CDX Upgrade Or Not ?

Posted by: Darren Cotter on 01 January 2002

Hello all,

My system consists of:- Linn LP12, CDI, 82/Hi-Cap x 2/250, SBL. My question is would a CDX be enough of an upgrade, or should I wait until I can get an XPS at the same time.

I live in Jersey so I don't pay vat, so second hand isn't that much of a bargain.

Your comments & suggestions are appreciated.

Darren Cotter

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by kan man

Hi Darren
Don't know much about CD so others can answer your question directly. Another option for similar money would be to Supercap the 82. This will improve what you get from both sources. I made the 'mistake' of hearing an 82 with SC before hearing it with a Hicap. Once you have, you may well think the 82 doesn't work properly without one.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by Andy Kirby

Hi Darren

As Kan Man says the SC on an 82 is a great upgrade.

I don't know about CDI to CDX but I audtioned the XPS Vs SC/82 a while ago and it was difficult to choose between the two. However, the fact that I still listen to my LP12 a fair bit, as well as other, 'naimless' secondary sources, made it a 'no brainer' and I came home with the SuperCap.

An SC would improve all sources, especially good if you don't just listen to the CDI, this would also free up the HiCap for a SNAXO, I assume you are going active as you say 2x250? (oops 2xHcap please ignore, thanks Ade! ) The draw back of SC is you cannot help wondering just what a 52 would sound like and with a CDX you know you are going to end up with an XPS even if you have to sell off the family silver, etc...

As always try and do the demo for yourself and let you ears decide for you.

Cheers

AndyK

[This message was edited by AndyK on TUESDAY 01 January 2002 at 22:19.]

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by Ade Archer

quote:
I assume you are going active as you say 2x250

No, it's one 250 and 2 Hicaps.

I've had a CDX for nearly 18 months and although I have borrowed an XPS recently, and would like to get one (but not for two grand!), I am still happy with my current setup. I have 82/Hicap/250/SBL and am not even considering upgrading anything else until I've got the XPS, unless a bargain second hand Hicap came along in the meantime.

Cheers
Ade

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by ebirah

Darren, I have a CDI and, although very pleased with it, was also very impressed by the CD5 (which is a much newer machine) when hearing at a dem for a friend. Off I went to my local Naim dealer and the bottom line was that the CDI trounces the CD5 (which I also think is great) and the naked CDX, although better, was not that much better and certainly not much enough of an upgrade to warrant the cost involved. The CDI is very, very capable and I fear you're really looking at getting a CDS2 to see a worthwhile improvement (I've been using a CDS for a couple of weeks and whilst it is clearly better than the CDI, both are very much cut from the same piece of cloth. I don't think the cost involved warrants the upgrade unless you have lots of disposable income and lots of CDs to use it on).

Hope this helps, Steve

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by Alex S.

Darren

For equal money you could buy CDX/XPS new or CDS2 Head Unit new with s/h CDPS. The latter would out-perform the former to a degree which would allow it to live happily alongside your LP12.

Alex

PS Sorry to keep going on, but I'm passionate about this.

Posted on: 01 January 2002 by ebirah

Alex, I agree about the no-brainer bit as long as one can acquire a s/h CDPS. Anecdotally, to me these seem rarer than supercaps, ie hens teeth territory? Perhaps an alternative would be to get a s/h CDS (ie including the CDPS), enjoy it (it's certainly better than the CDI/CDX to my ears) and then do the head upgrade when the transport bombs, that is assuming Naim can't repair it. I'd certainly go this route rather than the much smaller (sonic) incremental upgrade to the CDX (...indeed it seems I rececntly have!).

Steve

Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Alex S.

Excellent advice, especially given the generosity of Naims CDS -> CDS2 upgrade package.

Nonetheless, Jun's CDS doesn't seem to have lasted long so its worth a thorough check of the CDS head unit before purchase (unless you want to upgrade it straight away anyway).

Alex

PS Mr Tibbs, are you living in a small factory? Hopefully, one day you will be able to bring yourself as well as your wares to these parts.

Posted on: 02 January 2002 by jpk73

I checked with naim, they said that it's not planned to stop the CDS2-upgrade-offer for CDS-users!

So I just play my CDS until it dies... Since the nextel-ring looks quite OK I hope that I will enjoy my CDS for at least one more year!

Happy new year, Jun

Posted on: 02 January 2002 by ebirah

Jun, Personally I'm only partially relieved that Naim will continue to offer this upgrade for the CDS. When my CDS gives up the ghost do I want it repaired for a few hundred quid or do I want a forced upgrade to the tune of several thousand, especially since I'm more than happy with the seriously delicious CDS? Did they say if they could repair it or were they merely unsurprisingly happy to take the 2K? This is in complete contradistinction to their amp policy, the oldest of which remain repairable to this day without any compulsory obligation to have the innards gutted and upgraded to current spec.

I understand CD technology is different but I for one don't want a 2K bill every few years given that I'm happy with my system as it is, especially when the initial outlay is so horrendous.

Steve

Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by ebirah:
This is in complete contradistinction to their amp policy, the oldest of which remain repairable to this day without any compulsory obligation to have the innards gutted and upgraded to current spec.

Steve,

Philips stopped making the transport as used in CDI & CDSI. Don't moan at Naim about this - complain to Philips.

Naim stockpiled a supply of transports but these have now been used up.

Naim had two choices - to leave CDSI owners in the lurch, or offer the CDSII head unit at something like cost price.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 03 January 2002 by ebirah

Martin; is that true? Has their stockpile now dried up? Paul confirmed they had an unspecified amount about 6 months or so ago, on this Forum. Have these now gone? Can anyone at Naim confirm this?

Steve

Posted on: 03 January 2002 by Paul Stephenson

"they could repair it or were they merely unsurprisingly happy to take the 2K?"

We do not take 2k, this includes taxes and dealer margins, this is a great deal. We do not make the mechs and they cannot be repaired(mostly)

Compared to high end cartridge costs over lets say 10 years this is not miles out, the only difference being you get a better cd player.

We do still have some cdm4 mechs for repairs if the upgrade/trade in is not required. We invested heavily in very expensive spares for all of our players, when we cannot fix or supply a replacement mech we have offered a solution. Very few manufactureres will do this or have any spares.

Amplifiers are totally different beasts to cd players, moving parts etc, I am pretty sure we can repair the circuit of your cd player for ever but it will not be much fun if the mech does not go round.

Posted on: 03 January 2002 by ebirah

OK Paul, point taken. I'll start saving. I suppose this will give my CD listening an added edge - I'll surely not continue to use the CDS for background music as I work; that could work out expensive!

Steve