Been listening to a CD5i/ Nait 5i/ Von Schweikert VR2 for over 3 years and am contemplating the next step. Nothing wrong with current system other than the sound has become very familar and I am looking for something new. Options include adding an LP 12 which has not been used in over 10 years but is in excellent condition, or upgrading the cd player? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

Welcome to the forum...

Answer a few quesions first please.

Are you weighing towards towards vinyl, or CD as a main source?

Are you looking for better sound, or LOUDER sound?

What is your budget?

I was the first to respond, but inevitably you will be asked these basic questions, this leads to more educational answers, as the forum members need to know your basic "music desire" and what you want to spend, it helps...

rega1

I am debating if the switch to vinyl makes much sense, considering I have never owned a record in my life, I am 29 and grew up with cds, but I always enjoyed the sound of vinyl and would have access to about 200 records if I go the LP route.

Unfortunately, my budget is around $1,000- $1,500 which does not allow me to make any significant improvement in source at this time. I was thinking I may be able to sell or trade in my cd5i for a cd5x which will give me upgrade potential down the line, or I can just buy a stageline and add a quality source to my system today and upgrade the cd player down the line if I decide to go cd over vinyl.

I guess the big questions are:

1. Is there a significant increase in the cd5x without the flat cap vs the cd5i, and how does the cd5x with flat cap compare with the cdx2 as that seems to be the next big upgrade in terms of cd players.

2. Is there enough vinyl out there to make it worth it? I live in NYC and with talks of both Virgin stores going out of business there might be more places to buy vinyl than cds.

3. How high can I go up the cd player food chain and still get enough out of the player with the nait5i to justify the cost of the cd player. I'll probably upgrade amp and speakers somewhere down the line when space and funds allow for it.

4. I have an isupply that i bought for my ipod, but never use it, can this be used to power the stageline if i remove the ipod attachment?

buy a CDX used since you already own cds

quote:

Originally posted by mike/dallas:
buy a CDX used since you already own cds

agreed.

OR,

If you are contemplating vinyl, upgrade the LP12, get it serviced and start from there. Wait until your collection builds, and you get more of a sense of what you like in music from the vinyl, then upgrade your source amps or your CD player if the vinyl doesn't do it for you.

I had the Nait5i and the CD5i, great pair, but I wanted to have a built in DAC, some more sound stage and separation between instruments and do some recording from vinyl (my main passion), so I went with the SNAIT. My next addition will be an FC2x or a P3 with the stageline (P3 & stageline will definitely be added before my recording of 24/96 off vinyl starts).

Or just give the LP12 to me so you don't have to worry about servicing it...

rega1

quote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxx:

2. Is there enough vinyl out there to make it worth it? I live in NYC and with talks of both Virgin stores going out of business there might be more places to buy vinyl than cds.

First of all, it's really sad if in fact Virgin will be closing its door in NYC. I frequent the one near Union Square, and find they at least make the attempt to stock decent new vinyl, and of course have a great selection of CDs and movies.

As for vinyl record shops, there are several nice ones in Manhattan and Williamsburg Brooklyn. 95% of the bands/performers I like put their stuff out on vinyl. Radiohead, The White Stripes, Beck, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power-- most everything I look for. As for used stuff, there are great record shops around-- including those that specialize in jazz, classical, rock.

Are you saying you already have an LP12? You should be able to have it serviced, maybe even get a new cartridge, pick up a stageline, perhaps a VPI record cleaner, and still have money left over for some records.

There's something about the sound of records that CDs can't match-- not that CDs can't sound good in their own way, but I think the vinyl route is worth trying out...

sounds like you both are saying, if I don't need to buy the LP12, which I don't, might as well give it a try and see if I prefer vinyl and make my next upgrade once I decide on my preference.

right on, exactly!!

You said you were only 29 an grew up with CD's, yet you have an LP12 at your disposal, someone must be handing their gear down to you and you should take advantage of that and embrace the vinyl as a gift and an opportunity.

You will be amazed at how great a record can sound running through a naim system. LP12 and naim are a great match according to the senior members.

The LP12 would sound brilliant with a stageline/FC2.
Then again it would sound even better with a Supernait which can power the stageline, and even better yet maybe 202/200/stageline/fc2x, jesus, you get the point. The options are endless. I am an integrated amp guy so far, I have not ventured to separate components as I just upgraded to the snait and I like the fact the Snait will power the stageline, etc.

rega1

2. Is there enough vinyl out there to make it worth it? I live in NYC and with talks of both Virgin stores going out of business there might be more places to buy vinyl than cds.

Well, you can start here:

www.mofi.com

there's a LOT of vinyl out there, you can spend a lot of money for new vinyl, or not a lot by just poking around used record stores, have fun!