get me my stirring stick....

many may regard this as a blatant troll but hey wtf...

http://naim-audio.infopop.net/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=3701943676

so turntables are stable devices that need no tweaking eh?
:chair:

cheers

julian

 

could be a dudd record/

 

On the whole, they are. My hi-fi sounds totally knackered just now: I think my cartridge is on the way out.

More worryingly, the CDS2's transport is making a horrible loud grinding noise, and CDs sound even worse than usual.

This is a £6k two-year old CDP, and I am far from impressed.

Another listen tonight. If it is knackered, there will be a short sharp smack delivered to Naim-botty-land. Or something.

 

James, I feel maybe time to look at 'different options' in cdp dept. broaden your horizons maybe with a different name on the box. WM

 

Yes maybe, but it will always be a secondary source, and I don't really want to throw any more money at CD if I can avoid it.

I've heard some other makes of CD player, just variations on a pretty boring theme, for me at least Tony.

The tales @ Naimland about how much better this or that CD player is or isn't just make me laugh, in particular the hoop-la! surrounding the new CDS3.

 

James

I believe you live near Mr Pig.......go visit him.

About two or three years ago, he purchased a ten year old, totally knacked Naim NAP250 which according to his missus was so bad, she walked out of the room in disgust.

He plonked it on Mana and he reckoned it sounded fantastic blah blah blah. He said that until it conked out a few weeks later.

I think you need more Mana.

Regards

Mick

 

Bub,

I know what stock you take by reviews and one of the rags gives fulsome praise to the Densen 400XS (a snip at 2.5K), and the ATC pre - about 3K I think - with a lesser active set-up to yours. In your system this CDP/Pre combo would probably outperform the Naims by a long way and save you quite a bit of money. Just a thought.

Alex

 

Bub

I'd love to help, but I've no idea what to recommend to someone who actually likes the CDS2

Sorry

Cheers

 

Re: James

I think I might need less Naim, Mick. It doesn't seem terribly reliable!

Thanks Alex for the recommendations. I had considered the ATC preamp, but lethargy/laziness got the better of me. If the CDS2 IS knackered, this may well prompt a de-Naiming process along the lines that you & fox have followed.

 

How long is the warranty on Naim kit?

If it goes wrong after only 2 years and is out of warranty, considering its cost (and their profit margins) I wouldn't think it unreasonable for Naim to provide some sort of goodwill repair on the unit.

 

Robbo, I don't know. I'm pretty sure that if there is anything wrong with it, Naim will probably fix it for nothing. Their after-sales service is very very good like that.

It might be something daft like it needs a new puck or something. I hope!

 

I've heard the ATC CA2 preamp now. It's excellent, and £750. I honestly think it'll see off most solid state preamps. It made me seriously think.

As for CD players, I'm about to embark on a quest to find something wonderful secondhand for £700 or less. I think I may be able to do it. Watch this space.

-- Ian

 

Yes it was a new puck, supplied foc by Loud & Clear, who also had a look at my stylus under a microscope. This was very interesting. It was covered in little white 'flakes' of vinyl - looks like snow.

A quick scrub with a toothbrush & some surgical spirit cleaned it up revealing only mild symmetrical wear on the diamond - loads of life still left in it.

So .... curiosity got the better of me, and I swapped to my spare Troika. Fantastic. Alex S sold & described this cartridge to me as 'crap'.

Alex, sorry ol' chum, but you are wrong yet again.

 

Bub, very happy to be wrong.

Alex

BTW Those 52 boards really must be good!

 

Hi Alex, well the K boards are very good at phase seven.

L&C took the opportunity to tell me how much better the CDS3 is. Naturally, I sniggered politely, then they told me the 52 is 'boisterous, unrefined and lacking detail' in comparison with the 252 or 552.

I suppose they have to try!

 

<< boisterous, unrefined and lacking detail >> Sure it wasn't you they were talking about?

 

ian,
how would you describe the sound of the atc pre? it's on my list for a listen when the great preamp hunt starts next year.
cheers

julian

 

CDS2

Bub

You said..."then they told me the 52 is 'boisterous, unrefined and lacking detail' in comparison with the 252 or 552."

Regretably that is true. I also run a 52/CDS2 setup and I have to admit that within the Hifi pecking order, I am now but lowly scum.

The CDS3 / 552 absolutely trashes my system. Therefore Bub, we are plebs.

Regards

Mick

 

Hi Mick,

Who are you kidding? Forum/dealer hype is a good laugh, but you don't really believe it, do you?

 

About as transparent as I've heard. No particular signature that I could detect. Probably exactly what a pre should be like, provided the sources are equally good. You should definitely give it a listen, but you may end up spending shedloads on your front end as a result...

One thing it proved to me is that megabucks preamps are not necessarily the way to go.

Oh, and it has an optional phono stage as well, which I haven't heard, but is very good by all accounts. When the urge for a remote controlled pre becomes overwhelming (not for a good while yet, I suspect) it'll be on my shortlist.

-- Ian