Naim CDS2 vs CDS3 - Any views?

[Rich Conroy]

Can anyone give me a CDS2/3 comparison and which would be worth going for?
Cheers
RC

[DSJR]

The 3 *should* be a touch firmer in sound and I think it has phono sockets too. All this meant a 10% price increase when launched over the outgoing CDS2 and of course it's gone up and up and up every year since then, meaning it's going to cost rather more on the used market.

Disregarding the above, both of these should still sound better by far than 95% of CD players out there and the CDS2/XPS was one machine I'd have been proud to own (as long as the XPS wasn't buzzing like a chain-saw).

[hifi_dave]

The CDS3 is more refined, sweeter and three dimensional than the previous model. It's a seriously good player providing a more 'analogue' sound than most other machines with depth, space and tactile imagery.

[No Regrets]

Hello Rich,

I"m sorry that I cannot give you a comparison between the two players, but I can say that I just recently a CDS2/xps with the super burndy and absolutely love it. I have read that the addition of the super burndy brings the CDS2 on par with the CDS3....whether that's true or not, I really do not know.

My CDS2 plays music in such a way that I simply focus on the music instead of the medium......what I mean is that it doesn't make me wish the recording was on vinyl. It gives a nice weight to the instruments, a solidity to the sound. It is very dynamic, as well as being very nuanced. When playing very complex and demanding music, it gives a very coherent presentation.....nothing gets compressed, nor falls apart.

For what you can buy the CDS2 for on the used market, I believe it gives excellent value for the money. It is still serviceable by Naim. I have absolutely no regrets buying mine.

Is the CDS3 better than the CDS2? Possibly....maybe, maybe not. I think it depends on your ears and your system and room. I have read some people prefer the original CDS over the CDS2, just as I've read some prefer the CDS2 over the CDS3 and vice versa. I doubt you could go wrong with either. If it were me, I would buy the CDS2 and put the money you save by not buying the CDS3 into buying more music. Simply enjoy it for a number of years and then the cost of a used 555 will be affordable when you are ready for another upgrade.

Best of luck to you and your quest. Please keep us informed of your journey.

Best wishes,

[DSJR]

The differences, albeit small IMO, are probably more to do with the superior casework of the current range, as the old tray and sleeve assemblies rang like bells without much encouragement (makes a mockery of the various stages of mana isolation TBH as the cases were so bad).

Many of the better one-box players put the regulation right next to the stages in the circuit (the first AVI S2000 Ref CD player had eleven regulated stages as I remember) and Naim's way of doing it smacks more of profit generation rather than efficiency to me, but whatever, the CDS2/XPS was and still is one heck of a decent CD player, it's very slightly "creamy" quality actually helping some bad transfers IMO and never hindering top quality ones. IMO, this machine gives a truly musical and 3-D sounstage to work with, for me, forever removing any doubt at all that CD "can't "do" it with music. Hopefully, this shows why I take issue with the people who insist that analogue, and vinyl in particular, is the *only* way, 'cos IMO it aint by a long way...

The XPS has one potential difficulty in certain situations, and that's transformer(s) buzz. There seems to be an extreme here, a given XPS will either be silent or sound off like a buzz-saw. Good luck.

P.S. I understand Marco had a CDS2/XPS once. It would be interesting to hear from him as regards the sonic differences between this and his current tweaked Sony setup, forgetting the far more solid and inspiring Sony build, user interface and finish.

[No Regrets]

The differences, albeit small IMO, are probably more to do with the superior casework of the current range, as the old tray and sleeve assemblies rang like bells without much encouragement (makes a mockery of the various stages of mana isolation TBH as the cases were so bad).

Many of the better one-box players put the regulation right next to the stages in the circuit (the first AVI S2000 Ref CD player had eleven regulated stages as I remember) and Naim's way of doing it smacks more of profit generation rather than efficiency to me, but whatever, the CDS2/XPS was and still is one heck of a decent CD player, it's very slightly "creamy" quality actually helping some bad transfers IMO and never hindering top quality ones. IMO, this machine gives a truly musical and 3-D sounstage to work with, for me, forever removing any doubt at all that CD "can't "do" it with music. Hopefully, this shows why I take issue with the people who insist that analogue, and vinyl in particular, is the *only* way, 'cos IMO it aint by a long way...

The XPS has one potential difficulty in certain situations, and that's transformer(s) buzz. There seems to be an extreme here, a given XPS will either be silent or sound off like a buzz-saw. Good luck.

P.S. I understand Marco had a CDS2/XPS once. It would be interesting to hear from him as regards the sonic differences between this and his current tweaked Sony setup, forgetting the far more solid and inspiring Sony build, user interface and finish.



Hi Dave,

Did all of the CDS players (the original, 2, and 3) have this "very slightly creamy quality" or was this only inherent in the CDS2?

I didn't realize that some of the XPS's had a problem with the transformers buzzing. Luckily mine is dead silent. I wonder if some of them get knocked around while in transit becoming loose inside its case? If I had one that buzzed, I would definately open mine up and take a look inside.

I have often read on various forums that to get the best sound out of the CDS2, that the type of isolation platform or support you place it on can really effect it's sound which tends to go along with what Dave was saying about the enclosure. I have mine sitting on top of a very high mass piece of antique wooden furniture and I think it sounds superb. I maybe try some various isolation platforms under it to see how it affects it's presentation.

[Marco]

P.S. I understand Marco had a CDS2/XPS once. It would be interesting to hear from him as regards the sonic differences between this and his current tweaked Sony setup, forgetting the far more solid and inspiring Sony build, user interface and finish.


I'll get to this discussion later, chaps - too full of wine and Drambuie at the moment to think straight! :eyebrows:

Yes, Dave, I did indeed own a CDS2/XPS (later upgraded to XPS2) from new, which I ended up selling to Rich, that due to personal circumstances, he then later had to sell..... I've also know the CDS3 rather well, and so can make a valid comparison between the two (and also my current modded Sony).

Back soon when I'm sober (maybe)! :cool:

Marco.

[Rich Conroy]

Marco - any chance of your views.
Cheers
RC

[Marco]

Lol - where have you been, mate? :)

You've caught me just as I'm going off to bed... I'll pop some thoughts on tomorrow, dude :cool:

Marco.