Used CD players

Posted by: Bov on 23 September 2003

After some 12 years, it's about time I upgraded the "temporary" CD player I bought in case CD's didn't take off! How time flies.
The rest of my system is an LP12, 32.5, snaps, 160 and kans.
With a budget of £450-650, I was considering used Kariks, Mimiks & CD3, 3.5 and 5.
I was concerned about the Linn units problems with spare parts for lasers & laser trays. Do the Naims have any similar afflictions?
Generally, how old can you go before servicing is a must, and at what point do the older, better units ie CDI not become viable?
Any help or comments on or around this idea would be gratefully received as impartial advice is not always available from someone trying to flog you their secondhand stock!
Thanks again. Pete. Confused
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by blythe
quote:
Originally posted by Bov:
After some 12 years, it's about time I upgraded the "temporary" CD player I bought in case CD's didn't take off! How time flies.
The rest of my system is an LP12, 32.5, snaps, 160 and kans.
With a budget of £450-650, I was considering used Kariks, Mimiks & CD3, 3.5 and 5.
I was concerned about the Linn units problems with spare parts for lasers & laser trays. Do the Naims have any similar afflictions?
Generally, how old can you go before servicing is a must, and at what point do the older, better units ie CDI not become viable?
Any help or comments on or around this idea would be gratefully received as impartial advice is not always available from someone trying to flog you their secondhand stock!
Thanks again. Pete. Confused


All Naim CD players are still serviceable.

I had a CDi for about 10 years and it never missed a beat. (Upgraded to a CDX2)

I also have a CD3 and CD3.5 (in different systems!) and again no problems and all servicable.

Go and listen and see what you like!!!!

Of course of any component, a CD player 2nd hand will always be a bit of a gamble.

If you buy from a dealer though, at least you'll have some kind of comeback, albeit likely for only a short period.

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by andy c
Hi,
I had a 3.5 for 5-6 years any liked it. It did develop a transport fauult during its guarantee which was sorted by Naim. There are comments on this forum by people who have had problems with transports, although Naim are able to service/replace etc and the standard cost would appear to be around £200.00 if the transport does go wrong.
It would be worth finding out what the other manufacturers do regardding the other used players you are considering should they develop faults...
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by mathew farley
One thing thing you may not know is the Naim cd 3 can't be upgraded with a power supply but the 3.5 can and it makes a big improvement.
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by BrianD
Pete
quote:
I upgraded the "temporary" CD player

You haven't said what the temporary CD player is that you currently have. It seems to me that any advice will depend on where you're upgrading from.
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by Bov
Ooops - its a marantz CD52se - but was a bit embarassed to say
Posted on: 23 September 2003 by prowla
The Naim CD3.5 is a nice player and can be upgraded with a power supply (eg. Hi-Cap).
The CD3 doesn't have an external PSU connection but can be third party upgraded.
I used my 3.5 with a 62/140/Kans but it wasn't really as good as my LP12. I upgraded with a Hi, and it was better but still not as good as my LP12 (Ittok/K18).
Since then my LP12 has gone into mothballs (kids), and I've upgraded to CDX/82+2xHi/250/Kans. The system probably sounds as good as ever now.
Maybe slightly rambling, but basically the CD3.5 is good but not as good as an LP12 and you'll need to upgrade the rest of your system to get back to that point.

Paul Rowlands
Posted on: 24 September 2003 by Raphael
Hi there
I am very happy with the old CDI that I have. Great sound and works well. One of these should come within your budget and there are those that say they prefer the CDI to a CD3.5.
Hope that this does not simply add to the confusion.
Cheers
Raphael
Posted on: 24 September 2003 by Rasher
CD3.5 or CD5 would fit very well with your level of system. You obviously are not an impulsive upgrader, so loading the front end for future gains would not be good VFM, IMHO, 'cos you may not ever get there.
I use a CD3.5 with Flatcap, and it's astonishingly brilliant. With threats of SACD & DVD-A making CD's obsolete (yes..12 years and you almost missed it completely!), you may want to pitch in around here rather than going too high, at least until we see how things pan out.