Naim cds3

True.

It makes the music flow in a way that I find hard to describe. But you would know it too if you heard a CDS3.

Chris

As Chris says it has a fluency and presentation that is impossible to describe.  Fantastic music maker.

I moved from cdx2/cps to cds3 .. for me the cds3 was effortless more realistic the cdx2 was harsh and forced

One of the top CD players ever produced, more flowing, organic, even analogue sounding compared to the '2. However, some prefer the sound of the '2 it seems so you need to listen to it yourself.

On a practical note the '3 needs a top shelf.

Stu

Yes another personal preference think, I had a CDS3 for a while.. it was cleaner sounding than my CDX2 and more detailed  but just didn't emotionally connect or musically flow to me the same way. The CDS3 sounded perhaps a bit too clinical and polite and ultimately a bit musically sterile to my ears but accomplished..... I have since sold my CDS3 but I still have play my CDX2 after all these years... which says it all for me and my preference.

Simon

stuart.ashen posted:

One of the top CD players ever produced, more flowing, organic, even analogue sounding compared to the '2. However, some prefer the sound of the '2 it seems so you need to listen to it yourself.

On a practical note the '3 needs a top shelf.

Stu

Sums up my perspective perfectly - cds3 and lp12 make great bedfellows.

Simon's post describes equally the opposite perspective hence, if you can hear them both together, it's well worth doing to be sure which presentation appeals most to you.

Peter

Hi Johnnys,

I too used to enjoy a CDX2/XPS, before trying a CDS3/XPS2.  In the end, I went from CDX2/XPS to CDX2/555PS to CDS3/555PS.  On the basis of our home auditions and/or ownership of all the combinations, a CDX2/555PS is broadly equivalent to a CDS3/XPS, while both are a genuinely significant step up from a CDX2/XPS.

Hope this helps, FT

Hi there, I moved from a CDX2 -XPS  to a CDS3- XPS .as simon said cds3 is smoother and more detailed but I found it ultimately less exciting to listen to and too polite in longer sessions, whereas the CDX2 was more digital sounding but fast and very lively and engaging, I now use a CD555, different ballgame !

ATB

Steve

If it helps I actually preferred a bare NDX to my CDS3, which I loved (now sold), and XPS DR. I no longer use a CD player, but still purchase a silly amount of CDs. Obviously the XPS DR is now on the NDX.

Johnny5 posted:

The naim cds3 is it a good step up from the cdx2/xps

if you like prat and dynamic first, rock, funk or jazz rock, modern jazz, i think the cdx2/ xps2 is better than cds3.  For classical music, vocal, trio jazz... cds3 is better.  Just my opinion, but also some members prefer the cdx2.

Keler Pierre posted:

if you like prat and dynamic first, rock, funk or jazz rock, modern jazz, i think the cdx2/ xps2 is better than cds3.  For classical music, vocal, trio jazz... cds3 is better.  Just my opinion, but also some members prefer the cdx2.

I found the CDX2/555PS to be broadly equivalent to the CDS3/XPS.  However, they do have a distinctly different character.  If you prefer the drive, dynamics and freworks of rock, then I would expect you to have a strong preference for the CDX2/555PS.  If however you prefer effortless, civilised, smooth, flowing, organic music with beautifully revealed layers of detail and structure, then I would expect the CDS3/XPS to be far more to your liking.

I preferred the CDX2/555PS over the CDS3/XPS.  Then the CDS3 was paired with the 555PS, which then seemed and still seems to combine the very best of both.

However, the CDX2/555PS was so very much better to these ears than a CDX2/XPS that I ordered a new 555PS there and then.

On the other hand, others prefer a bare CDX2 to one with any external power supply, or prefer a CDS3 with an XPS over a 555PS.  Funny how we all hear things differently.

Best regards, FT