CDX Mk2 vs CD5 XS

Pre-loved could help here.

Paul, CDX2.2 and CD5 XS are available used. Good examples are available from dealers. I bought such a CD5 XS from one last year, with a warranty, and couldn't be happier.

IMO Naim don't do enough to say that their CD players are supported into the future with spare mechs etc. So email them and satisfy yourself that the players are supported at the factory.

Again, imo, this is a great time to buy a used Naim CD player to enjoy your music.

C.

Hi Paul,

If  your funds  allow, go for the CDX2. it's quite a definitive machine especially when upgraded with external PSU

The CD5XS  on the other hand is very attratctive value for money . Your not a dinosaur at all, i also like spinning silver discs

Regards

Roberto

I use a (good) dvd player as transport into a Chord Hugo.  I am sad in principle that the cdx2 is going away, having always wanted one.  But the Hugo is so good I know I could never justify the CDX2 purchase now - it would probably be 2nd fiddle in my system, saved for certain recordings only.

Perhaps that's part of the problem..

Naim maybe found that all their current CD players needed a freshen up to stand comparison with equivalent priced transport/DAC combo's...and just couldn't see the financial sense in it??

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their feedback.  I have a failing as I tend to have Brand Loyalty "Naim".  I enjoy my current music system and know of its limits and accept them.  Knowing I am missing fidelity and want more from my Current HIFI setup which rolls off at 15 kHz due to the Marantz CD-85 CD player and low end bass from the Celestion's S6si.  Even with my industrial deafness from noisey industrial environments.  Even though I wore the appropriate ear protection.

I have completed a preliminary Google Search of the best CD player for 2018 and the results are in on the Marantz SA-10.

To be honest I am happy with my current CD library, with a few exceptions.  I do own some impulse purchase CD's which are total rubbish recordings.

I am wondering and putting to the Forum.  Are we expected to expect higher resolution CD files in the future?  Or are down loads the way of the future witch we can save to a hard drive for later playback.  I am not expecting on-line streaming as we have two young adults at home that gobble up our NBN broadband width.  My dear wife enjoys Netflix and I am more than happy for her to be one of the modest/heavy users.  Bandwidth 40MBs at best.

I am not a technophobe though these days I do not take up technology as rapidly as I once used to do.

Side note:  As one used to enjoy placing a vinyl record on a turntable.  I do enjoy placing a CD in a CD tray and enjoying the music of a complete album.  Without having to flip the disk as was the case of vinyl record.

I did try listing reviews for comparison.  Though the links that disappeared once posted.  Please search Marantz SA-10 reviews.

Kind regards,

Paul.

Well Marantz have always made good CD players, this one has pretty impressive specs playing cd, SACD, and music from dvd on their own custom mechanism. As always for £6 k get a good demo, and decide for yourself.

I have heard the Marantz SA-10 and it's an absolute stunner.

Marantz have always made very good CD/SACD spinners, all built like tanks, and they are staggeringly good value for money (see the CD6006, which is ridiculusly cheap for the sound it makes). 

If you can find one, you could look at the Oppo 205, which will play any kind of disc or media file (and has a brilliant DAC) and which is ridiculously good value for money. Having auditioned one earlier this year, I decided to push the button; so, after 18 years with Marantz, my new Oppo 205 is due to arrive today....

I spin on Linn, LPs and HDD, used to have an Arcam CD player as well. When that gave up the ghost the end of last year I auditioned all the current Naim CDs and a couple of others. Top range Naim were very, very good. However, just to satisfy my curiosity I asked for Core and 272 combo and ripped a couple of my CDs. The rest, as they say is history. Core/272 was as good if not better than Naim or other CD players and because of the ease of use we play far more music than we ever did using CD alone. Still use LPs quite a lot though. Rich 

Dear Gazza, Thank you for your post.  It is not that I have the money as it may sound I do.  I am trying to compare apples with apples at the same price entry point.  My funds are a lot less than this.  Though I do wish to dream and fill holes in my present audio hifi system.  I am building around the base of a Naim Nait XS2 Amplifier.  Possibly this states my financial capabilities at present instead of my aspirations.  This forum does tend to talk up-spec.

Warm regards,

Paul.

No harm n dreaming or have an end game in sight.....part of the fun for me is the research, opinions and listening to all of the options, enjoy Paul.

At the risk of suggesting an unaffordable upgrade, what about a used cds2?  Available under £1000 though of course you need a power supply as well (I had xps2 to start with butnlatet got a 555). To my ears that was so far ahead of a new cdx2 with xps2 that I wasn’t interested in the cdx2.  My best description is that cdx2 made my toes tap but the cds2 made me want to get up and dance (going from nd5xs to nds is a similar comparison for me)

Of course there is some risk in having used and transports for cds2 May already have run out; I don’t know  but you might be able to find one with it already done - I had mine done along with laser around five years ago (shift d to streaming around 3-4 years ago but that is all internal as in streaming from CDs that I have ripped myself - not got round to trying tidal etc yet)

and to add to the other responses I now have a unitiserve that I use for streaming duties and no longer have a CD player. The ease of use of a unitiserve compared to cheaper alternatives (I tried a qnap) makes it worth the extra in my opinion. I have never had any attachment to playing CDs but have an attachment to vinyl for no good reason!

