CDX2 Audition
Posted by: Jason Milner on 17 August 2003
Well, it's happened at last, I've finally saved up enough dosh for the CDX2, so took myself off to see the nice man at Signals to arrange a home demo. As it happened, he was shortly due to go on holiday, so he suggested I could have it on an extended demo so he wouldn't have too much expensive kit hanging around the place in his absence (he sells from home) - after mulling the idea over for a micro-second or two, I jumped at the
chance
The plan was for a proper comparison vs my existing Arcam Alpha 5. On the way home, I heard Kylie playing, followed by some DJ going on about how it was the perfect song, & so naturally I couldn't get it out of my head (sorry) so that was disc 1 chosen.
Spun it on the Alpha, & it was OK. Already obviously better than my car radio version, so how would the X2 improve on this? Given the (huge) price differential, it's obvious I should expect an equally huge improvement, but what?
Well, like many, I struggle to find the words sometimes to describe the differences between hi-fi beyond the obvious "more detailed", "no more bloated bass" etc, both of which were true, but almost missed the point. The real difference was between "good" (as in man in the street "yup, that sounds good"), & absolutely magical - it felt like shimmering sparkling music. All I could think at the time was that it made me feel like I used to when I was in my late teens, constantly "discovering" new good music, usually under the influence of ye olde wacky baccy & with plenty of good friends - but this time I was on my own, & stone cold sober!
Suffice it to say that the Arcam never got a second listen & I've just spent the last two weeks checking out my entire CD collection, until yesterday, when sadly the holiday ended, & I had to take it back. Which brings me back to the Arcam (& down to earth
).
First listen after 2 weeks of bliss, & I thought "well it isn't that bad - it can play CDs", but then came the realisation - where's the magic gone?
Well if you've read this far, I'm guessing that you won't be too surprised to hear that I've made my order, & am now spending my time doing silly thinks while I wait, like surfing the web, when I would've been listening to music - oh well, only 1 more week to go...
As a footnote - I've been lurking here for some time, scanning for all things CDX in my lunchbreaks etc, & I'd like to thank all of those who have been passing on their views on the relative merits of it vs the competition (which came down to the Meridian 588 & the Linn Ikemi BTW - the Meridian was good, but for me no wow factor, the Linn was much closer, but when I heard the dealer dem with the XPS2 there was no contest). Finally, a huge thanks & recommendation for Alastair at Signals - you won't find a better dealer in Suffolk
chance
The plan was for a proper comparison vs my existing Arcam Alpha 5. On the way home, I heard Kylie playing, followed by some DJ going on about how it was the perfect song, & so naturally I couldn't get it out of my head (sorry) so that was disc 1 chosen.
Spun it on the Alpha, & it was OK. Already obviously better than my car radio version, so how would the X2 improve on this? Given the (huge) price differential, it's obvious I should expect an equally huge improvement, but what?
Well, like many, I struggle to find the words sometimes to describe the differences between hi-fi beyond the obvious "more detailed", "no more bloated bass" etc, both of which were true, but almost missed the point. The real difference was between "good" (as in man in the street "yup, that sounds good"), & absolutely magical - it felt like shimmering sparkling music. All I could think at the time was that it made me feel like I used to when I was in my late teens, constantly "discovering" new good music, usually under the influence of ye olde wacky baccy & with plenty of good friends - but this time I was on my own, & stone cold sober!
Suffice it to say that the Arcam never got a second listen & I've just spent the last two weeks checking out my entire CD collection, until yesterday, when sadly the holiday ended, & I had to take it back. Which brings me back to the Arcam (& down to earth
).First listen after 2 weeks of bliss, & I thought "well it isn't that bad - it can play CDs", but then came the realisation - where's the magic gone?
Well if you've read this far, I'm guessing that you won't be too surprised to hear that I've made my order, & am now spending my time doing silly thinks while I wait, like surfing the web, when I would've been listening to music - oh well, only 1 more week to go...
