave more immediate weight, pressence and detail. This confirms what is clearly the case that NAIM power supplies are critical to improving performance.

As finances were a limiting factor then I had no hesitation in buying CDX/XPS, rather than "living with" a CDX2 to await XPS2 at some unknown future date.

For information, rest of system is 82/NAPSC/Supercap/250(2),Kabers.

Regards
Paul

Posted on: 01 April 2004 by Claus

Thanks Paul,

That was as expected. But nice to hear from someone who actually did the dem.

I have read many times that xps2 is a clear improvement on xps1 when used with cds2. I'm therefore thinking maybe to buy a new xps2 rahther than a s/h xps1.

Would a humble cdx1 show the same improvement going from xps1 to xps2?

Claus

PS: In context of 52/250/SBL