CDX or CD5/Hicap (booking the audition very soon)

Posted by: Ancient Mariner on 02 September 2003

Within the next few weeks I intend to phone my local dealer and ask him to keep his eyes open for a pre-owned or ex-dem CDX. I have been saving up for ages now to buy one, and its now just round the corner.

I have been advised on this forum by many of you that the CDX is the way to go. But some recent posts have made me a little worried about how fussy a CDX is regarding many setup issues and partnering equipment.

Now, I presume that a bare CDX will be better than a CD5/HiCap, but will it be better in my system ?. I will be hooking the CDX up to my 92/FlatCap/90.3 and Linn Helix/Kustone/NACA5.

The CDX will be placed on a Sonus Systems 5 tier glass shelf rack. (Not too good for a CDX), but I have no intention of replacing the HiFi support as its only 2 months old and I like it. However I am considering making an isolation platform for the CDX.

The CDX has this "Wild sound" tag attched to it on some posts, how exaclty is that defined ?, is it wild in the top end, like for example a hard grainy treble, or is is bass related ? Also I have heard that the Chord Cobra 2 can smooth things out nicley with a CDX. Its all so very confusing.

So will a CD5/HiCap be a better match for my system ?, not as good as a CDX but maybe better suited to my setup. I am obviously going to do lots of demos before buying, but I really would like the imput and thoughts of people on this forum, I know some of you have helped me with this topic before, but my head is spinning with just how fussy the CDX is.

If it helps any I am also going to upgrade the NAP90.3 for a NAP140 next year, so please bare this in mind.

Help me out guys.....its driving me bonkers !!!!

Ian Marsh

Posted on: 02 September 2003 by Markus

No worries. It will sound beautiful and is an eminently sensible front end for your system. You'll be able to enjoy the CDX for many years. And if your system evolves the CDX will never be "shown up" by a more revealing piece of equipment.

Do go through the dem, tho'. And post your findings here. We all just wish we were free from work that day so we could go along and give you a second opinion;>

)

Markus
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Posted on: 02 September 2003 by joe90

Go for the CDX. It'll sound great after a few hours running.

Joe90

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Rico

any CDX that "renders cd's unlistenable" clearly is in a system with some large and multiple setup issues.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Madrid

Ian,

I owned the CD3.5 (fairly comparable to the CD5) with the flat cap prior to upgrading to a s/h CDX, and I have no regrets.

To my ears, the CDX is more detailed and revealing. The latter quality may sound a bit "wild" to some, but I think it is just more "true" to the music.

Go for the CDX; I doubt you´ll regret it either.

Steven

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by seagull

Both are fine players. The CD5 may be Naim's baby CD Player but it puinches well above its weight, especially with a Hi-cap and is a very enjoyable CDP to listen to. I should know Mrs S told me so.

I don't think there is that much to choose between a CD5/hicap and a CDX but the presentation of the music is different. They both have the Naim sound but I find the CD5/hicap smoother.

But a CDX can be upgraded with an XPS, so would one of these be on the horizon?

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by prowla

I upgraded from CD3.5/Hi to CDX.
No contest.

Paul Rowlands

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by HTK

A valid conparisom Ian and no doubt your ears will tell you which is best for you. With a blank sheet and plenty of money I'd build a system around a CDX, but if you're looking for a fit with your present system and a good sound vs. FVM balance, you won't be disappointed by a CD5/Hi. That's not to say the CDX won't sound better (possible miles better), it's just that (to my ears) the lesser boxes are not half as good.

Please tell us what you find, and have fun.

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by andy c

I've just upgrade from a 3.5 hicapped to a CDX2 - no contest. I diverted the Hi-cap to replace the flat cap into my 102 pre, so that also affected the overall presentation.
I have heard a CDX - it is more of a trad Naim sound than the CDX2 - but I preferred the '2's presentation.
Either way you need to go for the better player because it will stand upgrades further along the chain..
regards

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by P

I agree with Julian. Try them both before you buy.

You might not want to hear this but I'd never buy a used CD player unless I knew who'd had it before and wouldn't touch an ex demo Naim CD player with a barge pole (too easily trashed if you don't know what you're doing)

Also. The old CDX sounds better on a good energy dissipating design of stand like Mana. The new CDX2, like the CD5 , was designed to be used on glass whereas the old olive range wasn't , so it needs all the help it can get. I use my CD5 on a Fraim and it sounds great.

FWIW I recently bought another new CD5 (my 2nd) after I downgraded from CDS2/52/Super/135. I miss the spectacular fireworks but I can also play stuff on the CD5 that the CDS2 used to rip to shreds and render unlisteneable. I tried the new CDX2 but found it as boring and uninvolving as the old model.

Bigger isn't always better.

