Advice on a Naim CDS1 + CDPS

Posted by: zero on 03 September 2003

Hi there,
I was after a few opinions on a Naim CDS (with CDPS) which my friend has offered me. The predicament is that they are both from 1990 and have at no point made their way to the Naim service department. The machine itself works fine, and is in great nick, however I am left a little worried about the future servicing of the unit if something went amiss. So basically I was wondering, how reliable are these units, am I likely to see problems start to develop?

The other aspect of course is the sonic improvement it could bring to my system. I'm running a NAP180/NAC102/Hi/NAPSC/CD3.5+FC at the moment, how does the CDS+PS compare to the 3.5+FC? If the difference is big enough I may well take a risk on it... but unfortuantely I won't be able to hear it in my system as he's too far away Frown

Finally what sort of price do you guys think would be resonable for the CDS/PS?

Many thanks in advance,
Francis
Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Phil Barry
Check the transport - you should see a 'ring' made from Nextel, upon which the CD rests when in play. This is the weak link of the CDS, CDI, and CD3. It can't be repaired or replaced. Search the forum on 'nextel ring'. If it's in good shape, the CD is a great CD player, IMO far, far...well, the 3.5 simply doesn't compare.

No new transports are available, but Naim stocked up by offering a good deal on converting CDSs to CDS2s.

Care of the ring is important. The search will unearth advice.

In the US, the going rate is about $2500. Another forum member with both a CD5/hicap and a CDS1 with a newly replaced transport said that if he were in a store and were told the CD5/HC was $1850 and the CDS were $2450, he would take the CD5/HC - not as good, but better VFM. But he's a vinyl guy.

I really like my CDS. Sometimes, though rarely, I'll play a CD instead of an LP (LP12/Valhalla/ARO/Karma). In my book, that's really high praise for a CDP.

Regards.

Phil
Posted on: 03 September 2003 by zero
Thanks for the reply. I will check out the Nextel ring on it for wear. I searched for posts and some mentioned home remedies for when the Nextel ring fails - do these actually work?

I can see this is going to be a tough decision :P

Best regards,
Francis
Posted on: 03 September 2003 by ted
In the US NANA only has reconditioned tranports, it costs around 900.00, I passed on the cds and kept my cdx (on Naim's advise) which I actually think sounds clearer and more detailed than a old cds. Bass was also not as tight as a cdx. Oh well it's your choice.
Posted on: 03 September 2003 by Arthur Bye
Zero:

I've had both the CDX/XPS and the CDS1. I felt that the CDS1 bettered the CDX/XPS cold from the box. Better resolution, more detail and better quality bass. The CDX/XPS, while better than the 3.5/Hi suffers a tad from digtitis. The CDS1 Nextel ring on my unit has been fine and I've had no problems. Occasionally some CD's that are thin are hard to read. The double ring disc clamp solves the problem.
My understanding is that both Nana and Naim UK can refit refurbished Nextel rings, but it is the soft spot on these units.

I would go for the CDS1 myself. It also helps dramatically to have it on Mana.

Arthur Bye
Posted on: 04 September 2003 by Geofiz
Hello to all,

First port of call is to contact NAIM UK with the serial number to have them confirm that they have no transports left. Prior to purchasing my used CDS1/CDPS I did this and there are new and reconditioned transports available for some versions of the CDS1.

If the price is not outrageous, I say go for it.

Good Luck