CD5i
£875
The CD5i CD player, especially when partnered by the
complementary NAIT 5i integrated amplifier, sets a
thrilling new standard for the musical performance of
entry-level hi-fi.
Designed by the same team that produced the world's finest
CD player, the fabulous Naim CD555, the CD5i benefits both
from shared technology and the shared passion to extract
every last grain of music from the disc that it's playing.
This outstanding new machine, which replaces the previous
CD5i in our line-up, brings worthwhile performance benefits
for users but retains the functionality and straightforward
usability of the classic player. This enhanced performance
has been derived from a new DAC and power supply
arrangement, optimisation of the output filter and star
grounding pattern, and upgraded components in key areas of
the circuitry.
These combined with the unchanged elements such as the
low-jitter clock, discrete digital and analogue power
supplies, and the unique swing-out disc transport
mechanism, deliver a spell-binding performance that is
truly in a league of its own.
As with Naim's flagship player, integrity and stability of
the RF signals read by the laser have been prime design
considerations. A suspended transport and low mass magnetic
clamping system ensures that the disc spins accurately and
silently, unhindered by mechanical resonance.
Paths between critical components are as short as possible
to preserve delicate signals and each stage of the
circuitry is powered by separate regulated supplies.
Correct earthing is used throughout and there are no
digital or headphone outputs.
The CD5i features a unique power supply incorporating
separate digital and analogue transformer windings and
additional screening to reduce the intrusion of RF
interference from the mains supply.
Microphonic degradation of sound quality is greatly reduced
by the use of low-energy-transfer feet and unique
decoupling pillars for circuit board mounting combined with
a stiff, low-vibration enclosure.
The CD5i offers convenient front loading using a
custom-made, glass reinforced drawer mechanism, the mass of
which has been carefully calculated to optimise rigidity
and isolation.
This machine is designed to be the best in its class,
incorporating genuine technological advances to provide a
thoroughly enjoyable musical experience
CD5x
£1,625
The CD5x uses every possible development from earlier and
more costly Naim CD players to help establish it as the
reference entry-level CD player. The drawer and transport
suspension is borrowed from the CDX2; a low inertia,
resonance-controlling device that ensures rigid coupling
and mild damping without adding to the task of the drive
servo mechanism by increasing rotational inertia.
The die-cast zinc and extruded aluminium casework is a
development of that used in the existing 5 series and
results in an inert case with great resistance to pollution
from external vibration.
The CD5x continues the trend of the latest Naim reference
products by including RCA phono sockets alongside the
traditionally used DIN sockets. RCA phonos allow easy
connection to non-Naim amplifiers with a variety of
interconnect cables allowing fine-tuning of the sound which
is potentially beneficial when used in a budget non-Naim
system.
The CD5x uses the same Naim developed replay and control
software as the CDS3 ensuring that the CD5x presents the
maximum information from the discs in an entirely musical
and believable manner.
In addition, care has been taken to ensure that the
player/user interface is as logical and intuitive as
possible, with extra features such as "display off' (for
improved sound quality) and program cancel, where the
listener can quickly select tracks not wanted to be played.
The Naim CD5x extends the Naim qualities of natural musical
reproduction, flexibility and reliability to fall within
the reach of even more music lovers.
CDx2
£3,150
Extensive research carried out over the last few years has
been fully employed in producing the integrated CDX2 CD
player. Naim has made as few compromises as possible to
ensure that the CDX2 offers complete musical satisfaction,
rivalling that of the finest analogue turntables.
Integrity and stability of the RF signals read by the laser
have been prime design considerations. A suspended
transport and low mass magnetic clamping system ensures
that the disc spins accurately and silently, unhindered by
mechanical resonance.
