CD5 XS verses CD5i - 2

hi

My belief is that the Cd5XS is a much better player.

It boils down to the source material you are using ( as in quality of pressings ) and the room acoustics as well. To hear the differences, these 2 things must be optimal.

Maybe other more experienced folks will chip in as well.

It will be nice to have a side by side comparo of both the players in your room - i guess the dealer wouldnt mind it and then make a final decision

regards

The CD5XS is in a completely different class from the CD5i-2 and CD5si. That's true of the bare CD5XS, let alone if you're driving its DAC section with the 2nd power supply from the flatcap XS! It's possible that your expectations were low so when the CD5i-2 played music you were unexpectedly surprised. Some people also don't 'pick up' differences on the way down and pick them up on the way up.

If it's not that, then one of two things is happening:

• The fault in the CD5XS has been around longer than you thought, and infusing the system with sub-par performance.
• A setup issue is holding the whole system back.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

The two players have the same 2.1 v output so it's not that the lesser might have impressed on an initial listen by having a higher output - as is the case with other budget players. The Cd5i is no shrinking violet,and with some material its get at it attitude might be preferable to the cd5xs more measured attitude, also the pre section of the Nait xs might be less so discriminate in showing source quality.   Take the FC off the Nait and you should be able to tell the difference.

In a properly balanced system, the 5XS should knock the lower end players into a cocked hat. This seems quite a nicely balanced system so I'd expect the benefits of the XS player to come through in spades. Of course, depending on the nature of the fault, it may be that the player has been 'playing up' for quite some time.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I agree completely with frank having owned both.

i could clearly hear a bit improvement between players using nait 5i-2.

now with the nait xs things got a whole lot more fleshed out.

Adding fc2x to nait xs the prat and groove is more like the nait 5i with less noise and greater dynamics

Hopefully it will be obvious when cd5xs returns

what speakers are you using?

Ps the cd5i is a joyful player ��

Supposed to say big improvement between players using nait 5i-2

I thought the 5XS was much better than the 5i when I listened to both of them. I ended up with the 5XS - with FCXS and XS.

The CD5 XS is a very accomplished and well established product (re)built upon the CD5x. It has been in the catalog now for 7 years. Diversity, accuracy and density of timbres, texture, PRaT, attacks and flexibility may be its key attributes. Add the possibility to go nDAC or NDS and/or external PSUs and you have one of the most versatile products in the range IMHO. 

Chag -

After another week listening to the Cdi5-2 I still cannot detect much if any difference whatever has been said above. Maybe it is my ageing ears, anyway I will have to wait until CD5XS is returned when I will just listen to it with and without the flatcap . Yes everything was correctly connected. Should be interesting when it is returned..

I'm told I have to wait at least another 2 weeks until I can do this. Steve Hopkins, Customer Service Manager at Naim told me the turn round time for repairs is at least 4 weeks as things are bus,is that must be a lot of faults to correct. Anyway I will wait and see.

Hi charles44

sometimes repairs do take some time and its best to wait.

anyways you are enjoying the cd5i..

my CD5XS is off for repair too and i have winded up my setup since my home is under renovation as well..

I am enjoying the break..

Thus far have had a wonderful interaction and response from Steven and Naim and i hope things work out for you as well. 

I am looking at a pre loved flatcap as well and maybe an amp to match the CD5XS + flatcap..

regards

I have just purchased the CD5XS and I am waiting delivery.  I demoed the player using the NaitXS.......nice.... and then with the Chord Qute 2 Dac......amazing.

Will purchase the Dac when I have paid for the CD5XS.

There is definitely a performance boost when your flatcap is no longer pulling double duty powering two components - if you want to stick with your system adding a 2nd flatcap would be worth looking into.  

I have a CD5italic and it is an excellent cd-player. But i can hear it has a bit treble rolloff next to the Sonos Connect with 320 Kb Spotify on the internal SN1 DAC!. I find the SN1 DAC really excellent. Smooth yet vivid, open, tight, full, etc. But the CD5italic is quicker on his feet with deeper soundstage and slightly better midrange.  

Wait until your CD5XS is back, you will hear the difference, i can assure you...