Naim 5i-2 vs Roksan Kandy K2 CDP

[plastic penguin]

Hoping Matthewpiano can help.

I love the sound of the Naim CDP with my set-up but the aesthetics makes me want to vomit (almost).

Heard the K2 amp a few times and liked it, so wondering if the K2 CDP could be a good sonic match with the Leema/MA RS6s?

 

[stevebrock]

Crikey!

Think Naim gear looks the dogs!

 

[matthewpiano]

Hi PP.

Difficult one as it is some time since I heard the Naim CD player and I haven't heard your exact system combination. The Roksan is a really nice CD player. Took me a while to get used to it after the Marantz CD63SE as it is very even handed and refined sounding. It does controlled detail and atmospherics very well and, like Arcam players, is very convincing tonally. Only issue with mine is the display which is very feint in the lower half - I plan to get it looked at sooner rather than later. Certainly I've got no plans to change it.

 

[plastic penguin]

Crikey!

Think Naim gear looks the dogs!

It does with other Naim gear. It looks totally sh** alongside the Leema. Both the Leema and Naim look good, but chronic together, especially with one being silver and the other black.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi PP.

Difficult one as it is some time since I heard the Naim CD player and I haven't heard your exact system combination. The Roksan is a really nice CD player. Took me a while to get used to it after the Marantz CD63SE as it is very even handed and refined sounding. It does controlled detail and atmospherics very well and, like Arcam players, is very convincing tonally. Only issue with mine is the display which is very feint in the lower half - I plan to get it looked at sooner rather than later. Certainly I've got no plans to change it.

My problem is the Arcam looked really good with the Leema, but luckily the dealer took it off my hands and gave me a cracking deal with the Naim. Was hoping I'd get used to the looks by now. Can't hack it. Neither do I have the resources to buy a CDP at the retail price with the given quality.

The Naim really does stack-up sound-wise. Keeps the bass lovely and taut but bigger than the Apollo I heard. The whole soundstage has really opened up. Everytime I come thru the door I think "Eek!" Something has to give but I am so reluctant to sell the Leema. Just love it.

 

[matthewpiano]

I wouldn't say the Roksan was the prettiest of boxes either PP. My hi-fi rack would look much better with a Denon CD player in it, but the present set-up works so well I'm prepared to compromise on the looks. Sounds like you are enjoying your system so it would be worth finding a way to live with it. Maybe its time to consider a cabinet with doors on!!

 

[plastic penguin]

Thanks Matt - Yup, spoilt for years by good aesthetics and good sound, now the sound has improved I'll have to settle for crumby looks.

 

[p_m_brown]

Glad I'm not the only vain one round here he he he! TBH, the roksan made me want to vomit when saw/heard it. Didnt think it was particularly ground breaking but could have been the sum of the parts which detracted maybe? (A19 and Ls50s)

 

[gregvet]

Yup, spoilt for years by good aesthetics

sorry PP, must have missed something, what do you hide the Leema in then, and why can't you do the same with the Naim?

(Sorry couldn't resist)

 

[crusaderlord]

I too think the look is important - personally I would always go with a matching brand where possible, be it Arcam or something else. I also tend to believe there is a synergy in a brand. If the naim CD is good why not try a naim amp too. I think a clash in looks would annoy me too much in the end.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yup, spoilt for years by good aesthetics

sorry PP, must have missed something, what do you hide the Leema in then, and why can't you do the same with the Naim?

(Sorry couldn't resist)

Don't be so silly. Store it in a coal bunker. oke:

 

[plastic penguin]

I too think the look is important - personally I would always go with a matching brand where possible, be it Arcam or something else. I also tend to believe there is a synergy in a brand. If the naim CD is good why not try a naim amp too. I think a clash in looks would annoy me too much in the end.

Tried the Nait 5i at home, and combined with the RS6s, in my room, it just bludgeoned the music. So much so it physically gave me a headache.

