CDS2 / CDX advice
Posted by: Wind in ears on 08 May 2002
How reliable are the top end Naim CD players. I am looking for one second hand but dont want to buy something that may need money spent on it. What should I look out for. Also what do the forum think reasonable price ranges are. Perhaps it may be best to buy new? I am concerned with the moving bits etc.
I have already purchased a second hand XPS.
I have already purchased a second hand XPS.
Posted on: 08 May 2002 by greeny
I think there is not any reliability problems with these generally.
There is a bit of scare mongery with disk access/nexel rings etc but as long as you check that cd's queue up ok and you can change tracks ok (track 1 to 10 for example) you should be OK.
Even problems in this area are often caused by a worn puck or out of spec CD. Naim has always struggled playing disks that are either too thin of whose centre hole is too big (even from new).
Obviously the odd transport may fail now and again but I would expect these to last 15-20 years wihout any problems.
Obviously check the usual things (Boxes, serial numbers, history etc) and signs of abuse (scrached casing)/modification.
I recently bought CDX and XPS Second hand and Paid £2900 for 2001 models. Top Price for a 1 year old (or less model) I would expect to be £1800ish.
Older models can be had for £1400ish
There is a bit of scare mongery with disk access/nexel rings etc but as long as you check that cd's queue up ok and you can change tracks ok (track 1 to 10 for example) you should be OK.
Even problems in this area are often caused by a worn puck or out of spec CD. Naim has always struggled playing disks that are either too thin of whose centre hole is too big (even from new).
Obviously the odd transport may fail now and again but I would expect these to last 15-20 years wihout any problems.
Obviously check the usual things (Boxes, serial numbers, history etc) and signs of abuse (scrached casing)/modification.
I recently bought CDX and XPS Second hand and Paid £2900 for 2001 models. Top Price for a 1 year old (or less model) I would expect to be £1800ish.
Older models can be had for £1400ish
Posted on: 08 May 2002 by Neil Bennett
In my experience 2nd hand Naim CDP's are very reliable. I only succumbed to CD about 3/4 years ago. I bought a CD2 from a dealer 2nd hand. A couple of years later I then bought a CDX from a different dealer, again 2nd hand. I ran the 2 side by side and they were indistinguishable to me sound-wise (through a 52/SC/2x 135's/SBL's). The reason was to add the XPS, which I did shortly after. Unfortunately couldn't find a 2nd hand one so bought new but got a good deal on it. Certainly there was an improvement in sound. Last week traded in the CDX for a CDSII head-unit and certainly a much bigger improvement in sound. Also got a Nordost red dawn interconnect on sale or return and so far it's much better than the Naim lead, though not yet run in (needs 80 hours' running). This was now the first time I wished I had some albums on CD rather than vinyl, after many instances of wishing I had albums on vinyl rather than CD! The only problem I've ever had is that the puck on the CD2 had become quite worn by the time I sold it and CD's sometimes slipped on first play-this is fair wear and tear, I guess.
Unfortunately this week I got my LP12 (Lingo/prefix/cirkus/ekos) back (16 years old) from a service, new top-plate and new Arkiv plus new lid and maple plinth, instead of black ash and it's even better than the CDSII. Bugger!
Prices: I paid ~£1200 for the CD2 and sold it privately for £950 last year, paid £1500 for the CDX and traded it in against the CDSII for £1200 plus £2000 on top, £329 for the Nordost red dawn lead, got just over 10% off the new XPS and paid £1754 for the LP12's rejuvenation!
Hope this is of some use!
Unfortunately this week I got my LP12 (Lingo/prefix/cirkus/ekos) back (16 years old) from a service, new top-plate and new Arkiv plus new lid and maple plinth, instead of black ash and it's even better than the CDSII. Bugger!
Prices: I paid ~£1200 for the CD2 and sold it privately for £950 last year, paid £1500 for the CDX and traded it in against the CDSII for £1200 plus £2000 on top, £329 for the Nordost red dawn lead, got just over 10% off the new XPS and paid £1754 for the LP12's rejuvenation!
Hope this is of some use!
Posted on: 08 May 2002 by Neil Bennett
Nick: not the main topic of the thread, I guess, but yes the maple plinth is beautiful. The dealer did say it was very limited, the first/only one he had, I'd be first kid on the block with one etc etc. I guess his arguments worked!