Audiocom Naim CDX

[Peter Stockwell]

{Moved from the 'Digital Impression'}


I've finally received and installed my CDX after modifications by Mark Bartlett at Audiocom International. I did the heretical thing for a number of reasons, not necessarily in order of importance :

• I'd taken the jump from my Spacearmed 401 to the SME IV on the SL120, and the CD player was lagging behind
• Marco was elogious of Mark's work
• A CDX get's almost no respect these days
• I felt like it

Mark told the that his modifications, which have not replaced any original naim components, need 200 hours or so to bed in. I have to say it has impressed me right out of the box!

Mark installed Bybee purifiers in critical parts of the Analogue and Digital circuits. In his propositions, he suggested two modifications levels (Level 1 & Level 2). I can't now remember exactly where the Purifers were installed, but Mark finally managed to update the Analogue Power Supply, The Digital Power Supply and the Analogue line out stage. I signed up for level 1.5, but Mark has confirmed that it's actually Level 2.

I sent the player to Mark in February and it's almost 4 months that i've not had the CDX in the system. In the meantime some interconnects have changed in the system, I can't in all truthfullness rememeber exactly how the CDX sounded before modifications. My memory is of an engaging player with enough detail to be interesting that respects the rhythmic flow of music.

All the virtues of the CDX as I love it remain, but last night, listening to the "Best of Diana Krall" and "Music for the film Kansas City" (this is a "live" recording of a big jazz band for Robert Altman's film) I was rewarded with an ease of playback that I did not recall from before. It's hard to put into words, but the best CD player I'd heard up to this point was a CDS3/555PS on the front of 552/300 into some Sonus Faber Amati - this managed to almost bring the performers to life. A sort of they are here sensation.

Well, ok audio memory is not reliable, but I felt my CDX modified by audiocom and the XPS is as good as the standard CDS3/555PS. I'm sure it is musically!

Thanks Mark

[Marco]

Hi Peter,

Great news, mate! I'm glad that the mods worked out for you and that you've finally got your CDX back in working order to enjoy them

You're hearing the right things, as when I had my Sony modified by Mark, you could immediately discern a massive improvement straight from the box, but I can also tell you that you've got a lot more to come after completion of the burn-in period - expect another 20-30% of further increased performance over what you're getting now. It just happens all of a sudden: one day you'll pop a disc in, press play, and think "bloody hell!!"

Quite simply, Mark's knowledge of digital circuitry is second to none; he's capable of transforming (already good) equipment into something truly special that is able to compete at the highest level.

Unleashing the full potential of quality equipment and turning it into 'giant-killers' is where I'm at with hi-fi these days - witness the Techy, Glenn's modifying (and my further tweaking with valves, pots, etc) of my Croft preamp, and of course Mark's excellent work with my Sony CDP X-777ES and DAS-R1. It's definitely the way forward and the route to take for maximum return on SPPV, as is buying bespoke equipment from specialist manufacturers, such as Tube Distinctions.

I just wish more people would ignore 'badges' and have the conviction and dedication to go this route, as the potential sonic rewards, and resulting increased musical satisfaction is huge!

Peter, as your thread is a mini-review would you mind if I moved it into Strokes of Genius, where it really deserves to be archived properly for reference?

Marco.

[Peter Stockwell]

Marco,

I didn't know where to put this, and I thought that AOS deserved the scoop

Transfer it where you see fit.

The other thing, I noticed. Is that while I didn't have the CDX I wanted to change loads of things, but now it's back I feel a lot more relaxed.

[Marco]

Nice one, Peter

It would normally go in here, but since it's more of a mini-review SOG is its rightful home, so I'll pop it in there now. [Now done]

The other thing, I noticed. Is that while I didn't have the CDX I wanted to change loads of things, but now it's back I feel a lot more relaxed.

That's the most conclusive sign of all that what you've done is fundamentally right!

Marco.

[Audiocom AV]

Hi Peter

Thank you for your positive comments!

Having used the Bybee products for some time now I was initially quite sceptical about the idea of a ‘purifier’, or ‘filter’. In my experience with other filters what you often gain on one hand you lose on the other. Is was not until a customer called about an upgrade and insisted on using the Bybee purifiers because he had heard a friends system upgraded with them that I took the chance to try them. I made a quick mock up installation of a pair in a Sony DAS-R1 DAC, already extensively upgraded. The improvements I heard using a pair in the analogue supply of the DAC both surprised and impressed me enough to take a serious look at the product. Since that time the Bybee products have graced many products from CD players to loudspeakers. In the case of the Naim CDX I felt that the sound although dynamic, coherent, was prone to harshness, hardening of tones and long term listening compromised. By installing the Bybee product the character of the CDX was unchanged but the music made more sense in terms of intelligibility, hearing ambience in the music, tonal naturalness, and removing digital gripes like harshness. Even at the 50 hour break-in stage the CDX made better music, and after 200 hours the sound will really begin to flourish.

I am confident that the Bybee product will improve any system, and at the higher end where the next stage of upgrading gets very costly, the Bybee products increase system performance to often match or exceed the performance of upgrading CD player, amp, to the next model up.

[Audiocom AV]

Unleashing the full potential of quality equipment and turning it into 'giant-killers' is where I'm at with hi-fi these days - witness the Techy, Glenn's modifying (and my further tweaking with valves, pots, etc) of my Croft preamp, and of course Mark's excellent work with my Sony CDP X-777ES and DAS-R1. It's definitely the way forward and the route to take for maximum return on SPPV, as is buying bespoke equipment from specialist manufacturers, such as Tube Distinctions.

Hey Marco

Thanks for your praise.

