CD2 or CD5?

Posted by: Theo on 04 September 2001

My old Philips/magnavox CDP needs replacement. A Naim CDP seems to be a good choice I can choose between a CD5 and a (new!/demo) CD2. What is the better choice? Or what are sound differences?
(The CD2 is $350 cheaper).

Posted on: 04 September 2001 by garyi

I would go for the CD2 however I think the mech in them is pretty much discontinued now, so if it ever goes wrong well....

did you say new? well it may never have been sold, but it ain't new!

See if you can get a garentee with it!

Posted on: 04 September 2001 by Willem van Gemert

Hi Theo,

A "new" demo CD 2 is a bit strange since this model has been replaced in 1998 by the CDX, still it's a great player. If you want to know the exact age, ask for the serial number and look it up on the Naim website. The best thing to do IMHO is to ask your/the dealer who is selling the CD players, if you can try them out at your place with your gear. This way you can find out which player you prefer. Normally the CD 2 should be the better player.
Ask as well about the guarantee. In Holland you get 5 years guarantee on new Naim gear. Ask if you'll get the 5 years guarantee on the CD 2.

Good luck!

Willem

Posted on: 04 September 2001 by Chris Dolan

Theo

I wouldn't go for either of them. I'd buy a (s/h?) CDX. The CD2 does seem a bargain tho'.

It is a long time since I listened to a CD2 but I was not impressed by it at all. I preferred a cold old CDI!!!

What is the rest of your system?

Chris

Posted on: 05 September 2001 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Willem van Gemert:
The best thing to do IMHO is to ask your/the dealer who is selling the CD players, if you can try them out at your place with your gear. This way you can find out which player you prefer.

Willem,

one word of caution re this suggestion - only have one of the CD players on test plugged into your amp at the same time, due to earth loop effects.

Leave them powered up, just don't have both signal leads in place at the same time.

cheers, Martin

[This message was edited by Martin Payne on WEDNESDAY 05 September 2001 at 23:21.]

Posted on: 05 September 2001 by Willem van Gemert

quote:
Originally posted by Martin Payne:

one owrd of caution re this suggestion - only have one of the CD players on test plugged into your amp at the same time, due to earth loop effects.
Leave them powered up, just don't have both signal leads in place at the same time.

Maybe my advice wasn't clear enough. I meant to suggest to take home one player at a time and listen to it in your own familiar system. A good dealer shouldn't have a problem lending his CD 2 one weekend from Saturday afternoon till say Monday/Tuesday and his CD 5 the next weekend. Should be enough to find out how it sounds at your place.

Ciao!

Willem

P.S. I did A-B demo's with gear, but always through the same input.

Posted on: 05 September 2001 by Theo

Chris,

My system consists of:
Cabasse Sloop 500 speakers
EAR 859 amplifier
Rega P3, Goldring 1022
Cambridge Audio T500 tuner
Van den Hul the first ultimate
Van den Hul integration hybrid

and last but not least

NAIM NAC A5 speakercable

Theo