First impressions of a CDX2
Posted by: timster on 27 May 2003
First post, so here goes (system: CDX2, 112+FC2, 250, fraim, ProAc Response SC1.) After finally getting my sweaty paws on my bonus, I decide that rather than doing something practical like paying down some of my mortgage, I'll replace my CD5 with a CDX2. Now, I have just been _extremely_ happy with the CD5 (+FC2), and as many others on this forum have written, it is simply ace, period. Naturally, more of the same would be just the ticket! So, last Saturday I drop off my CD5 and pick up my brand spanking new CDX2. Get home, plonk it on the fraim, switch on and start listening.
First impression is that it’s quite different. Indeed
. I characterize it as "less bright" (somewhere else it was referred to as "darker") and as a consequence I found I would crank the volume up more. I found that complex (?) passages could be more easily followed because of better separation between the layers of music. For example, listening to Coldplay's
I'm looking forward to the next month as it burns in and hopefully the *missing* PR&T will resurface, or I'll be forever chiding myself for not staying with what I felt was a supremely balanced system that I loved. I would definitely say that the CD5 + psu is an incredible combination. It's strange, I changed all my equipment (except speakers) to naim over the last 12-18 months and arrived with a system that I was utterly satisfied with. That was what I wanted to achieve when I set out on this journey. Sure, the bigger and more expensive kit sounded better, but I was just as happy with what I had. Before I bought the CDX2, I was concerned that somehow I might upset the balance of the system I'd arrived at, and now I'm worried that I may have just gone and done this
. Instead of staying happily off the upgrading bandwagon, I feel maybe that I've just gone and got aboard again, and I definitely don't want to do that (way toooo expensive!)
That's it. I hope I didn't ramble too much
.
N.B. The 5 series definitely does have a brighter naim logo than the new reference kit. Maybe that's a reflection of their performance too...
First impression is that it’s quite different. Indeed
. I characterize it as "less bright" (somewhere else it was referred to as "darker") and as a consequence I found I would crank the volume up more. I found that complex (?) passages could be more easily followed because of better separation between the layers of music. For example, listening to Coldplay's quote:, the bass line was not only clearly separated, but also had better definition, more weight I suppose. I also heard improvements in micro dynamics where they were better resolved, more fleshed out. As an example, listening to
Clocks
quote:by Nick Drake, besides the cello, I clearly heard a double bass (Jeez, don't anyone say that there wasn't one, otherwise this will mean all this is simply in my head. You've been had my boy!) Anyway, I would say that higher volumes could be achieved simply because of a reduction in what I perceive as glare and grunge (muddled micro dynamics that the kit can't figure out?) Now, when I first listened to a CDX (not a CDX2) at the dealer, I felt that the CDX did not improve where vocals were concerned, and I find the same is true with my CDX2 at home, although it is too early to say for sure. Definitely no worse, but no better. Classical music will be next, should be interesting. Finally, the one aspect that I am a little concerned with is that I have this strange feeling that perhaps some of the PR&T may have got lost. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon?
Way to Blue
I'm looking forward to the next month as it burns in and hopefully the *missing* PR&T will resurface, or I'll be forever chiding myself for not staying with what I felt was a supremely balanced system that I loved. I would definitely say that the CD5 + psu is an incredible combination. It's strange, I changed all my equipment (except speakers) to naim over the last 12-18 months and arrived with a system that I was utterly satisfied with. That was what I wanted to achieve when I set out on this journey. Sure, the bigger and more expensive kit sounded better, but I was just as happy with what I had. Before I bought the CDX2, I was concerned that somehow I might upset the balance of the system I'd arrived at, and now I'm worried that I may have just gone and done this
. Instead of staying happily off the upgrading bandwagon, I feel maybe that I've just gone and got aboard again, and I definitely don't want to do that (way toooo expensive!)That's it. I hope I didn't ramble too much
.N.B. The 5 series definitely does have a brighter naim logo than the new reference kit. Maybe that's a reflection of their performance too...