CDSPS-XPS
Posted by: ChrisG on 07 August 2003
Hi
I recently had my CDS1 converted to an CDS2, and a very worthwhile improvement it is too. I'm still using the CDPS originally supplied with the CDS1, now with the modified Burndy to suit the CDS2.
Does anyone out there have experience of going from the CDPS to an XPS, i.e. what's the magnitude of improvement?
Does the CDPS with the modified Burdy have a resale value, or is it the first black box from Naim that has to be binned!!
Chris
I recently had my CDS1 converted to an CDS2, and a very worthwhile improvement it is too. I'm still using the CDPS originally supplied with the CDS1, now with the modified Burndy to suit the CDS2.
Does anyone out there have experience of going from the CDPS to an XPS, i.e. what's the magnitude of improvement?
Does the CDPS with the modified Burdy have a resale value, or is it the first black box from Naim that has to be binned!!
Chris
Posted on: 07 August 2003 by Geofiz
Hi Chris,
Didn't realise that the CDS1 could be upgraded to CDS2. Mind if I ask what the cost was and what was involved in the upgrade? Is the upgrade limited to CDS1's with a certain serial number range?
I would expect that you could go one better, upgrading the power supply to a Super Cap instead of the XPS. Does anyone know for certain?
One thing that you may want to consider is taking the transformer from the CDPS (the excellent and quiet Holden & Fisher) and replacing the newer and audibly noisier transformer in the SuperCap or XPS. I assume that a comment from Naim on the suitablility of this will be forthcoming.
As far as I know, the CDPS can only be used with the CDS1 (either original or upgraded).
Cheers,
Didn't realise that the CDS1 could be upgraded to CDS2. Mind if I ask what the cost was and what was involved in the upgrade? Is the upgrade limited to CDS1's with a certain serial number range?
I would expect that you could go one better, upgrading the power supply to a Super Cap instead of the XPS. Does anyone know for certain?
One thing that you may want to consider is taking the transformer from the CDPS (the excellent and quiet Holden & Fisher) and replacing the newer and audibly noisier transformer in the SuperCap or XPS. I assume that a comment from Naim on the suitablility of this will be forthcoming.
As far as I know, the CDPS can only be used with the CDS1 (either original or upgraded).
Cheers,
Posted on: 07 August 2003 by ChrisG
Geofiz
The upgrade from CDS1-CDS2 cost £1700, but I believe that mine was possibly one of the last to be converted, due to a lack of new chassis. Naim did have a small batch of chassis made earlier this year, but I think mine was one of the last three available. Mark in service at Naim will confirm I'm sure. Basically they take your CDS1 and use only the case, the entire internals are the CDS2, with the copy protection feature.
The CDPS Burndy is modified to suit the new player, this burndy will then only be suitable for a CDPS/CDS2/CDS3/CDX interface, I think I'm right in saying that it will suit these models but only with a CDPS? Unlikely combination I guess, hence my original question about any residual value in the CDPS.
Not really into stripping out transformers, but I admire your courage!
Don't think you can use a Supercap with a CDS?
Cheers
Chris
The upgrade from CDS1-CDS2 cost £1700, but I believe that mine was possibly one of the last to be converted, due to a lack of new chassis. Naim did have a small batch of chassis made earlier this year, but I think mine was one of the last three available. Mark in service at Naim will confirm I'm sure. Basically they take your CDS1 and use only the case, the entire internals are the CDS2, with the copy protection feature.
The CDPS Burndy is modified to suit the new player, this burndy will then only be suitable for a CDPS/CDS2/CDS3/CDX interface, I think I'm right in saying that it will suit these models but only with a CDPS? Unlikely combination I guess, hence my original question about any residual value in the CDPS.
Not really into stripping out transformers, but I admire your courage!
Don't think you can use a Supercap with a CDS?
Cheers
Chris
Posted on: 07 August 2003 by Geofiz
Chris
Thanks for the info. In retrospect I probably was told that an upgrade was possible at one time, but that parts availability is the limiting factor.
Cheers,
Thanks for the info. In retrospect I probably was told that an upgrade was possible at one time, but that parts availability is the limiting factor.
Cheers,
Posted on: 07 August 2003 by Alex S.
