Which Naim CD player?

I'd rip them. In a CD replay only universe it would have to be CDS3 for me. A keeper and serviceable. CDX2 rocks with amazing grip but it's not in the same league. But if it was me I would definitely rip 'em. 

How many is a rather large collection of cds?

I hadn't the courage of ripping 1500+ and decided to buy a cdx2.

Also ha ve an LP12 but my main source are CDs.

You might be able to get a used CDX2 for that. Being still in production, you could be confident that Naim can fix it if needed, too.     

I did S/H CD5 XS. Added S/H nDAC, Went S/H 555DR. And finally swapped nDAC for brand new NDS. Found each and every step wonderful.

Chag -

If you can get a CDX2 for your bdgt as mds said, go for it!  Is a very fine source. After I bought it I strted to buy CDs again.

Chag... posted:

I did S/H CD5 XS. Added S/H nDAC, Went S/H 555DR. And finally swapped nDAC for brand new NDS. Found each and every step wonderful.

Chag -

+1

Streaming is the future proof, and some says it sounds better than any CD player given the same amount of cost.

As an former Linn junkie,  I'm quite familiar with the LP 12.

Back in the Day, it was the analog TT vs the Digital CD. I didn't buy into the hype, on either side, both LP 12, and Genki!

I'm running an raw Cdx2 2008 Mk I, accompanied with an 282/HCDR, ain't Bad!

At that price, if you get lucky and find an 2008, that would be a good move.

 Otherwise, an earlier Mk II, with digital out, say 2010 or so.

Might be a little more, but versatile.

I hear that Cdx2/Ndac/555PS is dangerous!

But more important, you're now loaded.

LP 12

Cdx2/555PS

Ndac/Streaming

 Depending on Music and Mood!

Allante93!

I am on record here (and not utterly alone) singing praises of the CD5X, with or without a FC2X.  A classic, in the price range you indicate, if you can find one.  I will probably never let mine go.

Nick

NickSeattle posted:

I am on record here (and not utterly alone) singing praises of the CD5X, with or without a FC2X.

Not alone. I'm pretty content with my CD5X. Tried it with a FCXS and prefer it bare, but with a Hiline. When it craps out I'll replace it with a s/h CDX2 and continue playing my CDs directly.

Peter Dinh posted:

Streaming is the future proof, and some says it sounds better than any CD player given the same amount of cost.

Thanks Peter. I however considered the NDS first as an upscale DAC to convert HD files and CD. Thus the use with the CD5 XS.

My point was to suggest the adoption of an affordable CDP allowing future upgrades. Both the 5XS and the CDX2.2 allow it.  

Chag - 

CDX2 given you're using Friam, assuming you can get one in budget. The CD5x is more forgiving of poor setup but you won't need that with Fraim.

As others have suggested, the CDX2 is a CDP that rocks. I really enjoy mine.  If you can get a mk1 version for your budget then go for it. You can add an XPS, but with good amplification it really is not necessary to enjoy the distinctive and enjoyable CDX2 sound from its inbuilt DAC. Oh yes the CDX2 really does get the benefit from Fraim in helping its sound blossom out. Lesser hifi racks can make the CDX2 sound a little thin for some reason. All in my own experience of course.

I'd give the CDX2 my vote.

I've using a big Sony SACD player for the last 15 years and struggling to find something to beat it. When I added an NDac and 555PS to its digital output it was simply stunning.

Then, on a bit of a whim, I managed to pick up a second hand CDX2.2 for a good price. However, it never really beat the Sony in the sound stakes, which I found a bit surprising so decided to send it to Naim for a service. When it came back it was a completely different machine. Maybe not the last word in smooth (the Sony is still the most analogue CD player I've heard) but for shear musical involvement, edge-of-your-seat excitement and an understanding what the musicians are trying to do the CDX2 is just unbeatable.

My Sony has now been relegated to the loft while I enjoy rediscovering many of my old CD's.

Rip 'em and stream 'em! 

Pev posted:

Rip 'em and stream 'em! 

+1

Geko posted:

I'd give the CDX2 my vote.

I've using a big Sony SACD player for the last 15 years and struggling to find something to beat it. When I added an NDac and 555PS to its digital output it was simply stunning.

