CDX2 with a DAC

To connect between the CDX2 and a Chord 2Qute DAC you'll need a BNC-BNC coaxial cable.  If you just want to experiment for little outlay then you might try to persuade your dealer to make up a 1.5m BNC-BNC cable for you using a pair of 75ohm BNCs and some Belden 75ohm CT100 satellite coaxial cable.  Done right, this can be surprisingly effective for only a modest outlay.

Actually ..... I had looked at the online user manual but my CDX2 doesnt have an s/pdif connector at the back .... so no experimentation for me.

You could always experiment with a Super Lumina interconnect between the CDX2 and your 202. Should be transformational (well it transformed my CDX, at any rate).

Ah, OK, you don't have a recent one then.  That's OK, the CDX2 already has a superb DAC onboard anyway and I'm not sure you'd find the 2Qute much of an "upgrade" in this case unless the character of the player was not to your liking (I assume it is, otherwise why have it).

Richard Dane posted:

Ah, OK, you don't have a recent one then.  That's OK, the CDX2 already has a superb DAC onboard anyway and I'm not sure you'd find the 2Qute much of an "upgrade" in this case unless the character of the player was not to your liking (I assume it is, otherwise why have it).

Excuse me for jumping in, but Richard can I get your take on my situation! 

Cdx2/ Hi Cap DR / 282 / Tri amped Briks 

Which would be your next upgrade? 

XPS2 DR on the Cdx2, or Ndac + none -reversible Cdx2 make over

I run my CDX2.2 into nDAC - a significant improvement over a bare CDX2.2
The next upgrade would be the XPS or 555PS to nDAC.

The reason for the above is that I also run my NDX into nDAC.

Richard Dane posted:

Ah, OK, you don't have a recent one then.  That's OK, the CDX2 already has a superb DAC onboard anyway and I'm not sure you'd find the 2Qute much of an "upgrade" in this case unless the character of the player was not to your liking (I assume it is, otherwise why have it).

I agree to a large extent... If you like the CDX2 sound then changing the DAC is going to spoil this.. The CDX2 has a good inbuilt DAC and output stage and together provides a distinctive Naim like sound. Yes it's not the most neutral or revealing, but it does make the CDX2 original the player it is.. I love mine..

So if you want to use a seperate DAC you are probably better choosing another CD transport or try streaming instead. FWIW I stream using a Hugo, and also have my CDx2 original feeding my 252 preamp for when I want that CDX2 sound... That's why we have those inputs on the NAC 

The better the NAC the better I find the bare CDX2 (on a Fraim) becomes.. On the 252DR it really is highly enjoyable.. Especially for rock, heavy blues and funnily enough Bob Dylan !!!

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Richard Dane posted:

Ah, OK, you don't have a recent one then.  That's OK, the CDX2 already has a superb DAC onboard anyway and I'm not sure you'd find the 2Qute much of an "upgrade" in this case unless the character of the player was not to your liking (I assume it is, otherwise why have it).

I agree to a large extent... If you like the CDX2 sound then changing the DAC is going to spoil this.. The CDX2 has a good inbuilt DAC and output stage and together provides a distinctive Naim like sound. Yes it's not the most neutral or revealing, but it does make the CDX2 original the player it is.. I love mine..

So if you want to use a seperate DAC you are probably better choosing another CD transport or try streaming instead. FWIW I stream using a Hugo, and also have my CDx2 original feeding my 252 preamp for when I want that CDX2 sound... That's why we have those inputs on the NAC 

The better the NAC the better I find the bare CDX2 (on a Fraim) becomes.. On the 252DR it really is highly enjoyable.. Especially for rock, heavy blues and funnily enough Bob Dylan !!!

Ok, thanks Simon, I hear you loud an clear. Don't destroy my Cdx2 with an irreversible digit out. And then if I must upgrade, go XPS2DR or 555PSDR as an PS to the Cdx2. 

Cdx2 / Hi Cap DR / 282 / Tri Amped Briks / Fraimlite interchangeable with Reference Fraim Shelf  for Cdx2, and 282.

I'm I on Point? 

Yes you have it perfectly. 

Sorry to hijack guys, but i'm curious. How would you describe the CDX2s character:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I agree to a large extent... If you like the CDX2 sound then changing the DAC is going to spoil this.. The CDX2 has a good inbuilt DAC and output stage and together provides a distinctive Naim like sound. Yes it's not the most neutral or revealing, but it does make the CDX2 original the player it is.. I love mine..

.........

I have heard one once in a fully psu'd 200 system and I remember a clear open sound which was completely spoiled by a poorly integrated subwoofer unfortunatly.

SmauG posted:

Sorry to hijack guys, but i'm curious. How would you describe the CDX2s character:

 

A driven forward sound with a slightly elevated lower mid that seems to accentuate rhythm and groove... and Bob Dylan's vocals..

if you put on heavy blues, assuming you enjoy heavy blues and in the right mood, you will almost certainly instinctively want to start playing air guitar... Put something more refined, more layered and intricate or move involving on, it's still very good, but I then usually prefer other options.

i am a firm believer now that one source does not fit all....not too much debate on this between vinyl and digital, but I believe after many years of different sources the same is true between different digital DAC sources... Hence why the analogue pre amp is such a vital component. I choose the source that best matches my mood and music.

Simon

Allante, it's a comparison I haven't done - CDX2 +XPS2DR or CDX2+Naim DAC.  I do very much like the CDX2 with an XPS2 though.  It's a seriously hard-driving, dynamic and involving player.  If your musical tastes suit its character then there are few if any players better.  I also like the Naim DAC with the XPS2 DR very much.  Indeed, it's what I'm currently listening to (with a Hiline and Powerline on the XPS) and it's exciting, focussed and engrossing yet also expansive and delicate where it's needed.  It's a tough call.  I'd have to listen to both on a selection of music and then see where that leads.