The mass of the custom-made glass reinforced front-loading
drawer mechanism has been carefully calculated to optimise
rigidity and isolation. The addition of anti-vibration,
resonance-controlling feet compliment the elegant new cast
and extruded anti-magnetic chassis to protect the sensitive
internal components from resonance and microphonic
vibration. Additionally' the internal shielding has been
improved bringing about further upgraded performance and
lower noise.
Paths between critical components are as short as possible
to preserve delicate signals and each stage of the
circuitry is powered by a separate regulated supply.
Correct earthing is used throughout and there are no
digital or headphone outputs.
Both the transport and chipset have been upgraded for the
CDX2. The HDCD decoder/digital filter is only activated
when playing encoded discs. Eight-times over sampled data
is then sent to two (one per channel) Burr Brown PCM mono
D/A converters. A separate, fully optimised master clock
controls all main digital functions, and the clock
configuration and layout are engineered to minimise jitter.
A seven-pole analogue filter follows the DAC to remove
spurious noise.
The CDX2 has a fully double-regulated power supply with 20
low-noise, regulated power supplies on the main circuit
board, plus a separate supply on the servo control board
and another on the display board. It is a stand-alone,
mains powered machine, which may also be used with the XPS
ultra low noise power supply, providing a substantial
improvement in sound quality.
Naim research has proved that divorcing the main power
supply from a CD player is wholly beneficial, whereas the
more common arrangement of housing the converter circuitry
in a separate box causes many problems. The Naim XPS power
supply is extremely sophisticated with six separately
regulated, ultra low noise outputs, featuring a toroidal
transformer and six power regulators. This ensures complete
stability of the ultra-sensitive circuitry in the CDX2. The
same external supply is used with the Naim flagship CDS3 CD
player, thus providing a further possible upgrade path from
one player to the other.
All main control functions are handled by a microprocessor
running Naim-written software. Every aspect of the SAA 7376
servo controller/decoder functionality is under software
control: Naim-written codes allow maximised performance in
all areas. For example, the transport parameters are
optimised for each disc as it is loaded. In addition,
special care has been taken to ensure that the player/user
interface is as logical as possible with extra features
such as "display off" (for improved sound quality) and
program cancel, where tracks the listener does not want to
hear can be quickly selected.
Worthwhile user features have been added: in addition to a
clearer layout of the back panel, RC5 and optional RS232
ports have been fitted, allowing seamless integration into
even the most complex of home installations.
In common with the flagship NAC 552 pre-amplifier, the CDX2
has user-configurable outputs, allowing a choice between
the preferred DIN output and RCA phono connections,
allowing the CDX2 to be used with a wide range of other
manufacturers' cables and components.
This machine is designed to be the best in its class,
incorporating genuine technological advances to provide a
thoroughly enjoyable musical experience.
- Ultra-high quality CD player.
- Twenty power regulators make up a fully double-regulated power supply with exceptional dynamic stability.
- User-configurable versatile (DIN/phono) outputs.
- Full infrared remote control.
- RC5 input for wired remote control in complex installations.
- Optional RS232 input/output for use in full home automation systems.
- The optional Naim XPS power supply provides six regulated power supplies; this significantly reduces supply noise for all circuitry.
The Naim CDX2 plays music from CD in a wholly natural, believable way, providing the same involvement and enjoyment as a high-end analogue source but with tremendous consistency and reliability.
CDS-3 £5,825
Twelve years after Naim revolutionised the design of Compact Disc players, the new CDS3 sets an impressive standard for high quality Compact Disc replay.
All the trademark features of a Naim player are brought together in the CDS3 along with a host of new and innovative engineering solutions pioneered during the development of the flagship NAC552 and NAP500 amplifiers. Together with the elegant styling, the result is a truly stunning, thoroughly satisfying musical performance
The CDS3 features the latest generation Philips CD10 transport using a high quality hall motor disc drive VAM 1250 mechanism. The crucially important suspension system for the transport consists of three precisely tuned leaf springs to optimise servo operation. Two further independent suspension arrangements isolate both the digital and analogue circuit boards from the environment, using optimally damped spring decoupling.
