Is my CD3.5 Broken??

Posted by: ejl on 01 November 2003

I have a 3.5+hicap into my 32.5+hi. I play the CDP only rarely, listening mostly to my LP12.

Although the CDP has always sounded much worse than the record player, it's gotten to the point where it's so bad that I think it might be broken; very harsh, silibant, hissy yuckiness. OTOH, it might have always been this way, and I've just gotten more sensitive and cranky.

The hicap it's hooked up to is 9 years old and unrecapped, but removing the hi from the CDP makes the sound worse, not better. So I don't think the old hi is the culprit. The hicap on the pre has been recapped.

Can the sound on these things seriously degrade while they nonetheless continue to run properly? I know I can send it to NANA and find out, but spending hundreds on this thing without getting real improvement would not be fun.*

So has anyone found a significant sonic improvement after getting a 3.5 serviced?

Thanks,

Eric


*Please don't suggest spending $$,$$$.$$ on a new player. I hate these f*cking disks, and the 3.5 was, or so I thought, the limit of my compromise to them.
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by Rasher
Presumably you have a Naim dealer fairly close by where you could borrow a CD5 for comparison? It may be better than the CD3.5, but not light years different.
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by J.N.
Hi Eric

Something is seriously amiss with your player. It may not involve you like the LP12; but should not sound objectionable.

A friend's CDS started to sound very nasty, just before the transport died and it wouldn't spin discs at all.

I have a refurbished CD3 with a new transport that sounds quite delightful.

Get it checked out by a dealer or Naim.
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by ejl
Thanks guys.

Rasher, in a properly rational world I would have one close by. I don't, unfortunately. My "dealer" is 1400 or so miles away in Colorado. I could send it to him, but induction on past experience says he'll just send it on to NANA.

John:

1-2. The plugs and connections are clean since I move my gear from room to room periodically.
3. No spur. I have a PS Audio 15 amp "Ultimate Outlet" attached to the sources and pre, which mainly protects against spikes. With the LP12, the stereo sounds very good, imo. Is the CDP that much more sensitive?
4. I got a new puck this year, from NAIMGAIM.
5. I have three stands: mana wallshelf, quadraspire Q4, and old Sound Org turntable stand. I've tried the CDP on all of them. The mana makes it worse. I didn't notice any diff. with the other two. It currently sits on the S.O.
6. all naim cables.

I leave all my gear on, btw.

I'm listening to the player right now and thinking it must be broken; that or the mains are having a far, far worse effect that before.

J.N.,
The transport could make it sound like this if it's about to fail?

Does anyone know if there elements in the signal path of a 3.5 that can degrade, as with the amps?

Thanks,
Eric
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by Manu
quote:
Originally posted by ejl:
Does anyone know if there elements in the signal path of a 3.5 that can degrade, as with the amps?
Eric


I would first check the DAC. It looks like it is distorting in the highs.

Emmanuel

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by David Stewart
Just a small point but have you tried it w/o the surge protector strip between it and the mains socket? If not it could be worth a try, some mains conditioners can have unpredictable effects on Naim CDPs and PSUs.

David