Digital Drive: REVIEW: Naim CD5 CD Player/Recorder by Gatos

Model:	CD5
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$2250
Description:	Naim's new entry level CDP
Manufacturer URL:	Naim
Manufacturer URL:	Naim

Review by Gatos ( A ) on July 17, 2004 at 07:53:21
IP Address: 66.119.33.135

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for the CD5

This is an entry for the latest Naim CD5i player.
In the usual Naim fashion, no nonsense, functional, solid no corners cut engineering strike you when you see and feel this player.
A great pleasure to load the CD manualy, and the tray has a feel of quiet precission, no noise, no vibration, just a very smooth manual operation.
At the back, Naim has added a pair of RCA outputs ( as well as the 'traditional' Naim 5 pin DIN plug), for those of us who like to spend money on expensive cables, and don't use the player with other Naim equipment.
The power switch is at the back, a fair indication that Naim prefers the unit to be left powered on at all times, especially as the display can be muted off when not in use.
This is one sweet sounding CD player, its main strength being, making Music sounding natural - a sum of sounds if you like - as against players with super analytical sound, that may impress but tire after an hour of listening.
This does not mean that it misses detail or microdynamics, everything is there but in the right scale, simply put ..natural.
Before I bought mine, I was able to make direct comparissons with a Sonic Frontiers SDF2 DAC, ( a monster of a DAC which around the mid 90s cost a serious $US 7,000).
The little 'entry level' Naim KILLED IT!
Not only to my ears, but two other - non audiophile listeners - concluded that the CD5i was much more musical, engaging and involving in the way it made Music.
...and the SFD2 is not a 'push over', to say the least.
So, the conclusion is, that either, digital technology has gone miles ahead in the last couple of years, or Naim knows and does something right when it comes to CD players, that some other manufacturers miss out on.
If you like listening to Music and NOT the equipment, you will love this player.
I know.... I do!

Product Weakness: I wish I had the money to get the CDX2...one day perhaps!
Product Strengths: Extremely musical sound, refined, mellow, great bass, and natural mids, clean - clear, but not bright highs.
Build quality, simple operation, good looker in the dark with this deep green Naim backlit logo. Good company support, good resale value.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Meridian 556 power amp.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Research LS2
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Linn Sondek LP12
Speakers:	KEF Reference 3.2
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Cross, Madrigal, Audioquest
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Choral. Opera.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	NIL
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	I wish I had the money to get the CDX2...one day perhaps!
Product Strengths:	Extremely musical sound, refined, mellow, great bass, and natural mids, clean - clear, but not bright highs. Build quality, simple operation, good looker in the dark with this deep green Naim backlit logo. Good company support, good resale value.