Naim Audio CDX

Naim Audio CDX review - How come everything great is always so expensive. If you get it right then you will smile and drown in your own glee as the music flows over you in a tidal wave of glory. Anyone buying a Naim must have a deep passion for music, you must love it. This is a commitment to yourself. Its great to upgrade and that is the beauty of buying a top brand!, there's always something to add. As the law of returns shrinks so does your bank account at least you will leave behind a beautiful System...

How do I come to own a CDX. For Naim-o-philes this bit is important.

My first Naim system was a Naim CD 3.5, 72/140, Credos. Over time I planned to beef it up and thought that the amp end especially.

Well here I am today, CDX, 82/140, Credo. Each time I plan to upgrade to a NAP250 I try a new front end and it just gets better and better.

The CDX is stunning in its detail, tempo and precision. But you just have to listen to it - the soundstage, all dimensions - but the most important - the music.

And now - even with the little NAP 140 at the back end - the one component that makes a huge leap in quality is adding the XPS power supply. DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT!

The CDX with XPS has to be the best CD player I have ever heard in a domestic setting. It is simply so superior to anything else for the money it is hard to resist buying it.

If you like Music and you like CDs the CDX is the player to buy!

With this Naim Audio CDX CD player, I presently use a Meridian 208 / DAC7 and Stax 313/303 with a pair of Nordorst Blue Heaven interconnects. Trust me, the Stax can't lie!!! Music - Marillion Sugar Mice, Annie Lennox live, Billy Idol White Wedding, Pink Floyd Shine On

Started off listening to players around the £1000 mark ish - Arcam and the MF 3.2 just shout too loudly, too brash ARGH. Linn Ikelmik (?) beautifully detailed, relaxing and accurate but sterile. Meridian 507 very similar to my 208, their 588 very much like a Linn but velvety, if that makes sense - more of a chill out Sunday evening after a big meal with a glass of heavy red wine.

Naim CD5 - hehe like being shaken by a terrier - loved it, but it was lacking in detail and vocal emotion was somehow lost in the mix - I suppose like being at a live gig stood at the back of the room. Add the Flatcap and the vocals / midrange comes forward out of the mix, maybe a little too far, overshadowing the boogie factor - my feet weren't tapping as much but I felt more involved. Not bad - but not the be all and end all - I felt I wanted a bit of the Linn or Meridian detail.

Errrr he fetched a CDX....... Wow !!! Hehe full blown rock n roll baby - Now I felt I had moved to the front row at the gig - soundstage was fantastic - vocal projection superb - could focus on the vocals but my whole body was still rocking. All the detail was there if you focused on it but somehow I was too busy being rocked. Loved it to bits.

Errrr then he fetched the power supply - nasty man!! It really can't get better can it? Err YES! Basically the same wonderful mix as before but with more raw emotion, a velvety hue and superb detail just like the Meridian 588 but with a very, very serious boogie factor.

Now got to speak to my partner.... darling..... lol

I'm going to wait for the new styling cos I love the buttons and the new logo - I wouldn't want to hide something so cute.

Don't take my word, have a listen - it really is fantastic. I just daren't try a CDSII.......

The Naim Audio CDX CD player in the right system can transport you to the venue where the recording was made.

Certainly the best CD player at the £2000 price point - and is easily upgradeable to full CDS2 spec.

If you've got the money buy one now - if you've got more then buy a CDS2!!