Uniti remote and CD5 XS?
Posted by: Tamarin on 21 January 2015
Does anyone know if it's possible to control a CD5 XS with a Uniti remote? (I have a UQ 2).
I currently use my Narcom4 to control both my Super Nait (1) and the CD5 XS. But it's not very convenient switching modes, plus the RC4 doesn't have dedicated arrow-style play/pause/reverse/forward buttons. So I'd actually rather have 2 separate controls. Hence my query on using the Uniti remote to control.
The funny thing is that Uniti remote just happens to control my other CD Transport - a Heed Obelisk DT. But not the CD5 XS.
The Uniti Remote won't operate the CD5xs - they use different RC5 code sets. That way you won't inadvertently control the wrong unit (or both at the same time) when you have a system with both a CD player and streamer.
If you want to have separate remotes for the Supernait and CD5xs then you'll need another Narcom or other Philips RC5 compatible remote.
Be careful here; Just because a remote may be Philips RC5 compatible doesn't mean it will use exactly the same code set. There are plenty of alternative codes for similar functions. With the advent of AV kit things got pretty confused. However, it's fairly certain that most of the essential functions on say a Philips, Marantz, Meridian, Arcam etc.. remote control will also work with a Naim CD player, and vice versa. For example, I use a Meridian CD transport in one of the systems and I can control most functions through either a Naim Narcom, Flash or R-com remote. Things get a little more uncertain with say an amplifier remote, and all bets are off with system remotes, except where code sets are easily changeable.
Also note that the DISP function on the Naim remote is rather important with CD players as it is used not only to manage illumination but also to check and change the output socketry. Not all non-Naim RC5 CD player remotes have this functionality.
Thanks Richard. This is very helpful info.
I realized that since the Uniti RC works for my Heed, that the converse should work too. Indeed it does, and that meets my requirement. So I'll just repurpose the Heed remote for the CD5 XS. (I don't actually use it for the Heed itself, which I tend to control via the front panel, as it's right on my desktop, or with the Uniti remote).
While I was at it, I went ahead and tried all combinations of my remotes and gear. So FWIW...
Narcom4 RC
-------------------
Yes: SuperNait, CD5 XS.
Partial: Heed Obelisk DT (Prev, Next, Stop, Play only).
(also controls volume only on UnitiQute 2).
Uniti RC
------------
Yes: UnitiQute 2, Heed Obelisk DT (CD type controls only, numerics don't work).
No: SuperNait.
Heed Obelisk DT RC
-----------------------------
Yes: Heed, CD5 XS.
(also controls volume only on SuperNait).
And I have a question regarding your point on the DISP button for setting the output mode... The CD5 XS has a physical output selection switch on the back panel. Does the DISP mode output selection do additional powering down of unused circuitry, beyond whatever is done by the physical switch?
BTW, in case anyone is wondering about all the gear redundancy, I have a desktop UQ2 with Audience The One speakers, and then a separate full on system in the same room (SN1, etc). I also use the UQ2 for streaming sources, which I sometimes output via spdif to the main system. And I have CDPs on both systems (Heed on the desktop, CD5 XS on the main system). Whew ^_^
The switch on the rear of the CD5xs only switches between analogue outputs and the digital s/pdif output. The DISP function only applies to the analogue output. Pressing and holding DISP and then toggling the DISP button allows you to choose between O DIN, oo RCA, or O oo DIN & RCA. If using the analogue output then for best performance you should choose either O DIN or oo RCA, but not both together.
Got it now. Thanks again, Richard.