The Naim-designed e.f.m signal "eye pattern" processing filter precedes a Philips CD10, SAA 7324 servo controller chip which is responsible for transforming wave patterns into digital data, error correction and all transport drive functions. Following this, the digital data is routed to a 24-bit - 8 times oversampling digital filter with HDCD decoding. The data is then sent to two (one per channel) Burr-Brown PCM 1704-K, 24-bit mono D to A converters. HDCD decoding is only activated when playing encoded discs.
A separate, fully optimised master clock controls digital to analogue conversion and the clock circuit configuration and layout are engineered to minimise jitter that is further reduced by special Naim designed data re-clocking circuitry. A seven-pole analogue filter follows the DAC to remove spurious noise. The current to voltage conversion stage and all analogue filter stages use discrete transistor amplifiers to optimise performance.
The CDS3 has 26 low-noise, regulated power supplies on the main circuit board, fourteen on the analogue output board and four on the servo board. Power for the whole machine is provided by the XPS power supply, which has six separately regulated, very low-noise outputs. Thus all critical circuitry is triple regulated.
Naim research proved that divorcing the main power supply in this way is wholly beneficial, whereas the more common arrangement of housing the converter circuitry in a separate box causes many problems.
To minimise coupling of external vibrations from the housing to the drive, as happens in the vast majority of players that use a drawer loading mechanism, the CDS3 has a simple and straightforward top loading system. Discs are held securely to the drive spindle by means of a low-inertia, resonance-controlling magnetically attached disc clamp, a technique that ensures rigid coupling (and mild damping) without adding to the task of the drive servo mechanism by increasing rotational inertia.
Worthwhile user features have been incorporated in the CDS3: in addition to a clearer layout of the back panel, an RC5 port has been fitted (with the further option of an RS232 port), allowing seamless integration into even the most complex of home installations. In common with the flagship NAC 552 preamplifier, the CDS3 has user-configurable outputs, offering a choice between the preferred DIN or RCA phono outputs, allowing the CDS3 to be used with a wide range of other manufacturers' cables and components.
All the main control functions of the CDS3 are handled by a microprocessor running software written by Naim.
Every aspect of the SAA7324 servo controller/decoder functionality is under software control with the Naim-written code allowing all areas of performance to be maximised. For example, the machine optimises the transport parameters for each disc as it is loaded. In addition, care has been taken to ensure that the player/user interface is as logical and intuitive as possible, with extra features such as Display Off (providing improved sound quality) and Program Cancel, whereby the listener can quickly select tracks not wanted to be played.
The CDS3 is close to the top of Naim's CD hierarchy, which allows someone to purchase a CDX2, to upgrade by adding an XPS and then trade up to a CDS3 with the XPS. The highly sophisticated power supply features a toroidal transformer and 6 power regulators, ensuring complete stability of the ultra-sensitive circuitry.
The Naim CDS3 delivers truly rewarding musical reproduction, providing the involvement of the very best analogue sources combined with tremendous consistency and reliability.
CDS 555 £11,250
(excl. power supply)
First shown and demonstrated at The Hi-fi and Home
Entertainment Show, Heathrow 23rd-25th September 2005,
Naim's current reference CD player, the CD555 with 555PS
delivers the ultimate musical performance from a CD.
The CD555 makes no attempt to play DVDs, DVD-As or SACDs.
It doesn't have a digital output. Nor does it have a
variable output. The CD555 simply plays CDs and at that it
excels. We are confident that is the best CD player ever.
Key features of this fabulous player include a separate
power supply from a transformer secondary winding, which is
triple regulated, right through to the critical master
clock and dejittering circuitry. Special attention has also
been paid to reducing capacitive coupling of high frequency
noises from other supplies into this super quiet clock
supply through interconnect cables and wiring looms. Two
Burndy interconnects between the power supply and head unit
disretely carry the digital and analogue supplies extend
the principle of reducing capacitive coupling between power
supplies as far as possible.
