Comparison between cd3.5 and cd5i
Posted by: vln on 10 December 2004
Hello there,
Anyone compared these two players?
Its a bit difficult to compare the two since the cd3.5 is no longer available.
I guess this question has probably been beaten to death something like 2 years ago but the search function is... well you know...
So, anyone around who heard them both?
Cheers & thx - Samuel
Anyone compared these two players?
Its a bit difficult to compare the two since the cd3.5 is no longer available.
I guess this question has probably been beaten to death something like 2 years ago but the search function is... well you know...
So, anyone around who heard them both?
Cheers & thx - Samuel
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by J.N.
Greetings Samuel;
Not in a direct comparison, but I use a 'Naim refurbished' CD3 and have heard the 5i on several occasions.
I'd rate the CD5i as preferable, but of course a Hi-Cap on CD3.5 moves it into a different league.
I'd be very wary of buying an 'original' 3.5 re transport mech wear and possible imminent demise.
The CD5x is a beautiful sounding player; but out of financial reach I presume?
John.
Not in a direct comparison, but I use a 'Naim refurbished' CD3 and have heard the 5i on several occasions.
I'd rate the CD5i as preferable, but of course a Hi-Cap on CD3.5 moves it into a different league.
I'd be very wary of buying an 'original' 3.5 re transport mech wear and possible imminent demise.
The CD5x is a beautiful sounding player; but out of financial reach I presume?
John.
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by vln
"I'd rate the CD5i as preferable, but of course a Hi-Cap on CD3.5 moves it into a different league."
Currently the cd3.5 seems to go for 600EUR at the usual places, so I wonder if the cd5i really "sounds 600 EUR better" (the cd5i retails for 1200 EUR).
Also I wonder what happens to the comparison when you *cap the cd3.5, something which, alas, you cant do with the cd5i - if the cd5i was *cappable, the decision would be a no-brainer for me...
"The CD5x is a beautiful sounding player; but out of financial reach I presume?"
It would be a bit of a stretch but not undoable...
-Samuel
Currently the cd3.5 seems to go for 600EUR at the usual places, so I wonder if the cd5i really "sounds 600 EUR better" (the cd5i retails for 1200 EUR).
Also I wonder what happens to the comparison when you *cap the cd3.5, something which, alas, you cant do with the cd5i - if the cd5i was *cappable, the decision would be a no-brainer for me...
"The CD5x is a beautiful sounding player; but out of financial reach I presume?"
It would be a bit of a stretch but not undoable...
-Samuel
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by PAAS
quote:
Originally posted by vln:
Currently the cd3.5 seems to go for 600EUR at the usual places, so I wonder if the cd5i really "sounds 600 EUR better" (the cd5i retails for 1200 EUR).
-Samuel
The CD5i may not sound 600E better than the CD3.5 but it will be brand new and have a warranty which is also worth something.
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by Edouard
quote:
Originally posted by vln:
(the cd5i retails for 1200 EUR).
-Samuel
Well in France the CD5i retails for 1420€! meaning 20% more expensive than in Germany!
Are you sure about the retail price in Germany??
As UK retail price is 825£, German retail price has to be a little bit more than what you wrote.
Regards,
Edouard
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by vln
Edouard, last time I asked, 1 or 2 months ago, the price was 1200 EUR (1198.- to be precise - check out the review section of the german distributor "music line").
My reasoning at the moment is that if I go for a cheaper naim cdp like the cd5i or a 2nd hand cd3.5, I would eventually sell it in around 2-3 years anyway.
If I would choose a 2nd hand 3.5, I could buy a hicap along the way and enjoy it even more, probably having a better sounding cdp than the cd5i.
Then after those 2-3 years, naim will very likely have brought out a "cd6", for which I would already have a nice hicap waiting...
-Samuel
My reasoning at the moment is that if I go for a cheaper naim cdp like the cd5i or a 2nd hand cd3.5, I would eventually sell it in around 2-3 years anyway.
If I would choose a 2nd hand 3.5, I could buy a hicap along the way and enjoy it even more, probably having a better sounding cdp than the cd5i.