As a footnote - I've been lurking here for some time, scanning for all things CDX in my lunchbreaks etc, & I'd like to thank all of those who have been passing on their views on the relative merits of it vs the competition (which came down to the Meridian 588 & the Linn Ikemi BTW - the Meridian was good, but for me no wow factor, the Linn was much closer, but when I heard the dealer dem with the XPS2 there was no contest). Finally, a huge thanks & recommendation for Alastair at Signals - you won't find a better dealer in Suffolk
Yo Jason,
I have today had an amazingly similar experience. Present system is CD5/FC2/112/150/ Wilson Benesch Orator and thought that with some spare dosh, perhaps I should explore a CD upgrade in the form of CDX2, which I managed to borrow today.
At first, both the missus and I thought "What's the big deal? Is this really worth £1500 more?" But after a little while, and sadly no wacky backy (although I confess to a couple of snifters of Lafroaig), we both saw the light. My missus would never even dream of reading a hi-fi rag, but she was using phrases like "More revealing", "The old one seems lifeless in comparison", "The vocalist really seems like she's in the room" etc etc.
Going to have another sesh Wednesday night, but can see that, not only have I been infected with upgraditis, but also that I might just get a contribution to satisfy the habit from she-who-does-not-read-hi-fi-mags-but-knows-anyway.
The worst symptom is that I am now not thinking about the next upgrade, but the one after that.
AAAArrrrgggghhhhh
Marcopolovitch
I have today had an amazingly similar experience. Present system is CD5/FC2/112/150/ Wilson Benesch Orator and thought that with some spare dosh, perhaps I should explore a CD upgrade in the form of CDX2, which I managed to borrow today.
At first, both the missus and I thought "What's the big deal? Is this really worth £1500 more?" But after a little while, and sadly no wacky backy (although I confess to a couple of snifters of Lafroaig), we both saw the light. My missus would never even dream of reading a hi-fi rag, but she was using phrases like "More revealing", "The old one seems lifeless in comparison", "The vocalist really seems like she's in the room" etc etc.
Going to have another sesh Wednesday night, but can see that, not only have I been infected with upgraditis, but also that I might just get a contribution to satisfy the habit from she-who-does-not-read-hi-fi-mags-but-knows-anyway.
The worst symptom is that I am now not thinking about the next upgrade, but the one after that.
AAAArrrrgggghhhhh
Marcopolovitch
Sorry to throw a wet blanket on CDX2.
My present sistem is cd5/202/hi/napsc/200/SBL. I home trailed a cdx2 for a good few days, but it left me unconvinced.
The cdx2 was a bit better than the cd5 in every aspect. More details, cleaner highs, deeper bass but unfortunately i really had to strain to hear all these differences. And most importantly, i didnt think it was more musical than my cd5. And my other half agreed with me. I thought it would be day and night but it wasnt.
Strangely enough, the last time i heard the cd5 and cdx2 side by side on a red rose/magnarplanar (not in my own room), i thought the difference was very obvious.
So maybe the placement of my SBLs arent prefect, so after some shifting around, i am still left unconvinced.
My present sistem is cd5/202/hi/napsc/200/SBL. I home trailed a cdx2 for a good few days, but it left me unconvinced.
The cdx2 was a bit better than the cd5 in every aspect. More details, cleaner highs, deeper bass but unfortunately i really had to strain to hear all these differences. And most importantly, i didnt think it was more musical than my cd5. And my other half agreed with me. I thought it would be day and night but it wasnt.
Strangely enough, the last time i heard the cd5 and cdx2 side by side on a red rose/magnarplanar (not in my own room), i thought the difference was very obvious.
So maybe the placement of my SBLs arent prefect, so after some shifting around, i am still left unconvinced.
Hi Marcopolovitch
How did yesterday's sesh go?
I know what you mean about "the one after the next one". I made the mistake of listening to the CDX2 without then with an XPS2 before the home demo. As I waited for the dealer to plug it all in, I was hoping I'd be able to tell the difference - feeling (for no good reason) that I'd look like some kind of hi-fi faker if I couldn't spot the change. Needn't have worried though - the difference was huge (cue sound of jaw hitting floor etc.... Suffice it to say that the next spot on my hi-fi shopping left has "XPS2 - Reserved" stamped in big red letters 
To cap that on my return he'd received his demo CDS3 - I was torn between listening to hear just how good it can get, & running away before it sank in... In the end discretion came before valour & I made my excuses & left
Silklee - no worries re the wet blanket. I listened to a CD5 vs CDX2 before the home demo & was sufficiently impressed with the difference to justify (to me) the extra cost. Hard to say whether it's proportionately better on a price / performance basis (always hugely subjective anyway), but the CDX2 made the sort of music I was looking for, & once the future potential of the XPS2 was demoed, there was no looking back.
