NAIT XS 2 with Marantz CD6006 vs a used Naim CD player

I don't own an iPad or any other "smart" device.

spacey posted:

Getting up to change the sides of an LP or go to a CD rack, spend time looking the disc, then think about what you want next etc... that's not a relaxing way to listen IMHO.  

I guess I'll take the seemingly exhaustive approach of getting my ass up off the chair every 20 to 40 minutes and having to (god forbid) spend time and think about what I want to play next (as if streaming somehow eliminates this process).

More to the point of the OP, why do topics on CDPs always have to be met by streamers "enlightening" ignorant physical media users on the indisputable superiority of streaming? It all plays pretty evangelical to me.

The OP has a NAIT XS.

A natural partner for this integrated amp is a CD5XS. I understand it may be slightly outside of the budget at the moment. Nevertheless there are several advantages to this scenario:

1. CD5XS can be upgraded: a FlatCap XS - upgrades both the amp and the player

2. An alternative upgrade is a nDAC (a second hand one is a realistic financial proposition) which considerably lifts the performance of the CD5XS (at least it did when I owned that combo).

3. Matching looks. Aestethics are important, especially in a domestic environment. All of the aforementioned boxes come in 'slim look' cases.

Marksnaim posted:

Mike-B posted:

  the whole thing is so easy & very convenient. 

Not if you detest anything to do with computers like I do. ..................   All IMO of course.

Agreed everyone has different opinions,   & please don't think I'm saying you are wrong,  but I fail to understand why a hatred of computers means you won't consider some form of network streaming.   OK you might read the stories on this forum & think that is normal (its not)  its pretty much plug & play especially so if you follow the basics & KIS.   

HH  I take your point about the OP asking for CD player advice & here we are thread drifting into network steaming replay,  my post is simply suggesting that maybe now is the time to consider a possible alternative to a medium that is in decline.  

Wow, I need to thank you all for offering your advice. I do appreciate the comments along with the passion and spirited comments.

FWIW - I do plan to add streaming at some point in time. My first goal was to purchase a system that would improve the listening quality at home. I first brought home a pair of KEF LS50's and felt they were not just quite right for me so I went back to the store demo room and listened to the KEF R500, Pro Ac D20, and Pro Ac D2. The choice was the D2 speakers, the sound quality was unbelieveable and they just felt right. (I know there are dozens of other quality speakers but time and availability fit into my my decision logic) The purchase of the D2's upset my budget a wee bit for the moment but hope to make steady progress in assembling a decent kit over time.

I do appreciate the many comments about the problems one can have with streaming. As soon as you put multiple layers of software code, often from multiple venders, a problem can easily be introduced and cause havoc. For some this is not an issue for others spending time to trouble shoot a problem or having the music temporary drop-out or needing to restart can ruin an enjoyable moment. My first goal was to have something self contained, old school you might say, and build from there.

I will be looking to upgrade my CD player first with a Naim and look at the Din to Din connection and a power supply down the road. Also FWIW I have purchase a pair of Chord Clearway speaker cables and Chord C-line RCA Interconnet cables for the CD/AMP connection. 

Once again, thanks for the advice, I need it and appreciate it.

Seakayaker, you are on the right track.  Your CD6006 is not exactly a bottom-rung player anyway, at $500, when you could have had e.g a Sony BluRay for $60.  I see you can plug a thumb drive or iPod into it, which is a nice extra.

If you do get into streaming, you might just keep the CD player, be it Marantz or Naim, for reference to compare your streamer with.

Enjoy the journey.  It is supposed to be fun.

Nick

That's the spirit, a cd5xs will keep you listening to cds for years, but there's also the cd5si, that thing is a bloody gaint killer, all this matching like for like isn't writen in stone, I run a SN2, and Cd5xs, getting off the couch isn't a bad thing, unless your stoned, have fun pal.

Mike-B posted:

Agreed everyone has different opinions,   & please don't think I'm saying you are wrong,  but I fail to understand why a hatred of computers means you won't consider some form of network streaming.   OK you might read the stories on this forum & think that is normal (its not)  its pretty much plug & play especially so if you follow the basics & KIS.   