In the UK a CDPS is worth about £500. With the Black Burndy I preferred it to the XPS - less hi-fi for sure but more analogue sounding and laid back in a good way.
Alex
Alex
Posted on: 07 August 2003 by Bosh
I went from CDSPS to XPS and found it to be an improvement, but not a massive one. In hindsight I would probably have the CDSPS serviced, and fit a new S-Burndy both of which are reported to be well worth the money.
I do remember one CDSPS fetching over £1200 on EBay c.12 months ago so perhaps give this a go and purchase a cherished XPS1
I do remember one CDSPS fetching over £1200 on EBay c.12 months ago so perhaps give this a go and purchase a cherished XPS1
Posted on: 08 August 2003 by ChrisG
Thanks for the comments, I seem to remember someone saying that the CDPS was about 70% of the XPS performance, so that would seem to bear out your comments. I had the CDPS serviced at the same time as the CDS1>CDS2 upgrade. Will ponder the XPS purchase, but the new Burndy sound interesting.
Chris
Chris
Posted on: 08 August 2003 by Bosh
Chris
I recall The forum / Naim oficial view was that the Black burndy represented 70% of the XPS improvement over the CDSPS
I recall The forum / Naim oficial view was that the Black burndy represented 70% of the XPS improvement over the CDSPS
Posted on: 08 August 2003 by Geofiz
Anyone know the assigned NAIM cable number to the black burndy cable for the CDS CDPS ?
Posted on: 09 August 2003 by ChrisG
Geofiz
I don't believe that there is a specific number, you just need to quote CDPS>whatever you're connecting to , CDS2,CDS3 etc.
Chris
I don't believe that there is a specific number, you just need to quote CDPS>whatever you're connecting to , CDS2,CDS3 etc.
Chris
Posted on: 11 August 2003 by Brucie
The new burndy for the CDS-CDPS as I understand is simply called the S-CDPS and costs about 265 quid (as does the new S-XPS burndy). There was an earlier thread on this a few weeks ago.
Posted on: 11 August 2003 by Boz
I have a CDPS with Black Burndy with a CDX and it sounds fab. When I auditioned Vs XPS I could not tell any difference.
Picked mine up with Black Burndy for about £800 off Ebay last year.
Many people actually prefer the sound of the CDPS as I believe it uses 2 transformers Vs the single one in the XPS.
Don't know how CDPS compares to XPS2 but I would imagine XPS2 is better as it seems to be liked above the mk1 XPS would be fascinated by that comparison though..........
Picked mine up with Black Burndy for about £800 off Ebay last year.
Many people actually prefer the sound of the CDPS as I believe it uses 2 transformers Vs the single one in the XPS.
Don't know how CDPS compares to XPS2 but I would imagine XPS2 is better as it seems to be liked above the mk1 XPS would be fascinated by that comparison though..........
Posted on: 17 August 2003 by Martin Payne
The CDPS can be used with any CDS2/CDS3, and would be a good way to buy into this level of player relatively cheaply.
Also, it is a major upgrade for CDX/CDX2 owners, who will get the most bang-for-buck benefit from it's reasonable price.
cheers, Martin
E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com
Also, it is a major upgrade for CDX/CDX2 owners, who will get the most bang-for-buck benefit from it's reasonable price.
cheers, Martin
E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com
Posted on: 17 August 2003 by Ron Toolsie
I have tried the CDS1/CDSPS/gray Burndy, the CDS1/CDSPS/black Burndy, the CDS2(upgraded from S1)/CDSPS/Black Burndy,the CDS2/XPS1/Black Burndy, the CDS2/XPS2/Black Burndy and the CDS2/XPS2/Super Burndy. My impressions are as follow:
CDSPS/XPS1 .... not a great value for money upgrade. The XPS1 sounds subjectively 'quieter' than the CDSPS, but is less smooth and rounded, which may be a good thing or a bad thing. But the CDSPS is probably 85-90% of the XPS1, and maybe even higher.
Gray burndy/Black burndy..... the black burndy is a far larger improvement over the gray burndy than the XPS is over the CDSPS. For less than half the price it would cost to sell the CDSPS and buy an XPS you could have the CDSPS serviced and buy a black Burndy- which is farless colored, textured and open as compared with the Gray one.
