Ayre-cx-7eMP vs. Naim CD5SI Player


Hello folks, I’m getting a new Naim Supernait 3 and I have an Ayre-cx-7eMP player. Good shape and Ayre states will be able to be serviced in the future if necessary. I like the player and the performance. I’m looking for input on compatibility from you, the Audiogon family. In your opinion, will the Naim CD5SI with DIN connections, high quality manufacturering with a newer DAC equal or surpass the performance of the Ayre technology from 2009?

Naim dealers are encouraging me to keep the Naim synergy. Cabling is another issue but I have been informed by several dealers that the newer Naim circuitry has made it easier for cable matching. We can discuss cable matching and preferences further in the thread but for starters let’s discuss the differences in the two players.

The Ayre has been very good in my system. Prior to now it was mated to the Ayre K-5xeMP so that synergy was perfect. I have read much literature, seen many videos and spoken to Ayre about the performance of the Cx-7eMP. Ayre loves to talk to their customers. Big plus for Ayre - the separate power supplies for digital and analog sections. Fully balanced however I understand the Supernait 3 converts it’s signals to balanced as well. So I’m looking for your guidance, please.

Speakers are Totem Forest Signatures.

N

nutty
To all in copy - Thanks for the Breakdown so far.

yeti42 - Thanks for the guidance on the cables and the CD5SI.
I'll also 'keep an eye out for the Chord Chrysalis on the used market. Might be a good cable to have on hand for comparison. I've been advised by several dealers this week that a good quality RCA cable will work fine with the Supernait 3. 

I'll keep the Ayre in the system for now or get a better Ripper, streamer/DAC in the future. 

Speaker cables for now will be Wireworld Eclipse 7's. Upscale Audio and Audible Elegance said that the Supernait should would work well with the cable. 

N




Casa Pacifica  is system w Atom. i have used it driving Vandersteen Treo CT via Kimber 12 a Litz with no issues. I call it the 40 wpc mulekicker. The streamer and dac are quite musical. I have it connected to a 4tb Synology NAS. the input you got on the NAIM speaker lugs is spot on. My Kimber dealer had some slightly oversize bananas that worked for me. Currently it sees just preamp duty w analog in via Audioquest Fire RCA and AQ Water RCA out to tube poweramp.

https://systems.audiogon.com/users/tomic601

On the Unitiserve / NAS system ( similar to Core ) I use bnc to rca spdif cable to the dac. That cable is Audioquest but Nordost Silver shadow ( nos ) quite good also.

have fun, enjoy the music..
tomic601-

Very nice system! (s) Love the Vandersteen's. Making note of Audioquest, Nordost and Kimber Kable's as options. 

N