The sound is huge.massive base I have never heard before from the silver tail you didn't know was 't does shine a very bright light on the recording.so if its a bad mix/mastering then you will know about it big time.If its a good recording however then your in for a treat.so erm.go buy one!! The real bargains are second hand though.a Naim CD3 or CD3.5 are worth searching for.so get Loot regularly and keep your eyes peeled. The newer CDX is great too.bit more refined.bit less bass.lots more money though!!.and the CD5 is good value too. It sounds like a really high-end turntable.no joke. None of them had the solid, organic, rhythmic power of the Naim. The CDI I bought was a bargain £750, and walked over all the other 'modern' players I listened to Including the latest Arcam, Audio Analogue, SAT, Marantz, Thule and Rega. They got it right 12 years ago and still leave the opposition scratching their heads wondering why they can't do it too. If you are reading lots of reviews trying to convince yourself to buy a CD player you have been looking at.well.forget it.buy a Naim!! This setup has the potential to seriously damage your work and family relationships…… But put on any decent recording (try “ Chris Issak-Baja Sessions” or “Elvis Costello-Spike”) and you will be reaching for any heart calming medication that your family physician prescribed your elders. Beware though, it will force you to replay your whole CD collection and you will discover the poorer recordings for what they really are. The Naim CDI really utilises the potential of CD, with an ability to really sing and excite and a rare foot tapping quality. I’ve had mine since ‘94 and it’s thrilling sound has never let me down. It still offers a great bargain and can be had for silly money on the second hand market, and knowing Naim’s reliability and build quality it was built to last. Since ’94 I have owned the magnificent Naim CDI along with a Naim 72/140 driving a pair of –“Dyan Audio Audience 10” loudspeakers on “Epos Stands” with a recent addition of a “Rel Storm” bass bin.Īlthough the production of the CDI has now been replaced by more recent models.
If the laser fails you can no longer get it replaced. Seven years later, it is still going strong. I sold mine years ago, however ordered a used one for $1000, which was given to my Dad as a gift by my Mom.
It is also an elegantly styled player, that exudes quality. However, the CDI in its day was clearly one of the finest sounding CD players available, and even in the present day, will still outperform most of the competition at its respective price. Simply put, at 25% of the price new, the Systemdek is more involving to listen to. However, the Systemdek IIX table which I purchased two years ago, and that's equipped with a Sumiko Blue Point Special MC cartridge clearly outperforms the CDI in the way of transparancy. The CDI has aged quite well over the years, still offering a very musical performance. Consequently I used to get a substantial discount on Naim gear.Īs for the CDI, it's built like a tank, and aside from the laser (which will eventually fail) it's very reliable. In the early 90's I purchased a Naim CDI from a dealer whom I'd befriended and one that I did a lot of business with.