CD12 vs CDS3

May not be much help, but some of us did CDS2 vs CD12 a few years ago.

Inevitably the results were mixed, but there seemed to be a bit of a consensus here that the CDS2 was more organic and 'real' feeling.

I think someone said the CD12 was faster in the straight, but the CDS2 won on the corners. So if the CDS3 is as heaps better than the 2 as everyone says...

Tim

On the Naim Forum, the CDS3 is better.

One the Linn Forum, the CD12 is better.

Any questions?


Chris Bell

Different presentations:

CD12 = Accurate and detailed (almost clinical)
CDS3 = Emotional and involving (almost analogue)

Personally prefer CDS3/XPS2 = purchased

The CD12 is very, very good but my subjective opinion overpriced

Both have merits and limitations. You pay your, considerable, money and take your, risk evasive, choice.

I've never heard a CDS3, but I *did* hear the CD12 (into those big ATC 70thingy limited speakers) at a hifi show, and sound *quality* aside, the thing boogied like a dead pensioner - really boring and dull - probably because it was so accurate. It was like watching a robot paint a picture, rather than a grand artiste...

__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.

I have listened to the difference quite recently. I have also heard about 9 different CD12's and about 7 different CDS3's.

One of the CD12's was absolutely awesome, it was one of those things that I wasn't really paying attention to but it captured me anyway, very open and not at all 'cd' like. The other eight have genuinely been varying degrees of good to poor.

The CDS3's (you obviously have to allow for my natural bias but I am trying to be objective here!) have all been very close in terms of product variation, I would assume that has something to do with the fact that each sample is listened to by the designer and the MD before they are allowed to leave the factory! (I am reliably informed).

Both a CD12 and a CDS3 were played for me by my dealer through a 552/500 into NBL's just last weekend. I know the CD12 would be 'hindered' by being put through an all Naim system, but I felt that it was at least capable of showing the differences!
The CDS3 had much more in the way of space, dynamics, bandwith and emotion. The CD12 sounded flat, sat-on, lifeless and clinical by comparison.

Just my opinion you realise!

_______________
Hmmm, upgrades.

Less of the round earth soundscape stuff, which one plays a better tune?

Paul

If its tunes you want:

The Naim give more menthol per beat!

The CD12 sounds like it looks "flat"...

quote:

---

Originally posted by Yoda:
The CD12 sounded flat, sat-on, lifeless and clinical by comparison.

---

EXACTLY what I heard - and though ATC speakers aren't neccessarily the best, they do dynamics etc pretty damn well, and the Linn sounded boring - kind of like a grown up version of my old Sony midi player!!!! Crazy - and they expect 12k for that - what a rip... It just sounded like it was going through the motions -like a bored worker on a hungover mundane Monday morning...

__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.

"-like a bored worker on a hungover mundane Monday morning..."

Although from the variability described, more of a friday afternoon sort of player. How ironic.

Richy--

I've not yet heard a CDS3, but I've heard the CD12 v. the CDS2 extensively and always thought the CD12 was terrific sound while the CDS2 was terrific music.

Best,

Bob

Honestly (and I mean that honestly), before I decide whether the CDS3 that has taken residence in my music room is to be a permanent fixture, should I listen to a Meridian ? If so, which one ?

The german magazine www.stereoplay.de (no info on the web yet) has a test of the CDS3 in it's actual november edition and compares it to the CD12. They place the naim beside the linn as new "referenz" (whoever believes in hifi-mags). They said that some testers sticked with the CD12 while the others fall for the CDS3.

I'm @ 3rd week running in my CDS3 and can't get that grin off my face

happy listening

Adrian

[This message was edited by Adrian Frauchiger on SATURDAY 18 October 2003 at 12:22.]

quote:

---

Originally posted by PR:
What a rip...dom...exactly

You can buy a Meridian 508.24 for £700, which according to some reviewers was preferable to the CD12, and likewise to the CDS2/XPS. Not in the league of the CDS3/XPS2 maybe, but at 1/10 of the price second-hand this is VFM at its best.

---

Comparing Meridian to LInn? Entirely different sounding machines imho. I've heard both CD12 and 508.24/506.20.

508.24 sounded rather dull. ( think poor immitation of Krell players ) And it does not have nearly the resolution or refinement of CD12. 506.20 was actually better sounding to my ears.

And I don't even find Meridian ( even the newer units ) remotely close in presentation to the Naim players from what i gather.

The Meridian CD players I tried years ago were very bright and accurate and, for want of a better word, crystalline sounding. Pretty but tiring. Then along came the CDS1 which sounded so much more ballsy and organic. The rest is history.

I also once had the misfortune to own a pair active Meridian speakers (M2's I think) which almost cured me of my obsession with music. The on-board amps blew up one day and it took 6 months to get them fixed. I actually had to get Meridian UK to send circuit diagrams myself before the low-life dealers that I had bought them from would agree to help. I couldn't wait to get rid of the buggers.

Just trying to explain why I wouldn't touch another Meridian product if my life depended on it.

I havn't heard the CDS3 but I've heard the CD12 vs a full spec LP12(EkosII/LingoII/ArkivB) and the LP12 was way ahead (in an active all Linn setup). According to some the CDS3 is close to the LP12 in some cases and even better in some cases. Applying this logic means that the CDS3 would be clearly better than the CD12...

/Lars

The CDS2/XPS is much better than a CD12 which sort of sounds like a SME (very sterile & boring). Since the CDS2/XPS2/S-Burndy is much better than the CDS2/XPS1, I think I would like it much more than a CD12. The CDs3 I am sure will be in another league.

Just to stir this up a bit more I have to add that since purchasing the 552 I have been amazed at how good cd can be (providing the recordings are good). This has been confirmed with conversations with Naim that the cd improved more than the vinyl, maybe not on the same level musically for stuff with a lot going on but quieter pieces it does sound great.

As a footnote:

"I upgraded from a Meridian to the Naim"

No comparison... VFM or otherwise...

Get the best source-the rest can follow!