Description
Naim CD5 CD player was introduced for the first time in year 2000. It was the successor of the CD3.5. In 2003 the CD5 was replaced by a CD5i. If you’re about to start your audiophile adventure with the brand Naim, this player might be the best choice.
- completely new, low-vibration, more sophisticated casework in comparison to the old olive series;
- possible to connect to an external power supply (Flatcap 2);
- CD transport sits in a manually swing-out CD tray – Philips CDM 12.5 / VAM 1205;
- special CD puck magnetically hold the disc in the right place;
- remote controlled with a Nacrom 2 remote handset;
- Philips TDA 1305 DAC, 18-bit, 4-times oversampling;
- Philips SAA7376 servo-controller;
- Talema toroidal power transformer;
- Capacitors BHC Aerovox 2 x 10000µF;
- Output stage – 6 x BurrBrown OPA604AP;
- REMtech relay.
Retail price in the USA in 2001: 2250$
Retail price in the UK in 2001: 1125£
Retail price in Germany in 2001: 3700DM
Relative price in the UK in year 2014 using the retail price index: 1660£
Pictures
Technical specification
| Frequency response | 10Hz-20kHz (±0,1dB-0,5dB) |
| Output level | 2,0V rms at 1kHz |
| Output impedance | 10Ω maximum |
| Phase response | Linear, absolute phase correct |
| De-emphasis | ±0,25dB referred to main response |
| Distortion & Noise | <0,1% 10Hz-18kHz at full level |
| Laser type | Semiconductor AIGaAs |
| Wavelenght | 780 nm |
| Mains supply | 100v, 115v, 230v, 50 or 60Hz |
| Case size (H x W x D) | 58,4 x 432 x 311 mm |
Reviews
“At this price point I would be struggling to think of anything which lets you so fully into the structure of the music.”
John Groom, AudioEnz, September 2002
“The magic of Naim returns with the quirky but musically tasty CD5. Robust build matched by smoother aesthetics than before. Tonal richness and a penchant for musical credibility particular highlights. Costly, but competing at a higher level”
Deon Schoeman, Audio Video, February 2000
“If you’re looking for a CD player that’s well-built, easy to use, reasonably priced ($2250, or $3150 with power supply), that sounds wonderful and provides rich, pure, musical pleasure from audiophile and mass-market CDs…you can’t go wrong with Naim’s CD5 and Flatcap 2.”
Michael Fremer, Stereophile, April 2001
“Unlike the earliest Naim players, the CD5 is smoother and very polished sounding but, for all the obvious detail, its delivery might seem a little wooden. Naturally, combined with the typical forwardness of a Naim amp/speaker combination, any reticence on the part of the CD5 is likely to be swept away. But there is undoubtedly some program-dependence at work here for, at its best, the CD5 sounds both dynamic, vivid and compelling. With other discs, it could be the CD equivalent of Baywatch or Hollyoaks: good lighting, smart sets and decorative actors, but not entirely believable as an all-round performance. Then again, the CD5 is nothing if not distinctive. And at a time when the market is being flooded with bland-sounding DVD players, I’m all in favor of some color and musical license being injected into the hi-fi market.”
Paul Miller, Hi-Fi Choice, November 2000
“Whatever your favorite kind of music, the Naim delivers a sound as thrilling as it is involving”
What HiFi?, December 2000
“Whatever your favorite kind of music, the Naim delivers a sound as thrilling as it is involving”
What HiFi?, December 2000
“Der CD5 ist gewiss nicht billig, schon gar nicht in Kombination mit seinem musikalischen Turbolader Flatcap 2. Aber was er mehr kostet als die tiefer gelegte Konfektionsware, das wird zurückerstattet, Mit Zins und Zinseszins, mit Pauken und Trompeten, über Jahre und Jahrzehnte.”
Ulrich Michalik, Image HiFi, March 2001
“Superbly built, reasonably priced with a fantastically exciting yet sophisticated sound, the CD5 is one of Naim’s best products yet.”
HiFi World, April 2001
more reviews from audioreview.com – click
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