Description: Two-box CD player with 4x-oversampling digital filter. Frequency response: 10Hz–18kHz ±0.1dB. Output level: 2V at 1kHz, full-scale (0dBFS) signal. Phase response: linear phase. Output impedance: 100 ohms. Analog output: DIN jack. Protection systems: DC offset sensing, relay muting, laser current interlock.
Dimensions: 17" W by 3" H by 11.8" D (each box). Shipping weights: 19 lbs (player), 33 lbs (power supply).
Price: $7395. Approximate number of dealers: 25. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: Naim Audio Ltd., Southampton Road, Salisbury,…
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Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Review System
The CDS has been my primary digital source for the past month, augmenting the Theta Data transport driving a Theta Generation III, Bitwise Musik System Zero, Kinergetics KCD-55p, or PS Audio UltraLink. Interestingly, the Theta Data/Generation III combination with ST-type optical interface costs exactly the same as the CDS ($2800 for the Data, $4400 for the Gen.III unbalanced with ST-type interface, and $195 for an Aural Symphonics or AudioQuest ST-type cable). All comparisons with the Gen.III and UltraLink were via their unbalanced outputs. The processors also saw…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The CDS put out 2.12V (left channel) and 2.08V (right) when decoding a full-scale, 1kHz sinewave. This is just slightly higher (half a dB) than the standard 2V output level. Frequency response was flat, though the treble showed some passband ripple from the digital filter. The CDS had no amplitude error when decoding pre-emphasized test signals. Frequency response and de-emphasis error are shown together in fig.1. The right channel is 0.16dB lower in output level than the left.
Fig.1 Naim NA CDS, frequency response at 0dBFS (top), and with de-…
A crime of passion? Depraved indifference to the importance of tuneage? Death by music? The simple fact is that most audiophiles got that way by having too many records. That's right—very few got into this rewarding, non-contact sport because they were aroused by shiny brushed-steel boxes or supersexy speaker grilles. It's because they wanted to hear their piles of music—their Mahler, Monk, or Rick James—sound the best it could. (And, okay, yes: It is cool to show drooling friends your designer gear.)
It's in that spirit that we present our annual "Records To Die For" extravaganza. Each…
JOHN ATKINSON
J.S. BACH: St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (Last Performing Version, ca 1742)
Nicholas Mulroy, Evangelist; Matthew Brook, Jesus; Susan Hamilton, Cecilia Osmond, sopranos; Clare Wilkinson, Annie Gill, altos; Malcolm Bennett, tenor; Brian Bannatyne-Scott, bass; Dunedin Consort & Players; John Butt, dir., harpsichord continuo
Linn CKD 313 (multichannel/2-channel SACD/HDCD CD). 2008. Also available as 88.2kHz/24-bit "Studio Master" (WMA, FLAC), 44.1/16 "CD Quality" (WMA, FLAC), and 320kbps MP3 files. Philip Hobbs, prod., eng.; Julia Thomas at Finesplice Ltd., post…
J.S. BACH: St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (Last Performing Version, ca 1742)
Nicholas Mulroy, Evangelist; Matthew Brook, Jesus; Susan Hamilton, Cecilia Osmond, sopranos; Clare Wilkinson, Annie Gill, altos; Malcolm Bennett, tenor; Brian Bannatyne-Scott, bass; Dunedin Consort & Players; John Butt, dir., harpsichord continuo
Linn CKD 313 (multichannel/2-channel SACD/HDCD CD). 2008. Also available as 88.2kHz/24-bit "Studio Master" (WMA, FLAC), 44.1/16 "CD Quality" (WMA, FLAC), and 320kbps MP3 files. Philip Hobbs, prod., eng.; Julia Thomas at Finesplice Ltd., post…
TOM CONRAD
FRED HERSCH: At Maybeck
Fred Hersch, piano
Concord Jazz CCD-4596 (CD). 1994. Nick Phillips, prod.; Dave Luke, eng. DDD. TT: 67:32
FRED HERSCH: At Maybeck
Fred Hersch, piano
Concord Jazz CCD-4596 (CD). 1994. Nick Phillips, prod.; Dave Luke, eng. DDD. TT: 67:32
Whoever (Elvis Costello? Frank Zappa?) said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture was right. And the defiantly subjective, shamelessly sentimental, megalomaniacal act of designating a "Record To Die For" is even more so. At Maybeck, Concord's series of beautifully recorded solo-piano concerts in Maybeck Recital Hall in Berkeley, California, eventually reached 42 volumes. Almost all are now out of print, but as…
MICHAEL FREMER
ROY ORBISON: The All-Time Greatest Hits
Monument/Columbia/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-304 (2 180gm LPs). 1972/2008. Fred Foster, prod.; Bill Porter, eng.; Rob LoVerde, Shawn R. Britten, remastering. AAA. TT: 52:21
ROY ORBISON: The All-Time Greatest Hits
Monument/Columbia/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-304 (2 180gm LPs). 1972/2008. Fred Foster, prod.; Bill Porter, eng.; Rob LoVerde, Shawn R. Britten, remastering. AAA. TT: 52:21
Roy Orbison belongs in any record collection wanting to be called one. This ultimate two-LP set from his Monument era (the years that really count) contains all the big hits and some of the lesser ones, like "Working for the Man," that mash to a campy pulp "Chain Gang," "16 Tons," and maybe even "The Banana Boat Song." I don't care if you have…
FRED KAPLAN
J.S. BACH: Cantatas BWV 82 & 199
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, mezzo-soprano; Craig Smith, Orchestra of Emmanuel Music
Nonesuch 79692-2 (CD). 2003. Martin Sauer, prod.; Philipp Nedel, Marc Donahue, engs. DDD. TT: 50:42
J.S. BACH: Cantatas BWV 82 & 199
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, mezzo-soprano; Craig Smith, Orchestra of Emmanuel Music
Nonesuch 79692-2 (CD). 2003. Martin Sauer, prod.; Philipp Nedel, Marc Donahue, engs. DDD. TT: 50:42
"Records To Die For"? So let's talk about death. There may be no more sorrowful Bach cantata than BWV 82, "Ich habe genug" (I have enough), and no more grippingly sorrowful rendition than this. Lieberson recorded it knowing that she was dying of cancer, and though this deepens the poignancy, it's her performance that rivets. She sings with a…
The Leben's treble is not more extended that the ATC amplifier's—if anything, the reverse. With Media Vita, the English vocal group Stile Antico's excellent new disc of liturgical music by John Sheppard (SACD/CD, Harmonia Mundi HMU807509), the ATC allowed every bit of sibilance through, while the Leben was more diplomatic. Almost paradoxically, though, the Leben gave a subjective impression of conveying a greater amount of treble, though this is noticeably sweeter. The Leben resembled my longtime-favorite power amp, the darTZeel NHB-108, not only more than a bit in essential sound, but also…
Sidebar: Contacts
Leben Hi-Fi Stereo Company, 2-36-29, Nishi-Koya, Amagasaki City, Hyougo 661-0047, Japan. Web: www.lebenhifi.com. US distributor: Tone Imports. Tel: (646) 425-7800. Web: www.toneimports.com.
ProAc Loudspeakers, Highpoint House, Riding Road, Buckingham Road Industrial Estate, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 7BE, England, UK. Tel: (44) (0)1280-700147. Fax: (44) (0)1280-700148. Web: www.proac-loudspeakers.com. US distributor: Modern Audio, PO Box 334, Stevenson, MD 21153. Tel: (410) 486-5975. E-mail: modaudio@aol.com.