upgrade or not?

I've bought one recently and have absolutely no regret

If you want a CD player as a long term option, you are always going to have to accept that parts availability will eventually become a problem. As long as you're prepared to accept that the resale value will be zero, I can't see why this should deter anyone from buying one now if that is your preferred format, as long as the price is right. 

When Naim run out of spares, there is still the possibility of a successful mech repair by a facility not authorised by Naim. Given that this might prevent a Naim box becoming landfill, perhaps the moderator will forgive this little transgression!

I'm especially afraid of other parts besides the mech failing. is that a realistic threat?

CDS3 is a superb player and can be serviced completely. Mine was refurbished by Chris West and sounds excellent. No comparison to the CDS2, CDX or CD3.5 I previously owned. Never heard the CD555 to compare though.

With the mechanics only 4 years old you, if the price is good enough then why not? Except I note your desire for it to be an 'end player', which I take to mean the last you will buy.

Personally, I have always steered clear of a buying secondhand CD player because it is a mechanical device, subject to wear and resultant deterioration/failure. And if you are thinking long term, perhaps one approach would be to find out what commitment Naim might give to availability of replacement mechanicals, maybe even consider buying the spare parts while available to store for future use). 

My own solution when my last CD player failed mechanically, with replacement parts not available, was to switch to streaming. I know that you state you aren't looking to go into streaming - nor was I, but when I thought about it I realised that streaming is the future, so that point of having to spend money made it the logical thing to do - and I have had no need whatsoever to regret in any way, as I have found benefits, with the only negative being the ripping process for my CDs, which actually didn't seem much of a hassle. Maybe if you want something to last indefinitely it might be worth reflecting on a source that diesn't have mechanical parts to wear out.

Currently CDS3s with the later mechanism are repairable and of course power supplies remain available. You don't want to go into streaming so why not. The reality is that to get a really high end CD player for a good price will inevitably mean that it is going to be older rather than just off the production line or ex-dem. If you have been looking for some time you will know whether the price is good. My only caveat would be its provenance - can you get any sort of short term guarantee? Have you seen the receipt for the repair work? If it's a private sale what do you know of the seller and their reputation?

I'm a happy CDS3 owner!

Clive

Naim will tell you if it can be serviced. If in doubt ask them. As for the CDS3 itself, no praise is high enough. And that's at the full retail price. They must be huge bargains by now. NDS gives you much more musical enjoyment IMO but if you want an end CDP the CDS3 remains peerless and in absolute terms one of the best CDPs ever.

Thanks all for your replies. What do you mean CDB when you say CDS3 with the later mechanism? It's a 2003 unit (I assumed it had the VAM1205 and got the VAM1220 in 2013)

Yes, I have seen the receipt of the repair, and have also gotten a video of the unit in working condition. I think I must proceed with the buy! Can anyone recommend a shipping company for mainland Europe?

A very, very  bad idea and the CDS3 would be the least to be concerned with, I reckon.

The head unit would ONLY sing once you match the best possible PSU so your plan shows to be  failing shortly ,sorry.

Recently ,a friend of mine, matched to his CDx2 a 3rd party one and, though it improved some parameters spoiled sound. He decided not to buy and use it bare.

Furthermore I wouldn't expect at all a massive showing of its goodness with the XS.

Change plan IMHO and have some real demos.

They change it to the VAM1202 the cds3 is fully serviceable I asked naim a month ago, 

tef posted:

Thanks all for your replies. What do you mean CDB when you say CDS3 with the later mechanism? It's a 2003 unit (I assumed it had the VAM1205 and got the VAM1220 in 2013)

Yes, I have seen the receipt of the repair, and have also gotten a video of the unit in working condition. I think I must proceed with the buy! Can anyone recommend a shipping company for mainland Europe?

Yes, you're correct about replacing the 1205 with the 1202 (I think) on the 2003 model, and by 'later mech', I only meant the 1202. But some late models of the CDS3 were fitted originally with the 1202 - and that is what I bought (second-hand). The main point is that once the 1202 is fitted, service and repair is still available. 

Clive

Interesting posts!