There is certainly a mass of audio gear out there only flying at half mast, sonically speaking. With Many older generation CD players, 5 years, 10 years, even 20 years, are not necessarily bettered by modern day players using the latest 24 /192 DAC’s, upsampling, and variety of digital filter options. Take a good quality player using the TDA1541A, PCM63P-K and rework the design and the sound can be truly stunning and deliver some of that promise from Compact Disc.

[Marco]

Hey, Mark, just think what the impact might be if you could get hold of more Naim CDPs (maybe even a CDS3 or 555?), and word spread amongst the aficionados about just how effective the Bybees and your mods are...

Peter, I dare you to post your findings on the Naim forum!!

Trouble is, would they be open-minded enough to give it a go in the first place or would their blind indoctrination to the approach that 'Naim know best' hamper their logical thought process?

Mmmm..........

There is certainly a mass of audio gear out there only flying at half mast, sonically speaking. With Many older generation CD players, 5 years, 10 years, even 20 years, are not necessarily bettered by modern day players using the latest 24 /192 DAC’s, upsampling, and variety of digital filter options. Take a good quality player using the TDA1541A, PCM63P-K and rework the design and the sound can be truly stunning and deliver some of that promise from Compact Disc.

I completely concur with that; indeed extensive experience of listening proves beyond question that this is the case!

What's important to remember with Peter's CDX is that you've retained the core signature of what is undoubtedly a well-built and specified, musical sounding CDP; but merely enhanced the 'flavour' of what was already there - rather like the effect of an expertly executed beurre noisette on a fine piece of Turbot...

Marco.

P.S Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about coming down to visit - I've just been up to my eyes in it, and have also recently bought a rather nice new pair of speakers!

[Peter Stockwell]

Hey, Mark, just think what the impact might be if you could get hold of more Naim CDPs (maybe even a CDS3 or 555?), and word spread amongst the aficionados about just how effective the Bybees and your mods are...

Peter, I dare you to post your findings on the Naim forum!!

Not worth it in my view, it'll cut very quicly and it's clearly against the forums rules - Once upon a time it was possible but there's not much scope for debate over on the Naim forum. pfm would be a candidate and I did think of putting it there, because I'm sure it would attract a lot of attention.

What's important to remember with Peter's CDX is that you've retained the core signature of what is undoubtedly a well-built and specified, musical sounding CDP; but merely enhanced the 'flavour' of what was already there - rather like the effect of an expertly executed beurre noisette on a fine piece of Turbot...

That's not how I'd put it, at all, to use gastronomic analogies because I don't see/hear Mark's work with my CDX as enhanced in the sense of addition. I see it as subtraction of sonic artifacts that are undesirable. Say, more like eating a perfectly aged steak without any sauce, for example. I think if, anything, it's more akin to the way a wee drop of (highland) spring water to a fine malt whisky will a) take away the burning edge of the alcohol and b) allow the more subtle flavours of the whisky to shine through.

As I said it is really dificult to put your finger on what the Bybee's do, because it's more what they don't do . Put it this way, I'm not sure I want to play golf this weekend, now

[Peter Stockwell]

From the Naim Forum rules :

"We cannot sanction discussion of modifications to internal components of Naim equipment and this also extends, at the Moderators' discretion, to products from other manufacturers."

[Marco]

Peter,

Not worth it in my view, it'll cut very quicly and it's clearly against the forums rules - Once upon a time it was possible but there's not much scope for debate over on the Naim forum. pfm would be a candidate and I did think of putting it there, because I'm sure it would attract a lot of attention.

Yes I fondly remember the old days where objective discussion was allowed without religious pandering to the 'party line'. But that was when Richard Dane was the appointed moderator - by all accounts an altogether more well-balanced and fair-minded chap than Mr Meredith.

You should definitely post your findings though on pfm; if for no other reason than to expose the benefits of Mark's modifications to a much bigger, although perhaps less appreciative audience

That's not how I'd put it, at all, to use gastronomic analogies because I don't see/hear Mark's work with my CDX as enhanced in the sense of addition. I see it as subtraction of sonic artifacts that are undesirable. Say, more like eating a perfectly aged steak without any sauce, for example. I think if, anything, it's more akin to the way a wee drop of (highland) spring water to a fine malt whisky will a) take away the burning edge of the alcohol and b) allow the more subtle flavours of the whisky to shine through.

I think both analogies work. However, I guess that to fully grasp mine depends on how one defines gastronomy.

I see it as taking high quality raw ingredients and developing them (enhancing their flavour complementarily and sympathetically) to create an end result, in terms of eating experience, which supersedes that possible from the raw ingredients cooked au naturel. If you've ever tasted fresh Turbot cooked plainly and then afterwards with the addition of a small amount of perfectly made beurre noisette, gently drizzled over the top, you'll know what I mean... Man, you live in Paris, so you must know these things!

After all, chefs don't win Michelin Stars by grilling a steak (no matter how high quality the meat) and just plonking it on a plate

To use another analogy, Mark's work is like that of a bespoke picture frame mounted on a beautiful painting of a well-known artist: the former sympathetically enhances the existing beauty of the latter to create a more artistically commendable whole. In effect, pleasure thus derived from ownership of the piece is accordingly increased - as it is with listening to music on donor CDPs of requisite quality after Audiocom modifications.

As I said it is really dificult to put your finger on what the Bybee's do, because it's more what they don't do . Put it this way, I'm not sure I want to play golf this weekend, now...

Now that is a result! I've only got a single Bybee fitted to the most critical point in the circuit of my DAS-R1. Further investigation into the fitting elsewhere of more, amongst some other tweakery, will take place in due course

Marco.