When you think of Naim you think of impeccable timing and
powerful dynamics, the players have always managed to pull off a thrilling,
highly charged sound. The force behind the Naim players is there robust,
high grade linear power supplies and multiple, separated regulated supplies;
lest we forget the unique disc transport mechanisms. The Naim CD5i has been the
forerunner of CD players from this British company for several years. First
launched as the CD5 in the year 2000, it featured the option of the separate
Flatcap 2 power supply to further increase performance. The latest incarnation
is the mkII CD5i which features enhanced performance which includes new DAC and
power supply arrangement, optimisation of the output filter and star grounding
pattern, and upgraded components in key areas of the circuitry. At around
£850.00 the CD5i/2 has been heralded as the ‘most enjoyable sub-£1000 player
on the market’.
So what
of its weaknesses?. Well it certainly has them or how else to you bridge the gap
between the 5i and the high-end CD555. It is hard to criticise the CD5i in the
short term, with its rhythmic timing, bass grip, powerful dynamics and flare.
The main criticism is the music tilters towards compression, soundstage depth
and height is restricted, and there is a tendency to bite too hard at the high
frequencies. Similar competing priced players on the market ditch some of
that timing, dynamics in favour of a more natural sound with less colouration.
Now let’s
say we blend that timing and dynamics with the refinements of higher end
players! We have developed a range of upgrades which have been carefully
designed to build on the existing character and ‘voicing’ of sound intended by
its makers., to remove several foibles and boost performance throughout. The
focus of the upgrades are reducing power supply noise, removing jitter,
improving signal integrity, and resonance control. These upgrades are available
to owners of the original CD5 through to the latest mk2 version.
Naim CD5i
Level-1 Upgrade
■
Superclock 4-S Ultra-low jitter clock.
■ Rubycon ZA regulation bypass capacitors.
■ Rubycon ZA DAC decoupling capacitors.
■ Rubycon ZA analogue stage decoupling capacitors.
■ 2x Bybee Slipstream Purifiers for DC supplies.
■ Sontech SFRT-AL resonance control.
■ WBT 4% Silver solder throughout.
Naim CD5i
Level-2 Upgrade
■
Superclock 4-S Ultra-low jitter clock.
■ 2x Bybee Large Quantum Purifiers for AC input.
■ Rubycon ZHL digital decoupling capacitors.
■ Rubycon ZA regulation bypass capacitors.
■ Sanyo OS-CON SP servo stage decoupling.
■ Rubycon ZA DAC decoupling capacitors.
■ Rubycon ZA analogue stage decoupling capacitors.
■ 2x Bybee Slipstream Purifiers for DC supplies.
■ Sontech SFRT-AL resonance control.
■ WBT 4% Silver solder throughout.
