Emre posted:

MDS posted:

CDX2.2/XP5XS

Quite a piece for a transport, i own a cd2x without digital out

I've always been conscious that since the day I've had it I've only used a minority of the CDX2.2's functionality i.e. not using the internal PSU or its DAC, but I console myself with the thought that the performance (into a nDAC/555PSDR) is superb and that's really the only thing that matters in this game.

PS I should add that one day I tried the CDX2.2/555PS. That was nice but it wasn't anywhere near as good as the CDX2.2/XP5XS/nDAC/555PS combination. 

I had my CDX2 neutered into a transport to feed the DAC. Once I heard a 2.2 at the dealer feeding a DAC/XPS2 the move was irresistible. I believe a contributor (or possibly former contributor) here bought it off my dealer when I finally let it go. In the pre Naim DAC and streamer years our CDX2, later with XPS2 gave more hours/days/years of enjoyment than I can count. It didn't owe us anything when it went to its next home.

Just reading this, you may search in youtube for this

Pro-ject CD Box RS2 new 

seems they rebuild the CD Pro drive again.... crazy times, maybe CD is en vogue again????

Harry posted:

People who own a CD555 own one of the best CD players in the world. Possibly the best. That won't change. You can only do so much with 16/44 material, and some engineers and producers have got miracles out of that format. I own some of them. 

There is no doubt in my ears, that given the inevitable variables (which are not unique to medium res or high res), the musical enjoyment to be had from material at greater than 16/44 is significant. This automatically promotes the ND555 in my little universe, but I prefer the presentation of the NDS to a CD555 in any case.

If CD playback is your drug of choice, I doubt it will ever get any better. Personally, I wouldn't buy HiFi with second hand future values in mind. It's nice to have something to trade in but it's the sound that counts. There are some luxury goods that might give a good return on the asking price. But that's a very risky place to invest money.

Harry, I decided to replace my CD555 with an NDS 3 years ago (I think) and I have never regretted it. My view at the time was that 24 bit material had definitely more potential than 16 bit, and that, for me, has been borne out. I was also of the opinion that NDS was different to CD555 on 16 bit material, but not inferior, and that was what I heard when I changed.

Sitting here tonight listening to NDS with the new software version 4.6, I am convinced that CD555 has also been eclipsed on 16 bit, and I am really excited about what Naim may now have achieved with the ND555.

Yes David. We're in for some fun, if nothing else.

I spent a wonderfully relaxing and therapeutic evening with the NDS tonight. I just can't imagine how things could sound even better. But I have little doubt that I'm about to find out.