Nap 200 & Nac 202 with a CD5?.

Pieman, the pre-amp supply in the NAP200 is a lot better than the one in the NAP150 - this was in fact the achilles heel in the original NAP150 and an area much improved with the NAP150x - but still a way off that in the NAP200.

Output B on the FC2 for the CD5 is spot on.  If you're sticking with CD but looking to upgrade, then from here it's a CDS3 next...

Otherwise, think about Powerlines, Hi-Lines etc..  

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your reply.

The CD5 has a warmth to the sound  that I do like ,but is a CDX2 a much better match for a 200/202? . What would be the best entry level product to go down the streaming route also please ? .

Regard's

Pieman.

A CDX2 can come as a shock after the CD5/FC2.  The latter has a kind of widescreen larger than life presentation that is rather lovely - in some ways it's a kind of looser, low res, junior sibling to the CDS3.  The CDX2 by contrast battens down the hatches and whips everything into shape - it's tighter all round and a real rhythm machine, with much greater control at frequency extremes. The CDX2 is a better machine, but it can lack the charm and seduction of the CD5/FC2. 

Entry level streamer would be an ND5xs I guess . . . but the 202/200 is generally considered to merit an NDX at least. I haven't heard that combo though, so can't comment on what you get for the extra cash.

Pieman,

the more I read Richard's opinions the more I agree. I have had CD5 twice: the first time with a 202/Napsc/HiCap/200, and it gave way to a CDX2; the second time with a Nait5 and FC2, then a 112/150. I have had the CDX2 three times, and now I have a CDS3; much as I loved the CDX2(s), a CDS3 is a wonderful, musical, complete machine. And it's perfectly true, a CD5 is a sort of junior sibling to the CDS3.

I loved it a lot, when I had it; if you love it too, just consider a CDS3 in your future.

Best

Max

Thanks gents for your comments.

I must admit that I am in no rush to change the cd5, but do ponder upon putting upgrading it at some point.

The forum is a nice place, to gain a insight into people's opinion's on the very diverse subject of Hi fi.

Regard's

Pieman.

I have a similar question, I hope you will forgive me for hijacking the thread. I also have a CD5XS/FlatcapXS, and I recently got a Supernait 2 (I had a Nait XS), and I was wondering whether the CD player might be a bit weak for the amplifier.

Would adding a DAC (Naim or "....") bring the CD player up to the level of the amp? Would it solve the OP's problem?

I'd be really interested in opinions here :-)

CDS3 is my dream machine, however circumstances prevent at the moment.

I would consider FCXS or Supernait in time, how worthwhile were they for you Frenchnaim?

The Flatcap adds to the enjoyment, as do Powerlines and Hiline: I found I had a wider soundstage, more accurate timbre.The Flatcap is a must, I would say. I have to admit, however, that the Supernait 2 did not seem to improve the system by as much as I thought it would. Which is why I joined this thread - wondering whether to start saving for a CDX2 or add a DAC. I suppose the OP does not have that latter possibility, the CD5 probably does not have an output for a DAC?

I never really post here but always looking. I find this interesting as I have a cd5 with flatcap 2.

Thought my next CD player would be a cd2x but now I wonder if its the right move. How well

is the cd5/flatcap rated in the forum...cheers.

A CDX2 may well be the one, but you'll need to listen and take into account what I wrote earlier.  It is the better machine and you may well love what it does.  It turns into something very special with an XPS2 or 555PS, albeit at some cost.  And speaking of cost, a CDS3 may well be preferable - but not available new anymore.