I guess in the end this is always going to be a subjective area. I've not heard a system of your specific spec, but on a price / spec level it certainly should be up to the task of revealing the differences (anyone else tried the comparison with the same system?). From a price POV alone one might innocently assume a CDX2 should always sound "around twice as good" than CD5 (given a suitably revealing system), but then any two different CDPs are also likely to have different strengths & weaknesses (I'm sure I've read a thread somewhere here going as far as stating a preference for the CD5 sound over the CDX2, & a few other "price-surprising" comparisons - all entirely reasonable in my book). Add the interaction with the rest of the system / speakers / room etc & it's reasonable enough that the differences won't justify the extra outlay to everyone.
Then again, maybe Graham & Tuan are on to something re the warm up time - you said you had the CDX2 for a good few days, but I've heard it said that improvements can be heard over around the first 5 weeks (FWIW my demo version was around 5 months old, the same as the compared CD5).
Anyway - my agonising week without a CDX2 is now nearly over - the ETA for the new one is Saturday - I'll let you know how I get on with the warm up period.
cheers all,
J
PS - Hmm, Laphroaig and Naim - now there's an excellent combination - think I'll pop into Tescos on the way to the dealer
How did yesterday's sesh go?
I know what you mean about "the one after the next one". I made the mistake of listening to the CDX2 without then with an XPS2 before the home demo. As I waited for the dealer to plug it all in, I was hoping I'd be able to tell the difference - feeling (for no good reason) that I'd look like some kind of hi-fi faker if I couldn't spot the change. Needn't have worried though - the difference was huge (cue sound of jaw hitting floor etc...
. Suffice it to say that the next spot on my hi-fi shopping left has "XPS2 - Reserved" stamped in big red letters To cap that on my return he'd received his demo CDS3 - I was torn between listening to hear just how good it can get, & running away before it sank in... In the end discretion came before valour & I made my excuses & left
Silklee - no worries re the wet blanket. I listened to a CD5 vs CDX2 before the home demo & was sufficiently impressed with the difference to justify (to me) the extra cost. Hard to say whether it's proportionately better on a price / performance basis (always hugely subjective anyway), but the CDX2 made the sort of music I was looking for, & once the future potential of the XPS2 was demoed, there was no looking back.
I guess in the end this is always going to be a subjective area. I've not heard a system of your specific spec, but on a price / spec level it certainly should be up to the task of revealing the differences (anyone else tried the comparison with the same system?). From a price POV alone one might innocently assume a CDX2 should always sound "around twice as good" than CD5 (given a suitably revealing system), but then any two different CDPs are also likely to have different strengths & weaknesses (I'm sure I've read a thread somewhere here going as far as stating a preference for the CD5 sound over the CDX2, & a few other "price-surprising" comparisons - all entirely reasonable in my book). Add the interaction with the rest of the system / speakers / room etc & it's reasonable enough that the differences won't justify the extra outlay to everyone.
Then again, maybe Graham & Tuan are on to something re the warm up time - you said you had the CDX2 for a good few days, but I've heard it said that improvements can be heard over around the first 5 weeks (FWIW my demo version was around 5 months old, the same as the compared CD5).
Anyway - my agonising week without a CDX2 is now nearly over - the ETA for the new one is Saturday - I'll let you know how I get on with the warm up period.
cheers all,
J
PS - Hmm, Laphroaig and Naim - now there's an excellent combination - think I'll pop into Tescos on the way to the dealer
Yo Jason,
Dangerous combination that Lafroaig and Naim.
Tried again Wednesday with slightly less snifter effect and was a little disappointed, really. Yes it's better, but is it £1500 better? I don't think so. Same conclusion Thursday evening.
This was the first time that I have auditioned a CD player worth that sort of dosh, and I guess I need to listen to a few others. Is it just the law of dimishing returns? In which case I my upgraditis might be cured. Or is my liver affecting my hearing?
Anyway, if the Lafroiag has that effect, perhaps I should be investing my £2650 on a "direct spur" from Scotland!
