Cdp choice.

Re: 2nd-hand-if I could get a Cd5xs with a dealer warranty, this might be a goer.

Personally I would choose CD5, X or XS

This could save you a bit to support a better amp.

None of the entrylevel 5i series if I were you, don't create a mullet !

No problem in choosing a preowned Naim cd as they are supported, well most of them 

Alternative solution on the budget is the sweet neat little ApolloR player from another British maker. Much better than 5i serie imo.

CD5XS.  

Good luck. . 

Synergy can make entry level systems really sing.  And the surest way of achieving that synergy is using matched pairs of source/amp.  So if you have a Roksan Kandy get the matching cd player.  If you want a Naim CD player, be prepared to ditch the Roksan amp in favor of a Naim.  Frankly, on a budget I think either the Roksan pair or the Naim 5si pair (which are the Naim equivalent by price) will check all your boxes.  I of course would favor the Naim.  CD5xs is a much higher price point - you don't need to go this far to get great results. 

Mmm, the Rega player is out, as I don't have enough room on my hi-fi rack for the raising mechanism. I will look into the 5x or 5xs methinks, if I canfind one from a dealer with some warranty. Thanks for your input.

I tend to agree on the synergy conclusion

Dont aim higher than 5i amp with 5i cd

S/h 5i cd players sell for peanuts as do 5i amp which is one hell of a nice amp, in some way more fun than XS but not the last word 

Have had them all

Nait 5i with Apollo is just fine too but noticed it wont fit rack

A CDX with nait 5i and the fun is even more

Still I,d choose a Cd5 or 5x its a much better player than 5i or italic

S/H CD5 XS. A no brainer really. It allows for an external DAC in general, Naim nDAC in particular, at a later stage. A wonderful combo and a great entry to HD and demat.

Chag -

Hastings has a point on synergy but in my experience Naim and Roksan work well together.  

Regards,

Lindsay

Chag... posted:

S/H CD5 XS. A no brainer really. It allows for an external DAC in general, Naim nDAC in particular, at a later stage. A wonderful combo and a great entry to HD and demat.

Chag -

But silly with all that wasted electronics using cdxs as transport only

Probably a mistake then to offer a digital output after so many years.

Chag -

b_lund posted:

Chag... posted:

S/H CD5 XS. A no brainer really. It allows for an external DAC in general, Naim nDAC in particular, at a later stage. A wonderful combo and a great entry to HD and demat.

Chag -

But silly with all that wasted electronics using cdxs as transport only

 

Although no worse than using an NDX or even NDS as a transport only as many do. If adding a dac gives a bigger gain and better vfm than selling it and buying a more expensive player it may well make sense

Opens the door to using a Hugo DAC - but as a possible future upgrade as the OP's funds are limited, and  he wants a new not S/H CD transport (with which I agree - I wouldn't buy a used CD unless very young and confirmed limited use, as mechanics always wear and are the limiting factor in longevity). 

Unless anyone can suggest a cheaper new CD transport only, which could be combined with a S/H Hugo

There are loads of cheaper CD transports but whether they would provide as good SQ as a Naim CDP is a different matter, and of course, you get the Naim look and remote etc.  It is a shame though, in my view, that Naim don't do either a CD or Digital transport to be used with a DAC

Nothing wrong with the CD5SI, I had the Apollo R prior to the 5SI, the Naim player is at another level sonically and may I add reliability wise, I can't understand why anybody could possibly prefer the Apollo R to the entry level Naim player. Horses for courses, but the difference was so clear to me, I guess I have Naim diseased ears.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Opens the door to using a Hugo DAC - ,,......

Unless anyone can suggest a cheaper new CD transport only, which could be combined with a S/H Hugo

I have seen the new Cambridge CXC dedicated transport

Have had mixed results from that Co. before so not sure its good enough,  looks tempting to try out

I've auditioned K3 CD Di, Cd5si and CD5XS. Ordered Cd5si but before collection, dig deeper... into savings and bought CD5XS. You have to audition as all ears are not equal. IMHO, CD5XS sounded more analogue, just me. 

