CDS3 is Toast

That looks pretty unequivocal-thanks.

The fact that I couldn’t tell the difference between CDS2 and rip via Core/ NDX2/ XPSDR (though I could without the PS) in a blind test certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t, and in any case we have different kit.

I hope you felt a blind comparison was nevertheless useful.

Also lots of people report than an NDS was a pretty special unit.

2 Likes

Your reply raises several points. Firstly, continuously reiterating “in my opinion” becomes redundant when it is already evident. Secondly, your statement, “If you can’t hear the difference, then good on you,” can be interpreted as conveying a sense of superiority. It is worth noting that I didn’t comment on my preference. I rate my CDS3 player which is the better source in the Naim hierarchy over my 272/555 streamer, which doesn’t mean I would resort to dismissing streamers at a higher level or other people’s experience. However, based on your theory, the 272 should surpass the CDS3. Lastly, when confronted with the realisation that your argument lacks logical consistency, it is natural to resort to expanding the discussion. i.e., FM radio and vinyl.

1 Like

Absolutely I think that
a ripped CD on a USB stick into a 272 outperforms a CDS3 .

I disagree completely that music compressed onto a memory stick outperforms a high end cds3 player. No way

1 Like

In what way do you mean it is compressed ?

It’s a non sense. It goes against all the experiences of members here.
From all the threads I could follow since many years, some members consider the Nds/555 dr at the level of Cds3/555dr, some find it better, other a bit inferior. With an audiophile switch the Nds is at the level of the Cd555, with less grip and authority but more soundstage, refinement and details.
The Ndx, Nd5xs 1 and 2, 272 , are all inferior to the CDS, even with only an Xpsdr.
The CD555 is better vs all the streamers, outside of Nd555 and NDS if well optimised.

So you are the only one vs hundreds of members experience to make such a statement that ripped cds are better sounding in every cases vs all cd players.
And also outside of all the audiophile forums existing.

I know what I hear and there are many who hear the same,don’t worry.

It has to be compressed in order to fit onto stick i stand my ground there is no way is it better than a cd. Why don’t you put your theory to cyrus. I had a cds3 fabulous player

1 Like

huh?

1 Like

Have you ever ripped a CD and put the file on a USB stick ?
I have had all versions of Naim CD players over the years including CDS3 and CD555.

As a matter of fact, you actually don’t need to compress a CD bit-perfect rip to put it on to a USB stick.

2 Likes

If you are convinced its better then its fine, and yes I have and can hear the difference

1 Like

CD555 with one 555PS.
ND555 with two 555PS.
CDS2 with the original xps (but it gets much better when connected to the analogue section of a 555PS DR).

3 Likes

What about uncompressed music on a memory stick? How does that perform?

Complete and utter nonsense.

The RedBook CD standard allows 80 minutes of audio, with a maximum uncompressed data size of about 700MB. Typical CD albums are less, obviously.

Back in the day, at a conference, I remember being given a “state of the art” USB stick which was a mighty 512MB. However, 1GB was common soon after that (early 2000’s) so for almost 20 years it has been possible to store an uncompressed CD rip on a USB stick.

Modern USB sticks can of course hold many 1000s of uncompressed digital albums (1TB flash drives are now available).

2 Likes

Yep that’s me told and sorted

Interesting a CD transport in to a good DAC rarely gets mentioned as an option. I know one excellent Heed/nDAC/XPSDR combination. Very simple with great results.

2 Likes

That’s good and then you also have the option to play bit perfect ripped CD’s on USB stick into the nDac,the USB on the rear of the nDac sounds the best.

1 Like

A good quality CD transport into an nDAC/PSU does indeed sound very good.

2 Likes

This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.