Cd

As you surmise, the CD5si is not really ideal for the Supernait 2, and the CDX2 is its perfect partner. It may be worth asking Billy Vee to check whether Naim are still able to make a CDX2 as a special order, which I understand was possible for a while after it was discontinued. A used one is of course an option, or they may still have an ex demo model. 

Ps Current kit is Marantz 7001 KI amp and cd Monitor Audio GS. 10 speakers and Clearaudio performance TT. I was thinking of swapping everything but the TT. I would need a phono stage and am running an Ortofon 2M black cartridge. 

The CDX2 and the CD5XS are both viable and reliable choices with a SN2. You'll get more of one thing with one and less of another with the latter (folks like both equally for different reasons). Best bet is to try both (demos of each should still be available) and see which provides you the greatest VFM.

Tough part is that you appear to be demoing speakers, source, and amp simultaneously. My recommendation would be to first settle on speakers that best match your room. A big feat unto itself, but once done a suitable source and amplification should be elementary.

I would go for the CDX2 the best partner for such a setup.

The SN2 has a powered Aux 2 socket that can be used to power Naim’s Stageline phono stage. 

The approach I’d take is to get the electronics with your existing speakers and then choose speakers. It’s far easier to match speakers to electronics (and your room of course) than choosing speakers you like and then working out how to drive them. 

Anyway, Billy Vee are a good dealer and I’m sure they will help you get the result you want. 

I would just let the new amp settle in with the current TT and MA speakers

Get used to the sound, spin some vinyl, meanwhile find a dealer which can provide a demo of various cd players

A Rega Apollo/R cd player is a good cheaper alternative if no Naim players available

If no dealer demo possible then a second hand CD5xs or Cdx would be fine as I understand they all are still supported, better check this up finally

No idea 'bout new CDX2 price, if you can find one, perhaps look at the Rega Isis too if your budget allow, often this player is mentioned favorable.

sure , buy brand new cd5 xs  if still available 

CD5XS sounded great into my SN2 - I preferred it to CDX2 without PSU.

If you go for SN2, the CDX2 is its ideal partner. Recently i' ve been lucky enough to find a '09 one in mint condition for my second system

Regards

Roberto

Oh I'm confused now. I not that the current player is the cd 5 se but I see people mentioning a cd5 xs. How do these two compare. It sounds though like the general consensus is that the csx2 is the one to go for?

Pre-loved CDX2 - or CD5XS with NaimDAC, perhaps?

Rob Clarke posted:

Hi. I'm a new member here. I am potentially looking at demoing a naim supernait2 and some suitable speakers and CD player. I'm not really into streaming. I note that Naim only make the one CD player. Is. that good enough for the supernait2? Or should I be looking out for a used cdx2? I would want a fairly recent one as would worry about reliability of an old player. I live just down the road from Naim dealer Billy Vee so would be getting the kit from there apart from the cd if I go the cdx2 route. 

You say you’re not really into streaming - is there any particular reason for not getting into it. Most people aren’t into it - nor even understand it - before starting doing it!

This may be of no interest to you, but I offer it as possible food for thought: A few years ago I was looking for a CD player, my old one having died and manufacturer no longer in existence, i soon realised that I was considering old technology and streaming was the future of digital (not meaning CD would cease any time soon, but clearlt to me it has less potential and more limitations). At that stage I knew nothing whatsoever about steaming, but I did some quick reading up, and went for it. I did have the advantage of copies of all my old vinyl already on hard disk having ripped to convert into CDs a couple of years earlier, so half my music immediately ready for streaming -I then set about ripping all my CDs. From that day on I have never looked back, streaming as I first set up instantly matching the sound quality of my old CD player, and changes since making it better.

remember my first go was with sonos over 10 years ago with a clunky controller  I thought it was great to access all my collection  arriving with the NDX 4 YEARS AGO.  slowly increasing playing cds again

Another thumbs up for a used CDX2, based upon previous ownership of one. Will be great with your proposed SN2. It's a very communicative CD player.

Just don't let anyone call CDX2 and SN2 a 'nice little system'!

The CDX2 is rather fussy on set up, particularly what it sits on. Put it on Fraim and it will sing its heart out, put it on an ols steel and mdf Target and it will irritate with an aggressive edge that makes piano ring unpleasantly and it won’t time as well as in needs to. A CD5x in those circumstances won’t care and will give a good account of itself but it won’t have the drive or harmonic richness of a CDX2 of whaterver vintage. the CD5i is a cruder affair that misses a lot but still has the essence right. A Naim DAC on a late CDX2 will give more detail but loses a little of the boogie factor and swing. A bare CDX2 on the right support will still satisfy with 282/hicap/250, a CD5x with a flatcap was OK as a second source but with a SN2 might be enough, an xs will give the DAC option. I’ve not heard the si but it replaced the CD5i and is a partner for the Nait 5si.

