Which is better?

Peter

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Here it is... It's a NAD C540 cdp with Dynaudio Audience 40 speakers. A Chord Cobra and NACA5 are being used.

Thanks in advance.

Matthew

The nait could then be sold on at a later date and good price to allow you to get a 112 pre amp.

Hear the difference between a cdx and CD5 (with and without power supplies)now as well as a 112/150 Vs nait to hear these differences and then you will have a much better idea where you are heading and which route you want to take to get there

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Originally posted by Charlezz:
No hesitation!!
Go for aused 3.5 and used Hicap.
It i snot very difficult to found and it sounds pretty good!!much better than a cd3.5/flatcap...
I had both , so i can tell you!!
Charles

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But if I get the Hicap, only one component will benefit from it. What do you think?

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Originally posted by Matthew T:
Used CDX, it's worth the wait.

Matthew

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That will keep me waiting for a lifetime...

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Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
A Cd5 is a good start point of a logical upgrade path. Follow it with a flatcap2, this improves the nait and the CD players performance. After this you could add a 150 power amp (this also keeps the electronics in the same style boxes if this is desirable)

The nait could then be sold on at a later date and good price to allow you to get a 112 pre amp.

Hear the difference between a cdx and CD5 (with and without power supplies)now as well as a 112/150 Vs nait to hear these differences and then you will have a much better idea where you are heading and which route you want to take to get there

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I see... I've got a pretty tight budget, that's why I will not venture the 112/150 so soon.

If I get a flatcap2 or hicap for the amp first but hold on to the NAD cdp, do you think the sound will deteriorate (compare to what I have now) as the source is not up to the standard?

I know this because I underwent repeated blind listening tests earlier this year.

The CD5 with Output A connected was the best setup.

The CD5 with output A, and the preamp (112) with output B was the second-best sounding setup.

The CD5 with Output B, and the preamp with output A was the worst.

IMHO and/or with defective hearing!

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.

Get a used 3.5 now.
Then look for a good deal on a used Hicap. It is better than a CD5 and about the same price, but two separate purchases.
Take care, we have said 3.5 not 3.

Emmanuel

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That will keep me waiting for a lifetime...

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The cost differential between a used 3.5/Hi and a used CDX is not that great. If you can afford the one, then you should be able to save for the much superior player after a few more months. Believe me, the wait is worth it.

Steve Toy said:

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It sounds better when only powering the CD player. If you connect it to both the CD player and your preamp (section), sound degradation is the result.
I know this because I underwent repeated blind listening tests earlier this year.

The CD5 with Output A connected was the best setup.

The CD5 with output A, and the preamp (112) with output B was the second-best sounding setup.

The CD5 with Output B, and the preamp with output A was the worst.

IMHO and/or with defective hearing!

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That's funny, Steve. You completely disagree with Naim's recommendations, my own tests, and those of many others.

I vote for the "defective hearing" option.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I was not alone in reaching my conclusions at the time. Two of us were present - and "blind."

The third person was my dealer, and he was "hands-on," so he doesn't count.

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.

quote:

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Originally posted by Vuk Vuksanovic:
The best thing is to present yourself like a decent human being to the rest of us and use a real name.

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Well, I didn't know that it's not advisable to use nick. How to change it?

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Originally posted by Steven Toy:
and a proper email address!

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
_ It's good to get back to normal. _

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Done

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The cost differential between a used 3.5/Hi and a used CDX is not that great. If you can afford the one, then you should be able to save for the much superior player after a few more months. Believe me, the wait is worth it.

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I think you'll find at his airness's budget that a CDX repesents 50% more investment or c. £500-£600. 3.5s go for roughly £600-£700 and HiCaps c. £400 so on the topside that's £1100. A used CDX is going to be between £1500 & £1800, depending on vintage, desperation of seller and if your name is Mick Parry.

It still may be worth the wait, tho'.

Peter

I think the nad has to go before anything else!

I would dem the CD5 then get your dealer to show you the benefits of a power supply. First a flatcap2 just on the CD5, then on the nait, then both, then replace the flatcap2 with a hicap on the cd only. Let your ears decide. IMO via dem a single flatcap2 is best used to improve both CD and amplification

CDX>>>CD5+Hicap

Matthew

In a quick shop or even home dem I don't think the virtues of the CDX will fully show. This player _must_ be left on in the system for about a month.

The cost of a CD5 & Hicap will be fairly close to a 2nd hand CDX.

Bob.