Best CD Player for Naim Amplification

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi Everyone,

I would appreciate the benefit of forum members’ experiences when it comes to choosing a CD player for a Naim system, in particular what would pair well with a NAC282 ? I have identified as possibilities the Hegel Viking and Gold Note CD-10 with PSU-10 EVO and I see that one member has already given a vote of confidence to the latter combination. Essentially, unsurprisingly, I want to retain as much as possible the Naim sound and would like opt for a player which will be sympathetic in terms of producing an analogue type sound inasmuch as that is possible.

I have asked two AI sources for views and whilst I marvel at the technology I was given diametrically opposed opinions !

Streaming or a CD5si are not excluded but I wanted firstly to explore the 2 players I have mentioned.

Many thanks in advance for any input/thoughts on this.

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Do you want SACD playback? Marantz players like the SA12 seem popular here, as are TEAC transports.

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The existing Naim CD5Si is still a good player and matches well.

Outside of those I have heard and liked are the Marantz models, Exposure 3510CD and Atoll 100 and 200 models. They all bring something a little different I think so it is a matter of what one likes best but they all sound great in their own way. The exposure is a top loader which may not suit everyone.

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Thank you Aren and Robinho for your thoughts.

No SACD needed now or expected in the future and I am afraid top loading is not an option for me.

Appreciated.

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Rotel CD11 Tribute a much cheaper option. Unfortunately now discontinued but a MKII version is out now or slightly higher up they make the CD14 MKII. Using a CD11 Tribute with my Nait 50 at the moment. Connected with an official Naim RCA to DIN cable. Along with the Naim CD5 the most organic and analouge sounding player I’ve ever owned and it focuses on PRAT so a lovely match.

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Personally I would choose Marantz SA10 or Cyrus 40.

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@Art55 I don’t know what your budget is but I am using a Luxman CDP with my Naim 300 system and love it. It is built like a tank and is not top loading. However it is more costly than the units others have mentioned. Also it uses XLR or RCA cables. Before the Luxman I had a Naim CD5si. The Luxman has a much higher level of SQ and nuance and detail then did my CD5si. It integrates well with my 300 level system. I find myself listening more to CD then when I had my CD5si. The strength of the CD5si was its PRAT, at the expense of SQ sophistication.

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Many thanks for you input Rambus which I will look into.

Appreciated.

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Thanks for that Frenchrooster. I think that the Marantz might be too much of a stretch for my budget but, as a matter of interest, which of the two did you opt for and if the Cyrus, did you couple it with the 40 PSU ?

Appreciated.

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Thanks for your thoughts Jaybar. As a matter of interest, which model Luxman are you using ?

Appreciated.

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If I were faced with such a purchase now (I hope not, and that my CD5i holds up for a long time), I would definitely consider the Exposure 3510 CD.

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I have neither of them, but from reading here or elsewhere, these two would be on my radar. I didn’t knew that the Cyrus 40 can have an optional ps.

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Luxman D03/x

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Noted with thanks.

I have seen a YouTube review of the the Cyrus 40 and apparently a separate power supply makes a huge difference but at a price i.e. 75% of the cost of the player.

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Yes, others have recommended the Exposure but unfortunately I cannot accommodate a top loader.

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I’m seriously considering getting the new Luxman DO-3R - Maybe even a D-07X if I can negotiate a good price.
I like the fact that there is no Headphone amp and the analogue outputs are fixed voltage

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Check out the Rega players. They are top-loading, though…

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A Moon 260D is a front tray loader and similar price to a Luxman D03X and like the Luxman has additional digital inputs to further use the DAC in the CD Player.
They get excellent professional reviews.
I use the Transport version of the Moon 260D into my streamer/dac and it is very impressive sound quality wise, the detail retreival off the CD disc is excellent, it is far superior to my previous Roksan Caspian M2 CD Player used in Transport mode.

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I’m impressed with my Cyrus 40 into NAIT 50. I don’t have the separate power supply. Good reviews in Hifi Pig and The Ear. Cyrus 40 is a slot loader and each separate comes with a DAC. I only have the CD player. Like Naim, Cyrus is designed to be always connected on stand-by if not playing. There’s no off switch.

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Cyrus CD players benefit from PS. Rega CD players have Naim PRAT. Hegel Mohican was a bit sterile. I settled on CEC CD5. Different sound but meshes with my Naim amplification. Hopefully it will last more than 10 years.

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