The CDS-II agenda...
Posted by: Top Cat on 21 February 2002
Went to see (not hear) a CDS-II/XPS today. The reason I didn't hear it is that it was a flying visit, really to scope out a couple of things (availability, new price and to have a look at the thing) and I have to say that it's a bizarre looking beastie indeed. But then, it's the sound that counts, and if it's half as good as you lot claim then it's well worth checking out!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I am planning to borrow said CDS-II/XPS and a CDX/XPS at some point in the next month or so (prior to April) and when the new tax year comes I might just indulge... 
A few of questions that perhaps someone could answer:
(1) What is the warranty/guarantee on the CDS-II/XPS (and also the CDX)?
(2) I am concerned about what I am led to believe happened in the case of the CDS, i.e. parts availability problems, leading to repairs requiring a complete update to the player. What are the weaknesses of the CDS-II in terms of build (i.e. what tends to go wrong if anything) and has Naim protected its customers from a similar thing happening to the CDS-II?*
(3) Is there any performance constraint on how close the XPS can be located to (a) the CDS-II and (b) other sensitive equipment, e.g. preamps? I would probably site the XPS above the CDS-II (on the lower tier of a wallshelf) and have the CDS-II sitting on the top of my 3-tier rack (below the shelf)
(4) Has anyone tried the CDS-II with the better Nordost interconnects, specifically SPM Reference? This is what I use and I am keen to get feedback on whether it's a synergistic mix or whether (like the Chord Anthem that I heard on Monday/Tuesday) it perhaps might not be the best thing to use? This is a v. important consideration.
(5) If I buy a CDS-II, do I get the connecting lead for attaching it to the XPS? What about a standard DIN:DIN interconnect - is this included too?
(6) Have any revisions occured to the CDS-II since launch that might make a new model (i.e. 2002) more desirable than an earlier model?
That'll do for now. Gotta do this right, as I am assured by my dealer that prices will rise by a few percent in April, which in the scheme of a six grand CD player is quite a lot of beer money!
Of course, if I can find a s/h CDX, or CDX/XPS, then I'll jump at that, so if anyone wants one I will pay a good rate for a decent one - contact me privately if you are looking to move up the ladder or across to another brand! This would, of course, enable me to phase my upgrade as the rest of you do...
Yours, bewildered by the magnitude of spending that amount on a CD player,
TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."
Take care,
Dave
Anyway, on to a couple of further questions:
Why does the XPS hum so bad? I mean, it's audible from the listening position and at normal vinyl listening levels it's louder than the vinyl noise between tracks.
Does it settle down in time, or is it always going to be noisy?
Although the models I've borrowed are dealers and so I've no interest in doing it to these ones, I noticed that the top plates of the player are pretty dirty. What's best for cleaning if I get my own?
When loading cds, I'm a bit concerned about the fact that the laser's 'eye' is so close to my fingers. Does the fact that it's more exposed to dust, fingerprints and the like than a drawer loading cd player mean that cd lens cleaners and so on are to become a bigger part of my life? Note that I've never ever cleaned a cd lens in my life, and was quite happy with this!
Much has been said about the XPS and how the CDS-II likes to be well away from it. Am I to then take it that the XPS is likely to interfere sonically with other sensitive equipment (such as my preamp (DNM Primus)).
I'm now well aware that the CDS-II likes to be warmed up for days, even weeks. Would a 1 minute 'down' (using the switch on the front of XPS only) be detrimental to the 'warmth', if you know what I mean? For instance, to try a different interconnect?
That'll do for now!
TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."
quote:
Why does the XPS hum so bad?
Hi Top Cat
I recently upgraded to an XPS to accompany my CDX and there is absolutly no humming from it at all.
I suspect that either :
a) Your XPS is an older model that hums a bit.
b) Your XPS is faulty/needs a service.
c) My XPS is faulty.
What of you other XPS/CDPS users?
Should I be hearing the Hum?
Regards
Andy
A.
quote:
a) Your XPS is an older model that hums a bit.
b) Your XPS is faulty/needs a service.
c) My XPS is faulty.
My XPS, purchased October 2000, has no audible hum even with your ear next to the case. Possibly due to running on California's over-priced electricity (profits going to certain Houston-based corporations )?
-John
quote:
Originally posted by JWSzuhay:
"when you get your cdsii, after its fully run in (3 or 4 weeks on MINE)" - ken cWow, I have found Naim gear in general takes alot longer than this...perhaps its the anemic electricity in TX?
i recall mine took about 4 weeks, for the wow factor to set in. after that of course it continued to improve. i left it running a cd continually for about 2.5 days -- perhaps this is a factor.
enjoy
ken
TC said from the start, and I commend him for this, he was really stretching his means (and domestic peace - though he found a way around that ) getting, even listening to the CDSII.
So perhaps it's a little early for a (well intended) multi K piece of advice.
And whatever happended to source first?
Herman
quote:
in order to extract every once of music out of it, you really need a 552.
And this is based on a 20 minute demo of a prototype at a Hi-Fi show, using prototype speakers.
I thought the 552 was very impressive at the show, but didn't think the system sounded better than my system at home. This was in large part down to the speakers I would say, but there is no way I would say that I NEED a 552 to get the best out of my CDS2.
Much in the same way that I don't need crocheted loo roll holders to get the best out of my Bum
Looks like I may have to wait awhile 
I also listened to the new Wadia cd player (about 3.5 grand's worth) just for contrast. Dull as dishwater, couldn't do it for me... more detailed than the CDS-II but that's about it, really...
The CDS-II is still in the lead, but I may end up going CDX due to my somewhat modified future, involving spending loadsa dosh on a wedding, the ring (bought yesterday, I am still wincing in pain... 
) and all the rest....
Bummer, in a nice kind of a way!
TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."