The power supply incorporates significant upgrades over
existing designs. More regulators have been used to isolate
the supplies to various parts of the circuit, minimising
their interaction.
The CD555 Digital-to-Analogue Converters are mounted in a
"quiet room". Apart from ensuring that all critical signals
reaching the DAC have immeasurably low jitter the chips are
inside a shielded enclosure to keep their environment free
of the varying electric and magnetic fields that inevitably
occur in a CD player, so enabling the converters to do
their work isolated from all external influences.
- a machined, heavy, solid transport tray to reduce resonance and vibration amplitude.
- high mass design to improve suspension characteristics, providing isolation from the chassis and other components.
- low infra red reflective coatings around the CD to reduce eye pattern interference and noise.
- an extremely low inertia and low resonance CD clamp.
- a Philips Pro CD mechanism with a die-cast chassis.
- a very heavy brass sub-chassis - separate for digital and analogue electronics.
- analogue stages, I-to-V conversion, filtering and output driver are built from discrete components.
- seven-pole output filters.
- a separate low jitter clock circuit with its own multi-stage regulated power supply.
- post-digital filter de-jitter circuitry to eliminate jitter.
- DACs are isolated from electric and magnetic fields.
- a motorised top loading door.
Features of the 555PS (power supply) include:
- seven regulated power supplies including separate one for the clock circuitry.
- five secondary windings on the transformer.
- a transformer that is 40 per cent larger than that in the XPS2
- separate dedicated analogue and digital output sockets (Burndy) to minimise high frequency noise modulation of analogue supplies.
- backward compatibility with the CDS3 and CDX2.
- a low resonance case with isolating feet.
HOME CINEMA / AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT
DVD5
DVD player
£2,600
Naim has always been synonymous with ground-breaking
products and the tradition continues with the DVD5 - our
first DVD player. Like numerous Naim source components
before, the DVD5 raises the bar - performing with DVD,
DVD-Audio and CD media to a level well beyond its
competition. The DVD5 establishes a new reference level for
DVD video quality combined with truly versatile,
upgradeable and standard-setting musical performance.
VIDEO EXCELLENCE
The DVD5 incorporates multiple hi-performance technologies
- Faroudja DCDi® de-interlacing for example - and supports
DVI for outstanding digital video performance. Multiple
analogue video formats are also supported including
composite, s-video, YPbPr interlaced, RGB interlaced and
YPbPr progressive. For non-macrovision encoded discs RGB
progressive and RGBHV are also available to provide the
ultimate analogue video performance. For enhanced large
display performance a scaler upgrade will be available
offering custom resolutions up to an incredible 1080p. This
will also feature an external input for external video
sources such as digital set-top boxes.
AUDIO EXCELLENCE
Unlike most DVD players the DVD5's audio CD performance is
not simply an afterthought - it outperforms many CD
players. To achieve this, the players audio decoding board
is physically separated from the DVD boards and its video
processors and outputs can be put to sleep during CD
playback. The CD audio data stream is also re-clocked
before entering state-of-the-art 24bit 192kHz digital to
analogue convertors - a technique borrowed from the CDS3 CD
player. The DVD5 can also replay stereo DVD Audio at
maximum sample rate and, with the optional multi-channel
upgrade, can replay DVD Audio in 7.1 surround.