Hope that helps

P

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by prowla

The last comment about playability seems true to me.
The CDX has the ability to make some disks sound great, but others terrible (just like an LP12).

Paul Rowlands

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by John Bailey

I've just done the dem with a CD5/FC2/NAC202/HiCap/Napsc/NAP200/B&W N805 Signatures.

It was a stunning sound. I asked if there was any point in upgrading my CD5 to a CDX2 and the response was unless you add an XPS the CDX2 is better but not that much better.

When I bought the CD5 about a year and a half ago I did dem it against the olive CDX and yes, the CDX was better but not in a day and night sort of a way.

Don't get paranoid about the front end first thing. The CD5 is stunningly capable even in high end systems.

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by david needham

John

How very interesting....

quote:
I asked if there was any point in upgrading my CD5 to a CDX2 and the response was unless you add an XPS the CDX2 is better but not that much better.

My experience, having just done the dem with almost the same kit, was the opposite!!

See http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=1501975576

I was listening to a CD5/Hicap2 vs CDX2 and the CDX2 was eaily better. Adding the XPS2 was a bit of a disappointment, as, like you, I had been led to belive it was needed to make the CDX2 shine.

In the above thread, it was suggested that the 202 was the bottleneck, not allowing the XPS2 to shine.

I certainly felt the CDX2 was worth the extra £500 or so over the CD5/Hicap2. I wasn't convinced of the value of over £2K extra for the XPS2 in that particular sistem.

I'm afraid I've not demo'd a CDX, so I don't know if similar comparisons apply.

I'm now waiting patiently for my CDX2 to arrive

David

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by John Bailey:
When I bought the CD5 about a year and a half ago I did dem it against the olive CDX and yes, the CDX was better but not in a day and night sort of a way.

The impression I get (after fairly brief exposure) is that Naim have responded to criticism of the CDX, and there should be less "wild child" experiences with the new model.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Ancient Mariner

Thanks to all of you for your views on my post.

Some very interesting views too. I will for sure demo both options, I maybe even decide to do a home demo with them, this would give me a much better impression.
The CDX so far seems to be the one, but I appreciate it does have its downfalls, regarding certain issues. I have definately not given up on the CD5/HiCap just yet, it may just supprise me.

Thanks again.

Ian Marsh

Posted on: 04 September 2003 by andy c

Just to add a little to my earlier post...
I feel the CDX2 gives more of everything; soundstage, clarity, less 'tizz' in the treble (which used to blight older Naim players).
Also, I'm well impressed with it as it's applying much better bass to my system. It's frightening to think of the improvement that the addition of the power supply will give, never mind altering amplification etc!
I'm saving up already..

Posted on: 04 September 2003 by bec143

different strokes....

Even after extended dems opinions differ among forum members, just compare Bob Shedlock (looking to sell his cdx2 and revert to cd5/Hi) with ghunter (dumped his cd5 for a cdx2). It's all a matter of personal taste. I came close to trading my cd5/hi for a cdx, but after a long home demo, ultimately found the cdx to be better in some ways, but worse in others, so I kept my cd5.

Bruce

Posted on: 04 September 2003 by red severn

i auditioned cdx2 v cd5 today at dealers my opinion-
cdx2 first -very good
cd5 next-with same disks/tracks seemed slightly better
this cant be so notified dealer he explained this happens often i asked him to swap back to cdx2 before he explained why.
cdx2 after cd5 much better and alot easier to see the differences with good and bad recordings.
what i thought was also very interesting was that both did not seem to better the overall piture using my cheaper player at home.
but as i have found before with dealers help when i get the kit home it blows the kit i am upgrading away i have a good listening envoirment ,this highlights the difficultes and importance of demo,s/ HOME demos hope this helps
regards red

Posted on: 04 September 2003 by Steve Toy

It depends on the stands

In the spring of 2001 I got my first week home trial of a demo CDX from my dealer. At the time I was using a CD5/Flatcap 2 and all my equipment was parked on an Optimum Prestige rack (glass shelves, aluminium tubular posts between each.)

The CDX sounded bolder but the CD5/FC2 combo sounded more tuneful and had a better imaging, so I saved my money.

I then auditioned the CD5/FC2 on a Quadraspire Reference table, and promptly ordered one.

I gave the CDX a weekend audition in late November 2001 and ordered one immediately. It was a complete no-brainer this time. It was still bolder but the tune, dynamics, imaging, timing etc. were awesome. Tanais Fox in another place commented on the fact that I wasn't seen on audio fora for about 6 days, although I did post my musical satisfaction here on the day it arrived.

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=1871971053

Regards,

Steve.

[This message was edited by Steven Toy on FRIDAY 05 September 2003 at 03:58.]