CDX2 VAMs -- Totally Confused!
Posted by: mikeybaby on 09 January 2016
I have a CDX2 serial no. 219xxx 2005 build. Can someone tell me which mechanism I have and what is the difference between VAM 1202 and 1250? Which are better? and Why? Thank you.
So you're really looking at a CDX2 if the CD5XS doesn't float your boat. 2nd hand, they can just about be had for your budget. I disagree that it's bright and relentless - I always found it quite splendid myself, and far more engaging than the CD5XS. Personally my preference is for the latest version of the CDX2, so anything post 2008 would be my choice.
Regards,
Frank. Abela
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One audio reviewer once said (paraphrase) that there are only two types of components worth owning- the best and very close to the best for a lot less money. The CDX2 definitely falls into the second category. CDX2 CD player 4,060 GBP ~ 6044 USD
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August 20, 2006 4:24 PM
Hi everyone,
Maybe it's old news, but i received the confirmation of an update done to the CDX2 by an official source. I'll translate freely the original french text here;
quote:
Because of the production termination of the Philips VAM 1250 transport mechanism, the CDX2 have been modified to include a new transport mechanism. From now on, it will be equiped with the same transport mechanism as the CD5x. By the same occasion, Naim made a couple of modifications on the main circuit board of the player.
The distributors are actually receiving the new CDX2 "breed", it is sold at the same price as the previous version. A new unit is easy to identify as it use the same puck as the CD5i and the CD5x, the model 5 puck, so no more squashed or used up O-rings rubbers.
I have no word for the sonical differences between the previous version and the new one for now, i'll keep you updated. But one thing's for sure, put your confidence into Naim as it probably sound better than the previous version, past experiences are full of proofs (Just think of what happened with CDI, CDS1 and CD2...)
Naim is keeping a big stock of VAM 1250 for the production of CDS3 and for servicing purposes. So don't worry, be happy.
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Posted Wed 12 December 2007 1:30 Hide Post
In many ways the mechanism we used in the original CDS was the best transport we have ever used. This has NOT prevented us from improving the sound quality of our CD players - irrespective of what mechanism we choose from those available at the time of design.
The supply of VAM 1250 (the mech around which we chose to design the older CDS3/CDX2s) was discontinued - leaving us with the need to investigate alternatives.
Given the relative numbers of sales, it made more sense to apply the change to the CDX2 - maintaining our considerable stocks of VAM 1250s for the lower volume CDS3 production and planned reserves for future service and repair.
It was obviously a priority to ensure that sound quality was at least as good as the previous iteration and considerable work was done to achieve this. The major area of improvement over the CD5x was in the servo board design and implementation. The overall design was tuned to accommodate an altered design and the results are probably subtly different but, in our and other's opinion, of equal or better quality.
Well I hope that was helpful, you see I was where are now last year, and did a little homework!!!
Enjoy your Cdx2