Hi all, having just arrived at my so called retirement age I have a forgotten pension pot that has appeared. Whilst not a fortune there is enough to purchase a secondhand XPS to go with my trusty CDX
There are a few out there and will try and buy best with service history that I can from a reliable source. I see that there are XPS and XPS 2 would just like some advice from any members with experience which would be best.
The original Olive XPS was the one that will aesthetically match your CDX best. It’s worth though looking for one that perhaps has a black Burndy - better yet, a black S-XPS Burndy, unless it’s particularly inexpensive. Also note that servicing would be recommended, if not already done in recent years; You can choose between the factory or Class A, who are factory authorised and may work out to be a bit more affordable.
An XPS2 is a bit better, but of course won’t be as good an aesthetic match and will cost a fair bit more. But if you see a good one at the right price then that’s a great option too. Same service caveats apply as above.
Other things worthwhile with the CDX/XPS are a Powerline and a Hi-line DIN-DIN interconnect.
Thanks Richard I will take your advice and hopefully in the next week or so can report back in what I managed to purchase and the upgrade in SQ.
Looking forward to the chase and just as an aside are the burndy directional.
Yes, the banded end should go closest to the source of the music signal - i.e. head unit
We still have a CDX/XPS fronting an all olive Naim system in the family and it’s a truly wonderful music maker. We bought the CDX first, then subsequently added the olive XPS. The improvement that the XPS brought was neither small nor subtle, it was tremendous and all positive.
Richard has captured a number of helpful supplementary points for you.
Best regards, BF
Thanks all for the advice and best wishes with the addition to our HiFi family.
I have found a great unit from a well respected retailer who is mentioned quite often in these hallowed posts. Serviced in 2019 and in excellent condition
Got 12 days off from tonight so looking forward to placing into system and spinning some discs.
My Wife and I were listening to some Diana Krall the other night via Spotify Connect/Teufel Connector through my main system and she asked why the CDX/XPS units were switched off. I explained that I didn’t listen to CDs very often anymore and was trying to save on electricity costs. Then remembered I had the same track on CD, dug it out and switched the CDX/XPS on. Gave it ten minutes to warm up and then we did a quick A/B comparison, switching between the CD and Spotify sources. Wow. I’d forgotten what a fantastic sound the CDX/XPS is capable of. Haven’t turned it off since!
Are you using a Naim streamer? If so, remember to have the signal earth switch on the streamer set to floating as otherwise performance will be impaired if the streamer and the CDX are connected to the preamp at the same time.
No, it’s just a low cost third-party steamer so I can use Spotify Connect through the main system. I’ve recently found out that it will not support Spotify Lossless, so am on the lookout for a replacement!
Once again thank you for the feedback I am currently listening to the second album by Soul To Soul bought second hand from Amazon after a rediscovering on a BBC 1 late night program.
It is scary to think that if it’s this good now what will my newly reserved XPS add to the nix and the playlist.
I actually love Naim I have had the support of my system through bereavements and joyous times but never broke faith with what I have now
What system of combination of time and type can open a world of music from folk, 60’s Velvet Underground and everything else that you wish to listen to and not worry about what was going to come out
A bit of a flat earther my Q Acoustic Concept 20 have got better and better in terms of enjoyment every time I have upgraded source etc
My dealer reckons I should buy a decent pair of speakers.
Just received my newly acquired XPS from Tom Tom Audio today on one of the coldest snowy days in Pembrokeshire this winter.
Arrived safely intact box and well packed and not once did the courier put it down or carry it the wrong way. Totally freezing casework and Burndy so settled XPS on rack to warm up, put Burndy on warm rad to get some flexibility and left it all till 2 hours later connected up confirmed working and walked away
Will give first impression on next post
I really do need to get a “black” XPS2 for my nDAC, so it can return the “borrowedi’ olive XPS to my CDX (I’ve been thinking this for a couple of years now!)
However I am informed that a new fridge-freezer and TV are higher up the list!
Such is life………
It’s Saturday night and we are 4 hours in to our regular listening session,got to finish at 8 pm for Pizza 
and a Chrimbo film.
The XPS was put in place on Wednesday and really left alone to settle in etc with just the odd occasion of some background hoovering music.
We are both not technical when it comes to music but we know what makes us smile, dance and shed a tear. All I can say is that tracks we thought we knew like all the contents of the Chapin Carpenter collaborative album Looking For The Thread, have taken on a new life. Vocal harmonies are so better timed and are incredibly well matched
Other half just gone to top up her vino just slipped on DS album “Gone To Earth’ the track “Taking The Veil” is a special one for me and the whole mix is just more open .
I am sure we will find more in the couple of weeks as the settling in period continues. Thanks all for the very valuable advice etc
DS Album?
Martin
David Sylvian?
Otherwise “Gone to Earth” is a classic prog album by Barclay James Harvest.
Ah yes thanks.
Martin
I can second that with regard to Tom Tom Audio and their courier. I bought my CDX & XPS from them. Top class service. 
A few weeks in and I have to say the effect of the XPS on our CDX has been profound.
Could not get Mrs R out of our music room tonight, piles of CD on the table interrupted by questions in what and how our system works. We have gone from Mansun, Shirley Bassey, Einaudi to Fleetwood Mac and Kelly Clarkson.
Whatever the CDX has benefitted from the connection to the XPS it has brought Mrs R back to the listening room and in fact a now more varied listening menu.
A quick update have just played Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits, just shifted track to Gypsy and the vocals from SN are incredible. That’s what I love about considered upgrades based on outcome more than just need or a mistake in the selection process.
I am not having a go but sometimes upgrades are based on theory not actually what you are trying to achieve.
Just moved onto the Christine McVie tracks and this what Naim is all about, the connection with the music. I cannot lie a tear has just passed.
Have a great weekend everyone.
CDX+XPS (all Olive) is a great combination. I only moved my XPS when I decided to “go streaming” and moved the XPS to my nDAC.
However TBF, the CDX “sans XPS” ain’t half bad!