CD5/Nait5 at audition

Before I got my cd5, I listened to it in direct comparison to the roksan capsian, the creek cdp (cannot remember which model but in the same price range) and the rotel 961 (very much cheaper).

Personally I felt that there was more involvement in the music, sounded so much more liquid and warmer. And it even manages to tame down harsh recordings.

So I finally got myself the CD5. In my own setup, I found that the difference is not so great as compared to my previous Marantz CDP and DPA DAC setup. The cd5 sounds better with pop songs but with jazz and simple vocals, it doesn’t seems so. Either my previous source was very good already, or maybe my setup is not transparent enuff or my speakers is the bottleneck or that the cd5 don’t go well with a full tube amplification.

My setup as follows.
Naim CD5
Sonic frontier SFL-2
Audio sterling power amp
Kef cresta2

But luckily I didn’t find that the naim cd5 was dry, has dull midrange etc…

Thank you all for such interesting and so many words.
Herm - CD5 what I have on test is ok, it is not f....d. You guys (especially who live in UK) don't know how you are lucky because you can go in so many hi-fi shops and hear EVERYTHING from Naim. I can't, because I live in f....n country which is f....n f....d to the bone. I wait to hear some Naim cd player from 1996. Did you read this? I said 1 9 9 6. Why 1996? The main reason is that I was in 96. heard first Naim amplifier in my life. That was early Nait 2. From that monent, my audio orientation is completely reoriented. Finally, 1998. I was buy my current Nait2 and all this time from 1996-my Nait2(1998)-2002 I was dreamed of some Naim CDP (cheapest, of course). Through this time I was have at home demo this int. amps: (for the first, I wan you to know that I was give my Audiolab 8000A with all cables in exchange for Nait 2) Classe CA150 (a 150 watt beast), Audio Analogue Puccini, Arcam FMJ22, Some Accuphase integrated, I can't remember the name, AVM (100W), NAD.........
But my Nait 2 just blown every of them from the room in every aspect. (Oh my god, I ask myself every day... how sounds 72/hi/140?) Now you guys see how I like Nait 2 and how Naim amplifies sound. when I was come home with CD5/Nait5 my hands are shaking, I was so excited, even it's not mine yet. I was puttin' on shelf and my wife said: "that was the most beautiful component that you ever bring to home". She like the sound of it more than Arcam (hmm, maybe she just want to push me to buy CD5 because she like how it looks)? He he, she try to catch me on left leg.
Tazz - thank you for your holiday advice. In some way your'e right, but Naim is more important than holiday to me... psst, don't let my wife hear that. Ha ha, just kidding (maybe). But if someone gave me 10 X 2000 pounds I will spend it on Naim until I buy the best.
Plynnplynn - You said that I don't hear what you hear. OK, but what I hear is true, believe me and it is not only me. The sound of CD5 in order to Arcam is like all sings in uper octave with overall dryness. The sound is thinner without delay and tonal richness. CD 5 have a much wider stage and sense of "being here" than Arcam, which put it in a higher class product. But the TIMBRE is wrong. I know you guys who don't understand that Arcam is somewhat better that you like CD5 characteristic sound, but it plays instruments which anyone didn't made. Arcam was not that Let's say glorius sounding, but is more realistic in presenting how vocal and strings should sounds.
Rico - Rico, Rico. Dealer gave me Nait5 because he want to hear of me is it better than Nait 2. Nait 2 is not just better, it is miles from Nait 5 sound. Nait 5 plays wrong and he have claws and he cheat. Yes I still have my Straight wire Maestro II speaker cable, but dealer gave me black Naca5 and guess what, Naca5 have more realistic timbre and better overal presentation, while don't have those fantastic centre of Maestro. I will left Naca5 because I like his more "yeah baby" sound. I was heard some white Naca 5 in 1998. and I was testing it through some cheap Mission speakers and I didn't like them. Now, with my Epos12, those black wires sounds great.
One more guys. did anyone have some quality suggestion what to buy for 1000 GBP for upgrade Project 1.2, Arcam Alpha 8 CD, Nait 2, Epos 12? (My wife sister is until 04.2003. in London so I can use her to get me some staff).
And second, what do you think about to rewire my Epos with NACA 5?
Which is better: CD3 or CD5?

