cd3 vs cd5 vs cdx

Dont Buy the CD5. The CDX is much much better. If you buy the CD5 then hear a CDX you will be so pissed off.

I agree that the CDX will outperform the cd5. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've got a $4000 player (wasn't that the price?)--the M3 of cd players.

The only factor that might affect my thinking (if I were in a similar position) would be the age of the CDX. I might hesitate, a little, if it were really really old, because there will come a time when you've got to replace the transport.

Oh, one other thing. IMHO you've got to put a hicap into your system as soon as practical. Even though I've never been able to do such a comparison, I think you'll find the difference satisfying.

Markus
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I recently replaced my 3.5 with a 5 and I'm more than happy with it. I find the 5 to be much more transparent and detailed than the 3.5 which was quite harsh in comparison. Obviously if you can hear them both do so but that's not at all easy where I live. I've got 3 decent dealers within 1-2 hours drive so a demo of the 5 was relatively straightforward but I don't see many CDXs round my way. Also as far as I can see a used CDX is still more expensive than a new 5 and you have to factor in the cost of ownership i.e. how much more is it going to cost to maintain.
Basically it's up to you!

CDX - no brainer. I had a CD5 for 5 months before changing to the CDX. Could have saved time and money buying the CDX sttaight off. It is light years ahead IMHO.
Steve.

Thank you for all the advice.

The CDX is around 3 years old and yes it is more expensive than the CD5 but not by much.

As for the Hi-cap, that will be a future upgrade for me.

I just purchased a ca. 1999 CDX/XPS combo for US$2400 and it is SWEET. I use it with a NAIT 5 (need the space)People tell me that the CD5 goes better with NAIT but it sounds positively analog-juicy to me. Buy that CDX with confidence! You will love it.

John

Enjoy your new CDX NSY. If I had had the option I would also have given it serious consideration but you just don't see them up for sale anywhere near where I live. If it really is so much better then it must be a helluva machine as my CD5 is just superb!

quote:

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Originally posted by John M:
I just purchased a ca. 1999 CDX/XPS combo for US$2400 and it is SWEET. I use it with a NAIT 5 (need the space)People tell me that the CD5 goes better with NAIT but it sounds positively analog-juicy to me. Buy that CDX with confidence! You will love it.

John

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Your Nait5 is perfectly capable of processing the CDX's fine signal . I actually changed my mind from a 202/200/CD5 to a Nait5 and CDX2! The difference in detail and transparancy is stunning! I just miss the punch, but hey, I went for the Nait5 (definetly not the 5i) soI could do a nice upgrade.

I was mentioned: No brainer--> CDX. You won't regret is once .

quote:

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Originally posted by nsy:

My dilemma is what CD player to buy or maybe not to buy at all.

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Alternatively you could hang on to the CD3. It's quite OK for a CD-player if you set it up properly and invest your money in a record player and some vinyl.

Have fun!

willem

Ive heard the cd5 at length against my cd3 and prefer the cd3. I then called a couple of friends round for a dem and in a blind dem they also prefered the cd3.

cw,

In a quick-fire A/B dem, even a blind one, the CD3 will always come out over a CD5.

The CD3 (or 3.5 as I've heard, is there much difference?) sounds initially impressive but after a while it's angle on the PR&T thing is one of mimicking and caricature of music.

The CD5, whilst polite and dynamically-restrained in relation to the CD3.5 is more even-handed, more detailed and more believable over time.

I had a straight choice between the two and was offered a discount on the former, but I chose the CD5.

I ended up with a CDX as it drops from a great height* onto a CD3, 3.5 or 5 - w or w/o Hi-cap/FC/FC2.

Regards,

Steve.

*Provided it is on a decent stand; the CDX reads what it sits on.

quote:

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Originally posted by easy_e:
Willem,

Perhaps a dumb question, but how do you suggest I set up my CD3 "properly".

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Easy_e,

Of course your Rega is much better than a CD3! I use my CD-player, a 1996 CD3 only for playing those nice little freebies from The Wire these days (the Raster Noton disc is gripping!), but since I've sorted out the electricity (the earthing of the whole system goes via the CD-player) and since it sits on a phase 3 Mana amplifier rack it is almost musical.

I used to have a Planer 3 before my LP12 and I thought the CD3 was a lot less good. Heard a CD2 in my system a few years ago that still couldn't touch the P3 for musicality.

CD-players (all of them?) seem to be chopping up the natural flow of the music. Play some Fall, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor and you'll see.

Have fun!

willem

Thank you very much for all your inputs. I will just let you all know my decision. I'm still negotiating the price of the CD5. Unfortunately, I still have to watch my budget.

Also, just to let you know, I'm using a Linn LP12 Valhalla with Ittok arm. My cartridge is Denon DL-304.

Thanks again.