XPS1/XPS2....a very worthwhile improvement, and one that is far more significant then the CDSPS.......>XPS1. Given the lack of second hand XPS2 this does come at a hefty price, but is better in every way than the XPS1.
black Burndy vs latest Superburndy..there is little doubt that the S-XPS burndy is more detailed, extended and informative than its older black brother. In some systems this may come over as a tad brighter, and may skew the tonal balance ever so slightly. Usually a good thing unless the system is bordering on the unacceptably bright-in which case some attention to setup and product placement would be beneficial regardless of which version of Burndy is being used.
Note that the CDSPS is NOT recommended to be used with the CDS3. Given the (?asymmetrical?)power requirements of the CDS3, the CDSPS would run unacceptably hot and would perform beneath its abilities. If you plan to get the CDS3, you may wish to trade the CDSPS against at least the XPS1, and preferably the XPS2. The CDSPS however works delighthfully well with the CDS2.
The best value for money would almost certainly be the CDS2/CDSPS(serviced)/Superburndy.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
CDSPS/XPS1 .... not a great value for money upgrade. The XPS1 sounds subjectively 'quieter' than the CDSPS, but is less smooth and rounded, which may be a good thing or a bad thing. But the CDSPS is probably 85-90% of the XPS1, and maybe even higher.
Gray burndy/Black burndy..... the black burndy is a far larger improvement over the gray burndy than the XPS is over the CDSPS. For less than half the price it would cost to sell the CDSPS and buy an XPS you could have the CDSPS serviced and buy a black Burndy- which is farless colored, textured and open as compared with the Gray one.
XPS1/XPS2....a very worthwhile improvement, and one that is far more significant then the CDSPS.......>XPS1. Given the lack of second hand XPS2 this does come at a hefty price, but is better in every way than the XPS1.
black Burndy vs latest Superburndy..there is little doubt that the S-XPS burndy is more detailed, extended and informative than its older black brother. In some systems this may come over as a tad brighter, and may skew the tonal balance ever so slightly. Usually a good thing unless the system is bordering on the unacceptably bright-in which case some attention to setup and product placement would be beneficial regardless of which version of Burndy is being used.
Note that the CDSPS is NOT recommended to be used with the CDS3. Given the (?asymmetrical?)power requirements of the CDS3, the CDSPS would run unacceptably hot and would perform beneath its abilities. If you plan to get the CDS3, you may wish to trade the CDSPS against at least the XPS1, and preferably the XPS2. The CDSPS however works delighthfully well with the CDS2.
The best value for money would almost certainly be the CDS2/CDSPS(serviced)/Superburndy.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo
Posted on: 17 August 2003 by Dev B
quote:
Originally posted by Ron Toolsie:
_XPS1/XPS2_....a very worthwhile improvement, and one that is far more significant then the CDSPS.......>XPS1. Given the lack of second hand XPS2 this does come at a hefty price, but is better in every way than the XPS1.
_black Burndy vs latest Superburndy_..there is little doubt that the S-XPS burndy is more detailed, extended and informative than its older black brother. In some systems this may come over as a tad brighter, and may skew the tonal balance ever so slightly. Usually a good thing unless the system is bordering on the unacceptably bright-in which case some attention to setup and product placement would be beneficial regardless of which version of Burndy is being used.
Ron, This concurs with my expeiences also. XPS2 is a massive upgrade from XPS1 as is the S-XPS. Initially the S-XPS sounds a little brighter but after a very short while it is so much more revealing and natural sounding.
regards
Dev
Posted on: 18 August 2003 by rohit
quote:
the CDSPS is NOT recommended to be used with the CDS3.
Ron,
both CDS2/3 are useable with either XPS1/2, suggesting that S3 rail needs should not differ from the S2.
if the CDS2 can be used w/ a CDSPS w/ suitable burndy from naim, i see no reason why a similar burndy (+ CDSPS-S improvements) w/ CDSPS is not recommended for the S3.
the improved XPS2/XPS-S burndy may leave the CDSPS notably behind...but NOT recommended for safety/compatibility ???
something doesn't add up.