Battle of the Top Naim CD Players : CDS1 v CDS2 v CDS3 v CD555

My cds2/xps sounds just fine. But I want a 555 ps now. I've just got to the 52/135 level and now....Oh I wish I didn't log in.

The CD12 was uber-detailed, and just sprayed out information in a somewhat disjointed way, at the expense of the 'gestalt' of the performance. The CDS2 obviously lost some of the fine detail but on all the tracks we played just sounded more balanced. I suspect the merciless presentation of active DBLs did not gel with the CD12 and in a system that had a more conventional passive speaker would sound the most lively-and hence stand out. 

If I had been using the 552, which tames some of the subliminal sizzle of the otherwise excellent 52, the etched clarity of the CD12 may have well been the winner. But on that day, using that equipment, we all plumped for the CDS2. The dealer who provided it didn't have a horse in the race as he was a Linn/Naim dealer and would have loved to have the then $20,000 CD12 give a useful upgrade over the circa $11,000 CDS2, but he too preferred the presentation of the CDS2.

The CD12 was surely a thing of beauty though. The olive chasses of the CDS2/XPS looked quite pedestrian in comparison. 

I will hunt down my original posting that was archived from the old forum and repost it, for historical interest only. 

I had Karik/Numerik, followed by Linn Ikemi, followed by CDS3/555PS. The Ikemi brought out a little detail and a lot of emotion compared with the Karik/Numerik.

The CDS3/555PS was a WTF-level jump from the Ikemi.

Many thanks for all your comment and opinion. I really enjoy reading them.

Apparently some of us are very happy with the addition of 555PS to their CDS2 or CDS3. The question is which 555PS is better (I have both CDS2 and CDS3) the original 555PS or 555PSDR? Looking forward for the hands on opinion.

I cannot offer any Naim CD player comparisons - just my CDS3+XPS2 and a Meridian G08 (in retrospect I can't make much of the comparison (very close) as I had a problem with my speakers/room at that point). 

However, I do note that there isn't much debate here on the advantages of the 555PS with CDS3 whereas in the past this was far from cut and dried, with some who had done the comparison preferring the CDS3 with the XPS2 (and what about the XPS2DR now?).

Clive

Clive, for me it was more about getting to the CDS3 level than which ps. I seriously considered XP5XS. In the end I went XPS and have been happy with what I would call the standard combo, though I gather others take it further. I'd rather up my NAC.

C.

Chris, That's more or less where I was when I got the CDS3 a few years ago but at the moment I am not expecting any further moves with amp or speakers so maybe I should look at the front end. However, the LP12 and CDS3 are sounding excellent as they are.

Clive

I haven't dipped my toes in the CD555 pool.  Probably will one day if I have spare funds but I really like the sound compatibility between Cds3 and lp12.  They do seem to compliment one another.  My cds3 has stuck with the original xps albeit I had it dr'd when I had a few other bits done.

Peter

Here are my original posts comparing the then top of the line CDP in the same system at the same time....

Date: 11-Apr-99 01:13
Author: Ron Toolsie (rontoolsie@aol.com)
Subject: CDS2 vs CDS1 vs CDX/XPS vs Linn CD12

Well folks, the results are finally in. Through my newly re-tweetered 6 pack DBLs I had the opportunity to compare and contrast each of these players. The CDS1 was used both with the gray Burndy and a spanking new black Burndy. The CDX and CDS2 were auditioned through only, alas,gray Burndys. The CD12 was hooked up to the 52 via Chord Company Cobra 2 cable.

The CDS2.... this was by far the most articulate of the players, offering a 'gestalt' and neutrality of the vital midrange that the other players could not match. There was simply more 'there' there. It was not like an improvement of a poweramp, where a more testicular and extended sound was reproduced, rather more like using a much better pre-amp. This was without doubt the source of choice.

The Linn CD12.... For sure this has an unparalleled heft at the lower registers. HOWEVER...... the vocals were subdued and without vitality. The cymbals sounded very clean and clear, but again lacking in the metallic sparkle of the real thing. C ompared to the CDS2, the CDS1 or the CDX this player was overly rounded and lacking the propulsion and shimmer of the real event. It did throw a wide and deep soundstage though, which some would find quite alluring. I could imagine it sounding pretty much tonally balanced through the speakers Linn (Keltiks are what I was thinking of) but in every other way this presentation was all hifi and no music. Sorry, but for 20 grand I expect much more. I do admit that the mechanical aesthetics are without peer, but the rubber simply did not meet the road without skidding.

The CDX/XPS.... this had more life and vitality than the CD12, but sounded peaky and coloured compared to the CDS2. There was less texture and dynamnics that were so readily available through the CDS2. Numerically speaking, if the CDS2 were a perfect 10 (for sake of argument) the CDX/XPS would only offer maybe a 7.. and the CD12 maybe a 5.5.

The CDS1... through the gray Burndy this was certainly the most peaky and coloured within the all-important midrange. But it did allow more vitality and pace than did the CDX/XPS which was just a tad smooth sounding, with rounding off detail and presence. HOWEVER with the black Burndy connecting it to the CDSPS things dramatically improved with the level of colourations being very substantially reduced along with added purity, clarity and realism. Overall the black burndy for the CDS1 allowed for a very large improvement. I preferred the CDS1 with the Black Burndy over the CDX/XPS with a gray Burndy, for the latter is simply a little too sedate. I would imagine that the corresponding black Burndys for the CDS2 and the CDX/XPS would allow an equal level of improvement.

