I forgot how good the CDX2 is

Oh dear, I was afraid you'd say something like that

Perhaps, at some point, I'll crawl out of my physical media cave and see the light streaming in 

Good topic; especially if, like me, you have and enjoy hugely a raw CDX2. Its a great CD player. As far as I can tell its one of the last of the Naim components to still have some of that raw energy (PRAT?) which was so wonderful in the Olive series and earlier stuff. Mind you when I upgraded from the original CDX, I thought the CDX2 was very sophisticated and mature. Almost boring in fact. The CDX really was raw and energetic. Perhaps a bit too much. The balance of  the CDX2 (in a system with the 202/140 then 200) is just right for me.

David

Joerand;

I would certainly also consider CDS3.

A real bargain at current S/H market prices.   

Chag -

Gosh.. New CDX2s are pretty spendy nowadays, is that a good choice to spend nearly 4.5K on this player ?

Was that something to do with the Phillips TDA 1541 single crown chip ? I have read that it is near legendary.

It was a good choice for me.  I still haven't decided on if/how I want to implement streaming.  My primary sources are CD and radio, and I have a about 3000 CDs/ 

No regrets on purchasing the CDX2 at all.

br,

pat

Hi Totemphile,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the CDX2 and 555PS.  Will definitely demo the two when (if) the time comes. 

For now, I am certainly enjoying the CDX2 with the XP5 XS.  I know it is not a common configuration, but it works very well for me. 

br,

pat

Chag,

Thanks for the feedback. Taken under advisement. Unfortunately with my current racking configuration having a TT on top, a top loading CDP is a deal breaker for me. Perhaps if I move to a TT wall rack in the future.

Yeah, a high end CDP is quite spendy in the scheme of things. Based on what I read here, streaming can readily offer more bang for the buck, and seems the logical economic choice. Still, as I stated below and like patk, I've got an intrinsic association with physical media I'm not yet willing to disband.

Hi, however I have yet to hear a third-party DAC, a Naim DAC or a Naim streaming product that quite sounds and rocks the same ways as a CDX2. I am not sure this is anything to do with CD specifically, but the CDX2 does produce a unique sound that is rather infectious.

Simon

Simon,

For my typical listening you caught my attention with the rock factor. My exposure to streaming on Naim systems is quite limited. It has been positive, but I wonder whether direct CD replay might for some offer more immediacy to the music? Shorter chain, fewer variables, and what not.

The CDX2 has an upfront sound, which is appealing, but some listeners find a bit too much...

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Having got the CDX2 (secondhand) on saturday, everything sounds better, but having had the CD5 for nearly 10years it feels like that i've gone from Row F to Row A, which to me feels uncomfortable.  It may be a case of my brain/ears needs to adjust.  

Absolutely, give it time. A week or so.

Chris

Simon, many CD players from Naim show a clean set of heels to any Streamer/Dac i have heard in the area you speak of, as well as others. CDi/CDS/CDX2/CDS2/CDS3/CD555...... Personal opinion of course.

Gary, for me my CDS3 brought nothing to the party - its sounded more like a NDS but was not as good - and so streaming for me was the way to go sonically - and yes the NDAC and NDS and even the NDX are probably more consistent across a wide range of genres compared to the CDX2 - but the CDX2 really excels with certain music. The fact I have had and sold CDS3 and an NDAC, declined a NDS and bought a Hugo - but despite this the fact I have never felt able  to sell my CDX2 must say something.

For a coloured rocky/blues sound my CDX2 is hard to beat for fun - its like listening to a classic juke box.... with my Hugo its fairly like being in the studio..

I suspect if a streaming product could somehow utilise the CDX2 DAC, DSP  and analogue stage the 'streamer' would sound pretty much like a CDX2 - but of course that architecture would be limited to 16/44.1 (albeit able to use HDCD DSP)

I normally concur 100% with Simon but not on this.  As brilliant as the CDX2 is the CDS3 was a complete game changer for me.  More depth, resolution emotion (masses) but still dynamic - in fact I think it entertains far far more than the NDS.  The only digital source I would exchange it for would be a CD555. 