DEAR LILYFY,

Streaming might be another alternative?  Though I know nothing about it.  I have a modest CD collection (80 cds or less) split between 70's, 80's, 90's soft rock and jazz / and a Extensive Bach Collection and a Complete Pavarotti Decca CD collection.  I do wish (dream) to upgrade my whole HIFI system over time.  Possibly over a lot of time.  Though I wish to do it correctly this time over.  With the above artists  listed.  What would be an affordable breath taking system based around a Naim Nait XS2 Amplifier and Celestion SL6 Si speakers?  All of which can be upgraded at a later time.  Down the track, depending on funds.

 I have had four near industrial death accidents at work (not my fault).  I have Chronic PTSD and Major Depression and music is my exit as a past Bass Player with my local church where I no longer play.  I can not use my hands, which is due to this physiological injury.

 I wish to immerse myself in high quality audio and let the pain drift away.  This process has been ongoing for the last 5 to 9 years as my employer draws and whittles the situation out.  I can no longer use my hands though do have some success with Adult, Expert Lego for improving my hand, eye motor skills.  I just wish to sit on our comfy couch and soak up the music and drift away as one does.  Let the pain go.  Let the anger go.  Let the flash backs go.  Let the nightmares go.....   Let the music roll over me.  After not having music in the house for quite some time.  About five years more ago I went out and purchased an amplifier on credit.  It was a Naim Nait XS2.  Hence my current focus on Naim.

I would be interested in any recommendations or additions to this amplifier.  Or which ever paths Forum members would like to take me down.

I do like simple things.  Placing a CD in a draw.  Closing the draw.  Sitting down and pressing play on the remote control and taking a deep breath in and then out.

I have read that there are issues with Naim Hard Drive players listing all the individual segments of a classical Instrumental tracks and such others.  Or something along these lines.  Therefore I do not know if a iPhone App and a hard drive server is the way to go?

At the moment I wish for easy.  Though I can be educated.

Warm regards,

Paul.

Also look at the Rega CD offerings, their Apollo/Saturn range are pretty good alternatives with an excellent backup service.

Works a treat with XS amp, no idea about the Celestions.

Yes that’s good advice too, Rega put away 2 mechanisms for spares for each player sold, much like Naim and they produce them in house so no external supplier issues.

Hello Paul,

I use a CD5 si with my Nait XS2, and it's a lovely combo. I have some information which could be useful to you, but it breaches forum rules, so please email me if you wish, as per the disguised address in my forum profile.

John.

Gazza posted:

..Rega put away 2 mechanisms for spares for each player sold, much like Naim and they produce them in house so no external supplier issues.

Gazza, Thought your first point voted for Isis only

Didn't knew they maked mechs in-house, in fact I thought Apollo used a Sony mech.? Well you learn and you live..

I vote for no CD players as I have moved to the Uniti Core, but they are still important for some.....I have heard the Apollo, and it sounds fine.....but not my cup of tea.

Dear Gazza,

I am a little old school.  From your post I have had a look at the ND 555.  Can I connect this to a Unit Core?  I am reading into this that I can RIP all my CD's bit for bit to the Uniti Core, have the ND555 read this music and play it through my Nait XS2 Amplifier.  I also have the ability to play High Res Files via streaming from a third party internet provider using the ND 555.  Is this correct please?

We currently experience drop outs on our Broadband due to the heavy traffic of family members.  I am a light user.  Emails, forums and the local AM radio station in Melbourne which we cannot receive via radio due to the location of our country town being outside the broadcast range of the AM transmitter.  It, the radio station can be received though the signal to noise ratio is too low.

My mindset was to look for a good to excellent CD player.  Though I am learning and re-thinking my situation and possible solutions.  Thank you for your post.

Warm regards,

Paul.

Yes you just rip your cd,s on the Uniti Core which is connected via an Ethernet switch or your router to a streamer such as the ND555. I currently use a Nova as my preamp/ streamer and the Uniti core for my cd rips. It’s very easy to use and sounds great.....the ND555 is a big step up IMO. I am also a bit old school, don,t get on with computers, so the Core and Naim streamer is perfect for me.

Rethink, After reading all the replies and reviewing the actual expense of my dreams and aspirations.  I believe that I am in for a severe reality check.  I am unsure what is required for a Streaming and HDD server system.  Though preliminary costings it is way out of my budget.  A CDX MkII is possible.....maybe.  Though a CD5 XS with an outboard power supply is more of a reality.  That is if the power supply makes that much more of a dramatic effect.  I thank everyone for their comments and slowly crawl back into my hobbit hole and dream some more and come to terms with reality.

Warm regards,

Paul.

P.S.  A Marantz SA 10 is also an extreme option.  Though I am not into Hi-Res.  At least bot for the moment.

A uniti Core and Nova, top $13k AUD.   I will give it some thought.  It does give a lot of options.  For some reason, I thought I had to purchase a DAC as well.  This is more reasonable.  On Par with a CDx2 and out board power supplies..

Thank you Gazza.

I am an old dog learning new tricks.

Very much appreciated.

Paul.

The Nova is an amazing piece of kit, streamer board, DAC, preamp, 85 w amp with a huge 770vA transformer, and most important sounds really great. Best of luck down there in Australia.

As a thought a cheaper alternative would be the Uniti Star. You could do without the Core and use the Star to rip to an external usb hard drive. Not quite a refined sound as the Nova, but still a great piece of kit, plays cd,s or just rip them the once-to the external hard drive. Still has a DAC, streamer board, preamp and power amp. Worth looking into if the funds do not stretch to Nova and Core.

I've had a Star for about 4 months now and it sounds fantastic. I ripped my cd's to a ext hard drive which sits by the side. Using the app I can see all the albums with cover photo,tracks etc. 

A lot better than my old musical fidelity amp, cd Transport and chord Dac.