Conclusions..... if you have the CDS1.. then get the black burndy.. this takes you closer to the CDS2 than the CDX/XPS, when the latter is used with the gray Burndy. In purely sonic terms, the CD12 would be competitive were it only a $3000 player. But it is (through a naim system) bettered by both the CDX and the CDS1, nevermind the CDS2/

Oh, my LP12 turntable sounds compressed and colored compared with any of the above players. Admittedly it is equipped only with a Valhalla power supply, a Syrinx PU3 arm and an entry level Benz MC cartridge into indwelling 52 S boards...so it is nowhere being close to maxxed out.

So, for me, I am very happy with the improvements wrought by the black Burndy on the CDS1. Sure the CDS2 is better, and quite a bit so in some areas.. but for me it is not worth an additional $9000 above the S1- provided I could sell the S1 for $3000 secondhand. It IS worth the extra $3000 plus better over the price I paid for my CDS1 new.

Yes, times are interesting.. more to follow.

Hello ,

In my opinion and being the owner of  several Naim players I prefer to put the CD players in the context of the entire systems- the rest of the systems didn't changed - so :

1. CD555 to Nac552/552PSDR, I had a CDS3/555PSDR connected to the Nac552 and was a bit disappointed until the CD555 took his place and the balance and enjoyment  returned.

2. CDS3/555PSDR/555PS/PX to Nac282/Hicap / 2 Hicaps / Olive Supercap  was a wonderful combination that I enjoyed for almost 7 years. A very smooth CD  that concealed the Nac282 weaknesses.

3.CDS1/CDPS  to Nac202/ Hicap- A very musical CD  but direct and rough in its presentation.

Best Regards,

Fabian

I feel that in some respects I've come full circle. In the late 90's I heard a CDS2 and for the first time thought that digital could ctually match vinyl performance. However, I was too much of vinyl addict then to jump ship - only owning a handful of CD's, so resisted until the mid noughties when I aquired slightly shop damaged 30kg Sony SACD player - yes, the big one. In some respect it reminded me of the CDS2, maybe not as good in the micro dynamics but very analogue in sound. I quickly realised that SACD was not necessarily better than red book CD. Much the same as today with the hi-res downloads, but it lasted me well and sounded even better when attached to an NDac. I then added a 555PS. And low and behold better still. It looked butt ugly against my lovely Naim kit so tried a CDX 2.2. A bit less analogue but more musically involving.

Fast forward to this week and I now have a 555 CD attached to the system. All I can say Is believe the hype. This isn't a machine it's a musical instrument. It's certainly gone to the top of my list. In fact you owe it to yourself to hear one before they become obsolete. 

I currently play CDs on a CDS2/XPS, having previously owned CD3 and CDX with CDS1 power supply (Modified Burndy). I'm happy with my CDS2/XPS. It is convenient but it doesn't compare to well to my LP12/Armageddon/ARO/Troika (Rebuilt by Expert Stylus Company). I have heard the CD555. It's a no brainer! If only I had the cash available!

JazzDocNaim posted:

I currently play CDs on a CDS2/XPS, having previously owned CD3 and CDX with CDS1 power supply (Modified Burndy). I'm happy with my CDS2/XPS. It is convenient but it doesn't compare to well to my LP12/Armageddon/ARO/Troika (Rebuilt by Expert Stylus Company). I have heard the CD555. It's a no brainer! If only I had the cash available!

Try to find a 555PS or a 555PSDR for your CDS2.   You will be very pleased.

[@mention:1566878603868814] above, thank you for posting those findings, most interesting and good timing for me as I am about to take ownership of a CDS 2 currently at Naim undergoing a full service.

Now I can't wait!

Regards,

Mark

I reckon you will enjoy the CDSII Mark. You must have heard one before, surely?

@ MRCLICK, yes I have many times, a mate has one but I have never had one at home, I've always liked it as a player.  

Regards,

Mark

Me too. I have just moved mine on in favour of a 555 after 17 years, and although the 555 is better, I was sad to see it go.

I hear the cds2 has some 123 parts to be changed out when serviced. Could anybody tell me if this is a must do. Is it like a night and day difference once things have settled in? My unit dates from 2002 and was one of those cds1 upgrades. Naturally Naim's down under agent Chris Murphy will be doing the job. The xps was serviced about 2 years ago btw 

Sorry a bit off topic, but I do see a few cds2 fans roaming around this thread

cheers

^^^ I will report back in due course for sure. 

Question:

Can you use CDPS on a CDS2 head unit?

Can you use XPX on a CDS head unit?

Is the CDPS the better PSU?

TIA

Mark

Mark,

You can use a CDPS on a CDS2 but the Burndy cable needs a modification made at the factory. IIRC the very earliest CDPS units cannot be used.

You cannot use an XPS/XPS2/XPS DR on a CDS.  You can only use a CDPS and note that the very earliest head units and PSes area slightly different and cannot be mixed with later unless updated at the factory.  There is usually a white dot indicating compatibility.

Thank you Richard, that clears it up.  

Any user experience in comparing 555PS vs 555PSDR into CDS3 or CDS2 or CD555?

Really want to know what the 555PSDR brings to the table vs 555PS.

Thanks

I am now listening to a CD2 and compared to my CDS3/XPS, I feel that the CDS3/XPS combo is a bit too polite (lack a bit of drive/kick).will a 555PS or XPSDR cure this situation?

Hi Naim2

I was in your situation with the CDS3/XPS  and the 555PS was the solution. 

Best Regards,

Fabian