252 Break-In Period

This is normal I am afraid.

It will take 3/5 weeks to hit optimum performance.

It will be worth it believe me.

Regards

Mick

The CDS3 is warming up nicely afer being 9 days old and my next purchase will be a Supercap2 for the Turntable. It will go between the Prefix and 52.

The 552 comes after that.

Regards

Mick

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
my next purchase will be a Supercap2 for the Turntable. It will go between the Prefix and 52.

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Although I realize the new Super-Cap2 is only marginally better than the old Super-Cap (benefiting mostly from the new case, IIRC), why would you put it on the Prefix? Why not put the Super-Cap2 on the 52, and move your old Super-Cap to the prefix?

Actually, now that I think of it, it makes even less sense. You're planning to get a 552, which won't work with a Super-Cap. Why not wait for the 552, and then move your existing Super-Cap to the prefix?

The only justification that I can fathom, which is probably why you're doing it, is to transition the main system to the new look, while moving the 52 and Super-Cap to your secondary system. That does seem to be the type of upgrade that you generally do. In my case, I've been upgrading my two systems independently, but I do realize this isn't the norm.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

You said

"Although I realize the new Super-Cap2 is only marginally better than the old Super-Cap (benefiting mostly from the new case, IIRC), why would you put it on the Prefix? Why not put the Super-Cap2 on the 52, and move your old Super-Cap to the prefix?

Sorry I intend to do precisely as you suggested. I should have been clearer.

Regards

Mick

Hi,

I've had a new 252/supercap2 for a week now. Although it sounds better than the former 82/2 hi-caps, I can notice the overall sound improving in the week but there's still a harshness and unresolved musical elements noticeable. Based on what I've heard in a week, 3 to 5 weeks would seem appropriate when expecting the legendary almost upper end in the Naim chain.

Best regards,

Rich

Hi Alan

I had a new 252/SC2 a couple of months ago. It behaved as I perceive most Naim kit to behave during warm-up.

Loads of rhythmic drive, fresh out of the box, if a little ragged.

24 hours into warm-up I reckon the sound is at its worst, because it fills out and smooths out, but sounds fat, shut in and slow.

Three to five days is then needed to get some clarity and control back into the sound.

Then; it's a gradual improvement. However; it's not uncommon to find the performance taking a leap around one month in.

Mine has just about peaked at two months, I reckon.

Enjoy the journey.

Are you happy with the performance now Alan?

I gave this some further thought. There can be some psychology at work here. Having spent all this money, we expect to be blown away every time we use the system.

Life, sadly; ain't that simple. I know that when I'm tired or uptight, my system sounds below par, so I turn down the volume or do something else.

And don't forget the vagaries of your mains supply. This does affect the sound quality of a good system without doubt.

I find that 4 to 7pm is generally the worst time.

Sunday mornings seem to be really good, but I suspect that has more to do with being fresh and having that 'Sunday feeling'.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your replies! J.N., you're mentioning exactly what I've heard... my system sounds fat, shut in and slow! I have rearranged my speaker positions and it has improved a bit but still less than satisfactory. I'm getting my CDS3 soon. Looks like another few weeks of break-in effort!

Thank you and have a Happy New Year!

Alan

Alan

How's things now?

What is currently the rest of your system?

Your 252 should be well past its 'bloaty' phase.

Hi J.N.,

My current system consists of 252, 250, CDX2, and Supercap2. I have just ordered CDS3 and XPS2 before Christmas and should be receiving them soon. I'm also in the process of upgrading my speakers. So far I have shortlisted Neat MFS and ProAc D25. Just wondering if you have any comment about those speakers?

By tomorrow I would have received my 252 for 2 weeks already. I hear a little echo in the background and it also sounds a little harsh at times. But the situation seems to improve a bit when I loosen or unlock the collars of the DIN interconnect and SNAIC cables. But it is still quite inconsistent. By the way, do you leave your collars locked or unlocked at all time?

Thank you and have a Happy New Year!

Alan

Alan;

Curious symptoms.

What are your current speakers?

If your sound is tending toward the fat and slow; I'd opt for the Neats rather than the Proacs, as the Neats have a much more 'Naim like' tight, lean bass quality.

I have my DIN collars unlocked, but the difference should be pretty subtle.

The CDS3 is a truly remarkable CD player and quite different to the '2'. It'll need the best part of a month to reveal its true colours.

Good luck.

Hi J.N.,

I'm currently using Cyrus 780 (by Mission). I had been putting off the speaker upgrade because I wanted to wait for ProAc D25. I had heard ProAc 2.5 and liked it a lot. I had heard good reviews on Neat MFS but unfortunately the Neat Dealer here does not have the demo set. So I'm a bit stuck on my decision now!

Thanks very much for your comments! Looks like I'll be waiting for another month for my CDS3 to break-in!

Regards,

Alan

quote:

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By tomorrow I would have received my 252 for 2 weeks already. I hear a little echo in the background and it also sounds a little harsh at times.

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Alan; is the first part of your quote above, meant to be positive? - meaning you are detecting some 'reverb' and 'space' hitherto unheard?

The harshness I can only put down to your speakers due to their inherent sound (unless the tweeters are buggered?)

Another possibility is that your room is too (acoustically) 'lively'.

Sadly; an acoustically difficult room will more easily demonstrate the old Gilbert Briggs truism which goes something like:-

"The more you open the window; the more the muck flies in".

Having wrestled with a difficult room myself; I can attest to the fact that more expensive kit can actually make things worse.

Funny old game eh?

J.N. and Nick,

The little echo in the background has improved when I unlock all the collars of the DIN interconnect and SNAIC cables, I had been trying out different speaker placements and the situation seems to improve a bit also.

Alan

Alan,

The situation could improve with different speaker placement but if you get bad echo it is usually the first reflections comming from the side walls or the wall behind/between the speakers. If it persists some room treatments will probable be needed. You can find out by hanging an old duvet between the speakers to see what sort of difference that makes. The exact same thing has happened to me since I got a 500 (previously had a six pack). There is now so much more energy in the room and so much more clarity that I can't get away with the room on it's own. If you are interested in room treatment, Custom Audio Desings I have found to be helpfull.

Mick,

I do wonder if it's worth buying another supercap for your prefix if you are planning on getting a 552. While never having tried a sup/cap on my prefix, powering it from my 552 just blows a Hi-Cap or 52 away. I have heard it said that powering one from a 552 is as good/or better than powering it from a supercap.

Just a thought.

Sean.

Thanks Sean for your useful advice! I will see what I can do with the room.

Regards,

Alan