I had a very similar problem with my CDS3; one channel ceased working and two different Naim dealers told me repairs to that model are no longer possible due to the unavailability of parts.
So I decided to try to do without a CD player and use instead my NDX 2 with the CD555PS that had been powering the CD player. However, I hadn’t realised the importance for me of the ritual of listening to recorded music via CD (running my index finger along the collection of jewel cases until it stopped at the album which suited my mood etc…then playing the whole album while relaxing and not mulling on life’s challenges) With streaming I was increasingly listening to playlists or carelessly skipping the weaker songs on many albums while scrolling distractedly on the iPad.
I auditioned a few, not inexpensive, CD players at various dealers but none were as pleasing as the CDS3 or NDX2, until, on strong recommendation from one dealer, I had home demo of a Japanese manufactured Accuphase CD player. It didn’t go back to the dealer! The sound quality for me is superior to that from the streamer and as pleasing as the CDS3 but with subtlety different characteristics.
That was a very costly purchase but it is very well built and, as CD is still an important recording medium in Japan and the company appears to have along and honourable history, I expect the machine will outlast me.
I agree Accuphase are great players. But a word of warning if buying second hand. Talking to my dealer a customer had bought a Accuphase product second hand on ebay from Germany. When it went wrong in the U.K, the serial number advised it was a German unit and they would only send parts to the German distributor……not sure if the problem got resolved. But worth bearing in mind.
Naim/Focal NA. did their best to repair my CDS3 to no avail. After discovering no local source for replacement laser replacement, I sold mine on for a pittance. While there were several excellent CD players available [Rega Isis, Accuphase, DCS, and a couple from Japan], I decided on a CEC CD5 and a Naim ND5XS2 as replacements. While both sound very good, neither are comparable to the CDS3. I still miss it today!
I am thinking to buy a CD555 actually. Do you think it is worthwhile to send to Naim for a bill of health and cleaning up service. Or no such service currently will be entertained
I have both a CD555 and a CDS3 on separate systems and - good though the CDS3 is - I would definitely go for and prefer the CD555, especially with two supplies.
Good question that I have no knowledge of, but I don’t remember ever seeing a post about an nDac failure, so the risk is apparently much lower and replacement should it fail is much less expensive
IIRC, Naim’s usual advice on CD players is don’t even consider sending them anywhere unless there’s a clear fault - couriers can be mechanism killers. Probably something to discuss with the dealer and then with Naim.
I’ve often heard this argument, but when the item was new it was shipped from factory to distributor, then to shop as a neccesarity to reach customers. Some might even had a further ship to buyers. Maybe its something to do with better solid packing from new, full packing etc..?
I remember an old friend purchased his first Stereo, we went directly to shop for Accuphase, the E202 int amplifier. Proudly back home, the friend was in heaven, well spend savings… What a lovely amp of that time, still I believe… these are collectors item, it was certainly well build, it was in the mid 70s IIRC.
I have to agree. I bit the bullet and traded my much loved CDS3 for an NDX2/555. I miss the cd player but remain delighted with streaming balanced out with my LP12.
I replaced my CDS 3 with the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 transport, with the Pro-Ject power supply. I run it through my NDX2. It doesn’t sound like the CDS 3, but every bit as good.
Unsurprising. Flicking back and forth will tell you very little and you’ll just end up focussing on cosmetic differences like tonal changes.
You’ll get even fewer differences if both sources have the signal earth connected - it’s why the Streamers have a switch for that, so if you have a Naim CD player connected for example, where the signal earth is connected, you can then set the streamer to floating so you avoid having two signal earth connected sources.