Then, on a bit of a whim, I managed to pick up a second hand CDX2.2 for a good price. However, it never really beat the Sony in the sound stakes, which I found a bit surprising so decided to send it to Naim for a service. When it came back it was a completely different machine. Maybe not the last word in smooth (the Sony is still the most analogue CD player I've heard) but for shear musical involvement, edge-of-your-seat excitement and an understanding what the musicians are trying to do the CDX2 is just unbeatable.

My Sony has now been relegated to the loft while I enjoy rediscovering many of my old CD's.

Its interesting you say that you had the cdx2.2 serviced. Not sure but i think that it has been in production about  5or 6 years, so that seems a short time for there to be a big difference to be had from a service, unless there was a fault undetected on the machine.

keith waring posted:

Geko posted:

.........so decided to send it to Naim for a service. When it came back it was a completely different machine. 

Its interesting you say that you had the cdx2.2 serviced. Not sure but i think that it has been in production about  5 or 6 years, so that seems a short time for there to be a big difference to be had from a service, unless there was a fault undetected on the machine.

I was thinking the same thing, hope my 2008 Cdx2 stays true.

 And yes, the Cdx2 replaced the Cdx in 2002.

The Cdx2.2, replaced the Cdx2 in 2009.

Some report, the signiture sound, between the earlier Mk I and the Mk II, is quite different.

Can't recall this very moment, but I think, the changes encompasses, a new puck, and VAM 1250, with some tweaking on the new Mk II.

However, the difference between late Mk I s, and Mk II s, are subtle, at most.

Major difference, being the Digital out, but they share the same plastic puck, no more rubbery O ring pucks, that needs replacement!

I decided on the Golden Extreme, and went with the 2008 Mk I, as opposed to the 2009 Mk II.

Wasn't interested in the digital out, but more so the 555PS Upgrade, down the road.

 Hope that was helpful!

Allante93!

CD5XS, CDX2 and CDS3 all excellent machines and supported by Naim.  XPS2 essential on CDS3 and highly beneficial to CDX2.

Funny - I have an original CDX2 - with  a rubber pad puck - I bought the player new and have never replaced the puck - all I need to do very occasionally is with a toothpick is gently slightly tease the rubber loops back out and the puck acts like new and you get all that wonderful goodness again and no 'grinding' noises. I can't help feeling the rubber pads in the puck slightly dampen the spinning disk and that can't be a bad thing.

I also think the digital out on the later players changed the sound - and to my ears not for the better albeit subtle. After all there was a reason why when the CDX2 was originally launched that it had no SPDIF out.... then of course along came the NDAC and I guess a slightly different stance had to be taken. The DAC in the CDX2 and its analogue output stage really is its greatest asset - i think if you were to by pass it - you might as well rip and stream

I stream and also have my CDP - there are some discs that just simply sound more fun on the CDX2 - typically heavy blues music such as Seasick Steve... Life is too short to limit yourself to one digital source - after all that is why we have all those inputs on our NACs

Simon

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Funny - I have an original CDX2 - with  a rubber pad puck - I bought the player new and have never replaced the puck - all I need to do very occasionally is with a toothpick is gently slightly tease the rubber loops back out and the puck acts like new and you get all that wonderful goodness again and no 'grinding' noises. I can't help feeling the rubber pads in the puck slightly dampen the spinning disk and that can't be a bad thing.

I also think the digital out on the later players changed the sound - and to my ears not for the better albeit subtle. After all there was a reason why when the CDX2 was originally launched that it had no SPDIF out.... then of course along came the NDAC and I guess a slightly different stance had to be taken. The DAC in the CDX2 and its analogue output stage really is its greatest asset - i think if you were to by pass it - you might as well rip and stream

I stream and also have my CDP - there are some discs that just simply sound more fun on the CDX2 - typically heavy blues music such as Seasick Steve... Life is too short to limit yourself to one digital source - after all that is why we have all those inputs on our NACs

Simon

Wow Simon, point on!

Took an 5 hours ride to Family Picnic last weekend, and Returned the same day. 

First Stop, Naim Dealer, during our 66 minute listening session, he pointed out, he could instantly hear the difference between the earlier, and later Mk 1s.

 He wasn't aware, that I had spoken to him about 16 months ago, before I purchased my 2008 Mk I. 

