I've just acquired a 552 to replace my NAC252 - Can I have your opinion gentlemen, please...
With Fraim lite (5 high x 2 stacks) brain / brawn split... would you put the 552 or the NDS on the top of the brain stack? assuming the other goes on next shelf down from top. (for NDS read NDX temporarily).
I realise this might be a bit hypothetical (long word for this time of night), since not many have had the NDS to evaluate, however I would be very interested in your 'best guess' opinions; I know you guys have bucket loads of practical experience of placing kit on Fraims. Thanks in advance.
BTW - other stuff on the rack is NAP300, HDX, non-Naim CD transport & DAB tuner, 555PS for NDS/X & PS's for 300 & 552, and Superline & Hicap. (LP12 is on a wall shelf).
Roger
Posted on: 06 July 2012 by Dustysox
Hi rjstaines.
First off, congratulations on your new addition. The 552, is for me the 8th wonder of the World!!!!
At the moment I have my NDX on the top frame with a gap below and then below that sits the 552. It all works/sounds ruddy brilliant!
I tried the 552 on the top as many do and have done, however with a 5 year old son I felt the 552 was better protected in the middle and wouldn't skate off.
As always...give it a go and see what ou think.
I also, would be very interested on yur thoughts of your NDS when it makes it debut.
Posted on: 07 July 2012 by Darke Bear
552 is a musical wonder. 
I have tried many 552 positions and find mine works best in the middle with my 555 on top. I use medium levels to give plenty of space around the 552 and find that works fine and gives me superior results to having the 552 on top - tried that, but it was not as good as where I now have it.
For the NDS you could have it either on top or try the 552 on top - but keep them in their own 'brain' fraim stack - and I advise using medium spacers, rather than empty fraim shelves. The medium does a better sonic job for a lower cost.
I tried empty standard shelves several times in my system, following recommendations, but had to remove them as they added awful 'rattle-noise' and confused the low-level detail retreival. Mine is an Active system, so may be more sensitive to this - they do add 'airiness' but if you can also resove what else they add, then that is not worth the price.
DB.
Posted on: 07 July 2012 by Darke Bear
Originally Posted by AMA:
DB, could you pls share the stacking order in your setup?
Left (1) to Right (5) - 5 fraim stacks, top to bottom:
Stack 1 (all Medium)
555 head
552 head
empty bottom shelf
Stack 2 (all standard)
500PS (for BMR)
552PS
Supercap (for Snaxo)
555PS (digital)
555PS (analogue)
Stack 3 (all Medium) 'Reversed fraim stack'
BMR Snaxo
500 (for BMR)
empty bottom shelf
Stack 4 (all Tall) 'Reversed fraim stack'
500 (for Bass top)
500 (for Bass lower)
Stack 5 (all standard)
500PS (for Bass top)
500PS (for Bass lower)
empty bottom shelf
All Burndy cables are free and do not touch the floor - important!
I used reversed fraim for the 500 stacks, as the cables dress much better and I prefer the sonics.
DB.
Posted on: 07 July 2012 by Harry
Congratulations and my best wishes with it.
I try to put the source on top and the pre near the top. I have not gone through many permutations and rack rebuilds so am not qualified to give a definitive reply. But I'm willing to bet that it's marginal for some, neutral for some and not not so marginal or neutral for others. I keep the largest distance possible between a pre and its PS. I've only got a single stack to play with, although I can have it high.
I think in the context of your acquisition the really big scoop is the 552 wherever it goes. But it never hurts to trim - if you can.
Posted on: 07 July 2012 by rjstaines
Gentlemen, many thanks for your answers. Some experimenting lies ahead, I feel, but right now the 552 is on top and the NDx is right below it. It'll take some time before I stop basking in the sheer wrap-around musicality of the 552. My dealer said to expect a big difference from the 252 and he was absolutely not wrong (as many of you already know, of course).
Best, Roger
(PS - 'Sacre bleu' as I once heard coming from the direction of Salisbury)
