I have an opportunity to source the following options.

CD3 $600, CD5 $1200,CD5X $1485 and Flatcap 2 $600 with a combo of the last two $2000

I realize the CD3 is old, and most likely not serviceable, but if working well would it be a decent source for a 102-NAPSC-180-Ariva kit?

I plan on using this about 5% of the time so i don't want to spend too much on it.

I am ultimately saving for a Hicap as well, then an HDX or external DAC of high order.

Many thanks for the thoughts.
Patrick

If its only going to get 5% why bother.

5% of a very large number my friend.

As happened last night when some good friends were over, often someone brings over new music for me to check out.

Also, when I buy a new CD, which is very often, I like to be able to listen to it before i get a chance to rip it to FLAC.

I would like to have a CD player for these occasions.

If you think any of these options are "too much", do you have any other suggestions?

Lastly, I have been toying with the idea of getting a TT up and running again. I have 24/96 transfers of all of my vinyl. But I miss the process of playing it for time to time.

I imagine my end point to be a 2 source kit. A nice TT, and a "distributed audio" solution.

At this point I would rather not channel a lot of funds towards a CDP. But i will plan on using one from time to time.

If you are saving up for a HDX and a Hicap .
Why not just keep using what you are using.
You will then have more money and will end up with what you want quicker.
Munch

Munch, as i said, I will always want a standard CDP. The HDX is a few years off at $10K. I will be buying a house first.

So, is your opinion that none of the options are very good ones?

I know you are a very seasoned, experienced and intelligent contruibutor. I assume you might have a suggestion from my short list above... or perhaps another option if you dont think any of those are worthy.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Why not just keep using what you are using.

Munch

I don't have anything now....

Plus I need a source to correctly earth my kit. That is secondary but also important to me.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Why not just keep using what you are using.

Munch

I don't have anything now....

Plus I need a source to correctly earth my kit. That is secondary but also important to me.

I thought you had a player in your pc ?Also i thought you had a surround system?

I've heard the CD5X (sans Flatcap) and it sounds very good to me. And, the price looks right.

$1200 for the CD5 looks a bit high.

I've seen Flatcap 2Xs recently for $600, so I'm sure you'd be able to find one later should you decide you really want to try it.

Therefore, everything else being equal, I'd recommend you start with the bare CD5X!

Munch,

I have a PC (and a Mac) but I have moved it out of my listening room.

The surround system is a completely independent kit.... My Naim kit is not involved there. Although in the same room, playing on the DVD player is not a option as it is far away. I would rather not run 25ft of digi coax to connect the two. And it is a seriously low end DVD.

Why the resistance to me buying a Naim CDP?

Perhaps I will be completely blown away by the performance of the Naim CDP, and reevaluate my listening procedure. Maybe the 2000 cds come out of storage and the PC/DAC is forgotten.


Edo,

Thanks for the suggestion. Would the 5x ultimately like a HC or is the FC2/5x a better pairing when considering value for $$$.

thanks again for the thoughts,
patrick

PC, go with the CD5x/FC2x not FC2. This is a great combo and you can then always add a SN (the DAC, trade in your 102/180 and have the FC2x to power both. This is what I would do and then add firewire/Konnekt 8/wavelab essentials if you get a SN as this will allow you to get excelent quality music from your PC/NAS/EHD to the SN DAC and also allow playback of the 24/96 vinyl that you've stored to your PC as well. Voila!!

Gary1,

strong. thanks.

Thats sounds like a good path to me!!!

Yes, getting the 0s and 1s out of the computer is of utmost importance. Source first right?

My current method is not very elegant but works well enough. M-Audio Transit, 24/96 USB to Toslink.

My next solution is a superclocked USB convertor. but that is best discussed on a different forum.

Regardless of the DAC used, whether it be HDX, SN, NS, N-vi, or other, NONE of them address the actual extraction/conversion from the PC/HD/NAS.

quote:

Originally posted by gary1:
PC, go with the CD5x/FC2x not FC2. This is a great combo and you can then always add a SN (the DAC, trade in your 102/180 and have the FC2x to power both. This is what I would do and then add firewire/Konnekt 8/wavelab essentials if you get a SN as this will allow you to get excelent quality music from your PC/NAS/EHD to the SN DAC and also allow playback of the 24/96 vinyl that you've stored to your PC as well. Voila!!

Pcstockton,

there in lies my move to the SNAIT. But if you must have a CD source now. Gary has a point with the CD5x/ FC2x or FC if that is all you want to spend. Based on the dealer gary and I both frequent and a post from gary a while back responding to me, this is the way to go to record vinyl, have a DAC, and all the pleasures of recording and "fiddling/ tweaking" , as I like to call it.

I know you don't want to spend a ton of money, there is nothing wrong with your system at all right now, and I am not trying to convince you of anything other than you are thinking the same way I am about ripping CD's, recording vinyl, and more than likely having a dedicated hardrive running through your computer to the Konnect 8 and into a DAC for the ultimate sound reproduction.

just a suggestion sir.

rega1

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
Munch,

I have a PC (and a Mac) but I have moved it out of my listening room.

The surround system is a completely independent kit.... My Naim kit is not involved there. Although in the same room, playing on the DVD player is not a option as it is far away. I would rather not run 25ft of digi coax to connect the two. And it is a seriously low end DVD.

Why the resistance to me buying a Naim CDP?

Perhaps I will be completely blown away by the performance of the Naim CDP, and reevaluate my listening procedure. Maybe the 2000 cds come out of storage and the PC/DAC is forgotten.


Edo,

Thanks for the suggestion. Would the 5x ultimately like a HC or is the FC2/5x a better pairing when considering value for $$$.

thanks again for the thoughts,
patrick

I have a CD5X/FC2X in my system.
You would love them in yours.
All i was saying if your end Game is the HDX and the CAP .Why not make the best of what you have.The few K you will spend on a cdp and a psu is Half the money of a HDX.
You can get a lead to use from the source you have for around $60 and save for your end game.
Munch

Munch,

The 2K i would spend on a 5x/FC is 20% of an HDX price.

it is over $10,000 in the US.

I am not sure if the end game is an HDX or not.
it could just be a nice external USB DAC if I can find one to my liking.

I have never heard an HDX and surely wont spend the down payment for a house on something Ive never experienced.

The hardest thing for me is considering the fact that i will ONLY be using the DAC in the HDX. I rip and store other ways. 400GB is laughable.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

I was hoping not to hear that all of these are not suitable for the 102/180. It seems at least the 5x is a good match.

PCS,

The players that Munch has mentioned are fine. But for someone who seems interested in HD music, it's a strange call. Buying an HDX just to use the DAC also strikes me as odd.

Why not sort yourself out a DAC? There is plenty of choice and you need not commit too much cash. You can then use your computer and pick up a CD transport cheaply and you will be sorted.

Then, if and when Naim bring out their own DAC - you can compare it with what you have, and change it if you like.

I wouldn't commit anything to a lower/mid price CD player in your position.

Steve

Naim have a,or some Dacs coming.
Its a Fact.

I hope the Naim DAC gives better results than the ones I've heard including the one in the SuperNait - I'd like it to overcome the limitations of the transport (not sure how it can do that), but that's what I'd like. A sort of HDX without the hard disks or the display or the need for Windows software would be really nice.

A Dac is a Dac is a Dac.

The 5x is one of those pieces of equipment that (in my opinion) performs considerably above its price level.

Fender (Strat)

IMO the Cd5x and Flatcap2x sounds better than the CDX2.
And the only way to better it is the Cds3
But hey what do i know?
Munch