5 vs 5i

The 5i's not all good news though - at least until they sort out the problem of how to connect a TT without enormous expense!

David

quote:

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Originally posted by JonW:
Or more controversially......was the 5 series overpriced in the first place?

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In terms of how stupid it makes the competition look at its price point, no.

In terms of the fact that the CD5i may now have raised the bar, possibly.

I think no. Interesting point though.

Cheers

Harry

Hopefully not sounding like the villiage idiot here, I just got the 5 kit and feel it was well worth it. Power is not an issue, I like having the greater number of inputs, seperate pre/power amp access, and ability to upgrade power supply. Apparently adding a FC2 to both the CD and integrated (one box will do both) will significantly bump up fidelity.

-Mike

Thats what im wondering Joolz.

I was planning a trip to my local dealer last week to put them both head to head, but when i called him, he hadnt even taken the 5i out of the boxes!

Im going to pop down this weekend i think and hopefully it will have been nicely run in.

Im the same as you, just wondered if anyone had already made the comparison?

Im not expecting it to be an easy decsion if i prefer the sound, as i would like the amp to accept a turntable.

Tom has done the CD5/5i challenge and has come down firmly on the side of the 5i. I'm waiting to see what a bigger cohort thinks. It's just out of interest for me because I have a CD5/Hi and I'm very happy. But I'd like to know how far the game's moved on. I guess sooner or later I'll get to hear them for myself.

Cheers

Harry

I recently had the pleasure of comparing the CD5i against the CD5 with/without Flatcap. I was surprised that there was such a difference in sound between the CD5i and the bare CD5. The CD5i sounding pacier, more upfront but also I dare say a bit "digital" sounding.
The bare CD5 in comparison sounded fuller and more rounded, it just presented the atmosphere of the music (decaying notes, echoes etc) in a more natural way than the CD5i. Adding the Flatcap to the CD5 took it even further away from the CD5i - if you like the presentation of the CD5i then you'll hate what a cap does to the CD5!

In conclusion having done the CD5/CD5i challenge I come down firmly on the side of the CD5. What may be interesting is how the CD5i compares against the competition such as the Rega Jupiter.

Mike

PS JonW, this was probably at your local dealer (Montrose) and I saw the Nait 5i box lying there about to be opened!

[This message was edited by Pictish on MONDAY 05 January 2004 at 18:07.]

<Joolz>
it sounds like the cd5i has harked back to the cd3 / 3.5 for it's presentation.
</Joolz>

As a secondhand CD3.5 + Flatcap seems to sell for around the price of a CD5i it would be interesting to compare the two, especially in view of the above comment by Joolz.

Seems like it is too early to compare a CD5 and 5i. I would be curious to compare the 2 units after the 5i had ample time to break in.

Having said that, I did listen to the Nait5i and CD5i with a pair of Devore speakers last week. I was impressed. I only wish they were built in the shoebox sized boxes..that would have been cool.

Chris Bell

quote:

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Originally posted by Joolz:
htk,
do you know if tom has posted his opinions anywhere?julian

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It's in here somewhere Joolz. Tom seems pretty adament about it. Can't remember the exact thread. Sorry.

Cheers

Harry

Devore speakers......

Chris, what's the deal with these? The Hawthorne boys were talkingthem up bigtime, but I think the horrendous WAF will sink them. I'm going to den them next week with a cdx2 however...

Bruce

quote:

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Originally posted by Joolz:
have you any idea how well run in the kit you heard was? as the sound you describe could also be said of cold kit.

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Joolz,

The CD5i had been on repeat play over night. So not straight out of the box but probably too early to hear it at its best. I'm intending to have a home demo so it'll be interesting to make the comparison then.

Mike

Chris,

Was it the Devore Gibbon III you heard?

HI , I AM A NEW MEMBER, INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT THE CD 5i Vs CD5 . I HAD THE CD5 AT HOME JUST YESTERDAY ON LOAN , AND THROUGH A KRELL 400xi INTERGRATED AND A PAIR OF DYNAUDIO 1.3SE's . I AM TRYING TO MATCH A KILLER CD PLAYER TO THIS KIT. CURRENTLY HAVE A MF A3 . I FOUND THE CD5 VERY GOOD BUT A TOUCH SOFT FOR ME, NOT QUITE THE RESOLUTION I AM LOOKING FOR. THEN AGAIN THE MF MAY BE A TOUCH BRIGHT. WAITING FOR THE GENERAL OPINION ON THE CD5i.

PETER.

Ludwig,

I bet it's the Gibon 8- ugly but highly rated.

BEC

Gibbon 8 is what I heard at Hawthorne. I have been told they have a higher end speaker comming out soon. I am going to CES tomorrow and I may get a chance to hear it.

Chris Bell

quote:

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Originally posted by cracky:
INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT THE CD 5i Vs CD5 .

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Please stop shouting, Peter

Well, if they've got the CD5i in and working on Saturday (they should have, since I booked the dem!) I'm considering having the '5 up as well, so if I do I'll let you know what I hear. It'll only be through "lowly" NAIT5 and (hopefully) Rega speakers though as that's nearest to what I have at home...

__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.

The CD5i is definately less capable than a CD5, sounding a bit 'thin' by comparison.
The CD5i doesn't appear to be a replacement for the CD5, more a cheaper way of getting into the Naim thing. The CD5i is a good CDP, better than the offerings from people like Roksan and Arcam at a similar level (IMO). The CD5 is the next level up.

_______________
Hmmm, upgrades.

Well, nothing like reading the forum to get a definitive answer

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

quote:

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Originally posted by Tom Alves:
I'm not really that adamant, I was just being mischevious with Yoda's post. I prefer the CD5i because IMHO I feel it does all (or most) of what a CD5 does but with the good bits of the CD3.5 which I think are sadly missing from the CD5. I'm not claiming it to be as good as a CDS2, just that it is a fun musical player where as I find the CD5 a little to warm and uninvolving. Not to say the CD5 is bad compare to the competition. YMMV

With so many of these things it's a matter of taste and subjectivity. Of course my taste is far superiour to the rest of the forum (except Mick Parry) as is my experience so obviously you'll take everything I say seriously and as gospel (here's a for those who need it)

Tom

Actively enjoying it all

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And I am agreeing with Tom because he posted my pictures up on the forum so there!

Dev -- who has never heard a CD5 or a CD5i

Now I thought the CD3.5 and CD5 are basically the same machine in different boxes...