CDS3

Posted by: Ray1 on 06 August 2009

Hi,

Did Naim change the mech on the cds3 (vam1250), if you look at new manual they use only two puck now one for the 555 and the same for the rest of there cd player's (vam 1202).
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by patrik0631
Yes, the CDS3 above SN 270.000 (more or less)have the VAM 1202 disc drive. CD555 has the VAU1254
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by James E. Avison
Quick and cheap solution to the CDS3 player with the VAM1250 use the Clamp 5 that is used with the VAM1202.

This turns a good player into a really enjoyable player (music-wise) in my experience. Also saves you several hundred pounds on getting the VAM1250 changed to the VAM1202.

Happy listening.

James

PS - The other thing with the CDS3 original puck with the VAM1250 unit is that the rubber rings degrade through play, not just over time, ending up with less than consistent replay. In my system I could actually hear the puck go off (musical went flat and not very enjoyable) even after half a CD being played.
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by Edouard
quote:
The other thing with the CDS3 original puck with the VAM1250 unit is that the rubber rings degrade through play

Got my CDS3 in 2004, never had problem with the puck, got a spare one in 2004 but it still waiting in the box, music delivered is fabulous Big Grin
Is the VAM 1202 better than the VAM 1250?

Regards,
Edouard
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by James E. Avison
Hi Edouard,

Try the Clamp 5 on your CDS3 and see what if you experience the same as me.

Cheers
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by Ray1
Thanks Patrick,

To bad, when I bought my cdx-2 they just change the transport, I realise when I got the unit ship home, I was going to get the cds3 expecting to get the unit with the original transport (vam 1250), when to the web site they still broacasting the cds3 with the vam 1250, but not true, when I look at the new manual. So forget it I Keep my cdx2, Unless my dealer get me a good deal on the cds3 or the new cdx2-2
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by John R.
Of course the transport of a CD player can not be overrated as this is a very important part, but the VAM 1202 is not bad at all. I had long side by side comparisons with two CDX 2: One with the good old VAM 1250 (first generation) and the other with the newer VAM 1202 (second generation). Both players were placed on a Fraim and used the very same Hi Line (we unplugged each time) to be connected to 282, Hi Cap, 250. Yes, they sound different, but only slightly different. The VAM 1250 equipped CDX 2 had more of what I call "LP 12 bloom" whereas the VAM 1202 equipped CDX 2 actually sounded even faster and more precise. Both players had the typical CDX 2 sound which I love so much. As I said before the difference was surely not night and day and to be honest I probably would not notice if someone would secretly have changed my first generation CDX 2 to a second generation one at my home. And let us not forget that the VAM 1250 seems not to be available anymore and Naim as a responsible manufacturer can only produce CD players as long as they can make sure to have enough spare parts in the future.
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by Edouard
quote:
Try the Clamp 5 on your CDS3 and see what if you experience the same as m

Hi James,

Are you saying that the Clamp 5 (for VAM 1202) can also be used with the VAM 1250?

Cheers,
Edouard
Posted on: 08 August 2009 by James E. Avison
quote:
Originally posted by John R.:
Of course the transport of a CD player can not be overrated as this is a very important part, but the VAM 1202 is not bad at all. I had long side by side comparisons with two CDX 2: One with the good old VAM 1250 (first generation) and the other with the newer VAM 1202 (second generation). Both players were placed on a Fraim and used the very same Hi Line (we unplugged each time) to be connected to 282, Hi Cap, 250. Yes, they sound different, but only slightly different. The VAM 1250 equipped CDX 2 had more of what I call "LP 12 bloom" whereas the VAM 1202 equipped CDX 2 actually sounded even faster and more precise. Both players had the typical CDX 2 sound which I love so much. As I said before the difference was surely not night and day and to be honest I probably would not notice if someone would secretly have changed my first generation CDX 2 to a second generation one at my home. And let us not forget that the VAM 1250 seems not to be available anymore and Naim as a responsible manufacturer can only produce CD players as long as they can make sure to have enough spare parts in the future.


Hi John R,

Couldn't agree more with your findings with a CD player with the VAM1250 being used with the Clamp 4.
Hats off to Naim with the new CDX-2, it is better still.
Although I have not tried it on the VAM1250 CDX2, I am sure IMO that the use of the Clamp 5 could bring about the same benefits as the later VAM1202 equipped CDX2 (pre-CDX-2), as IMO with the CDS3 it turned a good player into a great player.

IMO the other good thing is that the Clamp 5 turns the CDS3 into a more neutral player, there is no messing about with the different tonality of Naim pre-amps and power amps to get the correct system balance.

All the best

James
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by Consciousmess
Hi all,

I must say that I have TWO pucks for my CDS3 that I alternate between, and they both visually appear a bit different from each other.

I haven't purposedly made a comparison between the sound i.e. when it sounded good, I didn't then go and make notes regarding which puck was being used..... as I never thought the puck had an affect on the sound!!

But if I understand this thread correctly, the puck CAN influence the sound???

If the puck does influence the sound, how do I identify which puck is which, and which one should sound better?

