CD Players - Naim Audio
CD players are still available for hi-fi seperates systems - our range includes both fantastic value and high end purist models, as well as models also capable of playing SACDs. Despite the popularity of streaming and the resurgence of vinyl, CD still reigns king as a music source for many, thanks to CD's durability, sound quality, size and many who have existing large collections. CD players have evolved and many now feature streaming capabilities, pre amplifiers and/or DACs that can accept connections from other digital sources, although we also sell more purist CD players that are designed simply to get the best possible sound from your CDs and nothing more. We also sell blu ray and universal disc players
A CD player consists of two key components – a CD transport and a DAC. The CD transport is the mechanism which reads the disc via a laser and provides raw digital data in which the music is contained. This is where the DAC comes in. DAC stands for Digital to Analogue Converter, and does just that; takes pure digital audio and converts it into an analogue signal, which is what is required for playback and to actually play music out loud. Both CD transports and DACs vary in quality, and so can be purchased separately. CD players feature both a transport and a DAC in a single unit, adding convenience and eliminating the need to pair and match two components sonically.
As dedicated Naim Audio retailers we have many models on demo in our showroom, including Mu-So, XS and Classic range hi-fi separates. Learn more in our full Naim range guide or for further advice on the Naim range, please contact us
For over 40 years, Naim Audio has relentlessly pursued the same simple aim: to recreate the performance a musician has recorded accurately and with all of the information wholly intact. Not only that the notes be faithfully preserved, but also so must the emotion and passion that inspired the performance. Its for this reason that Naim are so popular among music lovers - they bring music to life.
Naim Audio was founded in 1973 by Julian Vereker OBE, entrepreneur and self-taught engineer, with a deep passion for music, but was unsatisfied with the sound quality of hi-fi, available at the time. Established in Salisbury, Julian began designing and manufacturing a hi-fi range that ignored accepted design wisdom and focused on aspects of design and performance that made music burst to life.
In that same year they released the NAP 200 power amplifier, soon followed by the NAC 12 pre-amplifier in 1974 (and although this model name is no longer used, much like "NAP" for the power amplifiers, "NAC" is still used to designate Naim's pre amplifier models). These initial designs laid the foundations for 40 years of iconic and award winning products that have followed.
As the brand grew in popularity over the 70s and 80s, they sought to grab the attention of press and public with a series of tongue in cheek adverts (you can see these and read more about the brand in our History of Naim blog). In 1983, Naim released their first integrated amplifier, simply called NAIT, a designation also used in current integrated amplifier models today.
Naim was awarded with the prestigious Queen's award in 1985 and has received this award a further two times since (once winning for Export in 2010 and once for innovation in digital music streaming in 2014). In 1991, Naim released their first CD player, the CDS, which again flew against conventional wisdom with a two-box design (the current flagship CD player shares a lineage with this original model).
Over the years, many Naim models have achieved iconic status, including the Naim NAP250 power amplifier, a favourite among many audiophiles with a latest iteration of this model that continues to this day. As an emphasis over the quality of the Naim range, they partnered with distinguished British brand Bentley in 2008 to provide music systems for their cars.
In 2009, Naim also released the "Uniti" range, which turned the conventional wisdom that "more boxes are always better" by combining power amplifier, pre amplifier, CD player and/or streaming capabilities in one box. Of course, the higher separates Naim systems will always sound better, but the four models in the Uniti range established themselves as such a high performance solutions for a reasonable investment that there are little other options that can compete.
In 2013, Naim also released the Naim Mu-So, a wireless streaming speaker system and another revolutionary move by the brand. To put this into perspective, the release of this product was as much of a surprise as if Bentley released a competitor in the low-priced car category that outclassed all of the established competitors.
The Mu-So has done just that. A hugely popular "lifestyle" music solution, both existing Naim owners and new customers have discovered how wonderful this speaker system sounds as a classy, single box unit for enjoying music in an area where you can't accommodate a full separates hi-fi system.
With a rich heritage and history of pioneering products in the hi-fi industry, Naim have cultivated a brand which is synonymous with the pinnacle of hi-fi, as well as the values and quality of British hi-fi and manufacturing. Naim Audio is designed and manufactured in Salisbury, UK and their relentless pursuit of sonic perfection has seen a host of awards and stellar reviews.
Naim offer a range of integrated amplifiers, pre amplifiers, power amplifiers, CD players, streamers, CD players, DACs, loudspeakers and accessories. In 2011, Naim merged with Focal JM Labs, and with a synergy in design, this makes Focal speakers a natural matching choice for Naim. Other highly recommended options include KEF speakers and ProAc speakers.
Most CD players feature digital outputs, typically optical and coaxial, enabling you to use your unit as a transport and take the digital output and feed it directly into an external DAC. This enables you to upgrade your CD player in the future, and improve the overall sound experienced from it. As with amplification and many aspects of hi-fi, the use of separate boxes and units can have a profound effect on the overall sound quality. Separating noisy power supplies from delicate circuitry can result in greater overall fidelity and sound quality, which is why separate CD transports and DACs are regarded as the pinnacle of hi-fi, just as a separate power and pre amplifier are the pinnacle of amplification. All in one units often represent excellent value, and are not necessarily worse than separate transport and DAC solutions. In fact, at entry level and mid level price points, an all in one CD player typically outperform a similarly priced separate solution.
The quality of the CD transport mechanism, whether that is a standalone unit or the transport in a one-box CD player, can have a massive effect on the overall sound from your Compact Discs. Some high end models use a manual drawer rather than a slot-loading or mechanised disc tray, which eliminates the need for additional motors, circuitry and potential noise interfering with the sound quality achieved. Internal resonance control and prevention of laser refraction ensures that a precise read can be achieved, which ultimately results in the best sound quality.
One box CD players feature analogue RCA outputs for connecting to a pre amplifier or integrated amplifier. As mentioned, some models also feature digital outputs, enabling you to connect a DAC which in turn is connected to an amplifier via RCA cable. A good quality cable can also offer an improvement to the sound you achieve, and can also help to alter or adjust the tonal characteristics of your system – for example adding a more well-rounded sound to an overly bright system.
CD Players - Naim Audio
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