NAC 52 versus NAC 252

George,

It's a good thing you like what you can afford. Otherwise, a person just ends up feeling bad and lying to himself. I think it's called self delusion.
ATB from BBM

thats not very nice.

Dear 151,

It is an interesting one really! If one always wants what is out of reach one cannot find contentment, and I am all for contentment. I never deceive myself about that fact that there is always something better, but as a contented pragmatist, I have always been sure to keep an attitude which allows for enjoyment of the possible!

When I found the 72 as a pre-amp, I simply wished that it had still been a current model when I bought my 52! The 52 came as a result of selling my fine five stringed double bass [commissioned by me five years earlier from a very fine maker] - on the rebound, as it were, from the fact of my playing finishing! The rebound is always apt to make a person less reliable in their judgment!

But the experience of running both has been an eye opener!

Thanks for sharing the view that the old 72 is not at all a shabby imitation of the best pre-amps in the Naim hierarchy.

ATB from George

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Bibb:
FWIW I would be interested in the exact differences (apart from case and feet) between the 252s and the last 52s.

It seems that a lot have changed between two amps.
52:

252:

The 252 does look much more neatly layed out!

I rather liked the way the 252 whenever I have come across it in a system!

ATB from George

george,

Are you going zen ?

It would appear that four input boards have been removed from the innards of the 52 pictured, so it can hardly be fair to judge. After all, the plug in/play 52 is far more adaptable to source components than the more hard-wired 252 could ever be.

And I'd defy anyone (other, perhaps, than Roy George and his design team) to say which would sound better just by looking at the photos.

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Dear 151,

It is an interesting one really! If one always wants what is out of reach one cannot find contentment, and I am all for contentment. I never deceive myself about that fact that there is always something better, but as a contented pragmatist, I have always been sure to keep an attitude which allows for enjoyment of the possible!
ATB from George

Exactly!!!

graham,

Nothing has been removed, as far as I know from the day I got it and all inputs work.

What's not seen here is the another board sitting underneath for other channel. The left and right board are mounted on a separate cct. board.

And *sound better* is always subjective but there is a reason why they sound different as they do not look alike inside.

kuma, if so, I apologise, I've never ventured to take the case off mine!

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
And I'd defy anyone (other, perhaps, than Roy George and his design team) to say which would sound better just by looking at the photos.

I can tell.

The 52 will sound better because it has more of that 'Green stuff' as well three strips of White ribbon, compared to the one of 252. Ok, the 252 has more 'bits and bobs' stuck on the 'Green stuff' but that's probably just for show.

As you can tell, I'm an expert in electronics, so no arguing with me over this.

Makes complete sense to me, as well as confirming my long-held prejudice!

Last year I had a fully serviced and up-dated 52 and was gradually swapping to reference from olive.

Tried a 282 and it was no match for the 52
Tried the 252 and it was quite an improvement on all fronts. Cost to change was minimal as used 52's go for over £2K due to limited supply and 252's are not far away

Very happy now!

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:
george,

Are you going zen ?

I suppose that I am just getting old!

Thanks for a smile, dear kuma!

ATB from George

george,

'Taru o shiru' is a school of thinking very common in Japan.

My brother's first name consists of last two Chinese character ( Tomotari ) of Shiru Taru, as my parents wanted him to have a gratitude for the things in life.

Learn to be content is one's life long lesson albeit difficult one at that in our materially based society.

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:
george,

'Taru o shiru' is a school of thinking very common in Japan.

My brother's first name consists of last two Chinese character ( Tomotari ) of Shiru Taru, as my parents wanted him to have a gratitude for the things in life.

Learn to be content is one's life long lesson albeit difficult one at that in our materially based society.

Wise words indeed, I'm going to hold that thought all day.

Thanks

RR