I was thinking to look up the diagnosis on our system, just in case we had found a terminal transport issue. Not possible if we have not received the player though!
It’s possible the remote diagnosis of a failed DAC came from myself. We are having some difficulties with the supply of that particular component currently.
Let me do some research - don’t write off the CDX2 just yet!
Leave it with me.
Regards
Neil.
^^^ This is why Naim are great.
Sounds more like an electronics issue that a mechanism issue. Fingers crosses, as they can probably fix those.
Neil
The player failed April/May time at which point the player was taken to Audio T Cheltenham.
They contacted Naim who said not to send the player in because they didn’t have bits to fix it. Diagnosing a DAC failure. They were told to contact Naim for an update on parts in July.
This was done yesterday when Naim told Audio T they can’t fix/service it as they can’t get the parts.
The player is currently with Audio T
Would love to get it fixed as it’s in immaculate condition having been only previously been moved twice of its rack in 18 + years
Also having around 1500 cd’s it’s a big move to get rid of it.
I sold my similar age owned from new CDX2 last year on the basis in the long run it would end up on the scrap heap. I did feel it was better than the N272 that had mostly replaced it by that point for digital replay, but not by a substantial margin. I do miss it, it was a superb player, but ultimately don’t regret it.
Streaming makes the most sense going forward but its an arduous task ripping all your CDs, there are services that can do this however I believe. The streaming services are great to a point but of course come with the dripping tap of subscriptions for which you own nothing when/if you stop it and are beholden to their offings and inevitable pricing movements.
A slightly different course of action if your CDX2 does end being unrepairable and you want to stick with CD replay would be to consider another late model CDX2. Admittedly this is a risky one, it would have to be very carefully purchased and I wouldn’t have it shipped if at all possible. Your original one may end up being repairable at a future point too or could sold on as is for its working parts.
The sad thing is ultimately all of these bits of equipment based on mechanical components and/or niche semiconductors are going to become obsolete in terms of their software or services they interact with and also unrepairable at some point rendering their considerable outlay mostly worthless. Lets hope we’ve had enough use out of them by that point not to feel to disheartened but it does rather break the retained value in Naim equipment ownership and upgrade model, thinking of my relatively new N272 which seems to be worth much less now than what I sold my 20 year old CDX2 for.
If Naim can’t fix your CDX2 an alternative would be to have them convert it to SPDIF out and add an NDAC. Use your XPS to power the NDAC. Perhaps not the ideal solution, but better than scrapping the CD player.
Hi Cayman,
Sorry to say that the results of my initial enquiries today were not very encouraging.
Hopefully I’ll know more in a few days.
Regards
Neil.
Hi Audioade
I don’t get the need to rip the cd’s surely the idea is to stream your music. This means you don’t need to keep any music you already have. Unless they are not available of course.
Trevor (Cayman295)
Hi Neil
This problem has got me thinking about what happens if I have a failure in my pre amp power amp hicap or xps. Will I be able to get them fixed as they are now all over 10 years old. I thought this would never be an issue.
To this end I am thinking of selling all my Naim system while it’s good and purchasing a new lower cost system all from one manufacturer which impressed me today.
Will wait to see how you get on first.
But I must admit to being annoyed that Naim have left me in this situation. As Naim boast about their support . I worry for those with 555 cd players.
Your analog preamp, amp and P/S should be good for a long time as these do not have digital circuits with short life cycles. I’m surprised in Naim can’t get electronics components, though, (unlike the lasers and drive mechanisms).
Naim have a long history of supporting and servicing their products. There is a big difference between an amp which just needs some capacitors changing, and digital devices which needs bought in DAC chips or CD mechs which are no longer available because they have been discontinued by third party manufacturers. As far as I’m aware Naim have never stopped servicing any of their products, regardless of age, as long as parts are available. In many cases, the have even stockpiled large numbers of parts in anticipation of them being discontinued to ensure that support can continue for as long as possible.
Hi Chris
Based on that statement all Naim streamers are vulnerable then as are the Naim Dacs to obsolete third party parts.
Trevor
Yes, there’s an element of truth in that, although any brand is going to be vulnerable to such a problem unless they build all components from scratch in house, so jumping ship doesn’t seem like a good solution to me. There is perhaps something to be said for separating the digital transport from the DAC in terms of longevity, but as I said above, you could achieve that for now by using your CDX2 with a separate DAC instead of scrapping it.
Hi Chris
My cd player doesn’t have the ability to connect a separate Dac.
That option is only on a .2 version. Converting mine at over £1000 then buying a Ndac again £1000 second hand is pointless.
Anyway Naim are condemning my player without even looking at it.
Trevor
True, but electronic components are less likely to fail and need replacement than mechanical components, even if their lifespan my be limited by advancements in the State of the Art.
Hi Trevor, yes of course you can sign up to streaming services and it’s a popular route to accessing music at various price points and sound qualities but you are beholden to being connected to the internet, the offering and subscription without any ownership and everything continuing to work with your equipment longer term. From what I’ve read it seems the current business models of the streaming services is not that sustainable for them or the artists so costs, realistically, can only rise. Currently it’s mostly small beer but adds up over time of course.
Ripping your own CDs is a closed loop in that once it’s set up it works until a component fails with no limitations or additional cost other than the music you choose to buy.
Personally I prefer the ownership model and mostly tend to buy the music I want, sometimes vinyl if it seems like it’s done well, sometimes a CD to rip (new or s/h) or downloads occasionally. We do dip into Spotify from time to time mostly for discovery but in the main our replay is from our own media.
No right or wrong, just horses for courses I guess.
Hi audioade
I think I need to find out more about this subject as it clear I don’t know enough about it.
It does still make me wonder that if your buying the vinyl or cd anyway what not use a turntable or cd player. I am off to Audio T this weekend to improve my understanding of the subject.
I do have a Sonos streamer which I use in a second system. On this I just stream direct from Spotify which is what I thought the general idea was.
Thankyou for making me more aware of my lack of knowledge.
Hear is still hoping I can get my cdx2 fixed.
Trevor (Cayman295)
Ripp your CD’s and play them on a streamer,a CD player can’t read a CD as accurately as a ripper.
This post is worth a read IMO.
If Naim and your dealer have diagnosed correctly, then they likely saved you the cost and or hassle of sending your player back to HQ. If they expect they can fix a thing, they will, but don’t give false hope if they genuinely cannot.
I have to say I think Naim actually do go above and beyond, compared to much of the competition. That’s still the main reason I plan to stay with Naim for any upgrades.
I wish you the very best of luck resolving the issue with your player, or finding a suitable alternative, Naim or otherwise. Personally I think it’s difficult to find many equivalent manufacturers when it comes to long term supportability
Hi gthack
To be honest I think your probably right I am just so frustrated at the cost to replace and with so many different options on which way to go. I new eventually I would need to move towards streaming but was expecting to do it my terms not pushed so to speak.
With Naim not making a mid range streamer I may be pushed to a different manufacturer.
Something of interest I have been looking at but know little about is the Primare CD35 Prisma CD player/Streamer which would give me the best of both worlds but don’t know about sound quality.
My dealer has also suggested a Lyngdorf Cd 2 player again I nothing of this item.
But as I have a non DR XPS 2 power supply the obvious route is the NDX2.
But cost and the prospect of it being made obsolete are making me think twice. The wife also thinks the cost is ridiculous which is another battle to be won.
Thanks Trevor (Cayman295)