The Big CD Player Test... Linn v Naim v Resolution Audio

To answer your questions briefly,

1) Yes - Life does get better.

2) Yes, and much more than just warming up the CDX*

3) No problems so far after two years - although I'm left-handed as well, my wife is a freak (she's just read what I've typed and made me correct any impression that I may have wrongly given and simply say she is right-handed) and she has no problems either.

It is certainly less delicate than my arm and cartridge, and the absence of remote control on the drawer mechanism means you don't mess about with the remote when the in-laws come round and you are trying to find something interesting to do.

4) No. You could try playing with the on/off switch on the CDX but I found it made no difference!

Chris

* This is tinged with guesswork as I've just ordered my XPS, but is based on a recent home dem.

Whilst keeping the very natural character of the CDX it adds real weight and authority, especially improving resolution of bass notes and also countering the slight 'politeness' of the stand-alone player. The other big area of improvement was in the soundstage, much more space and depth. The whole is easy to listen to for hours (unlike the other player you tried perhaps?) but it is always involving and alive. My ears could not detect any downsides to the addition.

I would say that adding the power supply was almost as big a jump as the change in player itself-which is a good job in view of the cost.

I reckon the pair took nearly a month of use to really come on song-I nearly returned them the first few days of listening! The difference with warming up was particularly noticeable in voices gaining that wonderful 'airy' character and a sweetening of treble.

Regards

Bruce

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1) Will warming up the CDX improve the communicated intent behind the musical phrasing and events?

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Definitely yes, from new the player will improve over a period of a couple of months.

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2) Will adding an XPS improve the communicated intent behind the musical phrasing and events?

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Yes massively. I lived with a bare CDX for about 8 months before buying an XPS and the improvement is huge. Most noticeble is the increase in bass power, punch and control. The CDX/XPS is will also keep you listening for much longer than the CDX ever would.

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3) How robust is the drawer mechanism when frequently used? It does seem heavily built.

Mine has worked flawlessly for the last year.

[QUOTE]4) Does adding an XPS to a CDX still mean that you have to connect the CDX to the mains (as well as the XPS)? Here's me planning the number of sockets I will need.

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No the power cable to the CDX should be taken out and the switch on the back turned off.
John

Thanks for the post. It was an interesting read.

1. The CDX does appear to improve in the first 2-3 months.
2. Haven't heard XPS yet.
3. Draw mechanism seems pretty robust, I am not especially gentle with mine.
4. Answered above.

Also, if you do go for teh CDX make certain it is level, makes a big difference.

cheers

Matthew

I did the comparison again at the Sound Organisation (York) - although without the CD55. This time I used Linn amps, cabling and loudspeakers (Kolektor/LK140/K400/Katans).

Started off with the Genki (as I have in my system) and it sounded similar - always a good start

Then swapped the Genki for the Ikemi. Now, the problem with the Ikemi at the dealer was that it was an old version (Linn have made subsequent modifications) and we had the feeling that this sample was sub-standard - hence the bad review of the Ikemi at the start of the thread. The feeling was still the same, fair enough the Ikemi did give lift a bit more dimensionality from the performers and there was noticably more bass. The down point was that the Genki was more lyrical than the Ikemi sample (a bit plus point). Overall the old sample of the Ikemi was not deemed to be of good value-for-money.

Next came the CDX. The CDX was "technically brilliant" by comparison. Extremely well balanced frequency response, more bottom end than the Linns, lots of enthusiasm (not that the Genki didn't have any). You would have thought that I would have gone for it... (well on first listening I did, remember? . Well there was a problem, two problems in fact, and something that was highlighted when comparing between my Naim system (when I had it) and Linn system. The first problem is that in its enthusiasm the CDX played music AT me, while the Genki engaged me with the music. The second problem was that the Genki was far far superior to the CDX (IMHO) with the timing of interplay between different musicians... GUYS, DO NOT CONFUSE SPEED WITH TIMING WHEN AUDITIONING KIT.

Another point I noticed between the CDX and Genki [this may seem crazy, but I have repeatedly found this to be the case for me] is the way the foot taps to Linn, and the way the foot taps to Naim is entirely different. With Naim, the tapping is somewhat forced and mechanical (almost feeling my ankle grinding), with Linn it is easy, flows and is very forgiving (while still accurate).

I decided to stick with the Genki for the moment. The dealer mentioned that latest versions of the Ikemi are far better and many customers are extremely pleased with their Ikemi purchase. This was a test I would have to leave till later. However, I have an extra CD player (CDX) to trade in for something... hmmmm maybe let's try an LP12.

The comparison was quite a revelation. Both the CDX and LP12 have the same level of technical brilliance, both having a similar level of frequency balance and both revealed similar levels of inner detail to vocals. The difference was however in the groove. The turntable exhibited far more groove, bop, timing (more than the Genki) and easy foot-tapping.

A comparison between the Valhalla and Lingo sold me the Lingo. So, an LP12/Lingo will be heading my way and I have already re-started collecting more vinyl (New Year's Resolution). Oh, I've gone for fluted afromosia (or walnut if they still do it).

So this is it... a rather long winded way of making a decision. Partly diverted by a bad Ikemi, partly diverted by several bad shows by Linn (Hammersmith, Bristol etc.).

The thing is I still have great respect for Naim, in comparison with the rest of the brands, Naim make far more compelling music. For me, there is an exception and that exception is Linn. For me the difference between Linn and Naim is as big as the difference between Naim and the rest. So I have made a decision - although I will still tell others that Naim is worth investigating.

