Best VFM CD player in today's hot market

I'd have thought that the used market for second hand CD players was rather cool, if not cold, where some players that sound like bargains sit around for ages. The CDS2 would be my choice. 

Maybe it's in my poor definition of "hot". I guess I mean there are bargains to be had! 

Thanks for your reply HH. Don't you think a sh CDS2 is going to need a pretty thorough (and expensive) service? 

About 17 years ago I purchased my first cdp from Cymbiosis, a Rega Planet. Iirc it was less than £500 with a lifetime guarantee. At the time I listened to the offerings from Naim etc and would of had to spend well over double the cost to better it - it served me well for about 14 years when I went for a pre loved CDX & XPS. I sold the planet for about £220 on that famous auction site!! I assume that the Rega Apollo is the replacement player so it would get my vote for best vfm for at least a listen at about £550 retail

sjw98 posted:

Maybe it's in my poor definition of "hot". I guess I mean there are bargains to be had! 

Thanks for your reply HH. Don't you think a sh CDS2 is going to need a pretty thorough (and expensive) service? 

It may already had had one. 

One that will sustain CD5XS, CDX2 or CDS3.

personally, i wouldn't go for a CD player these days....if the lens/optic/mechanical part is defect you may run in supply problems.... just my 2cents....

I just bought a CD5X in nearly mint condition. This one it actually sports  CDX2 pcb and dac, For less than 700 GBP it's really good VFM

Regards

Roberto

rsch posted:

I just bought a CD5X in nearly mint condition. This one it actually sports  CDX2 pcb and dac, For less than 700 GBP it's really good VFM

Regards

Roberto

Sorry....? A CDX5 with a CDX2 PCB & DAC....?  How....?

Ian, in a rather loose sense, Roberto is nearly correct; the CD5x circuit and DAC are seemingly quite similar to those in the CDX2.  However, look more closely and critical difference start to become apparent.  More rigorous selection of components (including the DAC), better regulation etc..

Richard - Similar I can live with.... And is what I would have expected. But not 'the same', particularly the PCB. Same DAC, or similar - yes. 

What are people's views on CD5x compared with the CD5xs in vfm terms? I've owned an xs and loved it but it is still quite a lot more expensive than the x. And did I somehow remember that the 5i was a bit rubbish?

No, I wouldn't call a CD5i rubbish.  Far from it.  Even the first one with the rather basic Philips UDA1330 DAC onboard got the fundamentals just about right even if it was a bit rolled off and fuzzy up top. It truly showed that you had to get all the fundamentals just right - mechanical, structural, electrical, before it was worth spending money on a fancier DAC chipset.  Truly a Naim player, because nobody else would have dared do it like that.

Naim CDS if you can find a properly working one. 

Or a Uniti Core...

jon honeyball posted:

Naim CDS if you can find a properly working one. 

CDS1 Fantastic - so musical! 

The worst Naim cd player I've heard was first gen. 5i, really cost-down product, not useable outside entrylevel amplication, at half the price I choose Rega Apollo anyday

One of the best CDS (any) CDi, CD2 or 3 not bad either - there are however service issues

Used CDX or CD5X might be best VFM all considered

I've heard too much issues with 555 so beside a silly price its out

If NAIM - I would go for CDX2.2

If other brands - Oppo 105 (it's a universal disc player with very good DACs). For the price you've menioned you can buy a new one.

Good comments everyone. Thanks. I am quite surprised by how few people have mentioned CDX on here actually. Second hand CDS, CDS2 seem like popular choices alongside a cd5x, depending on budget and servicing but very few people have brought up the cdx (I'm guessing would be first gen for this approx budget). 

Equally - does anyone know the approx service costs of a cds?

There is a decent CDS3 for sale at a well know UK dealer's website...

I'd go for a CD5x plus power supply, or...

I would go for a CDS3 which is brill, but costs a bit more once you consider a power supply. I have one and it is staying, even though i don't use it that often nowadays...

Regards,

Nick 

T38.45 posted:

personally, i wouldn't go for a CD player these days....if the lens/optic/mechanical part is defect you may run in supply problems.... just my 2cents....

 

The younger generation, is definitely into streaming, and convenience is the icing on the cake. That being said, purchased an 2008 Cdx2 March of 2015, Beautiful deck! Great sounding!

Picked it up for $1700 USA, at the time they were fetching anywhere between 2.1K & 2.7K.

But 18 months later skipping, Repaired the Snaic, but that wasn't the fix.

The Forum suggested I try having the optical lens cleaned, made sense, Google up the procedure, and still thought best to let an authorized dealer handle it, $40.

Then Philips poped into my mind, no one on the Forum answered my question!

Did Philips manufacturer the optical lens for Naim???????

To make a long story short, checked with Naim, and they gave me the Ok on Philips CD cleaning disc, $17.

Arriving tomorrow, also picked up a can of gas blow. 

Hope that works, only about 3-4 skips during playback, but very annoying.

Otherwise Avoptions $700, Naim $600, that's also very annoying.

Worst case Scenario, 2.4K Killer serviced deck.

MM/Airport Extreme/Airport Express/282,

Ain't Bad!

But it ain't no Cdx2/282!

Enjoy your Music!

Allante93.

Naim - CD5 SI ( here in Canada with 5 year warranty from new, untouched by mortals and will get your foot tapping )

Marantz CD6005 - Can be had for 200, at Richer Sounds, or if you want to spend a bit more, the new CD6006 at 300.  Spend the rest on Music, Cables, Wall Treatment, Beer and wine for while listening.

Naim cd5x (~700e), converted to transport only (~300e).

You get to use it with your top of the range - latest spec DAC, and sounds as good as, and sometimes better than, your other digital source. Plus you get to use your current remote.