Cdx2 /cds3

Glad you are enjoying - out of interest what speakers and amp/pre amp. I found that the preamp made quite a difference on how I appreciated the differences between my CDS3 and CDX2. FWIW I now enjoy my CDX2 with no off board PSU with my 252DR

Richard archbold posted:

[My CDS3 is]....realistic

Effortless and natural, from me. Good choice Richard.

Chris

No contest 

Thanks Chris 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Glad you are enjoying - out of interest what speakers and amp/pre amp. I found that the preamp made quite a difference on how I appreciated the differences between my CDS3 and CDX2. FWIW I now enjoy my CDX2 with no off board PSU with my 252DR

 

I'm using 282/250 and audio physic Virgo , next step is supercap then 252 , I didn't dislike the cdx2 I just found it sounded forced rather than natural however that could be a 282 issue 

Thanks - yes the CDX2 is not as natural as  the CDS3 but I find it has a larger emotional 'resonance' on some music... If I am honest I didn't find my CDX2 and my 282 great bed fellows - both the NAC and CDP were together perhaps over egging the audio - you may find the 252 its all somewhat different - I did.

I did quite enjoy my CDS3 when I owned one  - and it certainly worked well with my 282.. As I  say I am glad you are enjoying it - and the CDS3 top loader i always found a rather nice touch..   

S

Super player - just beautiful music

I used to run a CDX with XPS (very happily) and these days have CDS3 with 555PS. Huge improvement and into NAC 252/NAP 300 it is stupendous. So much so that my LP12 deck now sits idle for a fair amount of time. That, in itself, speaks volumes for just how good the CDS3 can be !

Sounds sublime bob, a 555ps is a bit away yet for me 

Hello Bob B.

I have the CDS3 with a 555ps with a 52 pre-amp and super cap into active SL2,s. Last year I replaced the Hi line with a SL interconect between CDS3 and 555ps. This is imo a great up-grade but takes some to run in to sound its best(still improving after 6 months). Before I changed from a CDX to the CDS3 my LP 12 was in use 90% for my listening. Now it's about 50-50. Both sources now hit the spot with me. Both produce a wonderful and totally involving sound. Difficult to tear myself away from my system.

Tony.

Richard - it will sound good with the XPS2 I'm sure. Not tried it - unfortunately my old Olive XPS is not compatible.

Tony - I'm running Hi Line from the CDS3 to pre. Pretty happy with it, although I would love to test against the Telerium and SL interconnect options. My LP12 is fully loaded with Keel/Radikal/Superline with ZFoil and for the CDS3 to be getting so much action is heresy on my part I guess. Like you, I find both options superb - nice place to be !

I would be curious to know how does CDS3/555PS or DR, compare with CDX2.2/nDAC/555PS or CDX2.2/NDS/555DR for that matter then, or should we rather call for CD555/555DR at that level of comparison?

Chag -

I've had several combinations of CDX2, CDS3 and external power supplies over the years.

Stand alone CDX2 never floated my boat for some reason.
Stand alone CDS3 looks lovely but is a bit quiet.
CDX2/XPS2 brilliant and brilliant value.
CDS3/XPS2 is much more refined, producing much more relaxed and gently insightful music than the CDX2/XPS2 but too polite for my taste.
CDX2/555PS awesome.  I prefer this to CDS3/XPS2 for what it does better.  Not as refined or cultured though.
CDS3/555PS combines the very best of the CDX2/555PS and the CDS3/XPS2.  I've had this for around 6 years now and have no ambition to change it, even for a 555.  Fabulous.

All before the modern era of DR power supplies.

Others, including prominent members of this forum, have markedly different preferences, which is fine.  This ranking is based on listening to all of these combinations in our system at home.

Delighted that you are enjoying the musical marvel that is the CDS3 (with an external power supply).

Best regards, FT

Thanks for your insight FT. Are you implying that CDS3/XPS2, since more refined, may be more detailed than CDS3/555PS or is it just a matter of a different presentation?

Chag -

Chag... posted:

Thanks for your insight FT. Are you implying that CDS3/XPS2, since more refined, may be more detailed than CDS3/555PS or is it just a matter of a different presentation?

Hi Chag,
I preferred the dynamic drive and life of the CDX2/555PS over the more detailed, articulate and subtle CDS3/XPS2, so bought the new 555PS over a CDS3 head unit at the time.  The CDS3/XPS2 I found to produce beautiful, flowing music but was just too polite for my uncivilised taste.

Putting a 555PS on to a CDS3 improved on all the things that the CDS3/XPS2 does so well but brought back the life, drive, energy and foot tapping engagement for me.

It's a little like  the differences between the 282 vs 252 vs 552 pre-amps really.

Hope this helps, FT

FT interesting feedback, I too have owned all those combinations over the years, the only observation I totally  agree with is the standalone CDS3 

The one I most disagree with is the CDX2/555PS .. to me that simply made the CDP far too edgey and brash. I also preferred the CDS3/XPS2 to the CDS3/555PS..the former seems to breath and flow better but perhaps appear to sound less overly detailed.

Simon

Indeed Simon, we do appear to have different musical preferences. You are evidently civilised and appreciate the subtle cues of beautifully played music, whereas I am but a simple soul who wants music to make his feet tap.

Fortunately, the Naim family is sufficiently broad to enable us both to thoroughly enjoy our music.

Best regards, FT

Foot tapper posted:

Indeed Simon, we do appear to have different musical preferences. You are evidently civilised and appreciate the subtle cues of beautifully played music, whereas I am but a simple soul who wants music to make his feet tap.

Fortunately, the Naim family is sufficiently broad to enable us both to thoroughly enjoy our music.

Best regards, FT

+1, I want the music to make my feet tap too..... which is why I am happy with my 282 as it does that very well...

I've not heard the cds3 with a 555ps that's one to try in the future, I'm glad I made the move I felt the cdx2 slightly harsh it might well have been the match with the 282 but it might be completely different with a 252 

Hello again Bob. In my earlier post I meant to say that I replaced my hi-line with SL between my 52 pre-amp and not my 555p.s.

Hi Montone - Noted, that's what I'd thought/assumed. Pretty happy with HL but may well demo against SL and Telerium alternatives at some stage. The main problem with HL is its damn fragility !

One other big improvement I have found for CDS3 is to put it on an Avid isolation platform. Very significant improvement in detail and coherence as a result. Not having a Fraim, I'm assuming that this gets me at least part of the way there.

Hello again Bob,

My hi-line broke and had to go back to Naim and they gave me a new one but I agree the plugs are fragile. The SL is far more robust(as it should be for the cost) and takes many hours to 'run in'. If you want to compare it with another make sure the SL has a fair few hours on it. Sorry if I am telling grandma how to suck eggs!

cheers,

Tony.

Tony - My HL has been back for repair as well, in fact on 2 occasions as both ends broke. Seems a bit more robust now, thankfully.

I will resist the urge to demo SL until I win on the lottery 

A point about interconnects between CDS3/pre.   I played with a few and settled on Chord Sig TA.  Budget didn't stretch to SL or Sarum.