What to do with my CD Player

[emollusc]

Anyone who read my "Back in the hifi Saddle" thread would know that my Naim CD2 has given up the ghost. It looks like laser has gone and it isn't easily fixed.

As an update, apparently, if I send it back to Naim via my local dealer they will put in a new laser, but third party repairers can't get the stock.

The question is, do I send the CD2 to be repaired or do I cut my losses and buy another, 2nd hand, CD-Player.

As a bit of background:

My primary source is vinyl and whilst I have a media streamer the sound is not in the same league as the turntable. I tend to use the steamer to listen to old radio comedies or to put on music whilst I'm busy doing something that doesn't go with spinning discs: dusting.

Recently, however, I have missed certain albums that are not available on vinyl. Such as most of Suzanne Vega's output for example. The CD2 had a fantastic sound and I did like it.

Ebay seems to be my only reference to 2nd hand costs at the moment. Someone is selling a Naim serviced CD2 for £725 which seems a lot of money for a CD of that age. However, a CD3-5 weighs in at around £400, but would probably need the optional separate power supply to reveal its full potential (could be purchased later when funds allow).

So do I:

1. Send the CD2 off to Naim as I will probably get another 10 years out of a repaired unit.
2. Forget the CD2 and buy another used CD player probably CD3-5 or CD5
3. Do something different.

I have a leaning towards option 1, but would be interested in your views.

Brian

[bob orbell]

If you like it that much Brian, then have the people who made it sort it, I would. Bob

[pre65]

Have you been quoted a price for option 1 ?

[John Caswell]

As some of you may know I do a fair amount of repairs on all sorts of stuff.
I have however given up on CD players due to -
a) Availability of lasers, both open market and from manufacturers
b) Poor quality control of said lasers
c) Surface mount components especially control ICs (**** eyesight doesn't help)
I know this is hard but I would just cut my losses, bin it and look around for something you like and is affordable.
I do not like admitting defeat, but availability and costs weigh very heavily now especially costs. It is quite awkward telling someone his £5k CD player is now junk because the mfr. no longer supports it.

John

[colin.hepburn]

Hi all
I still have my old Marantz CD52 SE. That I got new back in 95 and it still working well with some tweaks and running into a DAC. But when I got my first HDTV I also got a blue ray player as well

Now the blue-ray player was just a £200 Samsung 1500 which I also still use some 12 years on with the DAC and it sounds very good still and lets me enjoy my blue ray and standard blues a jazz DVDs

It’s just an idea Brian but why not get a blue ray player off eBay just to try it and if you like it got for a better one plus it gives you something to play around and experiment with till you work out the way you want to get

PS I would not bother going back to CD players now as the DVD player plays my CD as well and better than the Marantz but its close

[Richard]

A difficult one Brian. The CD2 isn't worth much as a non-runner so on value alone you could get it fixed if only to re-evaluate and sell on again with a Naim servicing receipt if you do decide to let it go.

On the other hand my present CDp, an Arcam 70.2, uses the same crown dac (in probably a less-good implementation than yours) but has been improved by using it as transport into an Arcam IRdac. Similarly my PD91 was better into a PT De Capo a good few years ago. So things may have moved on a bit but it can be a minefield.

If CD is secondary and you love the CD2 I'd get it fixed.

My mains source now is FLAC into a Squeezebox Touch then into the Arcam DAC via usb connection. It can be a faff but I wonder if you're half way to streaming and better source files would help or if you're being modest and already have a good streamer? Radio comes as a free extra with the SBT it isn't as good as FM if you sit and listen but mostly good enough for dusting