Good evening all,looking to buy my first Naim cd player a Naim cd5 xs,also want to purchase a Naim amplifier which will have a phono stage,all advice is appreciated, many thanks.
Good luck with the CD5 XS. It’s a great CD player
Obvious candidate to go with the CDP is a NAIT XS3 c/w internal phono.
Alternatively, the XS2, if you don’t mind an external phono amp, such as StageLine.
Here’s a picture of our CD5 XS, along with our NAIT XS2 and nDAC…
Best wishes and good luck with your quest.
R
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Might be worth checking (with Naim) the availability of spares (specifically lasers and mechanisms) before pulling the trigger.
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@Floydster, Dear Floydster, I find it helps to work backward first, like working your way out of a maze in the newspaper (when they existed). Start from the inside/finish and work back to the start.
Have you decided on a pair of speakers, or do you have a pair of speakers and are happy with them?
The impedance of the speakers and their lowest impedance. As an example, my Celestions have a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum of 3.9 ohms at a frequency that I have forgotten, down near the bottom end. I should also mention their 84 dB SPL, which is not very efficient; thus, there is more demand on the amp’s behalf.
Once you know this, you can go backwards to the amplifier you require.
For NAIM amplifiers, there are only two that I know of that have a built-in phono pre-amp ( I do not know about the NC Amps)
And that would be the XS3 and the SN3. If you know your speaker specs, that may help you decide which one to go for. If money is no object, I suppose an SN3 may be the best option. I am sure others will jump in here and give their advice between them.
I have an XS2 and love it. A full description of my equipment is in my Bio; if you have speakers, you may pay to list them in your Bio.
Warm regards,
Mitch in Oz.
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I had the CD5 XS and also had the FlatCap XS to upgrade it. It’s a very good CDP and preferred it to the CD5si.
As the CD5 XS is now a discontinued model, it would be beneficial to get the Serial No. to see check with Naim for its history; date made, any service or repair records, also to check if it can be repaired in the future. If it requires work and there are no available parts, then it becomes a nice looking paperweight.
There is a risk with this, so proceed with caution.
I don’t know where you’re located, so it would be worth discussing the CDP with a dealer, as a the only current Naim CDP is the CD5si, or a current model CDP from another manufacturer may be more suited.
Others will give some info on a suitable Naim amp.
Enjoy your journey.
DG…
I had a CD5XS with FCXS, great combination.
As others said, I’d check if service and support is possible.
Honestly, you’re probably better off looking at some other manufacturers of the cd player, and whilst the cd5si is a very capable player, it’s not worth 1700 quid it’s currently going for…
Goodluck with whatever you do decide though…
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CD5XS is a great player. It’s even greater paired with the Naim DAC. What I’d suggest is get the CD player and then look to eventually purchase a nDAC to go with it. If/when the mech fails there are lots of transports available to go with the nDAC.
Roger
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I agree @Jonboy377 . For ÂŁ100 less you can get the Marantz SA12 which IMO is comparable to a CDX2
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Agreed… The SA12 looks like a fantastic bit of kit… I think a few members on here have picked up that model recently, and i wouldn’t say no to one myself…
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Or, save 1000s - watch & listen
The CD5 XS is an excellent CD player and needs a good amp. A Nait XS3 is good and will match box dimension wise but to hear what the the CD player an deliver I would get a Supernait. It will have a phono stage (MM) and will support further updates.
Another happy CD5XS owner here. You will have to buy a used one as others have said.
It’s good on its own.
It’s better with a FCXS.
It’s absolutely bangin’ with a Naim Dac and DC-1.
If you are looking for a Naim integrated with phono stage, to match then the Nait XS3 is your man imo.
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I can recommend CD5XS into nDAC partnered with Nait50. Cracking combo 
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Just saw your post
Agree, currently using that combo
CD5XS/nDAC/Nait50
It’s fantastic especially with HiLine and Powerline 
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For those of us less susceptible to The Shock of The New, the NAC152XS, FCXS, NAP155XS also provides a fine match for the CD5XS with nDac. (No surprise, they were designed to work together 
)
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OK so I’ve got the nDAC, where can I find a CD5XS 
(And on an unrelated note, Chris: good God, we won) 
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To the latter point: absolutely!
CD5XSs do turn up in the usual auction places is all I can say. I bought mine in 2017 from a dealer, so worth browsing their sites too.
It was important to me to have the Naim DC-1 cable too, to link the player to the nDAC.
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All very true, Chris. The problem is that:
- the CD3.5 has been repaired
- the CDX is still going strong
- I’m going over to LCE Chichester next week to SKI on my other hobby.
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Yeah but, what’s Chichester got that Chandler’s Ford hasn’t?! Especially when considering CD players that were designed to work with the prestigious nDac.
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