Upstream, went the salmon (of no doubt*).

Posted by: Massimo Bertola on 14 December 2017

After a long and, all considered, silly debate with myself about the Core/Nova affaire, I followed the suggestion of my trusted technician (from the only Italian authorized Naim lab: necessary clarification to avoid the good man being called by someone, for the second time, 'a secondary businessman interested in after sales market') and took my CDX2 to him for a complete reconstruction: which doesn't mean a new mechanism (the old, original 1250 was still going fine) or a partial recap, but its basically complete conversion to a late 2017 specs one: new mech, new boards with PSUs, DAC, HDCD chip and all, and total recap of the analogue stage.

It has no digital output (Naim factory option) because I don't care about DACs, and am in line with those who think (Naim, to name one) that PCM1704 K/J is still one of the best sounding chips around; the original purchase had been a bargain, the job was done well and I was treated like a friend; my unit was 191***, 2002. It still bears its original serial number. The global cost wouldn't probably buy me my CDX2 as mine was until two days ago on the Italian 2nd hand market.

It is another machine. 15 years haven't passed in vain. Even out of the box, and after my friend the technician's alert that it would sound 'a little hard' for about one month, I found it transformed. And it has transformed the SN and the S-400s too. True, Naim has slowly rewritten another player, and the current CDX2 could well be, as my friend said, a definitive player.

I'm rather glad: with a reasonable sum, I now have a new (splendid) CDP, new amp, new speakers and have lost all temptations about going HardDisk. Like a happy salmon (*of no doubt, courtesy of Douglas Adams) I go upstream, towards my still preferred source.

Best to all,

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by rsch

My advice payed good dividends then.

Regards

Roberto

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by Haim Ronen

It is so much more gratifying to hear a tale of rebuilding and extending the life of a great machine than reading another report about a brilliant purchase of the top toy in town and falling all over it.

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by DrMark

Ottimo notizie!

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by leni v

Also am Glad for you.

Moderated Post: Leni, I have edited your post. Note that this is to ensure it complies with forum rules.

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

Excellent.

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by Haim Ronen

Max,

I was thinking on the same lines, considering a complete rebuild of my integrated amp which if I remember correctly included replacing 46 parts. It didn't happen for a couple of reasons. First, the US outfit offering the service never responded to my inquiries, being rude and probably too busy with major DRs, and second, the amp sounds great and the dealer who re-capped my two Flatcaps advised not to do anything about it for the time being. So, probably down the road, in three years, I will send the Nait to Canada to be rejuvenated on its 20th birthday.

Haim

Posted on: 14 December 2017 by cat345

An astute decision Max. Hope you will enjoy your rejuvenated CDX2 for years to come!

Posted on: 15 December 2017 by Massimo Bertola

Thanks, cat, I hope it too.

Haim,

it was a controversial decision because the guy at the lab – whose opinion and skills I firmly respect – told me that in his opinion the current CDX2 is a 'definitive player' and that if I had any intention to keep mine, it was absolutely worth doing it. On the other hand, there's the 'if it works, don't fix it' line of thought. The point was, it worked, but it was 15 years old and some parts were not as fresh as just picked flowers. In the end, after doing some maths on my different options (including replacing the SN with the Nova, which I like a lot but would also imply, in my view, a Core, that was the cheapest; and confirmed a 'law' I have sometimes overlooked: source first.

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties; reconstructing the CD3.5 is not very sensible (if doable) because Naim hasn't updated it, but a service to the amp would be fine; anyway, new capacitors or, in general, up-to-date semiconductors and passive parts are not a urban legend. If you love the sound, have them refreshed sooner or later: after all, being able to bring old gear to current specs has always been one of Naim's main reasons of pride.

Ciao, M