Naim CD5XS Interconnect

FWIW the Chord 2Qute is not a match for the Hugo ime.

This is interesting - a Naim/Chord dealer suggested that, as I wasn't going to use the Hugo with headphones (which is what it was made for really), the 2Qute would be better. A 2Qute, or a TT. Any other views on the subject?

I demoed the chord 2Qute with my amp speakers and CD player.   More clarity and a dynamic presence of the music. It really is good.  It will be a month or so before I can buy.   I have splashed out a small fortune these last few months.

I would then consider S/H nDAC. It has been developed and optimized with the CD5 XS in 2009.  

Chag - 

You could disable the DIN output and try some RCA cables if you have something that you think might be better.  It might give you a reference for the DIN connection and standard cable.

I use the standard DIN cable with my CD5XS, and enjoy listening to my CDs very much.  Perhaps if the sound is not right are there other areas to look at rather than equating cable diameter to sound quality?

GraemeH posted:

Frenchnaim posted:

staffy posted:

Thanks guys, in view of what has been said I will stick with what I have.  My next upgrade will be the Chord 2 DAC.

I'd certainly like to know what sort of difference your next upgrade makes, that's what I'm aiming for.

FWIW the Chord 2Qute is not a match for the Hugo ime.

G

That might be, but I have no intention of lugging my system about.

Judge posted:

You could disable the DIN output and try some RCA cables if you have something that you think might be better.  It might give you a reference for the DIN connection and standard cable.

I use the standard DIN cable with my CD5XS, and enjoy listening to my CDs very much.  Perhaps if the sound is not right are there other areas to look at rather than equating cable diameter to sound quality?

 

I think I will just stay with what I have for the moment.  The system sounds really nice as it is.

Well Staffy,

it just took you two days to move from a uselessly polemical, uninformed post about a product you didn't know yet (the 'lavender' interconnect) to a sensible, reasonable and attentive attitude: you're a much quick learner than most of us..

Best with your new player,

Max

Massimo Bertola posted:

Well Staffy,

it just took you two days to move from a uselessly polemical, uninformed post about a product you didn't know yet (the 'lavender' interconnect) to a sensible, reasonable and attentive attitude: you're a much quick learner than most of us..

Best with your new player,

Max

WOW such a friendly and helpful reply.  In future any posts, I might add I will run them past you first.  I cannot believe that I was not reasonable, and reasonably sensible in previous posts.

Frenchnaim posted:

FWIW the Chord 2Qute is not a match for the Hugo ime.

This is interesting - a Naim/Chord dealer suggested that, as I wasn't going to use the Hugo with headphones (which is what it was made for really), the 2Qute would be better. A 2Qute, or a TT. Any other views on the subject?

I thought that too and went from Hugo to 2Qute...then back to Hugo.

But that was then and this is now (naim).

G

staffy posted:

WOW such a friendly and helpful reply.  In future any posts, I might add I will run them past you first.  I cannot believe that I was not reasonable, and reasonably sensible in previous posts.

Staffy,

perhaps I must apology: but your post was unreasonable. You buy a Naim branded, £2245 CDP and:

a) you don't know it uses DIN connections (or if you know, why complain about it? Or buy Naim? Or if you plan to use RCA, why bother to mention DIN as a fault?)

b) you expect a better IC, while I don't remember having ever seen another brand's CPD sold with a (good) interconnect inside

c) you strongly criticise and despise the furnished IC without knowing why the choice of cable and plugs. But, most:

d) you say it sounds good, and if you have used it with the lavender IC, you nonetheless call it 'a grey piece of string with dins on the ends': like if there was something wrong, BTW, with grey colour or DIN plugs; and implicitly call it 'indecent'.

But then, after a few replies you decide to stick with what you have. So, it seems there was nothing wrong with the grey piece of string with dins on the ends. Years ago I would have posted something similar: a polemical spirit and a public forum seem to make a wonderful marriage, if one wants to regret everything he writes after a day or so; now I try to be more reflexive.

I wasn't being ironical when I wrote that you were a quick learner; but it seems I have annoyed or offended you, and for this I apologise. But since I am now a f***ing 63 old grumpy a****le, and I know it, I dare suggesting you that you - just like I do - erase 90% of your posts before you click on the green rectangle. That said, please forgive my nasty tone and don't consider me hostile.

Max

staffy posted: Collected my new player today and it sounds fine.  However I am disappointed with the interconnect that came with it.  A grey piece of string with dins on the end.   You would think that when your spending £2245 on a Naim CD player the least they could do is bundle a decent interconnect with it.

Massimo Bertola posted:

Well Staffy,

it just took you two days to move from a uselessly polemical, uninformed post about a product you didn't know yet (the 'lavender' interconnect)

Max

WOW such a friendly and helpful reply.

But Max was right and told what many of us were thinking, buying a (new?) Naim CD-player without knowing the proper facts

Max Lund  I demoed the CD5xs  I humped my fuc**** system 5 miles to hear the CD5xs and come away with a good sense of having try before buy.  However I did not check out the leads and interconnects.  My fault in that regards.

I have only had the player a week and already it is beginning to sound better and better.  More clarity in the vocal words and a little more transparency.

I still feel Naim could offer more in the way of a better interconnect.  They seem to lag behind Chord in that respect.  BTW I  did know that Din connections were being used

Best wishes to everyone.  

In fact the included interconnect might be identical to Chord Chrysalis and as such in the Eur 100 pricecategory, not bling glorius looking but damn good performance, its fit and forget

I know some manufacturers include more expensive cables but not many and not neccesarily better, Linn Silver comes in mind maybe Rega

Well, your dissapointed, why not give the dealer a call he might offer something else, plenty of Hilines, Sarum etc on the market

I am sure the dealer would at a very nice price as well.   Strange, but listening to the CD5XS  tonight, that is Diana Krall "Wallflower"  the sound quality just seemed to have improved .

I am not sure if their is a run in period for a CD player, as opposed to Amps and Speakers, but its getting better.  I will leave it at that for a month and count my cash to see if I can get the Chord Qute2 dac.   

Thank you , for the advice I have been given.  On the Naim Forum nobody is an ars***le Max