Review: Naim Audio CD-5 CD Player


Category: Digital

I listen to mostly to rock and blues based music;also class-
ical and jazz. It think many so called 'high end'components
merely imitate a musical experience;but the great ones simp-
ly give you the music;live,open,and effortless.The Naim CD-5 is just such a piece! It just gets out of the way and lets you experience all the music more intimately than you thought possible!I have had many fine players in my listen-ing room; most recently the Classe CDP-1 and the Conrad John
son DV2-B;and after only a few months with the CD-5,i have rediscovered my cd collection!Whether it's the thunder and scale of Mahler's Eighth,the speed and snap of Ronnie Earl's
strat,or John Renbourn's lightest finger cymbal;this little
'Brit'just rolls alng while you forget the system and love
the music!Some might say the manual drawer is a negative;
but it makes i sound better,so get over it.And as for money-
no-object?Ya that's fair;there are some real heavy hitters
out there,a couple from the same company,(Naim); but from
about five thousand and under,this is the real deal!

Associated gear
Naim NAC112 Preamp,Naim NAP150 Pwramp,
Naim FlatcapII Pwr supply,Classe CAP50
Pre.and CA201 Pwr.Conrad Johnson PV-12
Pre.and MF2250 Pwr.amp

Similar products
CD Players compared; Classe CDP 1.5,Con-
rad Johnson DV2-B,Linn Genki,and Arcam,
Marantz, and Sony of similar pricepoint.
greatplains
Another happy Naim CD-5 owner. Nait 5 amp and Thiel CS 1.6 speakers and the sound is absolutely spellbinding. Breathtaking on vocals, especially soul and opera.
Gravitas
I believe Nordost makes a din to rca/balanced cable for Naim CD player users. Call the Cable Company ( 1-800- FATWYRE) to see if they have a demo pair.

Greatplains
Im enjoying my CD5 as well. Thinking about adding a Hicap later on.
Naim certainly makes gear that you can settle down with.
What cable are you using from the naim to your pre? That is the weakest link in my rig. I have recently replaced my preamp with a BAT VK-5SE which is all balanced. i am using the soso chord din to rca (seems to be the best cable naim dealers have on hand) and then, get this, a neutrik rca to xlr adapter in order to get the naim to talk to the bat. I am convinced that this prevents me from really getting to know the sound of the naim player.