CDi - sensible purchase?

Paul,
A few variables to consider as the CdI's are a little old now and should the 'mechanism' fail it could prove extremely expensive, but my (even earlier!!) CDI has just been returned from a factory service, and I'm certain it will sound just as good as the day I first had it, just as soon as the 250 comes back...
As it has been serviced recently( You say new laser, does this include the whole mechanism.. not well up on this myself) the price sounds fair, depending on the condition and how hard it has been used? Dont forget that in its day this was yet another ground breaking machine, sounded great then, (completly blew away the competiton in the dem when I first heard it) and certainly no worse now.

Purely in terms of sound for the pound, this is a bargain. The CDI was a £2000 player and still sounds like one in my opinion. It's a lovely player to listen to, one of the few that doesn't sound 'processed' or overly digital. I comfortably preferred it to a CD5 when I compared the two. They are relatively cheap due to their age and the worry that if the transport ring wears out or laser dies the repair will cost as much as the player is worth. CDIs currently go for £500-£550 on ebay but not usually with a new laser so £450 sounds very reasonable assuming the nextel ring is in good condition. It will play CDRs. I have not tried 'copy protected' discs. If you do get it, CDIs very much read what they sit on and can sound surprisingly different according to the type of stand you use, so do experiment with this.

duncan

Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com

Although the CDi is a fantastic player I think a recently serviced one at £450 is a fair price not a bargain.

You have to accept these things have a finite life on them and this player is approaching at least 13 years old. You have to factor in the potential cost of repair and anyone paying over £450 needs a reality check in my opinion.

You should also check with naim prior to purchase there facilities fox fixing these old players and likely cost, in a months time it might go wrong on you.

Just be careful is all, there is a lot of rose tinted posts around here, people saying that 700 quid for a CDi is a bargain.

quote:

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apparently had a new laser fitted by lintone 18 months ago.

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Paul;

Naim keep a service record of all their products. Unless it had a complete new transport/laser fitted by them on this 'service' 18 months ago; I wouldn't touch it with a long stick. When Naim do a full service on older CDP's; it often includes little tweaks learned down the years and revised earthing etc: That's worth having.

Naim products have an excellent reputation for longevity, but CD players are a different issue in terms of constantly changing technology and physical wear.

A properly refurbished Naim CDP, by Naim is well worth buying (I have a CD3); but otherwise - No.

Check with Naim - this CDI may not be able to play the increasing number of copy protected discs.

Good luck.

Thanks all, my take on it is that with any used CDP you have to be careful because at the end of the day they're mechanical and (however unlikely in practice) in theory it could pack up tomorrow.

I guess I could email Lintone and the seller and ask what work was done, I've already asked for photo's of the nextel ring.

What other questions would people in "the know" suggest that I ask?

Also what are peoples thoughts on the 3.5 vs the 5i and 5?

As I have a Nait5 the FC option that both it and a CD5 offer might be of use one day, but then I may choose not to bother..

saw a 2.5 year old mint 3.5 on ebay with a start price of £425 that didn't attract a single bid..

regards,
Paul

Paul,

I can recommend the CDi highly. I use it with a 552/500/NBLs and on good CDs it gets very close to vinyl. My nextel ring shows signs of wear but Naim serviced it just before I bought it and I got 6 months dealer warranty. That was 3 years ago and it is still performing. If you look at the price of the comparible CDX2 then you can afford a gamble even if it needs a service sometime soon. Better still check with Naim and pick up a recently serviced one. Bargain of the century is my opinion

I,ll second that its a bargain of the century.My CDi plays any disc i throw at it and has never ERR,d.Only thing i have not tried is CDRW.

David

£450 is a bargain

It's always worth giving Naim a ring,I normally do this if I'm interested in a S/H item and they prove extremely helpful checking serial no's and giving a guide for S/H price and more.

gets my vote and I paid a lot more than 450

Dave

and as life often does, a little reminder of the joys of a 12 year old CD player.. the display on my Quad 66 seems to have decided to pack up!

regards,
Paul