 

No offence taken. But I seem to have the ability to break anything containing a computer more advanced than a basic calculator just by looking at it. The iPhone seems to be a exception to that rule fortunately. As a work colleague said to me "That's because they are designed for people who can't use computers!" He's half my age so apologies if that comes across in any way patronising.

Maybe when I get too wobbly to safely cue the cartridge then streaming will be the way to go. In 10 years or so I suspect the technology will be even more robust and unobtrusive, so much so that it may become immune to my microchip busting super powers.

Marksnaim posted:

....................   Maybe when I get too wobbly to safely cue the cartridge then streaming will be the way to go. In 10 years or so I suspect the technology will be even more robust and unobtrusive, so much so that it may become immune to my microchip busting super powers.

Yep,  as & when you're ready & I suspect the tech will be a lot more robust faster than you think,  every day something improves & I suspect you will move over long before 10 years is up.      A side story:  about a year ago I helped a family friends duaghter  replace her CD player with a network player,  aside from me installing the (simple) ethernet,  it seemed very strange that me a 70 year old was teaching a 30 year old scientist how to rip CD's, edit metadata, upload to NAS, download from www etc.,   but it was a show it once & it stuck exercise.   She has been 100% trouble free for over a year now & has been doing all her own stuff without any help. 

I second JoeRand's point about a CD5X - they are superb with or without a PS and you will really enjoy what it does, and on the second hand market they can be had for a pretty good price.

Rega players are also very good and there are some SH bargains out there as well.

 I am jealous of your speakers; I had Response D2s and sold them for D28s, but those are really awesome bookshelf speakers; I would have no qualms about getting another set.

After the CDP, look for a SN or SN-2, and you will really see more of what your ProAcs can do. Then you can add a HC later!

DrMark posted:

After the CDP, look for a SN or SN-2, and you will really see more of what your ProAcs can do. Then you can add a HC later!

Reality check: Fella's just bought a Nait XS2.

I went from cd5i to cd5xs and to me this was a great improvement, a much more musical and refined player. Adding the ndac was a further significant step up. I did this over a number of years so take your time if you need to particularly if you are considering streaming. It may be worth waiting until the new naim streamers are released you might be interested in these or may be able to pick up used nd5xs and ndac for a good price. 

Marksnaim posted:

Mike-B posted:

Agreed everyone has different opinions,   & please don't think I'm saying you are wrong,  but I fail to understand why a hatred of computers means you won't consider some form of network streaming.   OK you might read the stories on this forum & think that is normal (its not)  its pretty much plug & play especially so if you follow the basics & KIS.   

 

No offence taken. But I seem to have the ability to break anything containing a computer more advanced than a basic calculator just by looking at it. The iPhone seems to be a exception to that rule fortunately. As a work colleague said to me "That's because they are designed for people who can't use computers!" He's half my age so apologies if that comes across in any way patronising.

Maybe when I get too wobbly to safely cue the cartridge then streaming will be the way to go. In 10 years or so I suspect the technology will be even more robust and unobtrusive, so much so that it may become immune to my microchip busting super powers.

That could be a major problem for you, the average mass market car has somewhere around 10 to 25 computers in it, and they're all a lot more sophisticated than a calculator!

Turntables are more sofisticated than streaming.. setting up i mean

Setting up may be a nightmare but running NAS is easy and there are plug and play solutions available now aş zeniths melco core

I prefer the cds aş well but it is only emotional attachment to buy something pysical 

Emre posted:

Turntables are more sofisticated than streaming.. setting up i mean

HA !

You must be joking

I would never know where to begin any stream based setup 

Not afraid of TT, shifting cartridges a lot in my youth, today I choose plug and play 

Its an age thing

I am using a Hugo fed by a Marantz dvd player 600x (I'm CD only as well).  I use Chord interconnects.  Amp is the nait xs predecessor 122/150.  The Hugo is a much better all-rounder than the old cd5x, even with an entry level cd transport.  Price wise this is a better solution than the cd5xs, though the cost of interconnects may negate that advantage.  The Chord cables have been excellent and they do get better as you move up the range.  

Mike-B posted:

  my post is simply suggesting that maybe now is the time to consider a possible alternative to a medium that is in decline.  