- Media Supported: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, CD Audio, CD-RW and CD-R
- Video Outputs
- Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with HDCP copy protection
- RGB/RGBHV (for non-macrovision encoded discs) via BNC, 75-Ohm
- YPbPr via BNC, 75-Ohm
- RGB interlaced via SCART, 75-Ohm
- YPbPr interlaced via SCART, 75-Ohm
- S-video via 4 pin DIN, 75-Ohm
- Composite via SCART, 75-Ohm
Video Features
- Faroudja DCDi® de-interlacing technology
- Automatic PAL or NTSC playback and conversion
- Black-level setup for NTSC (0IRE or 7.5IRE)
- Up to five different format simultaneous video outputs
- 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio support
- Video zoom support
- Picture adjustment including saturation, contrast and position
- -60x -30x, -16x, -8x, -4x, -2x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 30x, 60x speeds
- Full easy to navigate OSD with built in test screens for display calibration
- Full +/- time delay lip sync
- Forthcoming scaler upgrade card with custom resolutions including 720p and 1080p
Audio Output
- Two digital coax and two digital optical
- 2 Volt RMS analogue stereo from 24bit, 192kHz re-clocked DACs via 5-pin DIN and stereo phono sockets
- Up to 7.1 channel with multi-channel audio upgrade fitted, 24bit 96kHz via DIN sockets
Communications
- Full integration with Naim AV2 processor including AV2 OSD
- RS232 control for custom install and home automation
Power Supplies Fully Linear, 20 independently regulated supplies with advanced ground
Mains supply 100 - 120VAC or 220 - 240VAC 50/60Hz, 50W
Dimensions (H x W x D) =70 x 432 x 301mm
Finish Black
n-Vi integrated CD/DVD player/processor/amplifier £2,995
Combining DVD, home theatre and genuine high-end hi-fi music reproduction has suddenly become simple. The n-Vi delivers everything you need in one box: DVD and CD player, AV Processor, audio pre-amplifier and five-channel audio power amplifier. And each element expresses everything we know about making true to life music and video in the home.
n-Vi is available now with an optional FM/DAB radio module, and a video scaler module including an external video input will be available in spring 2006. Surround sound modes include Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II.
Naim's design team recognised that many Naim owners are primarily music enthusiasts and while adding AV to their systems would be a bonus they were perhaps not so convinced as to move to a separate DVD player and AV processor. In addition, many owners wish to have AV systems but not in the same room as their hi-fi system. n-Vi satisfies these demands and includes all the expertise, skills and attention to detail you would expect from a Naim product. The into-one-box integration has not lessened the desire or indeed even the requirement to deliver traditional Naim values of musical performance and the newer values of video and digital signal processing as illustrated by the award winning DVD5 DVD player and AV2 AV processor.
All you need to do for a complete surround sound system is add the speakers: conveniently, the n-System (comprising the n-Sats, n-Cent and n-SUB provides a perfect match).
Specifications:
Media Supported: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW,
CD Audio, CD-RW and CD-R
Video Outputs
- Faroudja 'Progressive scan' chip set for a smooth, solid and detailed picture.
- DVI Digital video output for direct digital display connection.
- BNC hi-definition analogue video output.
Video Features:
- Scaler/video processor upgrade giving 'pixel for pixel' compatibility with digital display device. The scaler includes an external video input for up-converting a second video source e.g. digital TV.
- Simultaneous progressive scan on the BNC high definition output and interlaced video on Scart video outputs (RGB/YUV, s-video or composite). Ideal for a back room video monitor or display set-up
Audio in/outputs
- Three external analogue and three external digital audio inputs for playback of external sources (digital TV, iPod, tape etc)
- Audio "data straightener" using a "voltage control crystal oscillator" (VCXO) for low jitter audio conversion
- High performance Burr Brown 6-channel enhanced multi-level delta-sigma DACs (up to 192kHz/24bit)
Amplifier
- High performance Tripath Class-T® 5-channel amplifier (50W 8 ohms and 90W 4 ohms)
- Communications
- Naim NA-Bus for bi-directional control and interoperability with other Naim equipment.
- RS232 port for connection for custom install â?˜intelligent homesâ?™
- Mains supply: 100 - 120VAC or 220 - 240VAC 50/60Hz, 50W
- Dimensions (H x W x D) =87 x 432 x 314mm
- Finish Black