CDS3 - what is the nearest set up to sound as good

Posted by: CDI on 30 August 2011

I have all the ipod, ipad, iphone, laptop, desktop, netbook, hard drive, itunes stuff however am a bit overwhelmed by all this new stuff. I demmoed a Uniti for my brother (he trusts my opinion) and found it lacking for obvious reasons compared to my CDS3/XPS/252/SC/250.

 

To date I have not insulted my system with an ipod much to my daughters distress

 

However, I like to keep up to date and need to know where I need to be to keep the level of CDS3 in a digital front end. 

 

Had a listen to Klimax DS couple of years ago but laughed at the cost

 

I guess the answer will be complex so please keep it simple.

 

Not posted for ages, too busy listening to all the cheap CD's on the CDS3

 

 

Posted on: 30 August 2011 by Woods Scot
I had a CDS3 for about 3years and really enjoyed it to say the least. I recently began to gain an interest in streamed audio, but was not willing to sacrifice sound quality; yet wanted to convenience of having all my music in one place.

I began my move with the nServe into an nDac and loved what I heard. I gradually found myself listening to streamed audio more, but still found more musical enjoyment with the CDP. One day, decided to try the xps2 on my nDac , and never looked back. Found a second hand 555ps, gave it a try and was so happy, it did not take long for the CDP to go on the used market.

I have moved even further with my NDX, and although I have fond memories of the CDS3, I can't say that I miss it all that much (other than for nostalgic reasons).

Many on this forum will have differing opinions, but I have to say, the transformation my system has undergone is regret free and has left me enjoying the music and not thinking about what might sound better.

I hope this helps.

Scot
Posted on: 30 August 2011 by Bruce Woodhouse

I sold a CDS3 for my HDX a few months after it was launched. I found that HDX/XPS was close enough in performance terms to not feel like a big backward step and I wanted the ability to network my source etc. I never regretted the change but know that I was missing the special 'grace' of the CDS3, I always found this the best word for the fabulously integrated and engaging sound.

 

I also spotted a s/h 555PS a few months ago and bought it for my HDX . This is a really special combination; it is dynamic but unforced, the detail is remarkable but once again it is presented as a fluid and coherent whole. Without doing a back to back I'd be hard pressed to say which is better but I know I'm enjoying some recordings more than I ever recall.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 31 August 2011 by Harry

You're right. It is complicated. And highly subjective. My choice is HDX-SSD/nDAC/555PS. If according to my ears the CDS3 could outperform this I would be running one. I came at streaming from what appears to be the wrong direction. I wasn't interested in convenience and new (relatively) technology so much as musical enjoyment and sound quality. I was lucky in as much as I had the budget and the time to carefully consider all the options. The tremendous convenience and enjoyable user interface of nServe on an iPad were icing on the cake. Your dealer will help you and you will prefer what you prefer. No harm no foul. There's something for everyone and more choice than ever. This is a good thing.

 

Something else that I wasn't all that bothered about during my cogitations was HiRes music because I suspected that this would be a mixed bag and ultimately dependent on recording quality and source providenve- as has transpired. But feed a good 24Bit recording into a streamer and hang onto your socks. Beautiful and desirable though the qualities of a CDS3 still are (and will remain), there are a few albums out there that you know well but probably don't know as well as you thought you did.

Posted on: 31 August 2011 by Claus-Thoegersen

Hi,

 

Back in 2009 I had the current hdx on loan for about 2 months, and heard it against my s 3 with spsx. since I only had 1 power supply I could not really do an direct a/B test. I felt on some tracks that the hdx had a better flow than the cd s3, but I had 2 demo the same track move the spsx and listen again, wich is not optimal.

 

In June I changed my cd s3 for ns01, NDAC, and kept my spsx. We made some other changes, and my s3 went to my dealer about 3 weeks before the ns01 arrived, but I feel that the new system is as good as the s 3 was, actually quite a bit better, but that  has to do with other changes also.

Posted on: 01 September 2011 by andrew jameson

I sold a CDS3 for my HDX a few months after it was launched. I found that HDX/XPS was close enough in performance terms to not feel like a big backward step and I wanted the ability to network my source etc. I never regretted the change but know that I was missing the special 'grace' of the CDS3, I always found this the best word for the fabulously integrated and engaging sound.

I also spotted a s/h 555PS a few months ago and bought it for my HDX . This is a really special combination; it is dynamic but unforced, the detail is remarkable but once again it is presented as a fluid and coherent whole. Without doing a back to back I'd be hard pressed to say which is better but I know I'm enjoying some recordings more than I ever recall

+1 to the above - I agree that you need the 555ps on the HDX to push it into the CDS3 league (although a diff set of strengths I feel) - I now have the NDAC in the mix and i'm confident that this goes well beyond the 3

Posted on: 01 September 2011 by CDI

Thanks for all the replies!

 

My problem with HDX SSD, DAC - XPS2, 555PS is the box count and the cost - £14K with a trade value of about £3.5K for a used CDS3 / XPS.

 

I only have a 5 level Fraim and no space for another box. Klimax DS would actually leave me a shelf free (for a CD rip thingy)  

 

 

Posted on: 01 September 2011 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

You could also start with a two-box solution of UnitiServe and NDX, adding the 555PS as funds permit.

 

Jan

Posted on: 02 September 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
+1 to. Jan-Erik's suggestion, further you can forfeit the Unitiserve at first and use a little PC or WHS machine running Asset as the uPNP server software.
Simon