Compact Disc Player
Suggested System
A Naim Retailer will recommend the right system for you, however you may choose to partner the CDS3 with the following as a start:
- Separates System
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XPS
XPSCDS3 requires a dedicated power supply. XPS is suggested.
Upgrade Path
Optional upgrades for the CDS3 are:
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Power-Line
Power-LineMains cable upgrade for power supply. Add a 2nd to power supply upgrade.
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Hi-Line
Hi-LineSignal interconnect (180 5 pin DIN - 5 pin DIN)
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555 PS
555 PSNext upgrade from XPS (555 PS Power-Line included)
CDS3 Compact Disc Player
The CDS3 sets an impressive standard for high quality Compact Disc replay. All the trademark features of a Naim CD player are brought together in the CDS3 along with a host of innovative engineering solutions pioneered during the development of the flagship NAC 552 and NAP 500 amplifiers. Together with the elegant styling, the result is a truly stunning, thoroughly satisfying musical performance.
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 six 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.
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 domestic installations. In common with the flagship CD555 CD player, 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.
The CDS3 features the Philips CD10 transport using a high quality hall motor disc drive VAM 1202 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.
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.
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, through which the listener can quickly select tracks they do not want to be played.
| AUDIO OUTPUTS | |
|---|---|
| Analogue Outputs | DIN, RCA |
| Line Outputs Fixed (level) | 2.1V rms at 1kHz |
| Output Impedance | 10Ω maximum |
| Minimum Load Impedance | 10kΩ |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz – 20kHz, +0.1/-0.5dB |
| thd+n | <0.1%, 10Hz -18kHz at full level |
| Phase Response | Linear phase, absolute phase correct |
| De-emphasis | ±0.1dB referred to main response |
| UPGRADES | |
| Power Supply | 555PS, Hi-Line, Power-Line |
| CONNECTIVITY | |
| Infra Red | RC5 |
| Remote Input | RCA on rear (RC5) |
| RS232 | Optional (DE9 female) |
| FORMATS | |
| CD Formats | Red Book |
| Disc Compatibility | CD, CD-R |
| POWER | |
| Power Supply Options | XPS, 555PS |
| PHYSICAL | |
| Dimensions | 87 x 432 x 314mm (H x W x D) |
| FINISH | |
| Front | Brushed and black anodised |
| Case | Black powder coated |
REVIEWS
Here is a selection of reviews that have been written about this product. Where PDF downloads or online links are available to us, they are featured.
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Hi-Fi Choice - July 2006
MANUALS & DOWNLOADS
Here are all the items available for download that relate to this product. If the information you require is not featured, please contact Naim Customer Support.