At that time, he expressed his choice would be the earlier models. They just sounded better!

BTW, he still had that earlier Mk I, tucked away!

Never sold it!

Now you and I know, lack of availability of parts, due to new suppliers is the real reasons for change.

That being said, I still opted for an 7 year deck vs an 12 year old deck.

But deep down inside, I felt the earlier Mk Is, would probably out perform, the later versions with the plastic pucks, and different VAM, 1205, 1250, or what ever.

Very observant Simon!

Hence, my choice, Aristotle's Golden Extreme!

In the middle

 Allante93!

keith waring posted:

Geko posted:

I'd give the CDX2 my vote.

I've using a big Sony SACD player for the last 15 years and struggling to find something to beat it. When I added an NDac and 555PS to its digital output it was simply stunning.

Then, on a bit of a whim, I managed to pick up a second hand CDX2.2 for a good price. However, it never really beat the Sony in the sound stakes, which I found a bit surprising so decided to send it to Naim for a service. When it came back it was a completely different machine. Maybe not the last word in smooth (the Sony is still the most analogue CD player I've heard) but for shear musical involvement, edge-of-your-seat excitement and an understanding what the musicians are trying to do the CDX2 is just unbeatable.

My Sony has now been relegated to the loft while I enjoy rediscovering many of my old CD's.

Its interesting you say that you had the cdx2.2 serviced. Not sure but i think that it has been in production about  5or 6 years, so that seems a short time for there to be a big difference to be had from a service, unless there was a fault undetected on the machine.

To be perfectly honest I think there may have been a slight fault with it as I always thought it should sound better than it did. I was on the brink of selling it then I thought...why not send it to Naim just to check it out? I think the service report said that they had loaded new software and given it a general service plus a listen.

Whatever they did they made it sound a whole lot better, so I'm well happy!

CDX2 or CD5x seem to be topping the charts. Thanks for all the advice. 

Streaming: would have to be NDX minimum.

If I opt for the ripping (some 500 or so CDs I think) does it matter what disc reader I use? CD player essential? I currently only have external and internal Apple superdrive to Aiff at 16 bit 48khz.

No one ever mentions the HDX and its stablemates. Any good? How do they compare with CDX2 and CD5x?

If you have a NDX & a CD player,  & providing you do the job right with a proper grown up NAS for ripping, & once the CD's have all been ripped, & then you start buying 24-bit,  & then start replacing your favourite old redbook ripped CD's with remastered 24-bit & DSD's,     the CD player will be redundant.

Mike... To me that  is completely missing the point .. a Naim CDP or streamer is not simply about being a transport to extract digital data.. They each replay music in a very different way through their own design and voicing. Each is its own musical instrument if you will. A CDX2 for example has a unique sound signature that is not matched by any DAC or streamer I have ever heard.. The CDX2 does its magic on certain discs and genres, and if you simply ripped your media to play out eslsewhere and sell on your CDX2 you would miss forever the enjoyment a CDX2 brings for when you want to savour what it does on certain discs etc. Now yes if you don't particularly enjoy your CDP or it has no unique characteristics as a source you enjoy then fair enough... But that has not been the case for me  for the Naim CDPs I have had or continue to own.

And yes I am an avid streamer and CDP user who has ripped more than 1300 CDs.. and keep a semi rotating group of fave CDs by my CDP.

Mike-B posted:

If you have a NDX & a CD player,  & providing you do the job right with a proper grown up NAS for ripping, & once the CD's have all been ripped, & then you start buying 24-bit,  & then start replacing your favourite old redbook ripped CD's with remastered 24-bit & DSD's,     the CD player will be redundant.

Streaming certainly does have the potential to be better than CD because it doesn't rely on real-time extraction of data from the disc and doesn't then need error correction circuitry and resultant interpolation to fill in for read errors - and not being mechanical it won't go out of alignment and has less to fail. But of course if the CD player has a sound signature that you like, it can make music sound better to you. However, don't assume that high res files will sound better: aside from the (oft-disputed) argument that you can't get better sound quality than can be achieved with the red-book CD standard, it depends very much on the mastering, with high res files seemingly often having different mastering to teir red book counterparts,certainly not always beneficially.