Ozren

[This message was edited by Ozren Herold on TUESDAY 28 May 2002 at 09:21.]

How much time should new CD5 play to come to his best?

Ozren

And we're back to square one ...

What does it mean, Thomas?

Ozren

square one

Means Thomas can't wait to hear more about this...

(Square one is sort of the original starting position in the game. Like I said, sometimes these things continue to spin in virtually identical circles, and Thomas just loves that. Having the ideal set of equipment, never ever seeing a bra can be very boring.)

Oh, and the CD5 is better than the 3, but I'm sure we already covered that.

Herman

Ozren,

If I understood your post correctly, you now have NACA5 and it suits the characteristics of the CD5 much better, right? And you're happy with the sound in general?

If this is the case, stop worrying about burn-in - you've had it running for hours and hours over a couple of days, that should be enough to make it give you 92,49% of the performance. Burn-in adds extra refinement, but the general character should be there now. Search this forum for "burn-in" and you will find many, many posts stating anything from a few days to a few months.

Thomas

Herman !

Did you said that Cd5 is better than CD3 from your own experience, I mean did you compare them on your own ear?

Ozren

P.S. sorry guys on my owful english.

At our local beer festival, which ended yesterday, I met a young lady who - get this - writes marketing and catalogue copy for lingerie firms.

But anyway, stop worrying about my bra exposure - I'm well burnt-in, just need a warm-up after a temporary shut-down.

talk about square one

I know, Thomas, it's getting rather stale, I'm sorry.

So how are these beer fests anyway?

Herman

Which transformer and two capacitors are in CD5?

Ozren

quote:

---

(for the first, I wan you to know that I was give my Audiolab 8000A with all cables in exchange for Nait 2)

---

Ozren, that's a very good deal! Normally one would have to exchange two Audiolab 8000A's and a winebox full of round-earth cables for one Nait 2.

Thanks for your patience with me, I understand where you're coming from. LP12, per chance? {just kidding}

Oh - Epos? You're not talking about the internal wiring, are you? My recommendation is to leave that stock. The ES11's and ES12s work great on Nait 2 - excellent synergy (whey hey - *even* with that nasty NACA5!)... so for GBP1000... what about a really nice CD2?

Between the CD3 (which I owned) and CD5 (which I hear regularly) I'd typically go for CD5, although depends on circumstances - for example, sole source: CD5. Occasional source alongside LP12: CD3 (and more software, or more funds on LP12). Stepping stone en route to CDSI, etc etc - CD3 (and save more money).

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

[This message was edited by Rico on TUESDAY 28 May 2002 at 11:39.]

Rico, thanks for advice.
Is it possible to buy in London for example, a mint condition CDX? did you like it?
I was heard that CDX sounds somewhat "brutal", is this true?

Oz

I Prefer Both

Hi Tazz,

The all Naim system is in my study, which, as I work at home, is the place where I spend a lot of time. It doubles as listening room. The room projects into the garden, so it's basically sound proof, and if I really want to get into the music that's where I go.

The system with the Arcams is in the living. It's a little more 'polite' sounding perhaps, with more air and treble but there's recordings I prefer on that system. (I bought the Arcam before I knew about Naim. The Alpha 10 was, quite possibly, the last fiscally prudent purchase I made. Did I say quite possibly? My GF would say absolutely definitely.)

Basically I prefer both, but of course I prefer the Naim most. It just produces more music.

Herman

Ozren

Thanks for taking the time to reply to so many people. In your reply to me you said:

"what I hear is true, believe me"

I have to be honest and say that within reasonable limits of expenditure Naim equipment has provided me with the greatest sense of accurate reproduction of sounds, music, and voice (into my non-Naim speakers).

