CD5 vs CD5si
Posted by: Mr Bungle on 13 March 2016
Hi all,
Newbie here with a question regarding Naim CD players.
I've been pondering with the idea of purchasing a new CD player for my system and I've noticed the CD5 pops up on eBay quite frequently and therefore have thought about purchasing one especially as I have a Flatcap 2X that I could potentially use with it.
However I do worry about the longevity of a secondhand unit especially in regards to the tray mechanism and wondered what peoples thoughts on the performance of the old CD5 against a new CD5si. Is the risk of a secondhand CD5 outweighed by its performance over a CD5si (with potential upgrade pathway) or will a 'bare' brand new CD5si bought from my local dealer be a match for the CD5?
Unfortunately the acquisition of a CD5xs is too much of a stretch financially!
Has anyone had any experience of listening to both units or could offer some insight into the respective merits of each?
System is Supernait/250.2/B&W 803/MacMini/Chord 2Qute DAC
Thanks in advance
The CD5 first made an appearance 2000 and was superseded by the CD5i in 20003. This makes any CD5 at least 13 years old. I believe the mechanism for it is no longer supported by NAIM making the purchase a bit of a gamble.
I auditioned a CD5 against a CD3.5 when it first came out, but preferred the more raunchy sound of the CD3.5. I think the CD5 sound is more akin the the CDS3, which many prefer. I found it a little soft for my liking.
I would wait until a more recent model is within your budget.
p.s Reading the Naim spec. the CD5si has many trickle down improvements which may make it a better performer than the CD5 even though it's not upgradeable. I haven't heard it though. Maybe someone else could comment.
The cd5si can't be upgraded with a flatcap ,unlike the cd5xs - which is more a spiritual descendant of the cd5.
I really liked my cd5si player, has mostly the same midband quality as my unitiserve and Ndac combo that's being used at present, though not as extended and articulate at the frequency extremes.
CD5 with Flatcap would quite easily show a CD5si the door. I had mine serviced with a new laser by Class A, Naim authorised, a couple of years back and it sounds superb. The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
Thank you guys for your invaluable thoughts and insights.
Gary - would that be Class A in Sheffield?
Yes indeed.
Does anyone think it would make sense for Naim to release a dedicated CD transport especially as off board DAC's are so popular at present?
It would probably be a financial turkey as far as Naim are concerned. As far as your setup goes, the CD5 seems very modest to front a 250/803 system. Maybe finding a good transport, such as a Linn or Meridian, to run into your DAC is the better way forward.
+1 on a dead turkey - However if I was looking for a made for the purpose CD transport, I would not hesitate to go for the Cyrus CD "t". I heard one a while back & was very impressed. Mind you £750 is a lot to pay for just a disc spinner, but maybe not so when you think about the folks around these parts with CD players being used as digital out only transport.
gary yeowell posted:CD5 with Flatcap would quite easily show a CD5si the door. I had mine serviced with a new laser by Class A, Naim authorised, a couple of years back and it sounds superb. The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
If you dont mind me asking Gary, what does it cost to replace the laser. I have a CD5 circa 2000 and I have been offered £300 for it in part exchange. for to buying a new CD5XS.
It came in at around £165 all in with a minor mod that brings it up to the very last spec from Naim. Well worth it in my view for a lovely analogue sounding machine.
sheffieldgraham posted:The CD5 first made an appearance 2000 and was superseded by the CD5i in 20003.
Thats a generel misunderstanding
However the CD5i series has nothing to do with CD5/5X/5XS apart from looks and close initials, clever done by a marketing guy for sure
The 5i series is not "improved" as someone would indicate, its a cost effective cd-player which should not (IMO) be used on higher level amplication than 5i amp
try Google the innards
gary yeowell posted:The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
And it is the CD player I probably liked more on a purely affective way, no rational admiration involved. If the Upgrade Itch didn't exist, I am sure everyone would be happy with a CD5.
Massimo Bertola posted:gary yeowell posted:The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
And it is the CD player I probably liked more on a purely affective way, no rational admiration involved. If the Upgrade Itch didn't exist, I am sure everyone would be happy with a CD5.
Mine has served me well for 20 years, but now its time for the CD5XS....at double the original price.
b_lund posted:sheffieldgraham posted:The CD5 first made an appearance 2000 and was superseded by the CD5i in 20003.
Thats a generel misunderstanding
However the CD5i series has nothing to do with CD5/5X/5XS apart from looks and close initials, clever done by a marketing guy for sure
The 5i series is not "improved" as someone would indicate, its a cost effective cd-player which should not (IMO) be used on higher level amplication than 5i amp
try Google the innards
Just looked on Naims product history. According to them the CD5 was replaced by the CD5i in 2003. Wouldn't comment on the relative merits of the two but it was the only 5 series replacement at that time, although it appears to have been upgraded to the italic version in the same year.
I'd still check to see if the CD5 laser mech. is still available. If so could be worth a punt.
staffy posted:Massimo Bertola posted:gary yeowell posted:The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
And it is the CD player I probably liked more on a purely affective way, no rational admiration involved. If the Upgrade Itch didn't exist, I am sure everyone would be happy with a CD5.
Mine has served me well for 20 years, but now its time for the CD5XS....at double the original price.
Staffy are you sure it's 20 years old. It was only released in 2000.
It's sort of correct - in fact the CD5 was replaced by both the CD5i and the CD5x; the CD5i was designed to make the Naim entry level even more affordable and introduced a new sub level, while the CD5x was the proper next step on from the CD5, albeit taking it slightly more upmarket.
In chronological order the basic CD player range went;
CD5x - CD5xs
CD3 - CD3.5 - CD5 -
CD5i - CD5i - CD5si
sheffieldgraham posted:staffy posted:Massimo Bertola posted:gary yeowell posted:The CD5 is the best kept secret in the used Naim CD player range.
And it is the CD player I probably liked more on a purely affective way, no rational admiration involved. If the Upgrade Itch didn't exist, I am sure everyone would be happy with a CD5.
Mine has served me well for 20 years, but now its time for the CD5XS....at double the original price.
Staffy are you sure it's 20 years old. It was only released in 2000.
Thanks....you are absolutely right. 15 years old. I would have been content to keep it, but you cannot attach a Dac to the CD5. The CD5XS sounds sublime when a Chord Qute 2 is introduced.