I own a CDS3. It is one of the best cdp I've heard and is certainly competitive with top transport/DAC combinations. The CDS3 replaced a Sony SCD-1 SACD player. The CDS3 handily beat the SCD-1, even when the SCD-1 was playing an SACD. I've also auditioned a number of other top CD and SACD players and DAC -- the EMM, dcs, Aero Capitole, etc. The only transport/DAC combinations that I clearly preferred over the CDS3 was a VERY pricey Audionote combination (DAC-5 signature/47Labs transport).
I've heard all of the current Naim lineup. I personally do not particularly care for the CD5i. It is not that it is a bad player, but the CD5x is so dramatically better -- much more weight in the midbass/lower midrange, excellent and portraying complex harmonic structure of the music. Of course, the CDS2, particularly with the same power supply as the CDS3, is better than the CD5x, but the improvement is quite subtle. This makes the CD5x the bargain of the lot. There is a bigger difference between the CDS2 and CDS3 than between the CDS2 and the CD5x, so the premium price of the CDS3 is easier to justify. The CDS3 sounds dynamic and is able to recreate the proper scale of a large orchestra. It is able to get the sharp transient attacks of notes right, with less of a mechanical quality than the CDS2, and the decay of the notes and sense of space around instruments is fantastic. However, if you are looking for the ultimate in creamy, utterly grainless and seductively caressing experience, its the Audionote DAC5 or DAC4.
I've heard all of the current Naim lineup. I personally do not particularly care for the CD5i. It is not that it is a bad player, but the CD5x is so dramatically better -- much more weight in the midbass/lower midrange, excellent and portraying complex harmonic structure of the music. Of course, the CDS2, particularly with the same power supply as the CDS3, is better than the CD5x, but the improvement is quite subtle. This makes the CD5x the bargain of the lot. There is a bigger difference between the CDS2 and CDS3 than between the CDS2 and the CD5x, so the premium price of the CDS3 is easier to justify. The CDS3 sounds dynamic and is able to recreate the proper scale of a large orchestra. It is able to get the sharp transient attacks of notes right, with less of a mechanical quality than the CDS2, and the decay of the notes and sense of space around instruments is fantastic. However, if you are looking for the ultimate in creamy, utterly grainless and seductively caressing experience, its the Audionote DAC5 or DAC4.