Then after those 2-3 years, naim will very likely have brought out a "cd6", for which I would already have a nice hicap waiting...
-Samuel
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by vln
Edouard, last time I asked, 1 or 2 months ago, the price was 1200 EUR (1198.- to be precise - check out the reviews section of the german distributor "music line", you will find a couple of reviews where the prices are mentioned).
Anyway, my reasoning at the moment is that if I go for a cheaper naim cdp like the cd5i or a 2nd hand cd3.5 (in order to have more money for a decent TT :-), I would eventually sell it in around 2-3 years anyway.
If I would choose a 2nd hand 3.5, I could buy a hicap along the way and enjoy it even more, probably having a better sounding cdp than the cd5i.
Then after those 2-3 years, naim will very likely have brought out a "cd6", for which I would then have a nice hicap waiting...
(Geez I really spend too much time thinking about these things... ;-)
-Samuel
Anyway, my reasoning at the moment is that if I go for a cheaper naim cdp like the cd5i or a 2nd hand cd3.5 (in order to have more money for a decent TT :-), I would eventually sell it in around 2-3 years anyway.
If I would choose a 2nd hand 3.5, I could buy a hicap along the way and enjoy it even more, probably having a better sounding cdp than the cd5i.
Then after those 2-3 years, naim will very likely have brought out a "cd6", for which I would then have a nice hicap waiting...
(Geez I really spend too much time thinking about these things... ;-)
-Samuel
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by Edouard
Samuel,
CD5i is 825£ or 1195€ in UK with today's change rate.
If German Naim retail prices are the same than in England, why don't you stretch till CD5x?
it's 825£ in UK or 2100€.
Of course if you find a CD3.5 in good condition, with new transport, at a good price, it won't be a bad idea to get it! You'll always be able to use a HC with a preamp or a cd player.
...but with cdplayer, you maybe better off buying new.
How about waiting a little bit more and get a CD5x. Later on you'll get a s/h HC.
I know Christmas will be over then!
cheers,
Edouard
CD5i is 825£ or 1195€ in UK with today's change rate.
If German Naim retail prices are the same than in England, why don't you stretch till CD5x?
it's 825£ in UK or 2100€.
Of course if you find a CD3.5 in good condition, with new transport, at a good price, it won't be a bad idea to get it! You'll always be able to use a HC with a preamp or a cd player.
...but with cdplayer, you maybe better off buying new.
How about waiting a little bit more and get a CD5x. Later on you'll get a s/h HC.
I know Christmas will be over then!
cheers,
Edouard
Posted on: 10 December 2004 by David Ng
Hi Samuel,
I know this sounds funny, but I actually bought the 5i to stop myself from buying more boxes after downgrading from CDS2. Also, I suggest you do a 3.5/5i side by side comparison before deciding. The 5i is very good indeed and did not embarrassed my 52/135/DBLs.
david
Its only High Energy Rock & Roll but I like it
I know this sounds funny, but I actually bought the 5i to stop myself from buying more boxes after downgrading from CDS2. Also, I suggest you do a 3.5/5i side by side comparison before deciding. The 5i is very good indeed and did not embarrassed my 52/135/DBLs.
david
Its only High Energy Rock & Roll but I like it
Posted on: 11 December 2004 by vln
Hi David,
"I know this sounds funny, but I actually bought the 5i to stop myself from buying more boxes after downgrading from CDS2."
Not at all, I know what you mean... it's a slippery slope!
"Also, I suggest you do a 3.5/5i side by side comparison before deciding."
I would love to but it's a bit difficult getting them side by side, as the cd3.5 has been out of production now for a few years.
"The 5i is very good indeed and did not embarrassed my 52/135/DBLs."
Good to hear that!
-Samuel
"I know this sounds funny, but I actually bought the 5i to stop myself from buying more boxes after downgrading from CDS2."
Not at all, I know what you mean... it's a slippery slope!
"Also, I suggest you do a 3.5/5i side by side comparison before deciding."
I would love to but it's a bit difficult getting them side by side, as the cd3.5 has been out of production now for a few years.
"The 5i is very good indeed and did not embarrassed my 52/135/DBLs."
Good to hear that!
-Samuel