I do understand that the Nait XS will not show the CDS3's full potential. My planned "end amplifier" would probably be the Supernait2 (although the Ayre AX5 reviews have made me very curious about that one too). Gonna wait a couple of years before buying something of that order second hand. After reading  about it here on the forum, I do believe that the Nait XS is capable of a decent representation of the CDS3's magic. 

Moderated Post:  Please ensure you respect forum rules - note that discussion of unauthorised modifications (which includes non-Naim power supplies) is strictly forbidden. Use of such supplies will definitely impair performance from what Naim intended and may even damage your equipment. Thanks.

tef posted:

Yes, I have seen the receipt of the repair, and have also gotten a video of the unit in working condition. I think I must proceed with the buy! Can anyone recommend a shipping company for mainland Europe?

Trusting a CD player to a carrier is risky. Some service agents (including Naim, I believe) recommend that CD players are only sent to them for service if it is absolutely necessary due to the risk of damage in transit. So choose your carrier with great care, and make sure the seller packs it properly.

When we did a factory visit we saw  a 500 that had arrived "KBC" (killed by courier). You would hope that it will be transit bolted and sent in its original box. This should ensure the safest possible transit. Providing it is insured to the hilt.Worth checking if you are unable to collect personally.

I know the transit screws are available. Don't know about the original box though...  Can anyone chime in with a suggestion on courier companies? THanks again!

Which ever courier company you use, go for whoever offers the fastest service - preferably next day.  That means less time available for accidents, throwing around, opening up to see what's inside, running over with machinery etc..

Also, packing well in the key.  Pack so you're confident that throwing the box down the stairs will not result in any physical damage to the player. However...

...The difficulty with CD mechs is that they just don't like being moved around - they like it the less the older they are.  So there's no way to guarantee that a courier ride won't kill the mech without any sign of outer physical damage.  

Insurance is very expensive, full of get-outs and frankly not something you really want to ever have to claim on. You're almost better off saving your money and spending on extra packaging or faster service. It's a risk you have to take.

tef posted:

I know the transit screws are available. Don't know about the original box though...  Can anyone chime in with a suggestion on courier companies? THanks again!

Top and bottom transit bolts are essential.  Make sure they are fitted/unfitted with the CDS3 sat perfectly level.  It's critical that the tray pins don't jump out of the jewelled cups on the end of the leaf springs. If this happens then it's an open-up job and then best to re-align the leaf spring arms to ensure the tray is perfectly level. Any blunted pins should be replaced - this is a back to factory job.  There's a lot to go wrong with just the CDS3 tray suspension system and I do wonder how many are not performing at their best just down to simple suspension issues.

It is possible that in mainland Europe a low cost airline flight to personally pick up and take as 'hand baggage' may be not much more costly than a good courier and decent insurance. And considerably less risky -but tgat does depend from wherer to where, and the transport at either end.

Coming from cd5x and nait xs you must understand the cds3 is an entirely different league cost wise.  Repairs are much more expensive and an xps2 is needed for the cds3 to work - if you get a used unit you'll be paying for a recap shortly - also quite expensive.  Also, a fraim would be strongly recommended to get the best from it.  SInce your final amp will be a SN2 I would humbly suggest the matching cdx2 instead of the cds3 - altogether a more reasonable solution cost-wise and an excellent player in its own right.  

listening to the advice....potential repair trusting couriers....or not!  stick with what you have perhaps for less heartache!

tef posted:

After reading  about it here on the forum, I do believe that the Nait XS is capable of a decent representation of the CDS3's magic. 

 

Mine was :-)    And it's brilliant with my 202/ 200 too. However I have an XPS2 (hint).

C.

The CDS3 is marvellous, Naim's best ever CD player. But I'm not sure I'd use it with a Nait XS and Motive 2s, unless I was planning a significant upgrade of both. And I'd only get it if I was going to use it with a proper Naim power supply that will enable it to work as intended. I tried a CDS3 against a CD5x once, both through a Nait 5i, and there was little difference. The XS is better of course, and you'll hear a difference no doubt, but nothing like the full potential of this wonderful player. 

Superb player - will be great with a XS but eventuall.......