I am sure it has been done many times, but...
I have a CDX, XPS, and am wondering about getting a CDX.
Can you clever geezers please tell me if the CDS2 has a long life (ie are there plenty of spares available) and what sort of upgrade will I get - it is likely to be a non-demo buy, so what can you tell me, and also, what sort of price might I need to pay....
Many thanks as always..
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Steveandkate:

I have a CDX, XPS, and am wondering about getting a CDX.

I think you mean that you wondering about a CDS2

Hi SteveandKate,
I haven't heard CDS2 but when I moved from CDX to CDS3 the presentation changed from an attention demanding sound to a more laid back yet ultimately more detailed sound. I would say it was a progression on the improvement noticed when adding the XPS2 to the bare CDX.
Not a great description I know but I hope it helps.
Regards,
Steve O.

I decided to upgrade from cdx2 to cds2. While older, to my ear, it's decidedly better, smoother,truer, and more musical. I ended up with money in my hand allowing me to upgrade from xps to xps2.
Of course the older unit will need servicing or repair sooner.

Naim has CDS2 spares in depth (phew ). Richard Dane confirmed this in a recent thread that I cannot now find.
James

Found it:

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4801938...192931607#7192931607

I love my CDS2. It sounds almost as good at my Verdier, and that is very good. It sounds more like a turntable than a CD player. I just replaced the transport mechanism last year at five years old, and I hope it lasts forever. I have seen them for $5000 or less. There is one on Audiogon recently for half that. I use the Nordost Quatro Fils interconnect, and there is one of those on there too.

quote:

Originally posted by Steveandkate:
... and what sort of upgrade will I get - it is likely to be a non-demo buy, so what can you tell me, and also, what sort of price might I need to pay....

As a longtime vinyl advocate who eventually decided to move to CD, this was the upgrade for me.

I've pretty much done the lot in the olive range (CD3.5/CDX/CDX + XPS/CDS2, 72/82/52, 140/250/135s, HiCap/HiCap x 2/Supercap) but the CDS2 was the "eureka" moment for me.

Nothing else came close. The CDS2 allowed me to forget hifi considerations & return to simply enjoying the music - & it still does.

The other upgrades were certainly worthwhile but the CDS2 was a quantum leap.

Price obviously depends on age & service history but probably around £1500 for a decent example. Given that you should be able to sell your CDX for around £800-1000, I truly believe that this will be easily the most cost-effective upgrade that you could ever make.

I have it on good authority that spares aren't a problem.

Does this make me a "clever geezer" ?

quote:

Price obviously depends on age & service history but probably around £1500 for a decent example. Given that you should be able to sell your CDX for around £800-1000, I truly believe that this will be easily the most cost-effective upgrade that you could ever make.

I made this change and agree totally, the CDS2 is a very large improvement (as these things go) over the CDX. It has a more detailed and relaxed presentation and lets the music breathe without losing any of it's natural dynamics. Putting an XPS2 on it when you get the chance further improves it.

Steve.