Naim Cd Players

I recently made a complete changeover and ended up with the Naim CD 5x player, driven by the Naim Nait 5i integrated amp, through Reference 3a Dulcet speakers. I'm very pleased with this combo, and like the Naim source very much. To my ear, it is very rhythmic, very clean, doesn't add any showy artifacts; just lets the music through without calling attention to equipment.

I have to agree with Larryi, that for anyone considering a Naim CDP, the upgrade from CD 5i to CD5x is well worth the money, if you can scrape it up. The overall, more-of-everything-good difference was palpable. It ought to be for around twice the cost.

I did think the CD5i paired with the Nait5i outperformed the sweet little Creek integrated/CDP combo in about the same niche. But, the latter would still be a very nice office or bedroom set up, and will come in a few hundred dollars less.

Experience and some good advice has taught me to be wary of outboard DACs hooked up to different brand, one-box CD players. Some such pairings may work well, but I've heard some that do not.