CDPS.......RIP ?

Posted by: ray dodd on 08 September 2001

I recently asked the forum for advice on upgrading my CDS1 to a CDS2.The kind advice offered, was to upgrade the head unit to a CDS2 at Naim,then try to pick up secondhand XPS at a good price. As part of the logical process was that some money could be recouped by selling the CDPS presumably to a CDX owner as intermediate upgrade.Ringing round several dealers I got the impression that the CDPS was not worth anything ....redundant! The upgrade for CDX user was not worth while.Is this true ? If it is true, can the CDPS be modified to power anything else.....Headline,Prefix etc,
Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Alex S.
One dealer I spoke to thought the same - this is utter rubbish. The CDPS is a very fine power supply, its just that the XPS is that bit better.

As for the CDPS not being a worthwhile upgrade for a stand alone CDX - complete tosh, if CDX = 0 and CDX + XPS = 100 then CDX + CDPS = 75. I've done extensive a/b comparisons - and the dealer I trust agreed entirely with these findings.

I now have a CDS2/CDPS which out-performs a CDX/XPS by miles. I feel no need to get an XPS.

My advice is keep the CDPS (although it should fetch about £500 privately to anyone with a stand alone CDX and any sense) and put your money towards Fraim or Mana.

Alex

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Michael
I too, Alex, am running as CDSii with a CDPS and when I upgraded from my original CDSi, was told to keep the CDPS as it is a fine power supply and the CDSii works absolutely fine with it.. I did add a modified black burndi lead in place of the grey one as this made a significant difference to the musicality of the player.

I have not heard an XPS in my system but the small difference in performance people seem to be quoting would make it a very expensive upgrade for results returned...better to go and buy 200 CDs and enjoy the music... or put it towards that elusive NAP500!

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by mr saucisson
Ray, I'd second Alex's thoughts. CDPSs certainly do have a second hand value. I would have thought they are eminently saleable CDX owners wanting to upgrade but not having the large chunk of cash needed for an XPS.

As for the difference between the two, I cannot comment personally , having never heard a CDX/XPS or CDS2/CDPS etc. However, when I was discussing the possibility of upgrading my CDS1 head unit, my dealer, who certainly knows his stuff, told me not to bother upgrading the PS and just do the head unit, the CDPS to XPS upgrade providing much, much less "bang for buck".

Ben

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Rico
Alex

your post makes fantastic sense.

I have not heard a CDSPS/CDX combo - although this was precisely what I was looking to acheive. I gave up looking and scored an ex-dem XPS instead.

There should always be a used market for these supplies.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by BrianD
Doesn't this power supply need some kind of modified cable to be used with a CDX?

Brian

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Michael
As I said in my post above..the Burndi cable will need a reconfiguration of its pins...but better to go for a modified Black Burndi... Naim will happily modify your lead for you.
Posted on: 08 September 2001 by BrianD
Yes, Michael I read your post, but you're using a CDSII. Does the standard CDPS interconnect work with a CDX? If not, how much does it cost to get the normal cable converted or how much to buy a new cable?

You may gather from these questions that for the right price I'd be interested in a CDPS for my CDX. I'm just trying to find out how much it would cost in addition to buying the power supply.

Ray

Is it for sale? Feel free to send me a private e-mail.

Regards

Brian

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Michael
Sorry I don't know the answer to that one...but someone here will surely come to your rescue.

If I remember correctly the new lead is £246 ...not sure how much it would cost to convert an existing lead if necessary as this was included as part of the upgrade from CDSi to CDSii.

Sorry CDPS not for sale at the mo....like Alex I am more than happy to keep it powering my CDSii...for the time being at least!

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by Don Atkinson
BD,

Does the standard CDPS interconnect work with a CDX? If not, how much does it cost to get the normal cable converted or how much to buy a new cable?

Cds1 and cdps are connected by grey Burndy. In its original form, this original Burndy will not work with a cdx or cds2. If you do the cds1 to cds2 upgrade, you send to Naim your cds1 transport and the grey Burndy.( you do not send of the cdps). In exchange for about £1,600 you get back a brand new cds2 transport and your old Burndy, modified to connect your old cdps to the new cds2 transport. This modified Burndy will now connect a cdps to either a cds2 or a cdx (but I guess it will no longer work with a cds1).

If you subsequently buy an xps, it (the xps) should come with its own Burndy (probably black) which will connect to your cds2 (or a cdx FWIW).

You can then dispose of your surplus cdps and modified grey Burndy (for say £500) to somebody with a cdx (or cds2 transport)who can't afford or doesn't want to cough up the full £2k for an xps or isn't as fortunate as Rico in findind an ex dem xps.

So to answer your question; No, the standard cdps cable will not work with a cdx. But then, its unlikely that anybody would be selling an unmodified cable with a cdps.
I don't know how much Naim would charge to modify a cable, but they sell new ones (black and therefore better than grey) for about £250

Does this help?

Cheers

Don

[This message was edited by Don Atkinson on SATURDAY 08 September 2001 at 14:42.]

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by BrianD
Thanks a lot Don. You've given me all the info I need.

Brian

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by ray dodd
BD,

I can confirm that Don's information is correct as I recently had a simiiar conversation with naim last week......by the way my cable is Black.

Posted on: 08 September 2001 by BrianD
Ray

I want to talk about whether your CDPS is compatible with a CDX, whether it is actually for sale, and for how much. Send me a private e-mail please to my hotmail account listed in my profile.
I don't want to upset the administrators any further by discussing 'for sales' on their forum.

Brian

Posted on: 09 September 2001 by ray dodd
Master Will,
I think that the XPS has more supplies than the CDPS and the assumption is that it is probably not cost effective to modify.....just my thoughts.I am sure someone out there will have the facts.

Ray

Posted on: 09 September 2001 by Rico
I thought it depended on the age of the CDSPS in question - earlier would need a tweak to the cable (in fact a replacement cable), later supplies would just plug in to the CDX or CDSII with the current cable.

Or am I just suffering age? confused

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 09 September 2001 by Martin Payne
CDPS cannot be upgraded to an XPS.

I have a CDPS (recently serviced) on my CDS-II and it is superb.

Last night, Juan & I heard Michael's player with NBLs on 52/Super/135 (recently serviced), and I don't think anyone who heard this setup would question whether there was any shortfall in the CD player.

I have absolutely no doubt that the XPS is superior to the CDPS, but in Michael's system I would save the dosh & put it towards the NAP500 fund. It may be worth having the PS serviced, though.

This is not to say that the 135s don't do a superb job with the NBLs.

cheers, Martin