 

[gregvet]

Tried the Nait 5i at home, and combined with the RS6s, in my room, it just bludgeoned the music. So much so it physically gave me a headache.

i don't know what it is about Naim amplification, but any more than ten minutes listening to it seems to do the same to me. Only time that hasn't been the case was with some setup so high up the Naim food chain I couldn't count the zeros in the price tag.

Dont really understand why that should be, when their sources in isolation seem very good IME.

 

[plastic penguin]

Tried the Nait 5i at home, and combined with the RS6s, in my room, it just bludgeoned the music. So much so it physically gave me a headache.

i don't know what it is about Naim amplification, but any more than ten minutes listening to it seems to do the same to me. Only time that hasn't been the case was with some setup so high up the Naim food chain I couldn't count the zeros in the price tag.

Dont really understand why that should be, when their sources in isolation seem very good IME.

Pleased to see I'm not the only one.

 

[fatman]

Maybe the 5i with a pair of Monopulse? Drop Allan an email and see what stock he has for direct sale........

Might even be quids in towards the RP6 if you got a good price for the Leema.

Is all about the synergy. >)

 

[plastic penguin]

Maybe the 5i with a pair of Monopulse? Drop Allan an email and see what stock he has for direct sale........

Might even be quids in towards the RP6 if you got a good price for the Leema.

Is all about the synergy. >)

Err... how will MonoPulse speakers change the aesthetics of the CDP and amp? And Who's Allan?

 

[matthewpiano]

PP - I wouldn't say the Roksan was any better than the Arcam CD17. Perhaps that might be a possibility for you??

 

[crusaderlord]

Yes why not try a silver arcam which is higher up the range - arcam CD players are in my opinion amongst the best. I heard the naim CD against the arcam cd37 and you can see what I ended up buying - you can pick up the cd37 for good value ex demo or 2nd hand prices - mine was £900

 

[Macspur]

Hi PP,

Apologies if you've already thought of this, but have you tried a Leema CDP?

Mac

 

[CnoEvil]

You're giving the Leema a bad Naim.

Now if I was being Sneaky........ :shifty:

 

[Ben K.]

Yes why not try a silver arcam which is higher up the range - arcam CD players are in my opinion amongst the best. I heard the naim CD against the arcam cd37 and you can see what I ended up buying - you can pick up the cd37 for good value ex demo or 2nd hand prices - mine was £900

I paid 800 ex demo for mine. It wouldn't bother me having separate makes and designs but my partner said I had to buy a matching cdp or the deal was off. I bought the cd37 blind seeing as it was a cracking price and tbh never looked back, it's fantastic IMO. When I demoed my a38/rx8 combo we used the roksan k2 cdp and I must say I was very impressed with it.

 

[unhalfbricking]

Going back to your original point, I actually think it's quite cool to have odd, mismatching stuff. I often prefer systems with contrasting shapes, design features and finishes -- they're just more interesting. It's too easy to assume that different styles don't 'go together'. Put it this way, your system is the opposite of a neat-looking little combo that sits in the corner, doesn't offend anyone and never gets used.

 

[plastic penguin]

PP - I wouldn't say the Roksan was any better than the Arcam CD17. Perhaps that might be a possibility for you??

That's interesting Matthew. Heard it once with the A18 thought it good. it was only hooked up because the 73T was at home, so had no direct comparison. If you say it's a good as the Kandy then it looks like a one well worth considering.

Ta.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yes why not try a silver arcam which is higher up the range - arcam CD players are in my opinion amongst the best. I heard the naim CD against the arcam cd37 and you can see what I ended up buying - you can pick up the cd37 for good value ex demo or 2nd hand prices - mine was £900

Heard a lot of Arcam CDPs, obv, although not the CD37. Seems logical.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi PP,

Apologies if you've already thought of this, but have you tried a Leema CDP?

Mac

Yes, thanks Mac. A serious contender if I had more tolerant speakers. From the reviews I've read an all-Leema set-up can sound a little shrill.