I kind of remember that those same words were used to describe analog playback on this forum not too long ago, hmmm, I wonder what happened to that medium in decline??????

Mike-B posted:

    Naim have reduced the model count dramatically in the last year 

From four to three dedicated CD players is a drastic reduction, I wouldn't think so!!!!!

To answer the OP's original question, I would seriously look into a brand new CD5Si player, they represent extremely good value and sound fantastic, much better than the Rega players that have been mentioned.

No worries as far as replacement parts to concern yourself with, and they happen to be very reliable and an excellent sounding player to boot. The player would not be out of place with your current system, not by any stretch!!

badlands posted:

Mike-B posted:

    Naim have reduced the model count dramatically in the last year 

From four to three dedicated CD players is a drastic reduction, I wouldn't think so!!!!!

Discontinued the 555 flagship,  & the number two CDS3 in 2012 ???    As good as CDX2 is,  what was the mid range is now the top model.   Its just reflecting the market.

Mike-B posted:

badlands posted:

Mike-B posted:

    Naim have reduced the model count dramatically in the last year 

From four to three dedicated CD players is a drastic reduction, I wouldn't think so!!!!!

Discontinued the 555 flagship,  & the number two CDS3 in 2012 ???    As good as CDX2 is,  what was the mid range is now the top model.   Its just reflecting the market.

Naim also doesn't make speakers anymore, now that would be a drastic reduction!!!!

Drastic is a little strong, don't you think!!!! One player in 2012, and the 555 just recently discontinued, a $30,000.00 dollar CD player was never what one would call popular anyway, either was a $15,000.00 dollar player.The CD medium has nothing to do with the reduction, I think it had more to do with the market for extremely expensive players and no buyers.

Also, the CDX2 sonically is much superior sounding to any streaming format that I have heard, so is the CD5Si for that matter! My money, my opinion.

Hi Badlands,  much as I loved my old CDX2, I can't agree CD replay is superior to local (NAS) 24-bit & DSD streaming,  I do agree its superior to web streaming from the like of Tidal & Spotify 

According to Digital Music News, CD’s will be gone by 2022,  the same according to PWC. Its expected physical music sales will be down by 13% this year – but overall music sales which include digital & concert will grow by 1%.  

badlands posted:

Also, the CDX2 sonically is much superior sounding to any streaming format that I have heard, so is the CD5Si for that matter! My money, my opinion.

I don't quite agree with you. My NDS sounds superior to my CDX2 - both powered by 555PS and both connected to the same system (comparison done using the same CD alums).

badlands posted:

To answer the OP's original question, I would seriously look into a brand new CD5Si player, they represent extremely good value and sound fantastic, much better than the Rega players that have been mentioned.

No worries as far as replacement parts to concern yourself with, and they happen to be very reliable and an excellent sounding player to boot. The player would not be out of place with your current system, not by any stretch!!

From the Naim/Rega 2017 price lists;

CD5si £1,099

Rega Apollo-R £548

For twice the price I'd hope the CD5si is better than the Apollo-R. Value for money though the Apollo is excellent IMO and at least as well built, reliable and well supported as Naim products.

badlands posted:

Also, the CDX2 sonically is much superior sounding to any streaming format that I have heard, so is the CD5Si for that matter! My money, my opinion.

Adam Zielinski posted:    I don't quite agree with you. My NDS sounds superior to my CDX2 - both powered by 555PS and both connected to the same system (comparison done using the same CD alums).

I didn't want to get into that but as you've mentioned it,  in the 2 days when I had my CDX2 & NDX I ran them (without XPS) to compare;  using CD & the same CD rips,  CDX2 was more forward,  NDX was more refined.   For musicality it was a split,  most all of the heavier rock & hard jazz winner was CDX2,  whereas smooth jazz, soft rock/pop & classical was NDX.

However, although unable to compare,  the NDX takes a whole step up with 24-bit & more so with well recorded DSD

How do forum members feel (you have more experience than me ) about the OP using his Marantz as a transport only into a second hand Naim DAC ?

It may open up a lot of possibilities (better transport, streaming etc.) in the future.