Audiocom Naim CDX

[Marco]

After that, I'd like to go in a wildly different direction, but I fear that it'll have to wait along time because I don't have the space to accommodate some Klipsch speakers , and for that I'd want a lowish power tube amp.

Oooh... Do I detect that some of the AOS 'toobs & horns' madness is rubbing off on Petey-boy?

It's defo the way to go! When you feel thus inclined, you know the lads will be on hand to offer any advice/assistance

Marco.

[Audiocom AV]

The CDX is really very good! I think Mark succeeded admirably in keeping the Naim magic and bringing it into clearer focus.

Peter

Naim gear, any equipment from many manufacturers have a distinct flavour, I hear this a lot between Naim, Marantz & Meridian for example. The mains reason why I believe that that distinct flavour exists is because the style of circuit designs and selection of components has remained constant from the early products through to current. I could instantly tell you which company a CD player belonged to by looking at the circuit design and components. Naim, for example, use multiple regulated supplies using the LM317/LM337 and primarily Tantalum bead capacitors which all add to a distinct character of sound.

When talking to customers, most will like certain aspects of the sound of their CD player, the Naim timing, dynamics, but feel it is missing out in areas like transparency, sweetness. Changing the CD player to the next model up or a different brand often results in trade-offs. If a player like the CDX has clear strengths, than weaknesses can be removed by a balanced upgrade approach.

Best Regards,
Mark

[Peter Stockwell]

Oooh... Do I detect that some of the AOS 'toobs & horns' madness is rubbing off on Petey-boy?

It's defo the way to go! When you feel thus inclined, you know the lads will be on hand to offer any advice/assistance

Marco.

Not quite. back in the 80s I had some Klipsh Forte II speakers, Horn midrange and treble, with a normal bass driver, and an audible illusions tuve pre-amp with some PS audio power amps. That systeml got lost and/or traded. I remember the demo I did between the Klipsches and some Kefs. The Kefs were your typical british tight arsed sound, and not bad either, but the Klipsches really brought life to the party.

[Peter Stockwell]

.... Naim, for example, use multiple regulated supplies using the LM317/LM337 and primarily Tantalum bead capacitors which all add to a distinct character of sound.

When talking to customers, most will like certain aspects of the sound of their CD player, the Naim timing, dynamics, but feel it is missing out in areas like transparency, sweetness. Changing the CD player to the next model up or a different brand often results in trade-offs. If a player like the CDX has clear strengths, than weaknesses can be removed by a balanced upgrade approach.

Mark,

The most surpising thing, although I should be used to it by now, is just how "coloured" most gear is. I really don't realise until present with an absence of colour. If spoken to non audiophools about how mostsystems get in the way of listening to music. What you did for my CDX is another illustration of how this so.