How much to ask for a s/h CD3 or CD3.5???
Posted by: Top Cat on 24 November 2000
I'm still checking out different CD players, but the CD3/3.5 is still in contention. Can someone briefly let me know what the difference is between these two players and also rate them against each other in terms of sound quality and 'hicap-ability'.
Also, how much should I look to pay for a decent CD3/3.5, and how much would it cost for Naim to bring it up to 100%?
Lastly, does anyone have either player and plan to upgrade in the near future - I'm in no particular hurry to make the jump, but if the right unit were available......
I plan to add an Epona PSU to the CD player almost from the start, so if anyone can comment on either players suitability for this as well, I'd be keen to hear from them...
Cheers,
John (whose current CD player is definitely beginning to be seriously outclassed by the rest of the system 
)
CD-3 is not designed to take an external PSU. If you're keen (or know someone who is) to weild chainsaw and sodlering iron, you might be in the ballpark. 
Nevertheless, the CD-3 is a veritable audio bargain these days. Prices are in the £350-£500 region these days, with the lower confines of this being more realistic. With the 3.5 still weighing in at £500-£700 it looks a little less attractive barring: slightly more refined sound c/w CD3 (we're talking slight), and of course, PSU-ability. A 3.5 with say a HiCap (I use this comparison as I've not heard a pony-ply) is a better instrument than a CD-3... but then you're in the zone for a CD2, which is a better beast altogether.
Used Bargain-hunter's Summary: CD-3 bargain at circa £350, CD-3.5 slightly better but not really worth the dosh if external PSU not to be used, and then CD-2 is better bet if you're going more-or-less straight to 3.5 plus beefy PSU. All IMHO, of course.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your search.
Rico - musichead
So, can anyone point me in the direction of a decent s/h one? Any online dealer lists or whatever?
100th Post, been registered for one month exactly - a good start, no?
John
Actually, you don't happen to want to, urm, sell me the modified CD2???? I'll give you a bell on the phone over the weekend - it's been a while!
If the improvement is as good as a few layers of Mana, then it's well worth it in my book...
TC '..' whoops, I mean John
<grin>
Nah, TF's been busy, from what I hear, and I'd been a lurker on this forum for a long while. Oh, and I'm the only one of us three who doesn't actually own any Naim gear (but soon I will hopefully become the owner of an Aro, and later perhaps a CD3.5 or something)
John