Yours Aye,
Slightly More Sober Marcopolovitch
Dangerous combination that Lafroaig and Naim.
Tried again Wednesday with slightly less snifter effect and was a little disappointed, really. Yes it's better, but is it £1500 better? I don't think so. Same conclusion Thursday evening.
This was the first time that I have auditioned a CD player worth that sort of dosh, and I guess I need to listen to a few others. Is it just the law of dimishing returns? In which case I my upgraditis might be cured. Or is my liver affecting my hearing?
Anyway, if the Lafroiag has that effect, perhaps I should be investing my £2650 on a "direct spur" from Scotland!
Yours Aye,
Slightly More Sober Marcopolovitch
Jason, Marcopolovitch,
I'm very keen on the Bushmills Black Bush/Naim combination, have you any experience of this?
Noel
I'm very keen on the Bushmills Black Bush/Naim combination, have you any experience of this?
Noel
Hi Jason,
the CDX2 was a demo set from my dealer so i guess it is pretty much run in.
I think i would need to do the demo if i indeed do want to upgrade from my cd5 to a cdx2.
However for some strange reasons, I am more inclined to changing my particular to a fraim.
Looks matters...
the CDX2 was a demo set from my dealer so i guess it is pretty much run in.
I think i would need to do the demo if i indeed do want to upgrade from my cd5 to a cdx2.
However for some strange reasons, I am more inclined to changing my particular to a fraim.
Looks matters...
Hi Guys
Silklee - I know what you mean about the Looks / Fraim thing. Personally I'm holding off unless / until I go the whole hog & buy some Naim amplification, as I'm not so sure it works (visually) so well with my current Sonus Faber amp. Still, on the plus side, I've heard the Fraim "sounds" good too
Marcopolovitch - Have you considered any non Naim CDPs? Personally I checked out the Linn Ikemi & The Meridian 588. The 588 was good but didn't quite hit the spot for me, & the Linn was v close, but in the end the Naim was better (to me) & the huge potential for future upgrade via XPS2 did the deal.
One more thought - so far despite how hard I try to analyse some kit I'm thinking of, it's not usually 'till after I buy it, & sit back & listen to the music, instead of focussing on the kit, that I really appreciate what I've bought. Maybe that's where a little Laphroaig helps - bypassing the analytical buyer stage?
J
PS Noel - I'm usually more of a Glenlivet man, I'll have to check out the Bushmills & let you know
Silklee - I know what you mean about the Looks / Fraim thing. Personally I'm holding off unless / until I go the whole hog & buy some Naim amplification, as I'm not so sure it works (visually) so well with my current Sonus Faber amp. Still, on the plus side, I've heard the Fraim "sounds" good too
Marcopolovitch - Have you considered any non Naim CDPs? Personally I checked out the Linn Ikemi & The Meridian 588. The 588 was good but didn't quite hit the spot for me, & the Linn was v close, but in the end the Naim was better (to me) & the huge potential for future upgrade via XPS2 did the deal.
One more thought - so far despite how hard I try to analyse some kit I'm thinking of, it's not usually 'till after I buy it, & sit back & listen to the music, instead of focussing on the kit, that I really appreciate what I've bought. Maybe that's where a little Laphroaig helps - bypassing the analytical buyer stage?
J
PS Noel - I'm usually more of a Glenlivet man, I'll have to check out the Bushmills & let you know
Yo Chumlies,
Thanks for the advice. I think you're right, Jason, I will try some non-Naim stuff. But perhaps not quite yet. I'm thinking, if the upgraditis isn't biting me, I should just enjoy the music and not worry for now.
I know it will return.
As for Glenlivet vs Bushmills vs Lafroiag, a bit like how one chooses what to play on the sound system I guess, there's no best - just what's right at that moment!
Anyway, I'm off for some Joni.
Yours Aye,
Marcopolovitch
Thanks for the advice. I think you're right, Jason, I will try some non-Naim stuff. But perhaps not quite yet. I'm thinking, if the upgraditis isn't biting me, I should just enjoy the music and not worry for now.
I know it will return.As for Glenlivet vs Bushmills vs Lafroiag, a bit like how one chooses what to play on the sound system I guess, there's no best - just what's right at that moment!
Anyway, I'm off for some Joni.
Yours Aye,
Marcopolovitch