Many thanks,

Jon
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by patrik0631
I am curious to hearing the difference between the new CDS3 and the one before SN 270.000. Also, is the new CDX2 offering more definition and sounstage than the previous one? I personally have never been fond of the CDX2.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by Steve O
I am told I had the last of the VAM 1250 transports when my CDS3 was repaired in June.
I was lucky as it is not only the transport that needs to be changed when replacing a VAM 1250 with a VAM 1202. It needs a new servo motor and something else I can't remember the name of. That would have bumped up the repair bill to around £600.

As for the magnetic puck idea-
When the CDP first started playing up I thought it may have been a puck problem and bought a new one. This didn't solve the problem so I asked Naim if the magnetic puck would be an option. I was told by Naim this was not a good idea. If you still wish to persue this option then you have been warned.
And please don't bombard me with replies about how it can't possibly be detrimental to use a magnetic puck - I'm only the messenger here.
Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by gary yeowell
This all sounds crap for CDS3 owners... I bought mine new around 2 years ago, so now if my transport goes i have to pay £600 instead of £300. I'm sorry but Naim should NOT charge extra because other work has to be done, instead take care of the people who forked out 9 grand for a player and make the change at a good will standard transport charge and NOT take a repair profit. This is called service.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by James E. Avison
Steve,

Did Naim say why it was not a good idea, because my conversations and emails have not raised any issues or concerns from Naim, only to say that Clamp 5 should not clamp/work on the VAM1250 unit.

In general:

Shouldn't the latest CDS3 with the VAM1202 transport in it be called something different, say CDS3-2 or CDS3x.

Interesting that a VAM1250 (which I am led to believe is still available) is approx £40.00 to buy and the VAM1202 only £20.00?
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by patrik0631
VAM 1250 has an optical preamplifier.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by graham55
I've said this before, but..

Why have Naim never built their own CD transport mechanism? Even poor old Quad managed to do so before the Chinese got them.

If, for example, the VAM 1250 transport was so good, would it not have been possible for Naim to buy the manufacturing rights from Philips when it was discontinued.

As things stand, Naim CD owners will always be at the mercy of other company's decisions.

Anyone know what the situation is these days on replacement transports for the CDS II?

Graham
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by 151
quote:
Originally posted by gary yeowell:
This all sounds crap for CDS3 owners... I bought mine new around 2 years ago, so now if my transport goes i have to pay £600 instead of £300. I'm sorry but Naim should NOT charge extra because other work has to be done, instead take care of the people who forked out 9 grand for a player and make the change at a good will standard transport charge and NOT take a repair profit. This is called service.
IF its correct i would call it robbery.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by gary yeowell
IF this is correct, i would agree.
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by BigH47
quote:
Anyone know what the situation is these days on replacement transports for the CDS II?


I was told earlier in the year they were "plentiful".
Not actually how many a plentiful is though. Winker
Posted on: 09 August 2009 by PS
quote:
Try the Clamp 5 on your CDS3 and see what if you experience the same as me.

When the CDP first started playing up I thought it may have been a puck problem and bought a new one. This didn't solve the problem so I asked Naim if the magnetic puck would be an option. I was told by Naim this was not a good idea. If you still wish to persue this option then you have been warned.


...but the original CDS3 puck is magnetic isnt it (at least mine is)? aren't we talking about using a different magnetic puck (Clamp 5) that does not have degradable rubber loops in it? why would this not be a good idea if at £5 it genuinely produced a better sound (cheaper than the original Clamp 4)?...will buy one and give it a try!...

...if anyone present here today knows any earthly reason why these two should not be joined in holy weadlock, please speak now or forever hold their peace... Winker
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by James E. Avison
Hi PS,

Give it try, I have had a Clamp 5 on my CDS3 for about 3 weeks now, and have not had anything but sheer musical enjoyment.

I foolishly went back to the original puck last night, and it was soon replaced with the Clamp 5.

Interested to hear your own experiences.

Cheers

James
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by PS
....it should be on its way...will report back later this week Cool

...funny how these odd tweaks keep a commin' even after all these years...i'm still recovering from the 252/Tuner input for CD reveleation...

...that's why I can't ever desert this forum Winker
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by Steve O
quote:
Steve,
Did Naim say why it was not a good idea, because my conversations and emails have not raised any issues or concerns from Naim, only to say that Clamp 5 should not clamp/work on the VAM1250 unit.


James,
Naim advised me not to use a magnetic puck on the CDS3 as it was not the engineered partner for that transport and they did not know what long term effects using one may have.
I did try one on my CDS3 to see if it solved my 'skipping' problem, as the transport was dying I didn't feel I had anything to lose.
I am sceptical about this though I must be honest. Wouldn't Naim have posted it on this forum if we could all improve our CDS3's for the price of a puck?

Below is a small excerpt from an e-mail from Naim. I haven't included it all as it contains personal information.
quote:
VAM1250 needs a PUCK 4 which has rubber rings ....... VAM1202 needs a PUCK 3 which does not have rubber rings, but they are not interchangeable


Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by 151
yes,but what do naim know.
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by PS
quote:
quote:
VAM1250 needs a PUCK 4 which has rubber rings ....... VAM1202 needs a PUCK 3 which does not have rubber rings, but they are not interchangeable


...but Puck 3 does have rubber rings

...did you mean Puck 5?
Posted on: 10 August 2009 by PS
...exactly (and Puck 3 does have rubber rings)...