I could have done, but didn’t. When I bought my CDS 1, I compared it to the CDI and the CDS was better (otherwise I would have bought the CDI and save myself a ton of money).
What is it about the I for Integrated designation in Naim’s product nomenclature that attracts such a cult following of contrarians? The Integrated Box Loudspeaker (IBL) has a similar cult following that claims (based on some throwaway remark by the late JV about it being like the DBL) that it’s better than the SBL. IME, after doing the comparison, I would say that it isn’t.
Doesn’t the preference of which player one likes best also relate to the style of music? I’ve been reading here that the old Philips dac equipped players excel in rock and pop music and are less favourable for classical music.
I have owned two CDI, the first with the CDM4 and CDM9 Pro mechanics. Although the CM4 was good, I preferred the CDI CDM9 Pro. I own a CDS 2, which, compared to the CDI, is excellent in its own right. The CDS 2 immediately provides a more spacious soundstage, a wealth of information and presence. A friend lent me his CDS and I lent him my CDS 2.
We both preferred the CDS2, so my friend sold his CDS and bought a CDS2, which he still has today.
The CDS and CDS2 are similar, but the CDS2 sounds a little clearer, more dynamic and airier. The CDS plays physically. Both are expressive and foot-tapping players, depending on the CD.
Contrarians? I guess I’m okay with that. I just found the CDI just had more drive, better PRAT(which I kind of hate that silly term)and in general, more groovy fun to listen to. The CDS2 is a great player, very smooth, dynamic, but in the longer listen…. Oh well, I enjoyed both players for a long time.
Actually, there is one Naim product my opinion of which is definitely contrary to the majority on this forum. I base my judgments on what I hear, not on the currents of opinion here.
It is natural that there are differences between categories of players, amplifiers, and speakers. The bandwidth delivered varies depending on the range of electronics. CD5, CDI, CD2, and CDS players deliver sound registers based on the capacity of their power supplies and regulations. The same applies to the Nait 1 and 2 compared to a NAC 62/NAP/140 or higher with 52/250, and depending on the volume and type of speakers. A narrower frequency band focuses on the most perceptible frequencies, boosting the perception of these frequencies, which does not necessarily mean that this feeling is a sign of better reproduction; there is also a balance with the other links in the system and the room, depending on the homogeneity of the context. I still have a CD5 and CDX in their boxes. Some people will prefer the CDX on its own, while others will prefer the CDX/XPS, which is intrinsically more realistic. Personally, I like the CDX as much as the CDI and CD2; each has its own advantages. I completely agree; if possible, trying things out for yourself helps to consolidate your own requirements.
The CDS3 was lovely also. At the time I had an NDS which sounded better with the 555PS I had. I think it’s the 555PS that makes the biggest difference.
The CDS2 sounds totally different. It’s like an old LP12 with none of the modern upgrades. Classic warm and beautiful sounding.
Reading between the lines, I get the impression you find his comments slightly frustrating or have I misunderstood? I don’t think Igel forms any opinions just for the sake of being different.
He clearly knows what works for him and I greatly appreciate his comments. It can be very useful to realise over time that another member closely shares your preferences, especially if that individual has owned a lot more equipment than you.
I am also on my second CDS2.
The first one was sometimes temperamental; the screen would display an error message and stutter with some CDs designed to be copy-protected.
For Naim CD players marketed from 1998 onwards, an update around 2005 became necessary due to a new PIC chip replacing the integrated circuit concerned. With this update, my CDS2 played even better and without any minor glitches. My current CDS2 also benefits from the update chip. Compliance is checked with the power on and no load in CD mode by pressing the ‘prog’ button on the remote control for a few seconds. A code is displayed; if ‘P 1.09’ is displayed, the update has been completed. Otherwise, it is still the original PIC chip.
