CD5X vs CDS2; upgrade?

A CDS2 in fine fettle will walk all over a CD5X/FC2!, regardless of black facia synergy... If CD is what you want to stay with, then forget about resale value in 5 years, buy what you like the sound of, and enjoy it. Chances are that both dacs and streamers bought now will also be worth bugger all in 5 years time too, but who knows, good CD players are still sought after for a reason. 

As above. Two different universes. The CDS2 is where you'll be wanting to go - if it's in good condition and working properly.

Are replacement CD transport mechs still available from naim for CDS2 ?

Debs

This one comes with a new VAM 1205 ( if i'm not mistaken?) transport, so that's pretty much taken care of. It apparently had a full service job (what does that entail?)  in 2006 and a maintenance and full set-up job (and this??) in 2012, all at Naim. Does this imply that the transport has been replaced already?? Does anyone know the specifics of these service jobs?

Thanks so far for all your replies!

CDS2 with XPS is much better than CD5X. This will be readily  apparent as you upgrade power and preamp in the Naim range. My CDS3 is better than my CDS2 XPS, much better than CDX XPS and light years better than my CD3.5 flatcap.

I went from a CD5/Hicap to CDS2/XPS and whilst it was a bit better it wasn't the huge leap I hoped for. This in the context of an olive 52/135s system.  Annoyingly the CDS2 was much more fussy about playing CDs and I went through about a puck a year due to the dreaded ERR message appearing way more often than on the CD5. 

If you are sure you will be still using CDs as your main source for a reasonable payback period, say 5 years, then it may be worth it to you but I would think hard before you pull the trigger. As ever a good demo is essential.

I'm so happy to have ditched CDs for streaming.

I believe in synergy first rather than source first.  I have no doubt you'll enjoy a higher fi presentation at first with the cds2 and then in 6 months be looking for the next upgrade.  Some think this is a natural progression.  I think it's your brain telling you your system isn't working well together.  And that can be expensive to fix.  Since it's easy to spend maximum amounts of money I will offer the cheaper alternatives - a flatcap 2x is a fantastic (and in my view essential) upgrade for the cd5x.  Avoid the flatcap xs - it's not the same.  And don't share it with the nait.  Or get the matching cd5xs - it'll sound great with the nait.  Finally, a used cdx2 might also be worthwhile - if you decide to upgrade around it later it's in a less expensive part of the line up.  

It's all about where you want to to be. XS/ HCDR sounded good with my CDS3. (Originally the XS was with CD5 and FC2, then a CDX2). But having got the CDS3, the amplifier journey had to start.

Just make sure you are happy with the service history of the CDS2 and XPS if you want to go for it.

Good luck. Chris

tef posted:

Hi all,

First post here, have been lurking for a couple of years though.

I've done extensive research on the forum but still find it hard to pull the trigger on a possible upgrade from a flatcapped CD5X to a CDS2-XPS combo. Going from all black to mixed fascias is the least of my worries although I do like the all black thing.

I especially have difficulty with the fact that I'm spending so much on a 15+ year old system (that has however been recently serviced). .......

Thanks

Welcome to the Forum Tef!

I haven't read all of the replies, to your post, but have you considered an 8 year old Cdx2 MK 1. 

I made the move last year, I did demo an Cd5 XS, it was a smooth sounding deck, However, the Forum convinced me that a Mk I with a 282 would be more revealing. 

A four year old Mk II,  wouldn't be a bad option either, they're starting to hit the 2nd hand Market! 

Good Luck on your Journey, don't worry, you will get lots of Advice Here! 

We love spending your hard earned Cash! 

Allante93! 

The CDS2 is miles better than CD5x/FC.  And yes, "better."  No ifs, no buts. 

Bob Edwards posted:

The CDS2 is miles better than CD5x/FC.  And yes, "better."  No ifs, no buts. 

Exactly!  A better source is a better source, simple. 

Stream.... you won't go back to the CD player if you do it properly.

Try adding nDAC to your CD5XS. It will make your FlatCap redundant though.

OP has a CD5X, not CD5XS, so no Ndac!

gary yeowell posted:

OP has a CD5X, not CD5XS, so no Ndac!

Of course - I missread the title.

gary yeowell posted:

Bob Edwards posted:

The CDS2 is miles better than CD5x/FC.  And yes, "better."  No ifs, no buts. 

Exactly!  A better source is a better source, simple. 

I guess on paper a Rega Saturn is a 'better' source than a CD5i. In the long term though, I'd rather listen to the humble Naim source. More musical, less analytical. Better engagement.

Christopher_M posted:

It's all about where you want to to be. XS/ HCDR sounded good with my CDS3. (Originally the XS was with CD5 and FC2, then a CDX2). But having got the CDS3, the amplifier journey had to start.

Just make sure you are happy with the service history of the CDS2 and XPS if you want to go for it.

Good luck. Chris

Thanks all!

My "end system" would consist of a CDS3, XPS2 on a Supernait2. Maybe with a separate PSU for the SN2. I'm happy with my Stageline at the moment, maybe another PSU would do something but I wouldn't be surprised if Naim would launch an upgraded Stageline somewhere in the coming years, since the whole vinyl revival of the past years. They're definitely missing out on some potential buyer's since the Stageline doesn't get enough credit online and there's so much competition at that level and the SL is superexpensive and MC only. A new Naim preamp somewhere between Stageline and Superline would not surprise me.

So regarding the CDS2, I'm considering to save a little longer and go for the CDS3 instead. Thanks all. What are your thoughts on the phono preamp thing?

joerand posted:

gary yeowell posted:

Bob Edwards posted:

The CDS2 is miles better than CD5x/FC.  And yes, "better."  No ifs, no buts. 

Exactly!  A better source is a better source, simple. 

I guess on paper a Rega Saturn is a 'better' source than a CD5i. In the long term though, I'd rather listen to the humble Naim source. More musical, less analytical. Better engagement.

Err no that's twisting it.  A Rega Saturn is not a better source than the CD5i at all.  A better source in the Naim line is a better source, and still sounds like a Naim. There is NO arguement for a CD5X over a CDS2 in terms of sound quality, and you would have to be deaf not to hear it. Anyhow, not relevant now as the OP is going to wait for a CDS3, and buy a SN2, and that's no bad decision. CDS3 into SN2 is a great combo, i should know, as i use it. Far better to buy the CDS3 first, into existing NaitXS, than using CD5X into SN2 as the SN2 deserves better.

I have a CDS 2 in all olive system.   I like it very much.  However, AFAIK, transport cannot be replaced on this player. Therefore, I would not get the CDS 2 for this reason .  Note: I have had this player for over 10 yrs and had to replace the transport twice.   david

tef posted:

So regarding the CDS2, I'm considering to save a little longer and go for the CDS3 instead. Thanks all. What are your thoughts on the phono preamp thing?

Wise on the CDS3.

I'm very happy with my second Stageline, this time an S. The first was an N. When I bought a LOMC I was swayed by the all the Stageline's neggy press and bought something else. It was OK, a bit hi-fi. Then I bought some Naim speakers again. A Stageline just made it so right, so involving. It all came together.

Imo, any Stageline is no slouch if you you have a HCDR on the pre (including the pre section of your XS) and power the Stageline from AUX2.

C.