Evening all…
Its been confirmed that our beloved CDS3 had gone to the great digital graveyard.
So, we’re now looking for transport & DAC options that would provide similar / the same musicality as the CDS3 & XPS2 combination.
So I was looking for inspiration from the fine folks of the forum to help on our journey.
Thanks in advance.
Do you have a budget ?
Sorry in the range of £4K - £6K
@osbornesfamily Must it be a separate transport and DAC? I am using a Luxman CDP which has a really good DAC. Built like a tank. I prefer one box players. Makes my CD life simpler. Great SQ BTW. I suspect different sound quality than Naim but equally compelling when I upgraded from my Nsim CD5si. The new D03/R is about $6500. I have the D03/X which was the model before. It does play MOA format but not SACD. If SACD was imortant and you wanted to consider Luxman, you would need to get the D07 model.
Uniticore/ Ndac/ Xps dr, second hand.
Or Nd5xs2 with Ndac.
Hi Jay…I’d like to keep to the sound as close to the CDS3 as possible.
The thought on the DAC is that it could support my streamer and the transport.
Sorry…also I’m not worried about SACD.
If you can stretch budget a tad, then the Rotel Michi Q5 CDP looks interesting as an all-in-one unit – I think you may be able to feed the DACs separately(?). Built like a tank!
Thank you FF.
I’m a little worried about Naim’s support policy.
Is the Ndac, Uniticore & the Nd5xs2 still supported?
Thanks
AI says they are,still supported, but you never know for sure or for how long.
When I bought my UnitiCore last year I got a 5 year warranty, you might find some dealers that still have one or 2 in stock. Even for a luddite like me the ripping I found easy. And as you have an XPS seek out a NDX2, I promise you a glorious sound which to my ears, and surprise, surpasses the CDS3.
Oh, yes the nDAC is excellent but the NDX2 will permit external streaming and internet radio which again is excellent.
This is something I have pondered at length as I currently run a CD5 XS into an nDac with XPS2 power supply which all sounds pretty amazing to my ears but I know that the CD5 XS will not last forever.
If I was in your position I would definitely get a pre loved nDac which even now is still a great bit of kit and can be found for a little over 1K on the bay, there’s not a lot to wrong with them and I understand Naim are still able to service them if you wanted to guarantee it’s functionality.
You could also as I’ve done add a pre loved PS either an XPS 2 or DR or a 555 any of which will further improve the performance of the nDac.
Transport wise I’d be considering offerings from Moon, Heed and Atoll all of which should offer a top class feed into the nDac and offer a sound similar to your now defunct CDS3 and you can probably get the whole lot including a serviced PS within the top of your budget although a 555 will probably exceed this as they still fetch really good money.
If you want my choice on the transport I would plump for the Heed Thesis Delta which has a BNC digital out and if you get a Naim BNC DC1 digital this will connect straight into the back of the nDac in Naim’s preferred manner..
As with any advice on here everyone will tell you to audition any kit you intend to purchase although this will be difficult on the pre loved stuff and you will just have to take on reputation, anyway let us know how you get on.
What make is your streamer thanks?
Does it have its own DAC or maybe not?
Ive still got a CD5XS which I love and had it as transport into nDAC and XPS2. Also have the NDX2
Got rid of the XPS2 initially then compared the nDAC to the NDX2 DAC
Well to my surprise the NDX2 DAC is slightly better than the nDAC. NDAC sold to friend for his ND5XS2
So now 2 boxes gone - left with CD5XS as transport into NDX2 DAC. Very happy
This is a second system I might add. Personally these days I’d be a little careful with the NDAC. Depends how many boxes you are prepared to accomodate
Cheers
Second to a NDX 2 – it sounds so lovely and versatile, and you’ve got XPS2 as well so easily becomes the main source. As an ex-owner of ND5XS2+NDAC+XPS2 I wouldn’t bother with the 3 boxes solution. With NDX 2 you may not miss CD players anymore.
If for the sake of vintage/nostalgia I would look for CDS3 head unit or any CDS2 – using CDS1+NDX 2 here.
I do feel your pain though os family
Years ago I had that very combination
CDS3/XPS2
What a combo it was and hard to replicate
I moved my Naim CD players on due to reliability worries and struggled to get the same enjoyment form streaming for a couple of years until I tried out a pre-loved chord Dave with a shanling et3 transport
I’ve never been happier and may have found a cure for my upgraditis……
I was using a CDP555 with a single 555 power supply but I also had an Ndac doing nothing more than optical duties for my Sky box. My dealer suggested I tried a Node/Ndac/555PS and blow me down it pretty much matched my CDP555.
Naim doesn’t service Superline and Nds. But repair. For all Naim products you have at least a repair possibility, for most, service.
It will be difficult finding comparable CDS3 sound for your budget.
Hegel Viking, Michi Q5 both highly regarded, both in budget. Some nice offerings from Quad, Marantz, Cyrus et al too.
Depends on whether you really want/need a CD player/transport or are moving to streaming alone…….?
ATB, J