CDI comapred to CD5 etc..

I have downgraded going from a CDI to a CD5 + Hi. The CD5 sounds different to a CDI. Don't know if it's better though. The CDI sounds bigger and more enthousiastic than the CD5. The CD5 give a bit more spacious sound and subtle details. I think I preferred the CDI, but mine was not taking all cd's anymore and that's with the CD5 a big relief!

Hi , i changed from CD5 with hicap to CD1 before christmas. This was a gamble as i was relying on other peoples experience.I think the only negative side is the age, breakdown aspect.Sound wise its all pluses with a more open natural sound and a tad less bass weight.
I do not find it harsh and i find it more realistic.

Regards
David Patterson

I have a similar system - 82/super/250/Ninkas.
(well, except the speakers)

Recently went from CD5/Hi to CDX2.

I never got "harsh" @ higher volumes w/CD5/Hi.

The CDX2 alows almost a full quarter turn on the
preamp volume over the CD5 combination - it doesn't get hard or nasty, but it does play
dangerously loud!

I prefered the CD5/Hi to a bare CDX, and think
the combination is brilliant.(Not a universally
held opinion hereabouts.)

The CDX2 (after 4 weeks) is showing itself to
be a completely different experience altogether

Thanks for the replies. I think that I may try installing a dedicated spur before changing the CDI. I'm running from a ring main socket with a cheap 4 way extension lead at the moment. I really do not want to change the CDI as it is a player with top hat transport in excellent condition and has become one of the family. I am booked in to listen to a CD5 and CDX2 at the weekend so that should give me a good idea of the direction to go in.

I'm also considering changing my stand to a Fraim but that isn't a cheap option.

ARC

ARC,

I'm surprised that nobody suggested a 52. You already have a supercap so keep your eyes open for a used 52 (or discounted new one).

After that, when funds allow, you can upgrade the CDI to either a CDX2 or higher. Preamps make a huge difference too.

You guys must be on crack, the only way a CDX or a CDX2 would not be an improvementover a CDI or a 5 with a hi/cap would be if you drop it in a fish tank ..you guys must be def,

I have thought about a second hand 52 but thought that the CDI may be a bit exposed with a better pre amp. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing the CDX2.

ARC

hi fi fo fum - no one thus far has said it would be better. try reading before rendering your qualified opinion. So eloquent!

I got a lot of advice from dealers NOT to change my CDI for a CDX - not enough of an upgrade, and my subsequent listening efforts confirmed this.......gosh I must be deaf.....so must the UK dealers if that was their advice?!

I too considered a CD5 as my CDI was getting a bit aged - IMHO there was no comparison when I did the dems; the CDI was better in almost everyway (except looks). In the end I replaced it with a CDS, which was a well worthwhile upgrade: make no mistake, the CDI is a very capable machine. I must admit I'd be tempted by a s/h 52 - this does something in terms of musical communication that the 82 just doesn't, even with the SC (and I've owned both 82 and 52) - not sure if the CDI would take that level of upgrade though? (nb Your speakers will take any upgrade to 552 level).

Steve (a satisfied ARC user himself)

The previous posts hit the nail on the head. I've been demming various options for the past year to upgrade my CDi. Listened extensively to CDX (&XPS) - CDS2(with XPS&XPS2) and CDX2.

THe CDX option is not categorically better than the CDi and certainly not worth the extra money. Having a few less spons than I hoped its going to be the CDX2 which most definently IS a major upgrade and as previously noted probably the best bang per buck CD player in the Naim range.

I'd dearly love to go CDS2 / XPS2 but I fear the expense would induce an even larger cah crisis i.e. Divorce.

Incidentally anyone got the new Prince Live album - Fabbo!!

Colin Lorenson

Colin

Can you give some more details of the CDi v CDX2 dem? What sort of results / improvements did the newer model offer, and what was the rest of the system you were listening to?

cheers

matt

Matt,

My system is 52/s-cap/135's (on Fraim) and Nautilus 802's.

Demming was done at home ( the only place to demm that makes sense), and the CDX whilst some aspects of its performance bettered the CDi ( a little tidier presentation - a little more detail) the CDi seemed a little more tuneful and lively - certainly the difference wasn't worth c. £1500.

The CDX2 is altogther a different animal from the CDX. All the bounce and life, and more, of the CDi plus much better detail, deep firm bass response, more natural presentation and great PRaT.

I'm off to RR tomorrow to order one. CDi anyone. 'nuff said.

Colin Lorenson

Thanks for that Colin.

Testament to the quality of the CDi that you're using it with such a revealing amp combintation. Certainly not "source first"!

I'm running a CDi into 82 / hi / 180 at the moment, and whilst not planning to upgrade in the near future (next step will be Fraim then hopefully 2nd hand SBL's before I think about changing the boxes), it's good to hear of other peoples experience.

Have fun tomorrow ordering your new toy!

cheers

matt

This seems to be a classic question and causes something of a schism amongst buffs. I have owned a CDi for over three years, and just sold it due to financial problems. I will miss it. However, it will be replaced, and I too will face the ultimate question - another CDi (tempting, tried and tested etc) or CDX (newer, still plenty of spares, downside - don't like the styling compared to the CDi) or CDX2, second-hand CDS or CDS2&XPS etc etc. You have to think of it in terms of what is right for you, and I don't believe that any item of hi-fi ever sounds 'better' than another, merely different. It is only an individual's opinion whether a CDi strips a CD5 (which it does, incidentally.. ). A friend of mine who purchased my pre-loved 92/90 bought a CD5 to drive them, it's a nicely matched system for the money. But the CD5 couldn't match the CDi and nor should it. The CDi was £2k when new, the CD5 c. £700, if memory serves?? I'm sure I'll be corrected on that if I'm wrong.

I think you should apply the same protocols when auditioning anything. More expensive does not necessarily = better. Let your ears decide, especially given that the CDi and CD5 are over a decade apart and tuned according to the 'norm' of their era.

Some people run expensive classic cars - you can buy a used Ferrari for new Mondeo money, and the Ferrari will toast the Mondeo in every way. Except they have a different raison d'etre - one is supercar, the other is a repmobile. They both do what they were designed to do, but you know that the Mondeo's more likely to start first time on a cold, wet wintry morning and if the Ferrari goes bang, the parts will be hard to get.

It's a personal choice. If a used Ferrari is arguably 'better' (or more desirable) than a new Mondeo then why isn't everyone driving used Ferraris? There are those that do and those that don't. It's a personal choice.

Audition carefully, and make a choice based on if you like what you hear or not. And take into account the limited availability of parts on the older equipment too.

At the end of the day, don't forget to budget for some lovely lovely shiny silver thingies to put in it. They're more important. They make such a drastic change to the performance of your hi-fi in general.

Happy listening.

G

Gavin, out of curiosity your CDI didnt go to Carnoustie did it.

DP