How much to ask for a s/h CD3 or CD3.5???

Posted by: Top Cat on 24 November 2000

Hi folks;

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 )

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Bas V

Hi John!
As far as I know, only the 3.5 has the option for an external power supply. Makes the choice not so hard, hey!
Regards, Bas

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Rico

John

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

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Top Cat

Thanks, guys! Looks like I'm looking for a CD2 or CD3.5 then

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

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Tony L

quote:
Looks like I'm looking for a CD2 or CD3.5 then

For what its worth, I far prefer the CDI or CD2 to a CD3.5 HiCap. Far more solid and refined.

Tony.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

Hi John,looks like Mana has got you gasping for more.I recommend increasing your budget and going for a CD2.I,m using a heavily modified CD2 incorporating a special power supply and the output is now class A.Absolutely destroys my CDS1 which should arrive on Sunday.How good is it in terms you can relate to?As good as bunging kit on a lot of Mana(Yeah that good).I,m not aware if the same improvements can be made to a CD3 or CD3.5.Both as stand alone units bought secondhand represent the best value for money in the world of hi-fi.

If in doubt when you come to London (with your own selection of sounds)I,ll demo the player.

Being hasty can prove to be awefully expensive

Love you lots hooch

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Top Cat

You talk of your heavily modified CD2 and then say that you're getting a CDS1 as well - how many players do you need, man?!?!?!

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

Posted on: 30 November 2000 by Former member

quote:
100th Post, been registered for one month exactly - a good start, no?
John

Yeah, it's really funny how you and that redbug suddenly appeared at about the same time as tf disappeared

Never saw either of you here before that.

Posted on: 30 November 2000 by Top Cat

's OK, I can vouch for the independent and non-related existence of all of us. I speak to Hooch (Redbug) regularly on the phone and I know TF as well, although he still owes me £40

<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

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Former member

Yeah sorry, just my conspiracy theory kicking in. I've been lurking here for a long time, and on the 'other' forum, and I can't help but notice that certain people will use any excuse to introduce a dig at Naim, usually when the subject comes round to mana. It just seemed too coincidental that two guys from their forum suddenly started writing here regularly, as if to replace those who fell by the wayside!