Mana people, can you just leave me alone on this one!
Posted by: Steve Toy on 04 July 2001
I took the CDX home last week, and put it in my system in place of my CD5/FC2. I played Dina Carol's Greatest Hits album and thought that the sound was so-so, not much better, really. I left it switched on for 24 hours and returned. It sounded oh so smooth and refined that I thought that this was the way to go. A friend came round last night and he listened to the system. His attention seemed to wander, even with his favourite music - Tom Jones Reload. Deep down I knew that something wasn't right. Today, I had to return the borrowed CDX to the shop. It was a sad feeling returning it, knowing that it would be a few months yet before I could afford one.
However, when I reinstalled the CD5/FC2 combo, I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, it sounded better. More focus, more transparency, and better PR&T. I smiled at first, then felt puzzled. How can this be?
No, I'm NOT SAYING that the CD5/FC2 combo is better, because it isn't. The last few months of doing listening tests at Acoustica, Stafford have taught me that the CDX is better than a CD5 and whatever 'cap you throw at it.
Clearly something is wrong in my system. The CD5 has soft feet which work well on the hard glass of my Optimum Prestige supports. The CDX has hard feet, and slides easily across the glass shelf. Methinks I'd need Mana stage 74 minimum to rectify those bad vibes!
Also, I'm using a cheapo mains block. I know that the CD5 works best plugged staight into the wall, whereas the CDX benefits from a decent mains block from, say, Music Works.
Basically, before I step up to the CDX I have to make other changes first - it's a good job you get to do some decent hands-on listening at home before you buy, isn't it, or you could be crying in your beer!
I reckon on a new QS table with oak shelves and/or Music Works blocks and leads, keeping the CD5 plugged into the wall, but the rest of the system into the block.
Comments on the above would be most welcome, so long as the M word is not used!
However, when I reinstalled the CD5/FC2 combo, I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, it sounded better. More focus, more transparency, and better PR&T. I smiled at first, then felt puzzled. How can this be?
No, I'm NOT SAYING that the CD5/FC2 combo is better, because it isn't. The last few months of doing listening tests at Acoustica, Stafford have taught me that the CDX is better than a CD5 and whatever 'cap you throw at it.
Clearly something is wrong in my system. The CD5 has soft feet which work well on the hard glass of my Optimum Prestige supports. The CDX has hard feet, and slides easily across the glass shelf. Methinks I'd need Mana stage 74 minimum to rectify those bad vibes!
Also, I'm using a cheapo mains block. I know that the CD5 works best plugged staight into the wall, whereas the CDX benefits from a decent mains block from, say, Music Works.
Basically, before I step up to the CDX I have to make other changes first - it's a good job you get to do some decent hands-on listening at home before you buy, isn't it, or you could be crying in your beer!
I reckon on a new QS table with oak shelves and/or Music Works blocks and leads, keeping the CD5 plugged into the wall, but the rest of the system into the block.
Comments on the above would be most welcome, so long as the M word is not used!
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve
[This message was edited by Steven Toy on THURSDAY 05 July 2001 at 02:33.]
You are absolutely right - he is. How else would I know that Music Works' blocks don't work with the CD5, but they do with a CDX. He's very much a try-it-and-see - or hear kind of chap, rather than sticking rigidly to dogma. He also values my input as some kind of "second opinion," which is why I shan't buy from anyone else. I'm going to order some new style QS suports soon from him, and I welcome reasonable offers for my five-shelf glass Optimum rack with the optional spikes at the base and gold top caps. As for my cheapo block, I'm going to put it where it belongs - on my computer system. 
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve
I had the CDX in my system for a week, and left it switched on all the time. It is also more than a year old and well run in. It is the same one as I have demo'd at the shop.
As for mains, I was using a computer six-way block - I shall soon upgrade to something by Music Works. The only variables were that CDX replaced CD5/FC2 and I tried Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects between my Densen pre and power, in place of the usual Solar Wind.
Don't even think about recommending Naim's own interconnects, or Chord Chrysalis, as I've been down that route and they just don't work with Densen amps.