The other point is that I am sure that an extended home demo would have made me come to the same decision sooner. When the time comes to make a decision between Linn or Naim, demo at the dealers to make a decision on which components to audition at home, then spend some time with both sets of kit at home.

I'm likely to post this in a separate thread so that it will be noticed. Several forum members have asked me about the switch and need a reply.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The frightening thing is not dying
The frightening thing is not living

The only problem I ever had was when we moved I put the transport screw back in (probably to tight) and it was left this way for a few weeks, on unpacking and removel of the screw the door brushed the top of the unit, not a major issue and soon sorted out by the naim boys for nought.

The CD3 was a much smaller draw both in depth and arc (?) plus the CDX I believe is reinforced with glass so I should have thought it will last as long as the mech will

Now Although you have to be careful with these types of demos, they sounded awful to my ears for 20000 I would have expected them to sound better than others at the show, and frankly they were not. I would love to hear them in a real set up

On to the Ikemi...Music was like a clear black-and-white photograph - as opposed to the dark and brooding colour photo from the CDX."

Hi-fi News used very very similar analogies to describe the presentation of these two players about a year or so ago.

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.

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The CD3 was a much smaller draw both in depth and arc (?) plus the CDX I believe is reinforced with glass so I should have thought it will last as long as the mech will

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I thought all Naim drawers were identical? Is the drawer from the CD2/CD3 different from the 3.5 and CDX?

Yes I have used a CDX and of course my CD3

If they are the same size I am mad and must be put out my misery.

Oh Oh just remembered, the CDX draw underneath has a big naim logo, the CD3 don't.

FWIW, the 3.5 does have the logo underneath.

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Originally posted by garyi:
Heard them really expensive linn speakers at Novetel.

Now Although you have to be careful with these types of demos, they sounded awful to my ears for 20000 I would have expected them to sound better than others at the show, and frankly they were not. I would love to hear them in a real set up

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Gary,

these were driven off the equivalent of six NAP500s (four external stereo amps on show & one mono built into each speaker for active sub-bass).

It is beyond my ability to describe how awful they sounded.

This must have been at least a 70k-80k system. Maybe more?

I had to leave the room at full speed as the loud roar of laughter that was bubbling up could have been most embarrassing.

cheers, Martin

Can someone catagorically state weather the CD2 and X draw is bigger than the CD3?

I would contest that it is.

The cd3 draw did not come out on the ark as much as the CDX, the CDX draw is much more substatial than the CD3

Please tell me I am right.

Admin!

Enjoyed the thread but wanted to add my comments, particularly for tof20001's benefit as he's about to do the same comparison.

Towards the end of last year I had my 250 serviced and at that time decided to look at upgading my early model Karik (no Numerik). When the 250 was being re-installed, I took the opportunity to compare (shop-demo so run in versions) the CDX and Ikemi against my Karik but in my listening room and with my existing set-up.

Both the CDX and the Ikemi were certainly better than the Karik in all the usual 'hi-fi' ways - more detail, better imaging etc - but neither were perhaps sufficiently better to justify £2,000+ expense. And then...

My friendly, none too local dealer said "see what you think of this" and fiddled around the back of the Ikemi before replaying the last demo track - something from the John Barry greatest hits album - and the difference was absolutely stunning. More focus, a greater sense of real instruments being played, less hash - dare I say it more musical, certainly more emotionally compelling - the differences were huge!

Naturally, I asked what he'd done and he told me that he had taken an earth lead, soldered to the Ikemi case and connected it to the earthing post on my 32.5. Apparently there is a similar benefit with the Genki but it doesn't apply to the CD12.

To make sure I was spending my money wisely I also compared a few days later the limited edition Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 3D player to a 'normally aspirated' Ikemi but this was at a local dealer and not in the context of my system. I think it was Alvin Gold who raved on about the MF in a recent review but, yet again, it was a case of don't believe everything you read. Suffice to say that last week I took delivery of an Ikemi plus a Linn Silver interconnect. Also bought a black snaic to replace my grey one but that's another story.

Cheers

Dave J

Linn have improved the design of the Ikemi over the past year, I suspect your own current model of the Ikemi is dramatically better than the one you heard in the first shop. Is this the case?

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The frightening thing is not dying
The frightening thing is not living

As far as I can tell the CDX and Ikemi were both to current spec although I'm aware, as you say, that the Ikemi has been improved since its launch. I should add that the earthing mod is one that the dealer discovered, it's not a Linn development nor necessarily endorsed by them.

I didn't actually conduct the comparison at the shop however. The listening was luckily at home and it was the same Ikemi, with and without the earth lead connected.

Dave

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Originally posted by Dave J:
Naturally, I asked what he'd done and he told me that he had taken an earth lead, soldered to the Ikemi case and connected it to the earthing post on my 32.5.

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Dave,

I suspect that this simply proves that the -ve line of the Ikemi is not connected to earth.

Of course, the Naim stuff must be earthed through a source for proper performance.

It doesn't have to be the Ikemi - it could be an LP spinner, or even a wire direct from earth to the earthing post.

You must only have one source providing an earth, though, so if you do have earthing from vinyl then this trick should make things sound worse. Same is true of a CDX, too, except it's harder to not connect an earth. (Generally easier to do this at the record deck.

cheers, Martin

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Can someone catagorically state weather the CD2 and X draw is bigger than the CD3?

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Ummm, no. They are the exact same size.

It's an optical illusion I'm afraid. Don't tell me you've been listening to the music instead of comparing box dimensions

Jay

There are varying degrees of "rubbish", some more than others

Not to say that Naim amps are rubbish.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
The frightening thing is not dying
The frightening thing is not living