Hi everybody,
I need some help with the following purchases. I can afford one of the following options, but not both:
Option 1.
cd5
snaxo 2-4
nap 140
Option 2.
cdx
Either option would be buying used or demo.
In the case of going active, I would have to power the snaxo off of a double railed snaps until I could afford a hicap.
In either case, the other stuff would be a 72/hicap/250/sbl's
I suppose a third option would be cd5, IXO, nap 250.
Finally, I know that the CDX has several iterations. Notably, the latest has an Pacific Microsonics (HDCD) filter, along with some other minor changes. My question is, does anybody know whether it is important to hold out for the latest edition of the CDX, or is a two year old sample about as good? Interested in personal listening experiences.
Thanks
Judd
Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Phil Barry
I thought the CDX was always HDCD-capable.
What kind of speakers do you have? What improvements do you want to make? And is there a Naim dealer around Cleveland now?
Regards.
Phil Source First Barry
Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Justin
I have SBL speakers. We have no dealer within about 300 miles of Cleveland. So demo is not an option. Even if it were, it wouldn't be because I would need to buy this stuff used, and it's not nice to demo gear when you have no intention of buying from the dealer. (Well, in the case of the cdx or cd5, it's OK because I'd almost certainly buy a demo model from the dealer).
Judd
Posted on: 02 November 2001 by Manu
IMHO you have no choice:
Go for the CDX
In option 1, if i understand correctly, you want to go active with a 140 and a 250. Wrong. A 250 passive will be better on SBL than a SNAPS powered SNAXO and such unbalanced AMPs. And forget the IXO, your system deserve better.
The generaly approved rule, based on experience by many forum members, is:
Improve the source to the maximum you can afford before going active.
An active system is unforgiving, the source must be among the best.
A CDX + 72 + HICAP + 250 + SBL combo is fantastic.
Don't go active for less than a CDX 82 2*250 system.
Emmanuel
[This message was edited by Manu on SATURDAY 03 November 2001 at 05:15.]
Posted on: 03 November 2001 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Justin:
Finally, I know that the CDX has several iterations. Notably, the latest has an Pacific Microsonics (HDCD) filter
Note from Naim 18/2/98 regarding problems with original release of this player:-
quote:
I am sorry for the delay in shipping CDX, but it is NOT OUR FAULT. The delay is solely due to one company's inability to deliver components to an agreed schedule. The company is Pacific Microsonics - the HDCD people, it has already caused us chaos (I am sure that you can imagine 100s of players on racks filling every part of our assembly floor waiting for ONE small CHIP), and regretably it shows, yet again, how we are at the mercy of our suppliers. Perhaps we shouldn't have gone with the HDCD since they were the sole source of the chip, but in tests their digital filter was among the best and you (our customers) said that you wanted the HDCD feature. So we all have to be patient, and if it is not sorted by the time I gat back to the UK (20th), I shall have some strong words to say to the guys at Pacific, but it probably won't make any difference.
If I had to buy blind it would be the CDX, and make sure it was supported well.
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 04 November 2001 by Bruce Woodhouse
I agree with Manu's main conclusion-buy the CDX.
Your suggested routes to active are unbalanced and may well disappoint-certainly be cautious about doing this 'on the cheap' with an IXO to solve the power supply problem as I have heard this setup (with 2x140 with SBL) and it really does not sing.
Slightly disagree with Manu about the 'minimum' active set up-I think my CDX/XPS/HiCap/102/Snaxo/HiCap plus 2x140 sounds pretty good compared to a single 250 passive of similar costs.
Since you already have a 250 if you desperately want active you need another 250 plus Snaxo plus HiCap. For this cash I would buy an XPS with the CDX!
Bruce
