PRaT in the CD5si and CD5XS

echobase posted:

Hello-

This is my first post to this forum. The other day I heard a CD5si player into a Nait 5si with a pair of Dynaudio X18s and it was quite a revelation for me. You’ll have grown tired of hearing this but when confronted with the CD5si’s timing and slam I recognized it immediately as something I’d long been looking for. I’ve not heard the more expensive CD5XS, and though it was recently discontinued, there are still examples to be had. My question specifically is this: Does the CD5XS have as much or even more of that slam and speed? Does it have more of everything? If it does, well then, I might just pick one up, but if not, I’ll be more than happy to start with my first inspiration, the CD5si.

Thanks very much.

Brian

I have both and while I haven't compared them in the same system my short answer would be that they both have slam/speed/prat in abundance but that the 5xs, not surprisingly, is better when it comes to resolution, detail, air and depth (where the 5si can sound a little "compact" in comparison). Also, in case that's a consideration, you can upgrade the 5xs with an external power supply (Flatcap), which is not possible with the 5si.

I have owned both and I think PSAN's summary is spot on. I would add that the more expensive player can also be upgraded with a DAC.

PSAN summed it up nicely.

The 5Si components really are quite a revelation in musical involvement when you first hear them, compared to many other brands, aren't they!

You generally don't need to worry too much about older Naim components for two reasons:
1   Naim kit is very solidly built
2   Naim keep a lot of spare parts and continue to service even much older equipment. (In the case of amps they will still service kit from the '70s and restore it to full sound quality, even now.  For CDs they keep servicing them them until they run out of spare CD mechanisms, but even then they'll still service the electronics boards).

What speakers do you have?

I very much enjoyed my time with the 5si player. It brought an enthusiasm to music making that was very infectious.    It could be all the CD player anyone ever needs.

really depends in your overview on hifi. 

If you get the 5si and then start wondering further down the road what more entails, then it won't be long before you swap it out for a higher model.  If you get that urge with the 5XS then you have more options without swapping out the player - with power supply and the dac.

With Naim these options can be more expensive than the device being upgraded.  At least with the 5si you could sleep easy without fretting about UPGRADE and just sit back and enjoy it.

I used the Cd5XS with Naim Nait 5i-2

amazing combo !

if you can afford it - this is what i would suggest

The flatcaps etc... are an option that can come in later..

echobase posted:

Hello-

This is my first post to this forum. The other day I heard a CD5si player into a Nait 5si with a pair of Dynaudio X18s and it was quite a revelation for me.....

Hello Brian,

You heard something valuable there. You didn't hear a CD5si. You heard a system comprising a CD5si with a matching Naim amplifier and some speakers.

I encourage you to keep thinking at system level rather than component level. What you heard is good and I can undestand it being quite a revelation. A system consisting of CD5XS, NAIT XS2 and the same speakers will also be good but with a touch more power and greater finesse, building on Naim's traditional PRaT.

I hope that helps, and a warm welcome to the forum.

Chris

Christopher_M, HUGE-

You make a very good point about the system as a whole and this thought has crossed my mind. At the moment I have a Hegel H160 amp with Dynaudio Focus 160 speakers (which I love). It will be a staggered migration to Naim, unfortunately not overnight.

Brian

I can say for the previous generation of players the cd5i and the cdx2 had unmatched slam and prat, and the cd5x - the man in the middle  -did not.  I wouldn't be surprised if the successor cd5xs also fell short comparatively.  I would stick with the cd5si/nait5si and skip forward to a cdx2 for an upgrade.  If you appreciate the presentation of the cd5si then you will adore the cdx2.

echobase posted:

Christopher_M, HUGE-

You make a very good point about the system as a whole and this thought has crossed my mind. At the moment I have a Hegel H160 amp with Dynaudio Focus 160 speakers (which I love). It will be a staggered migration to Naim, unfortunately not overnight.

Brian

You're doing it right by starting with the source. Always good when that's an option.

I run a CD555 into 552/500 in my main system. I'm currently using my CD5 si via a Nait XS2 into a Sennheiser h/p amp and Sennheiser HD 800's. I'm thoroughly enjoying the sound because all the great Naim sonic ingredients are present and correct. I am not thinking that it sounds inferior or that the music is no longer connecting and engaging as it does on the big set.

If like me; you embrace and appreciate the simplicity of whacking in a CD and pressing the 'Play' button, grab a CD5 si (new) while you still can. It's a fabulous sounding machine for the price.

John.

My experience with the CD5si (home demo'd) versus a CD5X (own) is that you'll get PRaT from both. The 5si is bouncy and fun while the 5X takes you deeper into the music with better bass command, detail, and overall refinement. I guess you could call the 5X "faster" and "slammier" in the way it does bass. The 5X with Nait XS is, as stated above, a magical, musical combo (I ran it for several years). I'm currently using my 5X with a Plinius Hautonga integrated and find it a great match, so I see no reason you'd loose anything PRaT-wise running one with your Hegel. Some may note the DIN connection in an all-Naim system as favorable, but I don't find the RCA connection a deterrent.

We have had a CD5X with NaitXS powered by a FlatcapXS power supply.    We use nSat speakers on an outside wall on Naim stands via NACA5.  This had been on point since 2011 in our upstairs system and sounds so fine.    I have heard better Naim systems, but why bother?

The NaitXS and XS2 are cracking amps... really fond of them... if I ever wanted a new second system or downgrade my current for a smaller room that is what I would be considering.

hastings posted:

I can say for the previous generation of players the cd5i and the cdx2 had unmatched slam and prat, and the cd5x - the man in the middle  -did not.  I wouldn't be surprised if the successor cd5xs also fell short comparatively.  I would stick with the cd5si/nait5si and skip forward to a cdx2 for an upgrade.  If you appreciate the presentation of the cd5si then you will adore the cdx2.

I beg to differ - I've had all three (CD5i, CD5XS, CDX2), the CD5XS offers far better resolution than the CD5i (anyone can hear the difference). It excels with the Flatcap - getting the CDX2 was a bit of a disappointment at first (an excessively forward presentation which some like) until I got the XPS. I found CD5XS + NAIT XS an excellent combination.

CD5XS is a giant killer.