CD player for Naim Nait

Is it Marantz cd players ok for Naim amps? The Rega cd players are a good partner also, but I think Marantz is smoother. I guess it depends which you like most…Rega is “ energy and pace”.

@nbaptista i had reliability issues with the Rega Saturn. I also had reliability issues with the Naim CD5si. I switched to the Luxman. No issues so far. Built like a tank.

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That interesting moment when one talked about cd players on Naim forum and didn’t mention Naim. Now this is built like a tank.

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@juliushui given that they can’t be repaired ( my lovely CDX2 is an expensive doorstop) I’m not sure why anyone would buy a Naim CDP.

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@nbaptista

I have a Marantz SACD 12 as a replacement for my CDX 2 and it works well with my 282/250DR.

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If you buy a top notch CD transport and mate it with a proper DAC it will outperform many high enstreaming setups on the market today. Yes physical media is not as convenient but people enjoy building their collection. Plus CDs are cheap

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Got you, and I don’t mean everyone should go vintage. But I think CDs have come to a time like records in the 90s. Players’ quality isn’t as top, supports become less and less due to large decline of sales, a few brands still produce better CD players, but priority would be streaming and records. Imho after sales supports may not my priority at this stage.

I have the CD5Si player and this can still be serviced by Naim

I also own an old Marantz & Arcam player

I reckon probably the best cd player available now, for a reasonable price, would be the Marantz SA-12SE

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On my Nait 50 system I have a Teac CDT into a Chord Qutest which sounds great, it really is.

Then for about £30 I recently bought a Philips CD610 and a 610 mkii as a pair from ebay. Both needed a little bit of fettling (transport wheel, little bit of white grease to quieten the mech and a clean inside and out) however that is dead easy on machines of this era. The 610 sounds fine, however the 610ii is really very good indeed and I do switch between that and the Teac/Chord combo on pretty much a daily basis.

Worth a shout perhaps for little cash as you can get one for very reasonable money. Though now I know what I know, I would happily pay quite a bit more than I did for a 610ii. I did add an MCRU basic figure 8 power lead and that made a big difference to both, possibly the same then on other vintage machines.

Cd5SI here with Supernait 3
And it still is supported Naim signature. :+1:

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They were lovely players, but we all know the doorstop scenario (I hope) - Maybe a reason they no longer are mentioned that often.

Doubt entry level Marantz would have a chance (if that was the question ?)

I do like Rega CD players, and went there myself, but I’ve never really experienced the olive CD player performance, since “then”

For how long ?

Warranty five years then lucky dip like everything else.
Not many companies do any support other than replace.
Best of worst gambles. :thinking: :+1:

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Unfortunately the Marantz SA12SE was discontinued. I bought one when they were half price. Quite a few on here also bought them. I use it mainly as a transport into ND555. But when playing SACDs direct into 552DR.

It’s a lovely thing and wasn’t silly money.

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I have been using a cheap Marantz SA 8260 with my SN2 10 years ago. The SQ for its CD output is not matching with CDX2 of course, but its SACD did very well, detail but not missing warmth and musicality. I think Marantz can match well with Naim.

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You can have a look at Gold Note’s CD-5 or CD-10.
We’ll build and very, very musical…

Musical?

My CD5si is for sale as I’m a streamer convert

The CD5si is the only Naim cd player that comes with the 5 year warranty which is why I bought it. I was going to buy a used CDX2 but the thought of potentially losing my investment overnight put me off as Naim can no longer service/repair these, or any other, old cd players

Only the CD5si can now be serviced/repaired by Naim

Even though the CD5si is considered an entry level cd player it sounds amazing

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You are surprised ? You didn’t know that some cd players don’t make music, just noise?
:grin:

Mmm.