With regards to streaming I just like selecting a cd off the shelf and putting it in a player. I don't really want to be ripping discs and making playlists. I a bit of a traditionalist in that respect. I use a computer all day at work so its not that I'm worried about the technicalities of it. 

I like the the old fashioned approach in other things too. Like I enjoy the process of black and white film photography more than digital. 

In in terms of support I have a wooden cupboard with records and one side and shelving for amp and CD player on the other. It's very solidly built. 

Rob Clarke posted:

With regards to streaming I just like selecting a cd off the shelf and putting it in a player. I don't really want to be ripping discs and making playlists. I a bit of a traditionalist in that respect. I use a computer all day at work so its not that I'm worried about the technicalities of it. 

 

I like the the old fashioned approach in other things too. Like I enjoy the process of black and white film photography more than digital. 

 

In in terms of support I have a wooden cupboard with records and one side and shelving for amp and CD player on the other. It's very solidly built. 

This is not trying in any way to suggest otherwise, but just for a complete picture:

I have no idea what a playlist is - when people talk about them it just makes me think of DJs or mixtapes. For me streaming is looking at a screen (usually tablet, but equally controllable phone or computer) where one click opens the library, where I can flip between listing my music by artist or by album, subdivided by genre if I wish. (There are alternatives, including one biew showing fewer albums per screenful, but with an image of the album cover alongside.) To play I just select the album and hit play now, or I can queue it after whatever is playing already. Or if I wish I can view the album contents and pick one or more individual tracks. Alternatively I can just type in what I want to find, or even part of its name.

That then avoids the physical space occupied by CDs ready to browse, the risk of not finding one if someone has put it back in the wrong order, while at the same time allowing quick skimming through to see what catches my eye to play - but the differences here will depend a lot on the size of a collection, the smaller it is the less these physical considerations apply. For me storing and browsing wasn’t an issue at all, But I love the the greater flexibility, and the improved sound quality means I am completely sold on it.

as for B&W photography, although I started with it I embraced colour for most things, had a darkroom and enjoyed processing of prints, especially large ones ( to 20”x24”). With digital, Lightroom makes it more accessible but less fun - however despite running both alongside for a while I ended up going over to digita and selling all my darkrom stuff a few years ago, partly through lack of time, and partly cost, digital costing nothing until or unless you print, and so only for a few pictures.

enjoy your CDs!

If you have a good handful of CD I would continue to bet on that format. I bought a CDX (with a spare laser) and I am delighted. I have apart two terabytes of Jazz music in FLAC format that I will die without listening totally, since in the end you end up listening to only your favorite albums. The CDX or CDX2 are fantastic CD players

For what it's worth I went from a Linn CD player to a CD5 to a CDX2 and it's still putting a smile on my face after 12 years. The only upgrade I made if you can call it that was to swap out the interconnect for a Chord Anthem which had the effect of elevating vocals which is a quality I like.

A CDX2/555psu would be quite a definitive solution

Regards

Robertp

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...s-initial-perpective

Still as valid as in 2009.

Google stereophile Rega Apollo review. 

I would certainly be demoing this with the SN if I were you. 

.sjb

rsch posted:

A CDX2/555psu would be quite a definitive solution

Regards

Robertp

Does that really make sense?  The optional power supply would then be costing more than any other component in the system as far as I can tell?

Sloop John B posted:

Google stereophile Rega Apollo review. 

I would certainly be demoing this with the SN if I were you. 

.sjb

Well the Apollo is certainly significantly cheaper than a used cdx2. How would it compare to the cdx2? Is it likely to ge good enough in an sn2 system?

Rob Clarke posted:

rsch posted:

A CDX2/555psu would be quite a definitive solution

Regards

Robertp

Does that really make sense?  The optional power supply would then be costing more than any other component in the system as far as I can tell?

As soon you find a pre owened one at a sensible price, the answer is yes of course.

For a while i owned bare CDX2-2 into Nait XS, then introduced a new 555psu DR and eventually upgraded to CD555.

The only downside is to be in peril to end yourself with a full 500 system (like myself)

Regards

Roberto