I’ve not posted for a long time however I read other topics regularly.
For the last 40 or so years Naim has been my source and amps only. With almost 6,000 cds streaming or ripping is not an option I want to explore. Unfortunately last autumn my cd2x started to fail. It would play OK 95% of the time but after seven years it was clearly not going to last much longer. So like a few people on hear I opted for the Marantz cd player with it’s 50% off.
It arrived on Christmas eve and it’s been settled in for over a month now. Because it’s rca initially I had both players connected to my supernait 2. A few friends have listened “blind” and on every occasion with all types of music the Marantz was a clear winner. The cd2x is now collecting dust in the loft. On the downside I have started buying a few sacds which are quite expensive but sound fantastic.
So I think if or when the supernait 2 decides to fail I will certainly demo other brands than Naim.
There has never been a sound quality reason to stick automatically to only one manufacturer, whether for whole system or particular components, with auditioning being the only way to be certain what is best for one’s ears. Of course, after having found one or more manufacturers with products that meet desire on whatever raft of criteria, there is a tendency to stick with them until or unless either curiosity gets the better or the brand disappoints in some way. Thankfully hifi kit is generally very reliable, other than the effect of mechanical wear with CD players and ongoing updating required for online streaming products, so enforced decisions are infrequent.
Older generations of Naim had a more obvious sonic profile. Some refused to class them as hi-fi even. But for me and others it was more obvious to buy everything Naim at that time. Newer product-series and categories like streaming never had that profile - even though I thought my old HDX-SSD, DAC, XPS2 had it I suspect it was more due to the surrounding 52/135/SBL system.
Strange comparison, a failing Naim CDX2 possibly over 10 years old with a brand new Marantz SACD player, would expect this to be better, technology has moved on and would expect if Naim was in the game they could surpass the Marantz, to be fair not at the price you bought your player and probably not SACD capable.
I have had 2 x CDS 2s and a CDS3.
I too find the Marantz SA12SE better for less funds. I was so surprised given the then £1600 price tag fed into full 500DR system.
I was just going to use it as a transport into ND555. But it sounds excellent analogue with reasonable RCA interconnects. It also can be used as a DAC as I have had Limetree Bridge as streamer connected up to it.
It’s a brilliant piece of kit. The SA10 is meant to be better still!
Steady, the Bedrok plinth is meant to be your next purchase. Don’t get sidetracked into a better CD player 
Not changing the Marantz SA12SE. And not getting the Bedrok plinth 
BD
If I was a gambling man 
Yet !!
For those who want a warmer heftier sound than the Marantz, it’s worth considering Denon. They are manufactured under the same umbrella as Marantz but are better known for their AV products. I have a DBT-3313 which is a universal player meaning it will play anything round and shiny including SACD. I only use it for DVDs but I tried a few CDs thru my Nait5si and it sounds better or as good as any CD player I can remember hearing.
Sorry but I’m an odd Naim customer that because of isolation can’t easily audition Reference Naim gear.
Naim had regularly been my automatic first choice as circumstances transpired in my favour.
Circa 2015, I met Steve Sells at a Naim Statement roadshow in Australia and had a pleasant discussion about WAV vs FLAC and the limited future of CDs and players from Naim’s perspective. He reinforced my understanding of the technology & pathways.
At that time I’d had my chrome bumper Naims for 33yrs and still very pleased with their musicality over what I heard in the mid level OC.
So in 2020 when my tube-CD player abruptly died, I thought about the above previous Naim consultation, and without hesitation immediately purchased a Naim Core and Naim nDAC without demo. In the remote part of Australia I reside, it’s always been difficult to demo high end Naim.
The Core/nDAC sounded fantastic but I knew I had only one opportunity to buy a shop demo PS555DR during Covid lockdown, so also purchased that blind. That too was an awesomely musically upgrade to the nDAC.
2024 was a price war with outgoing and incoming Naim importers in Australia- an opportunity to buy a new ND5xs2 at fabulous discount allowed me to join Naim streaming.
Another blind purchase.
I’ve got to say Naim streaming vs Core library would be difficult to chose which is which in a blind listening session.
So for me it’s been Naim first without hesitation as I’m hooked on it’s signature sound in my household.
I’ve had my 32.5(72)/HC/250 for 43yrs now and they really are musical with current Naim streaming ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR
Having owned the CDS1, CDS2 and CDS3 it is quite apparent that when the transport is even in early stages of failure, the sound quality takes a nose-dive.
Out of those 3 players, the CDS1 was the best sounding, but in its latter stages of life began to sound quite dire and unacceptably shrill.
Like you, I’ve had my 32.5/hicap/250 for 40 years and I just add Naim items to them (cd/core/streamer). When I’ve needed Naim support they’ve been terrific and for me, apart from sound quality & customer service, their boxes always look classy. When I see items from other manufacturers which are recommended in reviews at HiFi shows or in shops I’m regularly disappointed by the finish.
I am though a tad concerned about Naim just now given the Core/Nait 3 decision & I have some sympathy with those who think Naim’s comms could be improved.
Hi all, thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my initial post.
I don’t think I would have considered changing my cd player if it had not become faulty. I think I automatically continued with Naim over the years because of reliability and overall sound the system produced. So in future I would always demo more than just the one brand. Mind you that’s my own fault over the last 40 years or so as it was my choice. 
I think that is a fair approach. It’s your money, your system and what it sounds like to you is the most important thing. Companies should not rely on a totally loyal following it should always be on merit i.e. what sounds the best for the money. If they have to compete for your money it keeps them on their toes.
Having said that I still think Naim is a good offering and in amplification I have had Naim amps for decades but whether I will ever have something from the new range is another matter.
I do have an older CD5 (some 20+ years) I do like its sound and have no itch to change it but like many I am waiting for it to fail and go beyond repair. If/when it does turn up its toes like you I will be looking to see what the alternatives are. The current Naim CD5 Si is still a good player but I play few CDs these days and hardly ever for any serious listening. I use it mainly for background music while I do something else. My TT and LPs are my main source. So likely in my case I would look for something cheaper than the CD5 Si.
I am nearing 30 years of Naim ownership, it is still my automatic first choice.
I am nearing 20 years of Cyrus ownership and I still have an open mind about Naim!
I think it’s important to remember that different brands have different “value” propositions, depending on location. For example, should the U.S. implement tariffs, the premium we already pay for NAIM products could increase at least another 25%.
Conversely, products from - for example - the U.S. Mid-Fi brand, Schiit, are not easy to obtain in the U.K. They make amazing DACs, a CD transport called the Urd, and their new Wotan stereo amp, which will send 400 WPC of Class AB power into 4 Ohms. Their products offer tons of PRaT!
I remember as a student spending money earned working in Sainsbury’s on my first proper HiFi. Cyrus 2 amp, Rotel RCD965BX and some KEF speakers. It sounded great but by then I had seen Naim kit and it was aspirational and out of reach.
Fast forward a few years and I had the job and means to buy some Naim stuff over a few years. Aspirational became a reality.
I dipped away for a few years (always buying British kit however) but regretted selling the Olive kit.
Living near Salisbury seemed to make sense to buy ‘local’. I guess the ‘aspirational’ feeling has never gone.
Not sure technology has moved for cd players.
The Cdx2 with XPS dr is on a completely another level.
Then there’s the different sound presentation and so sounding preference.
I am quite sure the Marantz losses prat and urgency vs the Marantz.