New 5 series and traditional Naim Values

Posted by: garth on 08 June 2002

I noticed a review by Art Dudley in "Listener" magazine while I was browsing in my local magazine emporium. Did a quick scan of his 112/150 CD5 review and was surprised no one referred to it in the recent "What is it with the 5 series" posting and thought it might warrant a separate poting and discussions from the Naim audio cognicenti (sp.?) out there.

His opinion appears to be that the "budget" 5 series maintains all the traditional flat earth qualities of say a 72 or 82/140 combo with more refinement, timbral accuracy, and so-called round earth qualities but not taken to the euphonic extremes of some other manufacturers. Any comments?

Still enjoying my modest (re. cheap/used) 32.5/90 combo,

Garth
Posted on: 08 June 2002 by Nuno Baptista
Well I´d never listen the old serie,but I´ve got a Nait 5 and the sound is great,attack and forward enought!Very fast amplifier big grin
Posted on: 08 June 2002 by Nuno Baptista
Well I´d never listen the old serie,but I´ve got a Nait 5 and the sound is great,attack and forward enought!Very fast amplifier big grin I think this are the new values
Posted on: 08 June 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by mad max:
hello, i too own a nait 5 and cd5. i really don't understand the confusion on these products. they are an unbelievable combination. better than anything else i auditioned. i use them with dynaudio 72's. the sound or synergy with the dyn's is really something special, and must be heard to be believed!


Mr. Road Warrior,

what's your taste in music ? I have a Nait 5 + Micromega Stage 6 at present. I listen to mostly small group recordings, rarely classical. I've found that the Nait is convincing under these circumstances. It does seem, however, to be less convincing with recordings containging fast bass rhytms, i.e. dance/techno.

The CD5 is on my list of possible CD players, of course it would be a delightful visual match. I hope to listen to players up to 5000€ (If I can just stop spending money long enough to save that much) before making the final choice.

Peter
Posted on: 08 June 2002 by herm
Hi Peter,

you can get quite a bunch of CD5s for five thousand euros. I see you've Hi-Capped your Nait 5. You should do the same with the CD5. Or you could audition the CDX, too, which pulls some more info from your discs.

I have both, having gotten the CD5 first, and I have to say, it never ceases to amaze me all this musical capacity van reside in such a flat, slim cute package. Most club sandwiches stand taller, these days. It's the prettiest thing in the 5 series. And I think you're right, Garth. The CD5 has a little more round earth qualities than the previous generation.

Herman
Posted on: 08 June 2002 by Steve Toy
Good to see you on Tony's forum, btw.

Only the CDX will do I'm afraid. The CD5 won't be much better than your Micromega, imho, so any money spent there would be money wasted.

You need to hold out for the CDX - you know it makes sense! smile

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...
Posted on: 10 June 2002 by herm
I would beg to differ with Mad Max: i love the CD5, but a Flatcapped CD5 does not best a naked CDX. I know because I have a Hi-Capped CD5 and a CDX - and the Hi-Cap does more for the CD5 than the FC2.

Though the CD5 is lovely with the Hi-Cap, a bucknekkid CDX just gets more info out of your software. Especially in more complex material you will find details are rendered more clearly and vibrantly.

In addition, obviously, a naked CDX can be upgraded with the XPS, whereas with a capped CD5 it's basically end of story. Nice story, nice end, but end just the same.

Herman

PS: Oh, and welcome, Mad Max; glad you joined.