eyeteeth
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2003
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Quote:
Value would be the thing that has had me not commit big bucks into the front end so far. I understand the "source first" philosophy and do agree with it but find diminishing returns sets in earlier with digital gear and the differences in performance much smaller than with amps and speakers. I also see the digital landscape as pretty unstable right now. I'd like to wait and see what happens with the five inch optical disc over the next year or two before sinking big bucks into a player. Superb performance becomes second rate awfully fast in the redbook world. It's cheaper (wiser?) to buy current second rate than yesterday's first rate?
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Based on reading only, it would depend upon who you're reading. It's not all flowers and love for Naim. Welly's fav is Art Dudley and I like him too as a reviewer but moreso as a writer who can make me laugh with the personal (describing his hair style as a "squid going for a ride on a cannonball"). Prior to the Ayre Evolution he described the CD5X: "All other things being equal, I confess to enjoying reproduced music best when it has utter freedom from ambiguity in rhythm and in pitch. (Is that why I still love Toscanini?) Viewed in that light, Naim Audio's CD5x is the most satisfying "Red Book" CD player I've enjoyed in my system."
But I think I have a bias for some British writers as they seem more discerning and less easily in a state of awe than the Americans. Welly is definitely red, white and blue: Quote:
The take on the CD5X by HIFI+'s Jason Hector was quite different and he even had the flatcap in use in the end.
I won't quote entire paragraphs but just key sentences. "In my opinion, and being blunt about it, the CD5X is not a stellar performer." "The sound I've described could best be summed-up as well balanced and safe. Certainly, there are more colourful, dramatic and better sounding CD players available for this sort of money." "The message is simple; the CD5X is not bad at anything but it is not spectacularly good at anything either." The 5x is middle-aged and sensible compared with the teenaged (CD3) 3's, sometimes clumsy, exuberance. This makes the CD5X a safer choice, and one that's far easier to pair with other manufacturer's equipment, but has the trade-off gone too far?" "This player's balance of virtues is unfailingly sensible and will allow you to enjoy more of your music for longer and it's easy to lose sight of the fact that this has to be the whole point of spending this sort of money on a CD player Exciting? No. Sensible? Certainly." "ask yourself whether you want to play it safe or live a little dangerously. That will tell you whether this player's for you."
Frankly, I'm in no real hurry to replace my front end. It isn't very often that my attention shifts from the music to the gear. I'm going to act as the CD5X and play it safe in the decision making.
Originally Posted by markl But, I'm also biased against British gear from the off because their cost of manufacture is double what ours is, so I'm always questioning the value. That said, I'm also biased against the flood of cheap Chinese gear because of my concern that build quality (and maybe design) is sub-par, even if labour costs are so low. Ideally, I'd opt for Canadian gear; you know, it's just like the USA, but at a 20% discount! |
Value would be the thing that has had me not commit big bucks into the front end so far. I understand the "source first" philosophy and do agree with it but find diminishing returns sets in earlier with digital gear and the differences in performance much smaller than with amps and speakers. I also see the digital landscape as pretty unstable right now. I'd like to wait and see what happens with the five inch optical disc over the next year or two before sinking big bucks into a player. Superb performance becomes second rate awfully fast in the redbook world. It's cheaper (wiser?) to buy current second rate than yesterday's first rate?
Quote:
Originally Posted by markl Well, the Naim may be just what the Dr. odered for you, it sounds like a monster. I've looked into the Naim, but the knock on it seems to be that highs are muted/rolled, and it lacks the "air" of the Ayre. |
Based on reading only, it would depend upon who you're reading. It's not all flowers and love for Naim. Welly's fav is Art Dudley and I like him too as a reviewer but moreso as a writer who can make me laugh with the personal (describing his hair style as a "squid going for a ride on a cannonball"). Prior to the Ayre Evolution he described the CD5X: "All other things being equal, I confess to enjoying reproduced music best when it has utter freedom from ambiguity in rhythm and in pitch. (Is that why I still love Toscanini?) Viewed in that light, Naim Audio's CD5x is the most satisfying "Red Book" CD player I've enjoyed in my system."
But I think I have a bias for some British writers as they seem more discerning and less easily in a state of awe than the Americans. Welly is definitely red, white and blue: Quote:
Originally Posted by Welly Wu panoramic width, penetrating depth, and tall headstage that is extremely sharp, focused, and of ultra high resolution with convincing imaging precision that is not choppy the definition being steroid popping muscular dynamics and an extremely wide, cavernous, and towering soundstage. |
The take on the CD5X by HIFI+'s Jason Hector was quite different and he even had the flatcap in use in the end.
I won't quote entire paragraphs but just key sentences. "In my opinion, and being blunt about it, the CD5X is not a stellar performer." "The sound I've described could best be summed-up as well balanced and safe. Certainly, there are more colourful, dramatic and better sounding CD players available for this sort of money." "The message is simple; the CD5X is not bad at anything but it is not spectacularly good at anything either." The 5x is middle-aged and sensible compared with the teenaged (CD3) 3's, sometimes clumsy, exuberance. This makes the CD5X a safer choice, and one that's far easier to pair with other manufacturer's equipment, but has the trade-off gone too far?" "This player's balance of virtues is unfailingly sensible and will allow you to enjoy more of your music for longer and it's easy to lose sight of the fact that this has to be the whole point of spending this sort of money on a CD player Exciting? No. Sensible? Certainly." "ask yourself whether you want to play it safe or live a little dangerously. That will tell you whether this player's for you."
Frankly, I'm in no real hurry to replace my front end. It isn't very often that my attention shifts from the music to the gear. I'm going to act as the CD5X and play it safe in the decision making.