ken's 252 update...
Posted by: ken c on 28 January 2004
its exactly one week since the 252 arrived. i was going to wait a few more weeks before reporting on progress with the run in. however, yesterday, something signficant happened.
the sibilance, smeared treble has now gone.
the stranglehold on the music is also now almost gone, and the sound is now rather more relaxed.
the sense of awesome power is definitely more apparent than with my old 52, however there is not yet as much warmth as i was used to with the 52, especially with vinyl. (i need to get my LP12 serviced and new prefix done anyway, so am not too bothered about this right now...)
there are "hints" here and there of other aspects of the preamp that seem better than 52, but i will wait a little while longer before stating a definitive view.
most importantly, the "anxiety" is melting way, though a certain curiosity is creeping in regarding the 552. just mad curiosity you understand...
enjoy
ken
the sibilance, smeared treble has now gone.
the stranglehold on the music is also now almost gone, and the sound is now rather more relaxed.
the sense of awesome power is definitely more apparent than with my old 52, however there is not yet as much warmth as i was used to with the 52, especially with vinyl. (i need to get my LP12 serviced and new prefix done anyway, so am not too bothered about this right now...)
there are "hints" here and there of other aspects of the preamp that seem better than 52, but i will wait a little while longer before stating a definitive view.
most importantly, the "anxiety" is melting way, though a certain curiosity is creeping in regarding the 552. just mad curiosity you understand...
enjoy
ken
quote:
Nigel
You`re not aiming for a job for some hi-fi mag are you?
Laurie S
Do you really think so? Well here's hoping. Would be great to get paid listening to this.
Ken,
Glad you found the write up useful. Your problem sounds rather like when I first took delivery of my NBLs. They sounded awful. I was really disappoined and wanting my B&W Nautilus back. 6 months later, however, and everything came together. I remember talking with Doug at Naim and saying "they just don't sound musical. Sure the detail's there but the bass sounds disjointed from the midrange and the midrange sounds disjointed from the treble". I asked for the the x-overs to be looked at and I think that the lads were good enough to make a slight tweak. Made a slight difference (I think?) but the running in is the real secret. They sound absolutely stunning now and I wouldn't change them for anything (not even the DBL or fabulous Nautilus 800!). With respect to the "efortlessness" - I am sure that the NAC552 did this. As I mentioned in my little write up, I have found some tracks to be a struggle for my system as is - the 552 fixed this in an instant. No - I'm convinced - now where did I put that wallet?
Your all just a load of teases 
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Ken said
I think that's what they call "a bovine moment".
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
quote:
wait till day 24, then, holy cow!!!
I think that's what they call "a bovine moment".
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Shochet:
Hi Ken,
Now that you are a good couple of months into your 252, any new observations? I am getting ready for a jump from CDS2/82/SC/250 to the 252, and would love to hear an update. Specifically, one trait of my system that I could live without is the tin-can sound of older make CD's (1980's). Newer CD's sound amazing already, but I wonder if the 252 does better with poorly recorded material.
Thanks,
Steve
hi steve,
the 252 has settled down very nicely thanks. for quite a while, i felt the music was somewhat "disected", but now, it just washes over me. its a bit hard now to separate what's causing what -- as i have committed the cardinal sin -- too many changes in a small amount of time. most significant of which is going back to passive operation -- this has taken a bit of getting used to.
good new is early this month i got a 250MkII. interestingly, this wasnt as much of a roller-coaster with run-in as the 252 was -- "me no understand".
i dont have a cd player any more -- my cds2 has a new (happy) home. the idea was to upgrade to cds3 asap, but i havent found a dealer willing to sell one to me.
. another change i have made is mana rack in place of the old audiotech to support my LP12, which appears to like it a lot. so i cant really comment on what a 252 will do to old cd's as i never really used it that much with a cd player.however, i can state without any hestitation that the 252 is a very good preamp.
and the 250-2? man, its "heavy"...
enjoy
ken