My upgrade path over the next two or three years is likely to be as follows:
1) Change Optimum Prestige for QS Reference table.
2) Buy a Music Works six-way block, and add the leads, starting with the CD player.
3) Change my Solar Wind Interconnects for Red Dawn from CD player to preamp, and from pre to power.
4) Get the CDX.
5) Upgrade from B300 to B300XS power amp, when Tomas Sillesen finally gets around to making them!
If he doesn't, I'll have to look at the Nac 102/Napsc/Nap 250 - and ditch the Nordost interconnects, as well as my existing A5 cable because it's currently too short to be used with Naim amps!
6) Add an XPS to CDX.
As for mains, I was using a computer six-way block - I shall soon upgrade to something by Music Works. The only variables were that CDX replaced CD5/FC2 and I tried Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects between my Densen pre and power, in place of the usual Solar Wind.
Don't even think about recommending Naim's own interconnects, or Chord Chrysalis, as I've been down that route and they just don't work with Densen amps.
My upgrade path over the next two or three years is likely to be as follows:
1) Change Optimum Prestige for QS Reference table.
2) Buy a Music Works six-way block, and add the leads, starting with the CD player.
3) Change my Solar Wind Interconnects for Red Dawn from CD player to preamp, and from pre to power.
4) Get the CDX.
5) Upgrade from B300 to B300XS power amp, when Tomas Sillesen finally gets around to making them!
If he doesn't, I'll have to look at the Nac 102/Napsc/Nap 250 - and ditch the Nordost interconnects, as well as my existing A5 cable because it's currently too short to be used with Naim amps!
6) Add an XPS to CDX.
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve
Bruce, I'm sucking air in through my teeth right now!
Hamish (Sound Org) will be delivering the machine and no doubt will make sure that I like the player or will take it back 
Hmmm... I'm wondering why, when first switched on, the player sounded well balanced with an excellent weighty bass. Is it because it is a newer version that takes less time to warm up?
For the money I'm paying I am expecting miracles. The Mimik I have right now is a fantastic player for the money and beat the CD3 in comparison (which was probably not ideally warmed up during the demo), the Mimik tends to sound great at switch on and only takes 15 mins to reach optimum. Despite this, the impression of the CDX is that it would stomp all over the Mimik - and will transform the sound coming out of my Kans.
This could preempt the following question: "How much variation exists between one CDX to the next?". Why did the Sound Org player sound great from switch on, and Steven, Peter and Bruce's didn't?
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
This time last year I had the B400 CD player in my system while I patiently awaited the arrival of my "naked" CD5. It sounded okay, but not for 1280 GBP. It has a big and bold sound - like the CDX, with good focus - until things get busy, then the separation in both space and time can get a bit lost and confused. There are no real leading edges to notes, and so it sounds a bit boring - not at all like the amps, which display all those Naim-like qualities of PR&T and tunefulness, and well-focussed soundstaging thrown in as an added bonus.In this area the B200/300 amps are superior to an'82/250, although obviously not as dynamic or as accurate in other areas.
When my CD5 arrived it was like a definite upgrade over the B400 which I had had for seven weeks, kindly loaned to me by Acoustica, Stafford.
At times it did sound a little restrained, but that was soon fixed by adding the Flatcap 2.
Now I'm ready for what the CDX can do - when my system is ready for it! It is certainly a long way above and beyond Densen's rather poor first effort at a CD player. Even Densen recommended Naim CD players with their amps before the B400 was born.
To my ears they are still a perfect marriage, provided Mr. Sillesen keeps the show on the road!
When my CD5 arrived it was like a definite upgrade over the B400 which I had had for seven weeks, kindly loaned to me by Acoustica, Stafford.
At times it did sound a little restrained, but that was soon fixed by adding the Flatcap 2.
Now I'm ready for what the CDX can do - when my system is ready for it! It is certainly a long way above and beyond Densen's rather poor first effort at a CD player. Even Densen recommended Naim CD players with their amps before the B400 was born.
To my ears they are still a perfect marriage, provided Mr. Sillesen keeps the show on the road!
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve