NAC 52 versus NAC 252

Just making sure, i am easily confused

I was thinking that a 52 might sort the problems i get with cd on my 202 but it seems that it may exacerbate them.

If I was spending that much coin, the cost of a short flight or long drive to a beautiful city with a Naim dealer who can do this demo may be a good idea.

I did something similar travelling to Montreal from Toronto (6 hr drive), my wife loved the trip to this beautiful city and I was able to get my amps recapped :-)

I would go to the question:Is the 252 a sidestep to a "modernized" 52 SCAP, or is the 252 a step forward to a better sound?

Look at the first reply to the question.

I had a late 52, my 252 is a good deal better.

To the answer the OP............
I'm not sure.

I am 2 months down the line from replacing 52 with 252.

If CD is your primary source then I think 252 is clearly superior to 52.
On vinyl however it is not so clear cut. There are times when the 252 is not as engaging as the 52 to my ears.

the 252 takes more than two months to come on song,trust me you have got more to look forward to.

must remember to compare apples with apples -- an unserviced 20yo 52 will need work

also remember that, according to Dame Sheila of Salisbury (if I remember the conversation correctly), a POTS8 52 with the 52PS is better than supercap -- after all, the 52PS has twice the number of big capacitors compared to a supercap.

Sorry but I don´t know what a POTS8 52 or52PS is?
Please explain.

I bought a preloved 52 and Scap, had it serviced and just loved the sound for 2 years. It was top of the line then just like a classic car cruising down the road. I enjoyed every minute of it, I doubt you could go wrong. But if you're the type to worry about getting every little bit to perfection, or going to worry about missing out on something, go to the black. Just sell your retirement savings for a 552 and be done with it.

quote:

Originally posted by adamk:

If CD is your primary source then I think 252 is clearly superior to 52.
On vinyl however it is not so clear cut. There are times when the 252 is not as engaging as the 52 to my ears.

Totally agreed. With vinyl, it is very hard to beat the NAC 52.

quote:

a POTS8 52 with the 52PS is better than supercap

Jon a Supercap on its own is not going to be hugely competitive against any preamp/power supply!

Do you mean that Sheila thinks that a POTS8 52/52PS is better than a POTS8 52/(any)Supercap?

Or that a POTS8 52/52PS is better than a 252/Supercap2? - ignoring the phono stage issue.

I have, after consideing , send my 52/SCAP to naim for a total upgrade. It takes 5 weeks so I´m 3 weeks to make, plus running intime, to see if it was worth the cost....

I think that is a good decision - I sent my 52/supercap back for a refurb 6 months ago and its brilliant. Best we just save our pennies for a 552 one day rather than fork out for a halfway house.

quote:

Originally posted by guj:
I have, after consideing , send my 52/SCAP to naim for a total upgrade. It takes 5 weeks so I´m 3 weeks to make, plus running intime, to see if it was worth the cost....

I too think that this is a good decision, your system will improve significantly, and you will also avoid unbalancing your system.

I like the fact that the Olive series was created with vinyl as a primary source and CD as a secondary. This is how I use my two systems.

Reference can wait until I win the lottery :-)

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
With the CDS3 and the 300, don't bother with the 252. It's a bit boring from my experience of it. Save your pennies and get a used 552. That is the system I used to have and it is fantastic.

Nigel

Nigel - begone with your foul temptations

quote:

Some people claim that they prefer the 282 over the 252. ...

Actually, I prefer the 282 over the 252, of course, I HAVE a 282 and have never HEARD a 252, but that's another story for another time.

Tom

I think it is near pointless upgrading from 52 to 252. It's likely to be a lot of money to get not a lot further ahead, sonically.

Far better to save for a 552 and have your socks blown off.

There's not much criticism of the 552 on the forum but the 252 is quite controversial.

Engelbert

quote:

Originally posted by TFE:
Actually, I prefer the 282 over the 252, of course, I HAVE a 282 and have never HEARD a 252, but that's another story for another time.
Tom

I am confused! You prefer the 282 to the 252 "because" you have never heard a 252?

The 252 is some way ahead of the 52, IME.I've had both.

and me.

quote:

Originally posted by Engelbert:
I think it is near pointless upgrading from 52 to 252. It's likely to be a lot of money to get not a lot further ahead, sonically.

Far better to save for a 552 and have your socks blown off.

There's not much criticism of the 552 on the forum but the 252 is quite controversial.

Engelbert

No it's not !!!!!

Just a brilliant pre-amp unless you are in the perpetual "get a used 552 and SBL" soundbite .

RR

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Dinh:

quote:

Originally posted by adamk:

If CD is your primary source then I think 252 is clearly superior to 52.
On vinyl however it is not so clear cut. There are times when the 252 is not as engaging as the 52 to my ears.

Totally agreed. With vinyl, it is very hard to beat the NAC 52.

Hi there, a 52 with an integrated phono stage against a 252 without one? Have you tried an external stage with both for a true A/B?

regards

Rooster

quote:

Originally posted by Red Rooster:

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Dinh:

quote:

Originally posted by adamk:

If CD is your primary source then I think 252 is clearly superior to 52.
On vinyl however it is not so clear cut. There are times when the 252 is not as engaging as the 52 to my ears.

Totally agreed. With vinyl, it is very hard to beat the NAC 52.

Hi there, a 52 with an integrated phono stage against a 252 without one? Have you tried an external stage with both for a true A/B?

regards

Rooster

Another confusing message . How can one listen to vinyl on a 252 without a phono stage. Of course I did. I have tried the same Stageline K+hicap on both 52 and 252.

sorry

rr

the 552 is the best,best,best pre naim make its the best its better than 282,252 and any other pre naim make 552 is the best of the best,dont it get monitinus,i think most know how good it is we get told in every other thread.