But haven't heard a Hugo on a proper hi-fi so slight qualification. 

Hmm, i went from the very excellent CDX2/555PS to the better all-round CDS3/XPS2. I personally find all Naim streamers boring, and would take the CDX/555PS over the NDS, but the CDS3 trumps the lot, with the exception of the CD555 which i did own, but don't miss.

Here is the direction for a future firmware update.

Shouldn't Naim consider then going multiple firmware upgrades? Re-invent the concept of modular PSU upgrades with alternative firmware update options.

Complicated and confusing but so much fun and so terribly addictive again.

Chag -   

Personally I still prefer CD playback to streaming.

I think it doesn't have to be either or.. I now use both and it's great... Its what we have input selectors on our preamps for 

For those times I want that juke box sound (infectiously forward and driven) then I now spin up the CDX2... its certainly not all the time - but have a few around for some beers listening to heavy blues music then it is just what is required  ...

Simon

Digital modelling has been very successful in the musical equipment areas, with electric guitar amplifiers having valve and digital front ends for instance allowing the ability to switch and dial in different assimilations of amplifiers - 60s Vox , Fender Blue face, Marshall stack, Tweed etc .The reviews I've read of some of them have stated that it's very good in quality and not just a gimmick.

Perhaps we might see a Hifi Dac one day that offers this facility . You download Cdx2 for input 1, Leak Throughline for input 2,   Quad 50s ESL for input 3 etc..

cheers

Originally Posted by Wat: 

I prefer CDPs to streaming, but prefer my Digital Juke Box (Mac Mini into Hugo) to CDP. It gives the best of both worlds (well at least I find it does ) 

Learning a lot from you guys, I'm  across the pond. Brand new to Naim Previously a Linn Aktiv Guy.  

Reason I'm tuned in, Last purchase was Late 2008 Cdx2.  Down the road, the plan was to Add 555PS followed by Ndac. I hear that the Hugo can out perform an Ndac, but an all Naim kit sure looks good on Naim Fraims.  Anyhow, Wat are you saying, that I could for go the digital out change over on the Cdx2 and utilize the Digital Juke Box .

I streaming now but with inferior Airport Extreme > Airport Express > 282 , but no comparison to Cdx2.

But is it possible to do Mac Mini > Ndac > 2008 Cdx2 > 282 ?  

Hence New Term, Digital Juke Box! 

<Cdx2 / Hi Cap DR / 282 / 250.2 / 200 / 250.2 / Passive PMS Tri- Amped Briks>

personally i haven't heard a CDX2 so far... i was willing to buy one just to hear it but then something came up and i didn't... would i have liked it? who knows... some stated that CDX2 sound very good when partnered to Nait 5i...

BUT, the description of the CDX2 that i always read here on the forum makes me think that this is a way way too coloured cdp player...jukebox sound... well, sorry, but jukebox sound should be expected from below a few hundred eur players and not even those, actually, but from a more than 5k eur cdp from a well respected hifi brand? and CDX2 is not on the entrylevel line either, is on the midrange...

if jukebox sound is the description of this player, then clearly is way too overpriced.

if i will ever get the chance to listen to one, i will not hesitate... i will actually be willing of spending some realtive minor cash, let's say 1k eur, to buy one just to test it... but it does makes me wonder how much truth is in the description of the users of this forum over this cdp.

By Jukebox Simon doesn't mean as in a jukebox in a cafe - as  as that is - he surely means a really good groove??

Awaiting Naims drop of production of CDX2 , like its CDS3 big brother from line up,   new cult item..?

Thanks Wat, I will file that valuable information away. Meanwhile Stanley Clarke has me on the edge of my seat as I peck away on the keyboard . So for now, enjoy cdx2 -- Lavender -- 282, followed by 2nd hand 555PS.  Down the 2nd hand upgrade path I hear the digital 're-worked cdx2/Ndac powered by the 555PS is not a bad hookup, and then, I could explore the Juke Box presentation!

Thanks for confirming my next 2nd hand upgrade.

Oh, almost forgot the 555PS DR will wipe the floor with 555PS, So get busy and list that out dated 555PS!