CDX2

Sloop John B posted:

I still remember clearly the night I replaced CD5x/FC2 with a bare CDX2, it was one of my biggest wow factors on the Naim ladder, I listened to Graceland and could not believe what I was hearing that I hadn't heard before. 

 

 

SJB

Mine was a bare CD5x - so the step to the bare CDX2 was very big (in my room to my clothe ears). And as it happened, I had exactly the same experience with Graceland - and in fact have used it again as one of my favourite reference albums for my latest home dem.

You're essentially talking about 4 different beasts here. The original CDX2 as a bare CD player was good but not outstanding, although that's not what reviews will tell you. Adding an XPS2 made it a truly great, albeit marmite product and certainly one that needed to be carefully matched and set up properly else you'd get dark muttering a about brightness or harshness blah blah. The change of mech. produced a more hi-fi and less enjoyable product IMO with or without the XPS2. The CDX2 with digital output is a different beast again. I'd go as far as to say they're barely related.

I have an original from 2002 and I've had it since then. Been in use often daily since then and not (kiss of death approaching) needed a single repair. I had it for 12 months solo before I could afford an XPS2 and the difference is huge. I've had reason for it to go solo occasionally since then and have yet to come to a different conclusion. 

If and when my laser mech goes I've concluded that no Naim or other streamer or HD player comes near so I'll probably go with the laser mech change even though I'm not enamoured of the sound compared to the current player. 

All that said I wouldn't get a bare CDX2 to replace a CD5XS with Flatcap and I wouldn't use mine with anything other than a 202/200/HC2DR/NAPSC. It's beautifully balanced. As has been said above you really need to think about your end point. 

If you go for the CDX2 don't listen to it with an XPS2 until you can afford to buy one. It takes the CDX2 to a different level. Trust me. I've been there. Demoed the CDX2 at Ritchie's in Montrose and made the mistake of trying the XPS2 with it. I ended up going home 2K lighter than I'd planned. An expensive day out.

Precisely why I am where I currently am. Mrs. H. and I were persuaded to listen to both. She then said I couldn't not buy both. I could as the bank wouldn't let me but then Mrs. H. treated me for my 40th and here we are. 

56wilson posted:

As mentioned the CDX2 is from 2004. The price is about 15 % of the CD2X new price today in Denmark where I live. 

My own CD5XS is produced late 2009. I'm thinking that adding the nDac instead to my CD5 XS may be a safer option because of the age difference. 

I've had a 2004 CDX2 (indeed, that could be my old one) and now have a CD5XS. Contrary to a couple of comments here I prefer the 5XS without the FCXS, which to me sounds a bit strained - the 5XS is beautifully relaxed. I recently (well, two years ago) borrowed an older CDX2 (of about your vintage) as a comparison and still preferred the 5XS as I felt the older CDX2 sounded a bit - heavy. The newer one (post 2009) is better, however.

I guess it's all about what you've got used to and feel the need for, but don't assume that this will necessarily be an upgrade.

Salmon Dave posted:

I guess it's all about what you've got used to and feel the need for, but don't assume that this will necessarily be an upgrade.

I think it would be with either a SN or a 202/ 200, too.

C.