Richard, as usual your input is always appreciated, thanks.

Now I see why Naim introduced the Cdx2.2, not necessarily a substantial improvement over the Cdx2, but flexibility. One can use the Ndac and PS of choice when desired, or flick the switch and enjoy the sound of the bare Cdx2.

And as Simon pointed out, all done by an analog Pre Amp as an hub.

I guess that's Naim's MO, Upgradeability and Flexibility!

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

SmauG posted:

Sorry to hijack guys, but i'm curious. How would you describe the CDX2s character:

 

A driven forward sound with a slightly elevated lower mid that seems to accentuate rhythm and groove... and Bob Dylan's vocals..

.........

Simon

 

Richard Dane posted:

......

  It's a seriously hard-driving, dynamic and involving player.  If your musical tastes suit its character then there are few if any players better.  

Is this unique to the CDX2, or is this a character shared by the players across the lines, and thus a signature which most, if not all Naim players have in common?

It has been said that my current CD5i2 has a somewhat bouncy character which sounds somewhat like your discriptions.

I like this character

 

Is this unique to the CDX2, or is this a character shared by the players across the lines, and thus a signature which most, if not all Naim players have in common?

It has been said that my current CD5i2 has a somewhat bouncy character which sounds somewhat like your discriptions.

I like this character

CDX2 and CD5XS are different players. Of course the same 'naimnes' runs through them.

I owned CD5XS and sold it and upgraded to CDX2 - much happier now

Adam Zielinski posted:

 

Is this unique to the CDX2, or is this a character shared by the players across the lines, and thus a signature which most, if not all Naim players have in common?

It has been said that my current CD5i2 has a somewhat bouncy character which sounds somewhat like your discriptions.

I like this character

CDX2 and CD5XS are different players. Of course the same 'naimnes' runs through them.

I owned CD5XS and sold it and upgraded to CDX2 - much happier now

Can you eleborate on this upgrade step and differences a little further please?

Love the way you are set up in your music room by the way  very tidy

SmauG posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

 

Is this unique to the CDX2, or is this a character shared by the players across the lines, and thus a signature which most, if not all Naim players have in common?

It has been said that my current CD5i2 has a somewhat bouncy character which sounds somewhat like your discriptions.

I like this character

CDX2 and CD5XS are different players. Of course the same 'naimnes' runs through them.

I owned CD5XS and sold it and upgraded to CDX2 - much happier now

Can you eleborate on this upgrade step and differences a little further please?

Love the way you are set up in your music room by the way  very tidy

That's a tricky one: CDX2 seems to dig more into the 'grooves' of the CD, extract more information from it. It's probably down to the improved internal DAC code and the power supply. Funnily enough the same traits are exhibited when using SDIF output into my external nDAC.
I prefer my CDX2 that way.

Thanks for the kind comment on the set up - starting to run out of space where do I put the power supply now?

When I compared the CDX2/XPS-Dr to the CDX2/NDAC/XPS-DR the latter had more detail but the former boogied more, final choice was a 555ps.

yeti42 posted:

When I compared the CDX2/XPS-Dr to the CDX2/NDAC/XPS-DR the latter had more detail but the former boogied more, final choice was a 555ps.

So to be clear, are you saying you preferred the Cdx2/555PS over the Cdx2/Ndac/555PS.

Adam Zielinski posted:

......

Thanks for the kind comment on the set up - starting to run out of space where do I put the power supply now?

You're welcome,

I have the same problem. I guess it's the perfect cure for upgraditis

Yes but bear in mind it wasn't the DR version of the 555ps though it was a DR XPS in the mix. This was all with 282/SC/250/Kudos C2. A different pre might give a different result but the combo is standing up well fed into a new 552.

yeti42 posted:

Yes but bear in mind it wasn't the DR version of the 555ps though it was a DR XPS in the mix. This was all with 282/SC/250/Kudos C2. A different pre might give a different result but the combo is standing up well fed into a new 552.

Pretty much the path I took.

Started out with nonSPDIF CDX2/555ps into 282/SC/250/Allae.. That after auditioning CDX2/XPS, CDX2/555ps,CDS3/XPS,CDS3/555ps. Preferred the CDX2 to CDS3, but that's another story.

When the nDAC came out I auditioned it with the CDX2.2/555ps. Greater clarity/detail and depth for me.

Bought the nDAC and traded in the CDX2 for CDX2.2. No regrets. I concur with Yeti, it still plays well into the 552.

That's my upgrade path now Both CDX2.2 and NDX are currently connected to the nDAC.

Funds allowing nDAC will be turbo-charged by 555PS.

Yep I preferred the CDX2 to the CDS3 as well.. I have since sold my CDS3 but still keep my CDX2 original...  no regrets... 

Interesting about the NDAC/555PS.. I loved that combo for a few years.. Very good it is too.. but to me it didn't quite capture the essence of what makes the CDX2 great.. I guess with the CDX2.2 you have a choice... assuming the CDX2.2 sounds the same as the CDX2 original.

Simon

As an experiment I tried running my CDX2.2 powered by my 555PS (nonDR).  It sounded pretty good but my CX2.2/XP5XS digital out to nDAC/555PS blew it into the weeds. More detail, bigger soundstage, more boogie.  And that was before the significant performance lift that the nDAC has had from the newly released firmware.  Ok, a four-box CD player might seem OTT but to date I've nothing that beats it, including streamers.

Mike