From a good recording, Cellos (as an example) sound as they do when listening to them live; voices might be in the same room; and other 'sounds' could be being produced live right next to me (not just reproduced through electronics).

Instruments are not 'thin' as you suggest - on the contrary they sound as they should. Listen to some CD players and you get a 'manufactured sound' which is obviously designed for people who like 'round' and 'refined' listening opportunities rather than reality - eg (eg £2000 Meridian I heard recently).

I have however to admit that I have not heard a CD5. I have a CD3.5.

Terry

Terry !

I strongly recommend you to listen to CD 5. After that I will be very happy if you contact me.
I believe that you know how to listen and I also believe that your CD 3.5 doin' fine. CD 5 sings good, but some crucial elements are wrong, very wrong. Beleieve me, I am serious, something is wrong when Guy Lamotte left Naim and after Julian death.

Ozren

"I believe that you know how to listen and I also believe that your CD 3.5 doin' fine. CD 5 sings good, but some crucia elements are wrong, very wrong. Beleieve me, I am serious, something is wrong when Guy Lamotte left Naim and after
Julian death".

Once again you weaken your position by not getting your facts right. The same research team led by Roy George has been responsible for ALL naim compact disc players since the cds1 over twelve years ago. My understanding is that Guy Lamotte had absolutely nothing to do with CD player development ( he did aro/electrostatic speakers) and has not been with the company for approximately a decade!!

Have you had a good quality dem of a 3.5 directly against a cd5???

There may actually be something wrong with your system ( or at the very least your perception of it ) but the difference between a 3.5 and 5 is small BUT for the better. I think you are way off in attempting to link your experience to some general naim decline, especially as you do not get your facts straight.

quote:

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Is it possible to buy in London for example, a mint condition CDX? did you like it?

---

Yes, although we're now straying into Mick Parry's territory - any purchase is possible given patience, cash, and grim determination to ensure the vendors reiduals are firmly minimised.

Keep an eye on Loot for an indication of current CDX prices.

I bought mine in 1999. They are a little cheaper, and more plentiful now. Yes I like it, love it in fact, and although I have heard them sound harsh, never at my place. All down to setup.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Thanks Rico.

Guys... guess what ?
CD 5 after 5-6 days continually playing burn in signal was completely went crazy.
Music is here...everything is warmer (neutral), all picture is now fantastic defined, back vocals and secondary instruments are beautifully rendered and most of all picture are so easy to defined between loudspeakers. I was heard Levinson/Revel kilobuck system, but didn't "see" that picture is naturally streched between speakers. I got that thing at home, oh god how happy I am. It is unbelievable what can burn in made to a component, especially like this. I just couldn't believe how much is that now better than Arcam. There is still slightly dryness, but less than before. I was decide to buy CD 5 !
Thank you all for your advices through this post.

Ozren

congrats are in order, Ozren!

...so is it possible then that you got a fresh-out-the-box item for trial? 10 points to your dealer for giving you a decent trial period!

If it's a burn-in thing, I susoect you may find further improvements for at least another week.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Rico, what about your cd burn in period?
When you are reach a maximum performance?

Oz

Brand spankers CDX fresh outta box....
5 weeks with another jump at around the 8 week mark. I sh*t you not..this stuff has a mind of its own.

You cannot rush it. It'll get there when it gets there and not before

Really good news, Ozren. Well done for sticking with it. Our CD5 warmed up like a preamp -- big jump after about 7 days, and another after 14 days, then gradual improvement for the next 3 days.

I don't think you can accelerate this by playing it all the time. Reckon it just needs to be powered up.

Best;
Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

That's good news, Ozren!

Now sit back and enjoy the music. After all you;ve been waiting for this, what was it? a couple of years.

And let's not forget your wife, who should get at least 250 Flat Earth Points for liking the machine at first sight.

Herman

Glad to hear that the player is doing the right things for you now. It appears that the ears at naim HQ are still doing fine!