Post Script - Realizing that the only way to get a definitive result is to hear the two units in my space side by side. I’m simply looking for feedback first on the units pairing with the Supernait 3 before moving forward. Thanks!
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Ayre-cx-7eMP vs. Naim CD5SI Player
Hello folks, I’m getting a new Naim Supernait 3 and I have an Ayre-cx-7eMP player. Good shape and Ayre states will be able to be serviced in the future if necessary. I like the player and the performance. I’m looking for input on compatibility from you, the Audiogon family. In your opinion, will the Naim CD5SI with DIN connections, high quality manufacturering with a newer DAC equal or surpass the performance of the Ayre technology from 2009?
Naim dealers are encouraging me to keep the Naim synergy. Cabling is another issue but I have been informed by several dealers that the newer Naim circuitry has made it easier for cable matching. We can discuss cable matching and preferences further in the thread but for starters let’s discuss the differences in the two players.
The Ayre has been very good in my system. Prior to now it was mated to the Ayre K-5xeMP so that synergy was perfect. I have read much literature, seen many videos and spoken to Ayre about the performance of the Cx-7eMP. Ayre loves to talk to their customers. Big plus for Ayre - the separate power supplies for digital and analog sections. Fully balanced however I understand the Supernait 3 converts it’s signals to balanced as well. So I’m looking for your guidance, please.
Speakers are Totem Forest Signatures.
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Naim dealers are encouraging me to keep the Naim synergy. Cabling is another issue but I have been informed by several dealers that the newer Naim circuitry has made it easier for cable matching. We can discuss cable matching and preferences further in the thread but for starters let’s discuss the differences in the two players.
The Ayre has been very good in my system. Prior to now it was mated to the Ayre K-5xeMP so that synergy was perfect. I have read much literature, seen many videos and spoken to Ayre about the performance of the Cx-7eMP. Ayre loves to talk to their customers. Big plus for Ayre - the separate power supplies for digital and analog sections. Fully balanced however I understand the Supernait 3 converts it’s signals to balanced as well. So I’m looking for your guidance, please.
Speakers are Totem Forest Signatures.
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14 responses Add your response
pmm - what happened? Life happened, things changed so now I'm working with the Naim Supernait 3. You say stay with the Ayre - Got it. tomic601 - great advice, the Core looks like a viable option. jafant - Thanks as usual. I too am leary about mixing the manufacturers. For now I'm going with the Ayre > Naim combination let's discuss cabling recommendations, please. What is the community usin N |
Chord Chrysalis was an old favourite with Naim gear if you weren’t using Naim cables, it was actually the same cable but when production stopped Naim bought up all the remaining stock, they still use it for their base level interconnects, which can be ordered in RCA to DIN configuration, though some of their dealers don’t know it. Naim don’t do balanced below their Statement amps so you’ll be using single ended but RCA to RCA will do. Careful with speaker cable, the supernait is more tolerant than the separate power amps but it still doesn’t take kindly to a low inductance/high capacitance speaker cable and will likely overheat if a litz type is used. Naims own speaker cable has an inductance of 1μH and a capacitance of 16pF per metre and a minimum of 3.5m should be used though 5m makes the sound a tad more relaxed. Soldering the Naim speaker plugs to NACA5 is an art. Aside from the rather stiff Naim cable stick with twin core and preferably with a dumbbell cross section. The CD5si was the entry level CD player when there was a range, the equivalent level to the supernait used to be a CDX2, a couple of steps up, now the NDX2 is the equivalent but you’ll need a ripper. I’ve been very happy with the Core but there’s a lot of competition, some of which will take on streaming from the likes of qobuz and Tidal which in the Naim world is taken care of by the ND series products. Stick with the Ayre to begin with since you have it already. |
To all in copy - Thanks for the Breakdown so far. yeti42 - Thanks for the guidance on the cables and the CD5SI. I'll also 'keep an eye out for the Chord Chrysalis on the used market. Might be a good cable to have on hand for comparison. I've been advised by several dealers this week that a good quality RCA cable will work fine with the Supernait 3. I'll keep the Ayre in the system for now or get a better Ripper, streamer/DAC in the future. Speaker cables for now will be Wireworld Eclipse 7's. Upscale Audio and Audible Elegance said that the Supernait should would work well with the cable. N |
Casa Pacifica is system w Atom. i have used it driving Vandersteen Treo CT via Kimber 12 a Litz with no issues. I call it the 40 wpc mulekicker. The streamer and dac are quite musical. I have it connected to a 4tb Synology NAS. the input you got on the NAIM speaker lugs is spot on. My Kimber dealer had some slightly oversize bananas that worked for me. Currently it sees just preamp duty w analog in via Audioquest Fire RCA and AQ Water RCA out to tube poweramp. https://systems.audiogon.com/users/tomic601 On the Unitiserve / NAS system ( similar to Core ) I use bnc to rca spdif cable to the dac. That cable is Audioquest but Nordost Silver shadow ( nos ) quite good also. have fun, enjoy the music.. |
Hello everyone - I’ve made some changes in my system. Nothing is set up yet. I received my Supernait 3 today. I haven’t set it up yet. I only made sure it powered up and all the accessories were present. With the help of the community I decided against the Naim CD5SI player. It offered zero upgrades and word in the street it wasn’t the best sonically. Instead I purchased the Naim DAC. I received it today as well. 1990 addition fully remanufactured and updated firmware to handle 192/24 files. I sold my Ayre-cx-7eMP as it only offered 2 digital outputs. It was also showing wear as it was a 2008 player. The oppo is only 3 years old and has a plethora of inputs, outputs, HDMI and on screen gravenote. My friends at AV Options sent me a free Canare Digital link cryogenicly treated - in addition they sent a Tibia 5 foot cryogenicly treated power cord. I bought a DIN> DIN cord for the DAC The Supernait 3 from them. Still figuring out analog cables. I’m getting a lot of people on the Naim Blog telling me to use Naim speaker cables. However Naim gave me the green light to use the Wireworld. Going to do a shootout! Better Power cords next, maybe. Then ultimately power supplies. N |