High pitched tone coming via CD5XS

Hi-Fi Corner
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I’ve just got hold of a ten year old CD5XS that initially sounded great, then developed a crackling on the left channel & now only emits a very high pitched tone, not from the unit itself but via the speakers. This increases if the volume is increased. I’ve put my old CD3 back in the system with the same snaic & it works perfectly so it is the CD5 that is at fault. Any ideas as to the cause? Thanks in adance.

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You’ve been had….:grimacing:

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I can’t help except to say that @NeilS might be able to.

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That sounds typical of HDCD decoder failure :worried:

Regards
Neil.

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Thanks for the replies Christopher & Neil. It’s going back to the place I bought it from for a refund. Shame as I thought I’d found the perfect replacement for my trusty CD3. Oh well, keep looking!

Regards,

Richard.

2 Likes
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You might consider one of the Audiolab players or Cyrus depending on budget. Lots to choose from new at the moment.

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A CD3 is a wonderful player. It’s far more coloured compared to the CD5XS (or indeed just about any other modern players) but it can groove like little else with the right music. It wouldn’t be my first choice if you mainly listen to classical CDs, but for rock, soul, jazz etc. it’s wonderfully engaging.

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Thanks for the reply Richard. I’ve loved my trusty CD3 for 30 years & I thought I’d made a big mistake on first hearing the CD5XS but it’s charms were growing on me until it decided to die. Time to resurrect the “wonderfully engaging” CD3.

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Will do Pete & thanks for the suggestions although funds for “new” are a bit limited.

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Sorry I hadn’t quite realised that you still have a CD3 - my mistake for not reading your original post properly. In that case all your problems are over. I’ve had a CD3 in the past and it’s brilliant as @Richard.Dane says - superbly engaging. In the context of your system I wouldn’t bother looking any further - just stick with it, you’re lucky to still have one.

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Thanks Pete, I’ll certainly stick with my CD3…..at least for the time being!! I’m not going to be very popular with my mate I promised it to!

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Quick update. The CD5XS went back to the retailer (a Naim main dealer) but their service engineer could find no problem & apparently it worked perfectly!

I would be really interested if anyone has the faintest idea why a 30 year old CD3 works perfectly but an apparently perfectly good 10 year old CD5XS, through exactly the same system with the same connections, refuses to play any music & just makes a high pitched tone. System mismatch? Synergy breakdown?

Thanks all.

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Perhaps a cable degradation or partial failure of component/circuitry ? I’ve recently experienced a significant noise in my 253/SC/300/PS system which after extensive testing at a dealers came down to a Burndy cable issue. I have to wait for another month or so for the system to be provided back to me a new Burndy. I hope this takes care of the my issue.

Testing electrical systems after faults to ID issues can be troublesome.

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Thanks for the reply Brian. The CDXS was returned to the retailer (they were very good about everything including a full refund) & I think they’ve now sold it again after having found no fault themselves. Which highlights the weird thing about all this…..on my system using exactly the same amps & connections that work perfectly with my old CD3, the CD5XS just made an awful high pitched tone yet the retailer (well respected & a main Naim dealer) could find no problem & have apparently successfully resold the player.

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A strange experience and a shame you didn’t get to enjoy the CD5XS.

My CD5XS is a good deal more than 10 years old and I wasn’t using it much until I bought a bargain priced Nait 50 a little while back to replace an Atom in my office setup. The streamer and DAC I’d ordered at the same time were delivered after the amp, so I tried the N50 out with the CD spinner. I enjoyed that combo so much that even after the streaming front end was in place I contrived a way of fitting the CD5XS on to my desk. I know the mech will eventually fall, but in the mean time I’m thoroughly enjoying the pairing.

Roger

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Thanks for the reply Roger.

My CD3 is now over 30 years old so I think I’ve been pretty good with the dreaded “upgrade itch”. Every time I think I may have found an upgrade I’m reminded by numerous comments in the community about how good the CD3 is & do I really need to replace it. Perhaps I should just enjoy it until it joins the great CD graveyard in the sky.

Thanks again.

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