If I didn't want to "buy into" the Naim sound (and look!), I would probably be exploring getting a Chord 2Qute Dac and be done with it, going on reviews of what my best sound per pound would be in my price range-I have a good quality coax cable that I could use to hook up to my current CDP. I appreciate that this is a radical change from going down the Naim route and that auditioning for my final choice is a necessity.
Thanks again for your replies; Snowfoxx, this is very useful, what I was looking for really, although I'm not sure if reaching an analogue sound is my audio-nirvana? Do you mean natural-sounding,or is something like the rythm or flow of the music? I'm keen for further projection from the plane of the speakers, which sit 18" from the wall in a 16'x12' lounge and that rythmic drive that helps you forget about the hifi stuff and makes you want to get up and dance or headbang/sing!

Alba1320 posted:

If you are considering a DAC, there's no need to buy a new CD 'transport', IMO - you will get as good, if not better results with an old Philips based CD player (radial mechs), which will cost next to nothing, and if it breaks down, just buy another one - there's lots of them around. I certainly woudn't bother buying a Naim CD player just to use as a 'transport'.

As for your system, get the best source that you can.

Yes, but only up to a point.  Having tested lots of different Philips Mech players as transports into the Naim DAC, I found that while they were generally pretty good, there was a glass ceiling that somehow prevented them from reaching the stars.  I tried about 8 different Marantz players, a few Philips, a couple of Rotels, some Arcams, a couple of Technics, all of which are available for under £100 secondhand - in fact many available for under £50 secondhand.  You do need to be careful with players like the Marantzes and Technics where a figure eight lead is used.  They perform better when it's orientated one way to the other.  However, against the best transports and players used as transports (such as the Meridian I use which also uses a Philips CDM4 mech) they don't quite transcend that glass ceiling.  So just because a cheap player uses a Philips mech doesn't necessarily mean it makes the best transport.  The difference is not subtle either - it's the difference between good and goosebumps...

b_lund posted:

 

I have seen the new Cambridge CXC dedicated transport

Have had mixed results from that Co. before so not sure its good enough,  looks tempting to try out

CXC is pretty good, but an older Meridian 598 was noticeably better.

At $500 USD new with warranty, it's a terrific value.

Bob Edwards posted:

b_lund posted:

 

I have seen the new Cambridge CXC dedicated transport

Have had mixed results from that Co. before so not sure its good enough,  looks tempting to try out

CXC is pretty good, but an older Meridian 598 was noticeably better.

At $500 USD new with warranty, it's a terrific value.

Combining the above with Richard Dane's contribution, IF the OP is willing to consider secondhand for CD transport at a relatively modest monetary risk, that could be combinrd with a DAC such as Naim or Chord Hugo and be within budget (Hugo seems widely to be considered better than the cheaper 2Qute, though unlike the latter If usb input is used the signal must be free from electrical/RF noise) 

Then one day if streaming becomes something to consider there are inexpensive ways in at high quality if you already have a good DAC.

I'm having amazing results using the new iteration of the Cyrus CDt transport into a Naim DAC. I would concur with the above idea that, from scratch, spending north of £2200 on a transport for this purpose is, er, imprudent. The combination I'm currently using (admittedly with a DC1 digital i/c and a Hiline) has superb synergy - if, by that, one means I'm simply listening enraptured to the music on my CD collection.

I'd agree that buying a Naim player to use simply as a transport is a complete waste of money.  Why bother?  If you can write the check and never miss it, perhaps send the difference to the charity of your choice?

Had a chance to play the Meridian 598 into a nDAC, and it was almost indistinguishable from a CDX2.2 as transport.  Granted, the 598 was something ridiculous like $5k US when new, but they're now in the $400 range.  The 598 also, for comparison, annihilated an Oppo 105 as a CD transport.  Of course, older players won't ever play anything but CD/DVD, but if you have stacks of CDs, so what?

Bob Edwards posted:

I'd agree that buying a Naim player to use simply as a transport is a complete waste of money.  Why bother?  If you can write the check and never miss it, perhaps send the difference to the charity of your choice?

Had a chance to play the Meridian 598 into a nDAC, and it was almost indistinguishable from a CDX2.2 as transport.  

Bob

I think its crazy buying a CD5xs just using it as transport

Why pay for a cheap drive leaving all the excellent electronics unused ?

Its all much worse using a CDX2 similar, even more expensive 

Really a shame Naim didn't listen and provided us a "CD transport only "after launching their DAC

Not all of us have converted to streaming, me never